Childminder in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for early years provision

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155247 Unique Reference Number 18 July 2007 Inspection date Sylvia June Crawford 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, three children and her grandson. Two of her children are adults, one is seven and her grandson is one. They live in a residential road in central Milton Keynes. The property is within walking distance of shops, schools, pre-schools and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder uses the ground floor for childminding including toilet facilities. One first floor bedroom is used for rest. There is a garden available for children's outside play. The childminder takes children to the local pre-school and attends a toddler group on a regular basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children. She currently has three children on roll. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder has a Level 3 qualification in childminding practice.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, child-orientated environment where they learn the importance of good hygiene practices. Children follow the good example set by the childminder and understand they must wash their hands before eating, after playing outside or using the toilet. The childminder maintains good hygiene during nappy changing and young children receive a lot of attention and interaction, which promotes their development. The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare through her knowledge, experience, and sick child procedures, which she shares with parents through a written policy. Required records are in place to ensure the childminder meets the children's individual health needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a variety of outdoor activities to promote their physical development. They go for walks locally and visit the park as well as go to the shops. The childminder uses the walk to school to encourage physical skills such as hopping and jumping. Children play in the garden and learn different skills, for example, they learn to balance, climb and catch as they use the sit and ride toys, the slide and balls. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs and parental wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder meets children's individual dietary needs through regular discussion with parents and she shares information with them about what children have eaten while in her care. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks and their lunch boxes are stored appropriately. The childminder offers children frequent drinks, so that children have enough fluids throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a well-organised environment, which enables them to move around freely and confidently. They independently select from a wide range of good quality resources. These are well organised into plastic boxes and clearly labelled. The childminder, through careful supervision, ensures toys and equipment are safe and appropriate for children's age and stages of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has identified and minimised risks to protect children, for example, the use of stair gates, window locks and keeping dangerous substances in a locked cupboard. Children understand how to keep safe outside the home; they learn road awareness and safe behaviour through the clear guidance of the childminder when they walk to and from school and go on trips. The childminder has an evacuation procedure in place, which she discusses with the older children so they are aware of what to do in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards and promotes children’s welfare well through her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She has attended training and has a good range of relevant literature available to consult if she has concerns about a child in her care. The childminder informs parents of her role and responsibilities with regard to child protection through a written policy. However, she does not record children's pre-existing injuries.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have a very good relationship with the childminder and are confident and happy in her care. They enjoy the welcoming, child-orientated environment and this contributes towards their sense of belonging. The childminder has extensive experience in caring for children and a sound knowledge of child development; this means that she is able to meet children's individual needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies receive lots of cuddles and tactile experiences, which increases their sense of well-being. The childminder knows the children very well and is able to care for them according to parental wishes. She supports children's early communication skills extremely well through very good adult-child interaction; this means that children receive good quality care and progress well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children flourish as they receive frequent individual attention from the childminder, who shows interest in what they are doing and actively takes part in their play. This supports and develops children's self-esteem and sense of worth. The childminder plans the day well and ensures that children learn through everyday activities while having fun and enjoyment. She offers a wide variety of activities and experiences to stimulate children, for example, making salt dough. Christmas tree decorations, hand printing and cooking. The children have the opportunity to remember these experiences through photographs the childminder has compiled into albums.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder provides activities and experiences that help children reach their full potential and she treats all children with equal concern. The children are beginning to understand their own community through regular outings and walks. They are supported to understand the wider world and diversity through a range of resources, celebrating festivals and meaningful discussion with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has house rules in place and she gently helps younger children to know and understand them. Children behave well and the childminder promotes good behaviour through lots of praise and encouragement. She encourages children to be kind and helpful to one another. She shares information about behaviour strategies with parents, to support continuity of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has discussions with parents and carers to ensure she meets children's individual needs and routines. This helps children feel comfortable and secure. She gathers this information and keeps it within the children’s records to help meet their needs on a daily basis. Children receive good support and appropriate care through the childminder's good practices. For example, she verbally feeds back to parents on a regular basis to inform them of how their child is settling in and progressing. This contributes to the children's wellbeing and development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease in the child-orientated environment. They benefit from a good daily routine that the childminder shares and discusses with parents. Space is organised well to enable children to play confidently and appropriately. The childminder organises time well and provides a good balance of indoor and outdoor play, which extends children's learning

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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 and development. The childminder is very clear about her role and responsibility in providing a high quality service to the children and their family. She holds a child minding qualification and has a sound knowledge of child development.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and the updates. She has an interest in updating her training by attending courses. She has the necessary documentation and parental permissions in place for childminding. The childminder shares her written policies and procedures with parents and informs them daily about their child's progress and achievements. This contributes to continuity of the children’s care. The childminder maintains confidentiality and all paperwork is well organised into files and kept secure. This helps to keep children safe and promote their care and learning. 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 recommended to develop knowledge of the Area Child Protection Committee procedures including clear lines of communication in the event of concern about a child being abused.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has attended a course on child protection awareness. She has the local authority guidelines and necessary contact numbers in place. This means that children are well protected.

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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): • ensure that pre-existing injuries are recorded and countersigned by parents

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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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