Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345222 Unique Reference Number 06 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 2006. She lives with her husband and their child aged 15 years in Thatcham in Berkshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and 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 under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding seven children. Four of these children are under five years and of these, one is cared for on a full time basis and the others part time. Three others are school aged and are looked after before and after school. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. The family have four cats as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has a good awareness of health and hygiene issues and ensures that the children understand simple health and hygiene practices. They wash their hands after being changed, using the toilet and before meals.

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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. She has accident and medication records and written permission for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment. She has a current first aid certificate, which ensures that she deals appropriately with any minor accidents. The childminder has knowledge of the children's medical and dietary needs. The children have healthy options for snacks and can access drinks of juice or water when they are thirsty. Meals are provided by the children's parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular exercise and this helps them keep fit and healthy. They benefit from playing in the garden and outings to the park, as well as a range of activities indoors for example, dancing, to promote their physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a high regard for safety, ensuring that the children are safe both within and outside the home. She is aware of potential hazards and minimises these so that the children are in a safe environment, for example by using safety barriers across the kitchen doorway and the bottom of the stairs. Children learn to keep themselves and others safe. They take part in regular evacuation drills which are recorded by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has equipment suitable for the age and stage of the children attending. The childminder checks the equipment and toys frequently to ensure that they are safe for the children to use. Children choose from a good range of toys, which they can independently access in the playroom. The childminder supports the children with their selection and accesses other items from the cupboard with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes the children's welfare through a working knowledge of safeguarding children issues. She has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow and routes of referral if she has concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children have good relationships with the childminder. She is aware of individual children's developmental needs and ensures they receive appropriate support. The children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's company and there is good interaction and rapport between them. The childminder sits on the floor with the children and helps them with their play. She talks to them to help with speech development. They discuss what is happening, for example, whether the umbrellas are needed, as it is a sunny day. 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 children take part in a variety of activities, both indoors and out. The childminder plans each day according to the needs of the children attending and their individual routines. The children make choices about what they would like to do and direct their own play. They confidently select items to play with from the range available in the lounge and in the walk-in cupboard.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans and undertakes regular outings with the children, which promotes their social development. These include trips to the local farm park, the local shops and the library.

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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 They also go on visits to places like Donnington Castle, adventure play areas and nature walks in the holidays when the children and the childminder have more time together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good knowledge of the individual needs of each child through discussions with parents. When planning, she considers the children in her care, their stage of development and ability. She is aware of the routes of referral if she has concerns about a child in her care. The children are using a range of resources to learn about the diversity of society, however these are limited. The childminder is caring for a child who has English as a second language and both she and the other children are working with the parents to help develop this. This is beneficial to all the children as they are learning another language, also.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages the children’s behaviour appropriately for the age and stage of development of the children. She encourages good standards of behaviour, by the using appropriate behaviour management strategies, praise and encouragement, which builds the children's confidence and self-esteem. The childminder allows children to sort out minor difficulties themselves and knows when to step in and intervene. She deals quickly with any unwanted behaviour, giving the children clear explanations as to why it is unacceptable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good partnership with parents and works closely with them to ensure continuity of care for the children. She is flexible in her approach and supportive of parents, for example, collecting children from their homes in the mornings. Contracts are in place with all parents and child detail forms are completed. The childminder has comprehensive written policies which are shared with parents and has all the required permissions in place. The childminder has daily discussions with parents to keep them informed about their children's progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The provider meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides. The childminder organises the space available very well, to give the children a good range of play and learning experiences. All areas of the house used for childminding are laid out so that the children can alternate easily between the lounge and the hall.

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Organisation

The childminder has all the required documentation in place to make sure that she is able to meet the individual needs of the children in her care. She has comprehensive policies in place which are shared with the parents and her certificate of registration is displayed so that they can see the conditions of registration.

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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

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 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): • continue to extend the resources which reflect positive images 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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