Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY340379 Unique Reference Number 12 September 2007 Inspection date Susan Victoria May 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, who are aged 11, 15 and seven years, in Reading, Berkshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding. Young children use a travel cot for sleeping in a first floor bedroom. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder may care for five children and is currently minding three children on a part time basis. The childminder is prepared to take and collect children from local schools.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a clean, healthy environment in which to rest and play. They develop a growing awareness of good hygiene practice, their understanding increased and reinforced through routine and age appropriate explanation. For example, the childminder gently reminds children to wash hands after using the potty and helps them wash and dry their hands properly. The childminder holds all of the required documentation to accurately record all accidents and administer prescribed medication and has a valid first aid certificate in place to ensure she can

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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 deal with minor accidents effectively. However, to further protect children, consideration must be given to obtaining written parental consent for medical emergency treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a sound understanding of how best to support the children's skills, develop their confidence, and provide activities to help them progress at their own rate, she has regard for the 'Birth to three matters' framework and has attended training to increase her understanding of enhancing young children’s care. The childminder provides daily opportunities for regular fresh air and exercise which children enjoy and promotes their good health. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. Children develop control and co-ordination through playing with malleable materials such as play dough and sand and pushing wheeled toys along a path of their choice. Children have further opportunities to develop physical skills through playing on the climbing frame in the garden, exploring equipment at local parks or attending activity groups such as toddler bounce.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s dietary needs are met because the childminder works closely with parents. The childminder records and discusses the parent’s preferences regarding food and individual children’s needs. This ensures the needs of the children in her care are met. Drinks are available throughout the day and all meals are served at the table to encourage social interaction and to help form the basis of future eating habits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to move around the childminder's home safely and independently. The childminder satisfactorily identifies risks indoors and outdoors within her home and takes steps to keep children safe. For example, children are accompanied in the garden at all times. On outings children begin to learn about keeping themselves safe as they cross roads at pedestrian crossings and walk with the childminder on the way to school. The childminder takes contact numbers with her and a first aid box to help safeguard children, however, not enough consideration has been given to obtaining the appropriate parental consents for outings. Fire safety precautions and evacuation procedures to protect children are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder provides a varied range of well-maintained resources suitable to the children's age and stage of development, from which children can easily self select. The childminder carries out regular checks on all toys, resources and equipment and implements procedures to clean and maintain all toys and resources. This ensures they remain safe for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards the children's welfare in line with Local Safe Guarding Children's Boards procedures. She has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child in her care. This ensures she is able to quickly recognise when a child is in danger and act in the child’s best interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are happy and content in the calm atmosphere of the childminders home; children relax and play confidently. There are many opportunities for children to make choices, express personal preferences and enthusiastically self select from a broad range of equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is warm and affectionate making children feel comfortable and valued. She has good relationships with the children; enjoys their company and knows them well. She spends

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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 a lot of time talking and playing with them; consequently, children have good support and make good progress in all areas of development. A good use of open ended questions helps children begin to formulate their own ideas and problem solve, for instance, a young child identifies and uses the right tools to cut hair on the play dough people after the childminder asks “how can we make the hair shorter?” Children follow routines that include outings on most days to local parks and groups. This provides children with opportunities to learn about the world around them in a familiar environment and give them confidence to try new experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an obvious understanding of providing children with a broad range of experiences, for example, helping develop imagination and self-expression through role play and art and craft activities. She provides good opportunities for children to learn in all areas. The childminder and parents share daily information on the children to help them progress effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats the children with kindness and care, helping them to feel good about themselves appropriately for their age and stage of development. She takes time to discuss children’s need with parents taking into account medical and dietary requirements, culture, beliefs and parental preferences. This information along with pre-visits helps ensure she knows each child’s individual needs. Children feel secure in her presence in the home environment and make requests and ask questions with confidence. The childminder has a sound knowledge of equal opportunities issues and encourages all children to participate in all activities, however, the small selection of resources available to promote positive images does not effectively reflect the diversity of society. Children begin to develop a sense of place and learn about where they live through regular trips to local schools, toddler groups and a park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder encourages children to behave and become aware of the house rules by reminding them of what is acceptable behaviour in an age appropriate manner. She reminds them to say please and thank you if they forget and praises them when they say it spontaneously. Children respond to her and show respect, she in turn listens to their views and values their comments. The childminder has a good understanding of caring for children with disabilities and/or learning difficulties and recognises the importance of close liaison with parents and outside agencies to ensure children are able to participate fully to reach their full potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are friendly and professional; this contributes greatly to the children's well being. The childminder shares with parent’s information about daily events and children’s progress through daily verbal communication. Copies of the childminders policies and procedures are readily available for the parents and are discussed prior to the children being minded. The good relationship between parents and the childminder help provide the children with continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are relaxed and are clearly settled in the childminders home. She offers appropriate adult support to help them feel secure and confident. This enables them to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Children benefit from the range of activities that are set out to allow the children room to play comfortably and freely in defined areas inside and outside the

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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 home. For example, children can sit at the table to enjoy messy play, relax in comfy chairs for a story and rest times or use the toys and resources with adequate floor space to extend their play if they wish.

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Organisation

Most of the required documentation is in place and the childminder understands the importance of maintaining documentation confidentially. Written information is available to parents about the childminder's practices, including contact details of the regulator and a complaints procedure. However, the registration certificate is not displayed where it is easily visible. Ratios are always observed and the childminder keeps an accurate record of children’s attendance. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • request written parental consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • request written permission to take children on outings and transport children in a car • increase the range of resources that promote equality of opportunity and positive images of the diversity of our society • ensure registration certificate is displayed where it is easily visible to parents

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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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