George, Angela

Inspection report for early years provision

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159110 Unique Reference Number 06 September 2007 Inspection date Judith, Mary Butler 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 registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and three school aged children in a house on the outskirts of Bracknell town. The property is close to local schools, parks and shops. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor and sleeping facilities are provided in identified bedrooms. There is a fully enclosed rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of eight children and is currently caring for two children on a part time basis. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She takes the children on regular outings to local parks, places of interest and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning about the importance of personal hygiene through the effective procedures followed by the childminder. They enjoy developing their independence and are starting to wash and dry their own hands. The childminder ensures the health of children is protected

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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 when changing nappies; she wipes the mat and washes her own hands following each change. All of the required documentation to record administration of medication and first aid is in place and the childminder has a valid first aid certificate. Completed documentation is shared with parents to ensure the health of each child in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing their confidence in their physical skills and move freely around all areas of the home identified for their use. They have many opportunities to develop their large muscle skills through a good variety of outdoor activities. These include outings to parks, toddler groups and play within the well equipped garden. The children have access to a good variety of resources in the garden including a climbing frame, sit and ride toys, bats and balls. The childminder plans the day to suit the individual requirements of the children, for example, quiet and active times according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. The childminder discusses the individual dietary needs of the children with parents and prepares food to meet these needs. She promotes healthy eating and children are learning about food that is good for them. Snacks and meals are social occasions with the children and the childminder sitting together. They chat about their families and events they have undertaken together. Children are encouraged to drink water at regular intervals throughout the day. They know that their cups with water in them are in the kitchen and they can have a drink as they need one.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are very settled and comfortable in the warm and welcoming environment provided for them. They move confidently and freely around the home. The childminder ensures children access a wide variety of good quality toys and resources. Children develop their independence by making free choices about the toys they wish to play with and eagerly select toys from the good range attractively laid out for their use in the lounge. The childminder regularly sorts and cleans toys to ensure they are in good repair and suitable for the children she is caring for. She is aware of the likes and play preferences of the children in her care and provides resources and activities to suit these, for example, a cooking activity, books and dressing up clothes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder undertakes daily safety checks to reduce risks to children. Children play in a safe and secure environment. The childminder supervises the children at all times to ensure their safety. Children are learning about keeping themselves safe through regular routine events, conversations and outings. The childminder plays a game with the children about how fast they can leave the lounge and get to the garden. She follows her emergency evacuation route to undertake this task with the children. Effective procedures are followed when taking the children on outings; they chat about road safety and sit in safe and age appropriate pushchairs and car seats.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has recently attended child protection training and feels confident that she would recognise the signs and symptoms of child abuse. She holds all of the required documentation to refer and record concerns. This ensures the welfare of all children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely settled and at home in their environment. They chat freely to the childminder and are beginning to ask questions to extend their learning. Children enthusiastically

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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 select the toys and resources from the excellent range that is attractively set up for them in the lounge. They have many opportunities to develop their independence and make individual choices about the toys they wish to play with. Established relationships are in place between the children and the childminder who knows the children very well. The children receive an exceptionally high level of individual time and attention from the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an excellent knowledge of child development and the individual stages of children's learning. She uses her own experiences from raising her family to support the children and parents. The childminder sits and plays with the children and makes suggestions to extend their play and learning. Children really enjoy this time and take turns to count the objects, name the animals and colours in the book. Children play alongside each other and are learning to co-operate and take turns in their play, for example, after encouragement from the childminder they take turns to hide from each other in a game of hide and seek.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder regularly takes the children on a good range of outings and these include visits to a toddler group, outings to parks, school runs and Legoland. This provides children with opportunities to socialise with a wider group of people and choose and make their own friends. The childminder is flexible to meet the daily needs of the children, for example, altering planned outings to ensure children can sleep as they need to.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder acts as a good role model and encourages the children to play happily alongside and with each other. She values and respects each child and has a good knowledge of their individual likes and preferences. Children are learning to show co-operation in their play and are beginning to share the toys and resources. The childminder has high expectations for behaviour and gently reinforces these within the daily routine, for example, supporting one child when they wanted the toy that the other child had. She talked gently to the child about sharing and taking turns. Children develop their self esteem through the constant praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder. Good communication between the parents and the childminder ensures a consistent approach to behaviour management is maintained. This enables the children to feel secure and comfortable in the childminder's home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides the children with a wide range of opportunities to meet different people and lean about the world around them, these include outings to toddler groups, local parks and school runs. Children access a range of resources that reflect the diverse society within the home, and these include role play and books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children really benefit from the good relationship and information sharing that takes place between the parents and the childminder. They verbally exchange information at each end of the day regarding the children's moods, routines, activities and outings they have undertaken. This is underpinned by the childminder who completes a daily diary which details information about food intake, sleeps, nappies and activities. The parents and childminder work together to ensure consistency between the two homes, for example, she takes the children to the same toddler group as the parent if caring for the children on that day.

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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. The childminder makes good use of the available space within the home. Children play happily and move freely around the areas identified for their use. They enjoy playing with the range of toys and equipment available and have opportunities for quiet and active times within their daily routine. Children receive a high level of individual time and attention from the childminder and enjoy this interaction. The childminder plans the activities and routines to meet the individual needs of the children. Children feel safe and secure in their environment due to the good relationships in place between the childminder and parents.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended short courses to support her childminding and update her child care knowledge. She holds all of the required documentation to support her childminding service although some lacks detail and is unclear. This includes the complaints procedure which does not have the correct contact details of the regulator and consents from parents regarding transporting children in vehicles and outings. The childminder has effective systems in place to record the attendance of children and exact details of arrival and departure times are detailed. The childminder understands her responsibilities for protecting children from persons who have not been police checked. 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 requested to update her first aid qualification. She attended a course following the inspection and now holds a valid paediatric first aid qualification. This ensures the health of children is met at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 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): • update the documentation to ensure more detail is contained with regard to the consents parents give and the correct contact details of the regulator is contained within the complaints procedure.

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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 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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