Childminder in Bracknell Forest

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 955517 Inspection date 15 August 2005 Inspector Hazel Farrant

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 satisfactory. 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 has been registered since 2000. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 8 and 7 years old in the Priestwood area of Bracknell, Berkshire, close to local shops and schools. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for six children who all attend on a part-time basis. Two of the children are aged under five years old. The childminder drives or walks to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children. The childminder takes children to

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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 the library, carer and toddler groups and local parks. They have one cat as a family pet. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example as they use the garden slide. Regular visits to local parks and daily walks improve children’s physical skills. They become increasingly aware of the way activity affects their bodies and know when they need a drink or a rest. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are beginning to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. However, children do not always follow good hygiene procedures consistently in order to prevent the risk of cross contamination. For example, children do not always wash their hands before eating their lunch. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet and enjoy a varied choice of snacks such as fruit and rice cakes. Children are offered drinking water throughout

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Helping children to be healthy

the day. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children’s choices to provide a variety that appeals to the children and meet their dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home where risks are identified and minimised, they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder helps children understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, children discuss road safety with the childminder. Children show a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe and healthy and how to behave, they are aware of dangers outside the home. However, children do not have a clear understanding of what to do in the event of a fire, as there is no written procedure in place to practise. Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. Children use toys that the childminder has carefully monitored to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder has most required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. However, these procedures are not shared with all parents and existing injuries are not recorded. Children's welfare is not fully promoted

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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 as parental consent for medication and emergency treatment or advice is not in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well at the childminder's house. They enter confidently and make themselves at home. Children are beginning to learn social skills with the support of the childminder. Children become independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities which appeal to all. They enjoy role-play activities using dressing up clothes and accessories. Children enjoy playing with inset puzzles, they are supported by the childminder in their development. Children are learning the sounds that different animals make through fun activities. Children spend their time purposefully most of the time. Older children have use of a computer, board games as well as art and craft activities. They are supported appropriately in their learning and development. The childminder does not have a copy of the 'Birth to Three Matters' framework to enhance activities for the younger children. However through discussion she shows

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

sound understanding of how to promote social and creative skills. For example, young children are included in role-play activities with the older children; they enjoy each other’s company. Children's regular use of a wide range of creative materials such as paint, dough and chunky crayons encourages them to represent their experiences, feelings and ideas in a variety of ways.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children access a range of activities. However, children's awareness of diversity and understanding of others, needs to be further developed. For example, with the use of more resources and planned activities celebrating festivals of the wider world we live in. Children learn about their local community by visiting local parks and woodland walks. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met satisfactorily as they follow their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents. Relationships are being forged and social skills developed with adult support, children are becoming aware of the needs of others. Children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do, helping themselves to drinks and independently visiting the toilet. They have time to relax as well as being active. Children are interested in a broad range of indoor and outdoor activities which provide sufficient

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Helping children make a positive contribution

levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children feel at home and at ease with the well-organised environment. They are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Children's welfare, care and learning is promoted through procedures which are shared with parents verbally. Children's activities and achievements are shared daily with parents through verbal exchange; this contributes to continuity in the children's care. Children gain confidence through the childminders clear use of praise and encouragement. They spend their time purposefully most of the time because the childminder organises activities and outings around daily routines. Children are supported well; the required adult to child ratio is understood and maintained. Children's needs are met sufficiently; the childminder has most documentation in place. However, the attendance book does not record parent’s

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Organisation

agreement to the time their child has attended. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to development her knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues. All children have equal access to age appropriate resources. However, toys and activities remains an area to be developed further, so that child's awareness of the wider world we live in is fully supported. The childminder was asked to make available to parents a written complaints procedure. This is now in place and a poster is displayed with the telephone number should they wish to make contact with Ofsted. Parents are now fully aware of the procedure. The childminder was asked to keep an accurate record of children's attendance, this is now in place. However, the record needs to be regularly signed by parents and the childminder so that there is an agreement to the correct hours children have attended. The childminder was asked to gain parental consent for photographs, videos,

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Improvements since the last inspection

transport and emergency treatment or advice. All parental consent now in place except for emergency treatment or advice.

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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 satisfactory. 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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure consistent procedures with children's hand washing • ensure child protection procedures are shared with parents and keep a signed record of existing injuries • ensure emergency treatment or advice and medication consent is in place for all children. • devise an emergency evacuation procedure and ensure children know the procedure • increase resources and activities to promote positive images of the wider world we live in • ensure attendance record includes parent's agreement of hours their child has attended

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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