Duke of York's Royal Military School

Inspection report for early years provision

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119004 Unique Reference Number 20 August 2007 Inspection date Amanda May 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 1990. She lives with her husband and four school-aged children, in Priestwood, Bracknell. The ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with toilet and sleeping facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for two children under eight years. The childminder walks to local primary schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the Bracknell Forest Childminding Network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from illness and infection through the childminder following effective procedures. Children who are unwell are encouraged to rest on the sofa until their parents collect them. The childminder explains to parents that she can not provide care for 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 with illnesses which may be infectious, in order to protect the other children who attend the setting. Babies and children sleep and rest in line with their needs and their parent's wishes. Children sleep in a travel cot upstairs. The childminder provides each child with individual bed linen for them to snuggle into, ensuring their health is protected at all times. Children learn about the importance of personal hygiene as the childminder ensures children wash their hands after using the toilet. The childminder carries anti-bacterial hand gel with her for children to use when they are on outings. Children learn about the importance of washing hands to get rid of germs after petting animals at the farm. They confidently remind their friends to wash theirs too.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop social skills as they eat snacks and meals together at the table. Children drink water and enjoy lunches of wholemeal sandwiches and fresh fruit. Children enjoy tasting exotic fruits such as pineapple, as well as apples, pears and bananas. Children benefit from a good range of physical activities which include use of the garden as well as regular visits to the local park. Children enjoy taking the childminder's dog, Holly out for walks, and look forward to warm weather where they can play and splash in the paddling pool 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 premises which is welcoming, secure and safe indoors and outside. The childminder shows an awareness of potential risks within her home, and addresses these accordingly. Children have space to play in a safe environment. The childminder talks to children about how they can keep themselves safe if there was a fire, as she encourages children to think about different evacuation routes within the home. Some children however, have not practised this with her and so are unaware of ways in which they can protect themselves in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures children are kept safe though her good procedures. Children take it in turns to bounce on the trampoline in the garden. The childminder reminds children that only one child may use it at a time, in order to ensure they stay safe as they play. When the childminder takes children on trips and outings she ensures their safety as they each wear a wrist band. This details the childminder's emergency contact telephone number for her to be contacted in case children are lost or separated. The childminder also ensures she carries her mobile phone at all times which contains parents contact telephone numbers, as well as the telephone number of each child's doctor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected through the childminder's understanding of issues surrounding safeguarding children. The childminder has attended basic awareness training of child protection issues, and has relevant documentation in place to support her if she had concerns about a child's well-being. However, the childminder would benefit from refreshing her knowledge concerning which organisations she should contact to make a referral.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children experience a varied range of activities which contribute very well to their development inside and outside the home. Children sit with the childminder and do a puzzle together. They look at the different letters of the alphabet as they match the sounds of the letters to the pictures. Children achieve well in their learning as they are supported consistently by the childminder. Children are challenged and encouraged in many aspects of their development,

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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 and visibly enjoy her input into their play. Children have access to a variety of toys, books and games, some of which they can access independently. Children enjoy regular outings into the local community where they visit toddler groups and drop in centres. Children experience a range of activities as the childminder makes use of a resource centre when she can borrow equipment and toys for the children in her care. This ensures children are stimulated and content in their play at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from trips to local parks and places of interest such as Beale Park. Children are eager to stroke the small animals in the petting zoo, and enjoy splashing in the large paddling pool when the weather is nice and warm. Children gain high levels of self-esteem as they choose their own play equipment, and are confident in asking the childminder for the resources which they can not reach such as the play-dough. Children are regularly encouraged and praised in their play, and show pride in their achievements as a result.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder develops good relationships with parents and children's individual needs are met by sharing information about children's needs and abilities. The childminder ensures parents are kept fully informed about their child's day and experiences, as she spends time with them at the end of the session talking about all the things the children have enjoyed doing. Children benefit from settling in visits before they start attending the setting permanently. The childminder also encourages children to bring in something from home, to ensure children feel secure and welcome in the new environment. The childminder ensures children's individual needs are met, and understands that some children develop learning difficulties and disabilities. The childminder subsequently knows to support these children by sharing information with parents and providing suitable activities which are both challenging and achievable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an awareness of social diversity as they dress up in outfits from a different culture, and play with dolls and figures which represent other communities. Children enjoy looking at books which depict difference and talk to the childminder about why some characters are in wheelchairs, and why other pictures show very tall people or short people. Children are stimulated in their play, and their interests are supported by the childminder. Therefore behaviour at the setting is good. The childminder has procedures in place for dealing with inappropriate behaviour, and children are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions, as they apologise if they upset another child.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures children enjoy a variety of activities as a result of her good organisation. Children enjoy trips out of the setting most days. This keeps them interested as they gain an awareness of the world around them. The childminder has a good support group available to her as she is a member of the Bracknell Forest Childminders Network. This allows her to share concerns and discuss ideas at regular events and meetings. Children benefit from attending these meetings as they play with new friends, whilst gaining confidence around other adults.

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Organisation

The childminder shows dedication to improving her service further, as she accesses regular training and workshops which are relevant to her service. The childminder is currently studying towards a professional child-care qualification, and ensures she keeps herself up to date with

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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 best practise. The childminder has policies and procedures which work well, and she shares these with parents when they first meet her.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures written consent from parents is sought for the application of sun-cream, as well as trips in the childminder's car. Children are therefore protected effectively, and parents are kept fully informed and involved in the service the childminder provides. The childminder is effectively organised in her work, as children's files and personal information are kept secure in order to maintain confidentiality at all times. As a result, 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 Children Act inspection, the provider was recommended to ensure all family members over sixteen have had up to date checks in place and to ensure the rear garden is maintained for the minded children's use.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has ensured that these previous recommendations have been addressed. The childminder ensures that relevant checks are completed for all family members once they reach sixteen years of age. Certificates of these checks are filed away securely in order to share at her inspection. The childminder also ensures that the outside garden is kept safe, secure and well-maintained. These changes ensure children's safety is optimised and protected at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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): • develop strategies to ensure all children have the opportunity to regularly practise fire procedures, and ensure these are timed and evaluated to ensure continuous improvement of safety within the setting • update and refresh knowledge about the procedures to follow in the event of concerns surrounding safeguarding children.

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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 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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