Little Harwood Children's Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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119085 Unique Reference Number 03 August 2007 Inspection date Carol Patricia Willett 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 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 has been registered since 1996. She lives with her two children, one adult and one high-school age. The family live in a house in Sandhurst, Berkshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with sleeping and toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The property is close to local shops, parks and schools. The family have no pets. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years. The childminder is currently caring for three children all of whom are under five years. The childminder holds a current certificate in paediatric first aid.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well maintained, child friendly home where generally good hygiene routines and procedures ensure the areas where they play and sleep are comfortable, clean and safe. There are very good procedures in place to ensure toys and equipment are clean and suitable for children to use. Children develop healthy lifestyles as they enjoy the wide range of activities provided to develop their physical skills. These include visits to the park, garden

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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 play and walks in the local area. The childminder ensures children stay healthy as she puts babies on rugs in the shade when they play in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good knowledge of healthy eating and she ensures children eat sufficient to maintain good health. Children enjoy picnics in the garden on sunny days where they eat their packed lunches. Currently parents choose to provide all the food for their children and the childminder has a good understanding of how to store food safely. The childminder ensures children eat healthily. She would supplement children's meals if they did not eat what parents had provided. She would discuss with parents if she thought lunchboxes were not healthy and nutritious. Children's understanding of personal hygiene is not consistently promoted as they do not always wash their hands before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good awareness of first aid and holds an appropriate certificate. There is a suitable first aid kit which is easily accessible. The childminder has the required documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded. She records accidents and when medication has been given to ensure there is an accurate record in an emergency. Records are signed by parents which ensure they are kept informed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and learn in a comfortable, child friendly environment which is well organised to provide sufficient space for them to play and explore. The children are happy and occupied as the childminder provides a wide range of good quality, age appropriate toys which are stored in boxes in the hallway and are freely accessible to the children. These are selected by the childminder and rotated with toys stored in other areas to maintain their interest. Toys and resources are checked and cleaned to ensure they are in a suitable condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children stay safe and develop confidence as the childminder closely supervises them and is very attentive. She checks sleeping babies regularly. She takes steps to minimise hazards to ensure children's safety, for example, sockets are covered, sharp knives are out of reach and the garden is securely enclosed. There are plants in containers on the edge of the patio to encourage the children to use the steps onto the grass. Good security is in place to ensure children are not able to leave the premises unsupervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are protected as the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection procedures. She has a copy of the local safeguarding children's board guidelines and the government booklet. The childminder has suitable documentation to record accidents. However, she does not record injuries they arrive with to ensure the children's welfare is fully safeguarded. There is appropriate insurance cover in place. The childminder does not discuss or practice fire evacuation procedures to ensure children develop confidence and awareness in the event of an emergency.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and secure as a result of the childminders warm, caring, attentive manner. They develop confidence and a sense of belonging as they form close relationships with the childminder going to her for hugs and cuddles when they need reassurance. Children enjoy a good range of toys and activities both inside and out in the garden. They enjoy craft and drawing, taking their pictures home for their parents. The childminder ensures the children

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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 enjoy a range of experiences that contribute to their physical development. They use a range of resources such as jigsaws, crayons and construction toys to develop their manipulative skills. They have regular walks to the local park and play in the garden enjoying the fresh air. They develop social skills and knowledge of the local community as they meet with friends for lunch and outings and go to the local toddler group. The childminder has good interactive skills, communicating well with the children as she develops their language skills. She sits on the floor to join in play and to talk with them, giving them support as needed when they try to complete jigsaws. She gently encourages the children to share and take turns. The childminder discusses children progress with their parents and plans for children next steps in development, for

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

example, as they learn to crawl. The childminder manages the range of ages very well as she organises a drawing activity in the garden for older children as she feeds the baby indoors carefully teaching them through the patio door.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident, happy and settled as the childminder is warm and caring. She has a good knowledge of their individual needs through talking to the parents, observing and listening to the children. They come to her for cuddles and reassurance as needed. She manages the range of ages well and ensures all children receive support according to their needs. For example she organises a drawing activity for older children in the garden whilst she feeds the baby in the highchair inside the house as she watches through the open patio door. All resources are freely available for the children to make independent choices. Children learn about their local community when out for walks, going shopping and playing in the park. There are a range of suitable resources to develop children's awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play happily with the range of resources, sharing and taking turns as they complete jigsaws, for instance. Children learn to care about others as the childminder gently encourages older children to help the baby. They are mostly well behaved and they are learning right from wrong as the childminder uses praise and encourages their good behaviour. The childminder acts as a good role model talking to the children with care and respect. She gives clear explanations for unacceptable behaviour, for example, why they should not take toys from other children. She uses distraction well and uses appropriate behaviour management strategies that are suitable for the ages of children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops good relationships with parents which ensure children's needs are well known. The parents are kept informed of their children's progress and the service provided through daily discussions. Parents provide written consent so the childminder is aware of and follows their wishes and parents have written agreements. Contracts are reviewed to ensure the information is updated and relevant to meet all the children's needs. The childminder has suitable documentation to record medication and accidents to the children in her care. The childminder ensures parents are aware of registration conditions and insurance cover as the certificates are displayed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a good understanding of the requirements of registration and the National Standards for childminding. She maintains ratios at all times. She has a good range of suitable documentation which provides information to enable her to meet the children's needs well and

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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 manage the provision safely. There are written agreements in place so expectations are clear. Basic, concise polices and procedures keep parents well informed about the childminding service though some lack detail. Information is exchanged informally on a daily basis to keep parents informed of the children's progress and activities. The children's needs are generally well met through the organisation of the home which provides children with good adult support within a safe environment. There is sufficient space for them to explore and play independently. The organisation of resources enables children to freely select them to initiate and develop their own play. This enables children to develop confidence and a sense of security in the environment. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to improve her documentation. She has made good progress and has developed records to record any incidents of physical restraint. She records any allergies children have and records children's actual time in her care. These measures ensure children welfare is safeguarded.

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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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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 children consistently wash their hands before eating food • record injuries children arrive with to ensure they are fully protected • discuss or practise fire evacuation procedures to develop children's confidence and awareness in an emergency.

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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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