Home Childcarer in Windsor and Maidenhead

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 159846 Inspection date 27 September 2005 Inspector Clare Louise Perry

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 2001. She lives with her partner and their 2 children, aged 2 and 9 years in Maidenhead Berkshire. All areas of the property are used for childminding, however this normally occurs downstairs with children only sleeping upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is currently caring for four children who all attend on a part-time basis. She takes and collects children from local schools. The childminder attends the local activity groups and takes children to the local library, river and park. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment; which is clean and hygienic. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through daily routines and guidance; they receive reminders to wash their hands after using the toilet. Children have good independence skills; they take themselves to the toilet and feed themselves. There are good procedures and documentation in place for dealing with accident and a sick child, to safeguard children's welfare and promote their good health. However, the childminder has not sought all relevant parental consents in case of an emergency. Children are well nourished; they enjoy fresh nutritious home cooked foods, prepared either by their parents and stored appropriately or by the childminder. The childminder holds a food hygiene certificate ensuring she handles, prepares and stores food appropriately, promoting children's well being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular physical activities both in the home environment and in the local community; they go to the park and local soft play centres. The younger children have many opportunities to practise their increasing skills using a door bouncer and baby walker.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. Children move around the home safely, freely and independently. They play in a large open plan living space. All children have easy access to a safe fully enclosed garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a safe and secure environment. However, not all safety precautions to minimise risk to children have been taken. There is no smoke alarm fitted on the ground floor and the open plan, open tread stairs are accessible. Children learn safe practice when being taken out; they all use appropriate restraints when in the car, are strapped into or hold onto the side of the pushchair. Children are well protected as the childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues and a clear understanding of her responsibilities to refer relevant concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children are confident, happy and well settled. They are relaxed and know their way around. Children are independent and play imaginatively; they imitate babies routines with dolls; copying feeding and winding. Babies enjoy bouncing enthusiastically in the door bouncer and exploring the room using the baby walker. They also enjoy watching the older children and adults. Children enjoy being creative, they do all their creative work in a scrap book, for example drawings and sticking, these are dated and when the books are full they are given to parents as a keepsake. Children relate well to each other; they are affectionate warm and caring. The older children try to cuddle and kiss the babies and they also like to cuddle the childminder. Children benefit from lots of visits, they go to play gym, toddlers and to friends.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy books and sharing them with the childminder. They develop their language and thinking through good interaction and open ended questioning by the childminder. They talk about letter sounds and play "I spy". The childminder knows the children well; both the twins like the rattles with a smiling face and mirror. She manages her time very efficiently to ensure all the children receive some special time with her.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children follow their individual daily routine; they rest and eat according to parents' wishes and their needs. Children learn about the wider world during visits within the local community, visiting shops, the local park and friends. The childminder has a good awareness of special needs and is able to support these children in the setting. Children behave well. They learn about good behaviour and the consequences of their actions, as positive and consistent strategies are used. Parents also use the same methods and strategies of behaviour management at home. Partnership with parents is very good. The childminder has supported one family since the birth of their twins, by working in their home offering support to mum and continuity of care for the older sibling. This has also enabled her to get to the twins very well prior to her caring for them independently. The childminder shares a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

detailed portfolio with parents and daily verbal information ensuring a close working relationship remains and children's needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all children, she organises her home and routines well to contribute to children’s good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and ability to take an active part in the setting. The childminder has kept herself up-to-date with current childcare practice undertaking further training. Policies and procedures work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution, although not all relevant child

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 record forms and parental consents are in place. The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve resources to reflect diversity and to improve her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. The childminder is able to demonstrate a good understanding and knowledge of child protection procedures and has spent time researching local procedures and information. The childminder now has a range of resources available to promote positive images of diversity and a ensures children learn about the wider world through local trips and visits.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure the stairs do not pose a hazard to children and install smoke alarms on all levels • ensure appropriate child records and parental consents are in place for all children.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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