Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY257397 Unique Reference Number 08 January 2008 Inspection date Samantha Hunt 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged 16, 13 and nine years in Cressex, on the outskirts of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Most of the ground floor rooms are used for childminding with toilet facilities situated on the first floor. There is a garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children under eight on a full and part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends a number of local toddler and carer groups on a weekly basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is involved with the Buckinghamshire Childminding Association as a committee member. She holds a paediatric first aid certificate.

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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 aware of their individual needs. For example, they ask to go to the toilet and identify when they need to blow their noses. The childminder provides children with their own individual hand towels and encourages good hygiene procedures through positive discussion and routines. Easily accessible resources such as liquid soap and a step up to the sink help and support their independence. This further helps promote their good hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat according to their individual needs. They have access to regular drinks throughout the day. All parents currently provide children with packed lunches and snacks. The childminder ensures risks to children’s health are minimised by storing these in the fridge. She carries out daily temperature checks to ensure the fridge is in working order and food is correctly stored. Records of children’s individual dietary needs are discusses and recorded with parents; this ensures she meets the needs of the children in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily access to fresh air and exercise which help promote their good health and hygiene. They have access to the garden on a regular basis and use of equipment such as ride on toys, balls and a sand pit help to develop their physical skills. They visit local parks, activity centres and toddler and childminder groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has effective systems in place for recording accidents and medication. She shares a written sickness policy with parents, holds a first aid certificate and stores the first aid kit in an easily accessible cupboard. This enables her to act in the children's best interests at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children begin to learn to be aware of their own safety through discussion with the childminder. She reminds children to hold onto the rail as they go up and down the stairs to the toilet, and encourages them to tidy away toys so that they do not create a trip hazard. Most areas of the home are safe and suitable for the children, however, on the day of inspection the garden was not secure as a fence panel was down in the garden. Effective use of safety features such as cupboard locks, a stair gate, correctly fitted fire blanket and smoke alarm help to minimise risk to children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is clear about how she would evacuate her home in the even of an emergency. However, she does not discuss or practise it with the children on a regular basis. Toys and equipment available is of good quality and much is stored at the children’s level to enable them to freely choose what they wish to play with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection. She is clear of her duty to act on any concerns, and holds most documentation to support her. However, she does not have up to date information relating to local authority guidelines for safeguarding children. She has a written child protection policy which she shares with parents, this ensures they are aware of her duty to report concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminders care. They relate well towards one another, the childminder and other household members. The children attend local toddler/childminder groups with the childminder on a weekly basis. This gives them the opportunity to meet and play with other children outside the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children use their imaginations well pretending to be doctors examining one another and the childminder. They giggle and laugh together as they listen to one another tummies with the stethoscope and pretend to administer medicine with the injection. Children are happy to make their needs known to the childminder who responds effectively to their needs. For example, explaining what instruments are used for in the doctors kit and getting toys from a higher shelf on request.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy to play with and without support from the childminder and involve one another well in their play. They happily chat to one another about the pictures they are drawing on the magic board. They eagerly watch as the picture disappears and then begin to draw another one. Through positive interaction and discussion at their level the childminder provides children with opportunities to extend their learning well, for example, encouraging them to identifying colours, shapes and numbers as they play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the individual needs of the children in her care. She plans a daily informal routine that allows children time for structured and unstructured play, meals and quiet times. This helps them to feel settled and comfortable in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children clearly benefit from the close relationships they are forming with one another and the childminder. She demonstrates a good understanding of their individual needs and shows children warmth and kindness. Children eagerly climb on the childminders knee to share a book or seek a cuddle.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is very good. They show kindness towards one another and take turns well when playing. The childminder is a positive role model as she talks calmly and responds positively to them when they require her attention. Children are given clear boundaries and lots of positive praise and encouragement. This helps to promote good behaviour. There are good opportunities for children to become aware of the wider community through positive discussion with the childminder, visits into the community and resources within the setting such as books, games and dolls.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works well with parents to ensure children's health, welfare and safety is effectively promoted. She shares written policies and procedures with parents when they first start, which include sickness, equal opportunities, behaviour, complaints, accidents and medication. She obtains parental permission from parents to take their children out, seek emergency medical treatment should the need arise and keeps information on children's individual needs regularly updated. She is proactive in discussing concerns at the earliest opportunity and gives parents daily feedback on how their child has been when they come to pick them up. This helps to form positive partnership with parents.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are confident and relaxed in the setting. They are confident to initiate and extend their own play. The childminder ensures they all receive a good level of care and attention. This helps children to feel secure and comfortable in the setting.

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Organisation

The childminder is organised and most documentation is in place that contributes to the children’s welfare, care and safety. For example, policies and procedures are regular reviewed by the childminder and records relating to the children including their attendance are effective recorded. The childminder ensures the regulator is informed of all household members over 16 and ensures her certificate of registration is displayed for all to see. 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 asked to provide parents with information on the procedure to follow if they wish to make a complaint. The childminder has updated her procedures and provides parents with written information about how to make a complaint including details of how to contact the regulator.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there has been one complaint made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. These concerns related to National Standard 1: Suitable Person and 3: Care, learning and play. Ofsted requested the provider respond to the complaint, and after further investigation found that the provider was caring for more children than she was registered for. The provider was reminded to work within her conditions of registration at all times. The provider has since applied for a variation to her conditions and been issued with a new certificate. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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 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 garden is secure at all times • discuss and practise evacuation procedures with the children

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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 • improve documentation to ensure up to date local safeguarding children procedures are in place.

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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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