Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY290565 Unique Reference Number 31 July 2007 Inspection date Glenda Pownall 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children, who are aged one and five years, in Slough, Berkshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently minding two children under five full-time. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks, the library and toddler groups. The childminder has a level three childcare qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a clear understanding of the recording of accidents to promote the good health of children. However, the records of medication administered to children do not always easily identify which child the records relate to. This does not ensure that a clear record is held of the care given to children.

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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 supports children to adopt effective personal hygiene routines, such as, using a tissue to wipe runny noses and washing hands before eating snacks. She reduces the risk of cross-infection by following a hygienic nappy changing routine and sharing her sick child policy with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat in accordance with the wishes of their parents because the parents provide all the food for their children’s meals and snacks. Mealtimes are social occasions where children sit together at the table. The childminder encourages children to take frequent drinks of water throughout the day. As a result, children develop understanding of aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Children have regular opportunities to participate in physical activities. They visit local parks and enjoy riding tricycles and using the slide in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained environment where they have sufficient space to move around and play freely. There is a good range of resources to support the needs of the current children cared for. The childminder frequently checks the resources to ensure the toys are in a safe and suitable condition for children to play with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has effective procedures in place to keep children safe. For example, stair gates are in place on the entrances to the kitchen and staircase and hazardous materials are stored out of children’s reach. Children learn how to keep themselves safe because the childminder encourages children to follow good road safety practices. The childminder practises fire drills with children. This enables children to understand the course of action to take in the event of an emergency evacuation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the procedures to follow if concerned a child is at risk from abuse. She shares her written policy with parents, which follows the guidance of the Berkshire Safeguarding Children Board. This safeguards the welfare of children whilst in the childminding environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident in the childminding environment; they readily approach visitors and involve them in their imaginative play. They benefit from a wide range of activities. Children enjoy moulding shapes with play dough and constructing towers with building blocks. However, painting activities are adult directed. For example, when hand painting the childminder chooses the colour of the paint and paints the children’s hands. This does not enable children to make choices for themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children smile with pleasure as the childminder sings nursery rhymes and reads stories to them. Children learn to share as they wait to take a turn on the outside equipment. The childminder provides good support to children at activities and takes opportunities to extend children’s knowledge. For example, the childminder repeatedly names the colours of the balls young children pick up in the ball pool. Children’s social development is further enhanced by regular opportunities to play with other children at toddler groups.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are cared for according to their individual needs. There are appropriate procedures in place to care for children with learning difficulties and disabilities although none currently attend. There is a small range of resources reflecting the diverse society in which the children live. However, children attend sessions at the library and toddler groups to further their knowledge of their local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has effective strategies in place to manage children and their behaviour, such as, distraction and explanation. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement as they help tidy up and share resources. The childminder shares and discusses her policy with parents to ensure children receive a consistent approach to behaviour management.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of how to encourage an effective partnership with parents. She verbally exchanges information with parents regarding children's daily routines and activities. This enables her to follow the children’s individual routines, developing continuity of care. The childminder displays the contact details of the regulator and shares her complaints policy with parents. This ensures parents are aware of how to report a concern about the childcare their children receive, promoting the welfare of children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children form warm relationships with other family members and are secure in the childminder’s care because they receive sufficient support from the childminder who knows them well. The childminder has a good knowledge of her role and responsibilities as a childminder. For example, she has reported significant changes to the premises and additional household members to Ofsted. Children are never left alone with people who are not vetted. The childminder attends training to update her knowledge of childcare, which is in the best interests of children in her care.

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Organisation

Children’s attendance is effectively recorded and the records include any variations in attendance and the signature of parents, indicating an accurate record is kept. The childminder shares her written policies with parents and all required documentation is in place, although the medication records require some clarification. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has developed her resources to include some reflecting equal opportunities. In addition children attend local facilities to further their knowledge and understanding of the local and wider communities.

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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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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 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 medication records easily identify the child who has received the medication • develop the activities offered to enable children to make decisions and choose resources for themselves.

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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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