Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY339421 Unique Reference Number 05 April 2007 Inspection date Christine Cutts Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 satisfactory. 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 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged five, four and two years in Emmer Green, Reading. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is available for childminding, the first floor is not included in the registration at the childminder's request. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder's registration is to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding one child under one, full time.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the appropriate care given by the childminder, responding to their needs for feeds, sleeps and play. Children develop with the provision of age appropriate toys, play mats, rattles and soft toys. The childminder organises activities such as a riverboat trip, visits

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 to childminder's Drop Ins and visits to the park to enable children to have a variety of experiences.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's sense of belonging and sense of self worth are developing, by following the children's home routines, such as sleeping arrangements and with the childminder organising the daily routines to enable her to give each child individual attention. The childminder has a current first aid certificate, however, a fully equipped first aid box is not available.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is of a high priority, they have access to a clean and well-maintained home environment in which good hygiene routines, such as good nappy changing routines, help minimise risks of cross infection, keeping children healthy and well.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works closely with parents to provide the children with a nutritious diet providing healthy snacks and drinks, valuing the wishes of parents and the children's likes and dislikes, encouraging children to develop healthy eating habits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children have a safe and secure environment in which children can access age appropriate, safe resources, which are well organised to develop their independence skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of health and safety issues and close supervision of the children ensures that they are safe and secure in their play, happy to move around the home. The children always play within sight of the childminder who makes herself aware of what the children are doing all the time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has minimised the areas of risk, identifying potential hazards and implementing a good range of safety equipment including, working smoke alarms, fire blanket and the use of stair gates to limit children's access to unused areas of the house.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare, however, there is no risk assessment in place. The childminder has a secure understanding of child protection in line with the local safeguarding children board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and learn in a home environment, with a good range of quality toys and age appropriate activities. The childminder intends to use the Birth to three matters framework to support babies and younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder's understanding of the children's individual needs, helping children develop on to their next steps. Encouraging children to reach and grasp toys, to move and develop their physical skills. The childminder provides the children with new experiences like visits to the park and trips on the river.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are good relationships between the children and the childminder, who engages the children in conversations and is attentive to their needs. This means that the children feel valued and develop a sense of self-worth and belonging.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children are valued and respected as individuals; the childminder endeavours to meet their individual needs. The children develop an understanding of others through playing together, socializing and using the resources available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is not currently minding any children with special needs or any children for whom English is an additional language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is generally good, they feel comfortable and at ease, they learn to respect and show affection for each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents; she ensures she exchanges information daily, keeping them informed about children’s progress and activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease in the well-organised environment, children benefit from the childminder's good organisation; she keeps her childminding commitments low to ensure that there is an appropriate level of space and resources to meet all the children's needs and to ensure that she is able to offer them individual time and attention. The childminder has undertaken all relevant checks and training to enable her to support the children she cares for.

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Organisation

All relevant documentation is in place to ensure care of the children. The childminder has good relationships with parents and exchanges information to help meet the children's individual needs.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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 satisfactory. 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): • provide a fully equipped first aid kit • develop a risk assessment

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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