Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY338221 Unique Reference Number 07 August 2007 Inspection date Keriann Belcher 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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and four years old in Langley in the County of Berkshire. The ground floor of the home is only used for minding purposes. There are two levels to the garden for outside play. The higher level is only used for minding purposes. There are currently two children on roll. Local parks, shops and schools are within easy walking distance. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have cats. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have daily opportunities to develop their physical skills and be out in the fresh air, such as riding their bike in the park. They walk to and from school with the childminder and have access to a range of outside play equipment.

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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 They follow appropriate hygiene procedures to prevent the spread of infection and play within a clean home environment. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and maintains a first aid box to deal with any minor accidents. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder is aware of recording accidents and medication administration.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished by the healthy and nutritious snacks that are offered to them and take into account their individual dietary needs, such as fresh fruit, carrots or cucumber. Currently, children have their food provided from their parents, which the childminder stores appropriately to ensure it is fresh and consumable. All children are provided with regular drinks of water or fruit juice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play within a warm and welcoming home environment. They are able to move freely around the minding areas and can independently access some resources to occupy themselves, for example individual activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Resources are clean and age appropriate which invites children to play. Children are sensible when crossing roads with the childminder as they understand not to cross unsupervised. The childminder is generally alert to potential hazards and takes steps to reduce the dangers. However, the climbing frame in the garden is not secure and there is not a smoke alarm on all levels of the premises, which could compromise children's safety. She has a written fire drill which she talks through with children to ensure they are aware of what to do in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder understands her role with regard to child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the secure family environment; they relate well to the childminder's natural affectionate manner cuddling into her when needing reassurance. Significant friendships are observed between the children which enables them to develop their social interactions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to develop their skills through a varied selection of resources and well planned activities. For example, they have the opportunity to develop their creative skills by doing craft activities. Children are able to choose resources independently, which contributes to their enjoyment and learning. For example, some children are doing a craft activity, some are relaxing watching television and some are singing and playing musical instruments. There are regular opportunities to take part in other activities, for example, baking jam tarts or playing in the garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children generally behave well in the childminder's care and understand house boundaries, for example not jumping on the furniture. Children play well together and are confident and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 sociable. They are polite and have a good relationship with the childminder who talks warmly to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder treats children as individuals and has a positive attitude to supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. However, children have very limited access to resources or activities that enable them to develop a positive view of diversity within society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has positive relationships with parents and speaks to them daily to keep them informed about her service, although she has yet to share her complaints procedure with them.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The environment is comfortable and organised to meet the children's needs and as a result children are happy and settled in the childminder's home.

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Organisation

The family home is clean and offers sufficient space for children to play freely and safely. Overall, the childminder takes steps to reduce hazards both inside and outdoors. However, the safety of some of the garden apparatus and the lack of a smoke alarm on all levels of the premises compromises children's safety.

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Organisation

The effective working relationship the childminder enjoys with parents adds to children's sense of belonging and contentment. Overall children's individual needs are respected and they are treated with equal concern. However, there are limited resources that reflect positive images of diversity.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures children's development and welfare is promoted according to their individual needs. The childminder has in place well organised documentation, which includes comprehensive policies and procedures which are used effectively to help contribute to children's safety and welfare.

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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 registration, there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take 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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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 smoke alarm which conforms to BS EN safety standards on every level of the house and are maintained in working order • ensure garden equipment is safe and maintained in suitable condition • enhance the resources to promote diversity.

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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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