Long Crendon School

Inspection report for early years provision

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110338 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2007 Inspection date Sheila Collins 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 1996. She lives with her partner and two children aged 18 and 17 in Burghfield Common which is situated between the towns of Reading and Newbury, in Berkshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and the children use the upstairs for the bathroom and sleeping facilities. There is a fully enclosed 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 and is currently minding three children under five all day and one child over five in the school holidays. The childminder takes children to and collects children from local nurseries and attends the local toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about personal hygiene as they wash their hands after using the toilet, messy play, outdoor play and before meals. The childminder has good hygiene practices in place herself and makes sure that the children wash and dry their hands properly.

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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 The childminder promotes the good health of the children and responds appropriately when they are ill. She has accident and medication records in place and has written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment and advice. The childminder has a current first aid certificate including the care of young babies and children which means that she has the knowledge to deal with any minor accidents appropriately. The childminder knows each child's medical and dietary needs. She talks with the parents about the arrangements for food when they place their child with her. She encourages the children to have healthy options, such as, fruit for snacks and to eat healthily at lunch time. The children access drinks easily when they are thirsty as these are kept on the side where they can reach them independently. By following

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Helping children to be healthy

the children's individual routines, for example sleep patterns, the childminder ensures continuity from home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities for physical play both indoors and outdoors. They spend time in the garden and the childminder takes them to places, such as, the local park and toddler clubs, where they have further opportunities to develop their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that the children are safe both within and outside the home. She carries out her own risk assessments and is aware of potential hazards. She supervises the children at all times to minimise any risks and ensures that the children do not have unsupervised access to the upstairs of the house. The children are learning to keep themselves safe as they discuss fire drills and road safety when out walking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a range of toys and equipment for the children to use, which covers all areas of their development. The children independently access and choose from the toys that are available within the living room and the dining area. They select toys to take outside, for example, favourites, such as, dolls and pushchairs. The childminder rotates the toys with others stored in the garage and cupboard, so that the children get a variety. The children know what is available and the childminder supports the children with their selection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good working knowledge of child protection issues. She has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child, which safeguards their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are confident and happy. They have good relationships with the childminder and play well together. They are able to decide which activities they would like to do for themselves either from the selection put out by the childminder or from those available within the dining room. They use their imaginations well, for example, when playing with the kitchen and taking the dolls on holiday. They enjoy doing puzzles, reading books and looking through pictures to colour in. All the children receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder, for their efforts and achievements, which promotes their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans each day according to the needs of the children attending, taking into account the children's own routines and sleep patterns. The children take part in a good variety of activities, both indoors and out, which promote the children's all round development. The children have frequent outings during the week as the childminder takes them to the local

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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 toddler group, visits to other childminders, the bank, local shops and the park, which promote their social skills and knowledge of the environment. In the holidays, the children go on outings to places, such as, the local Farm Park and the soft play centres in the area, as well as walks and picnics with other childminders and children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that the children have access to a range of age and stage appropriate resources, including those which reflect diversity. However these are limited. The childminder knows the children's individual needs and discusses issues with the parents to ensure their consistency of care. She knows the routes of referral if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes good behaviour with the children by using a positive approach. She praises the children for their efforts and achievements which builds on their self-confidence and self-esteem. Any minor problems that arise, she deals with swiftly, using appropriate techniques for the stage of the children, for example, discussion and distraction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good partnership with the parents. She exchanges information through daily discussions. She has relevant documentation, including contracts and children's details. Some written policies in place and others are discussed verbally with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The childminder makes good use of the available space and organises the children's routine well by planning activities, outings, and rest and quiet times within her daily programme. Because of this children feel secure and confident.

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Organisation

All the required documentation needed to support the running of the childminder's business is in place, including a record of the children's attendance. The certificate of registration is displayed in the hall, where it is easily seen by parents so they know the conditions of registration.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection three recommendations were made. These were for the childminder to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues; develop partnerships with parents by sharing policies including a complaints policy and obtaining written consent on collection of children. Also, to provide a range of resources to reflect diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made good progress in implementing these recommendations. The childminder has the latest information on child protection and at this inspection was able to demonstrate a good working knowledge of safeguarding children including routes of referral, should she have concerns about a child in her care. The childminder shares her policies with parents and uses an attendance register to record the children's attendance. The children have access to some resources which promote positive images of diversity and the childminder continues to build on these.

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Improvements 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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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.

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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): • extend the range of resources which reflect positive images of the diversity of society, in particular, of different cultures and abilities.

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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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