Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY276349 Unique Reference Number 22 January 2008 Inspection date Caroline Hearn 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 2004. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12, 14 and 17 years, in Tilehurst, Reading. The whole 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 at any one time and is currently minding six children part time. The childminder takes children to and collects from the local school and nearby pre-schools and nurseries.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s good health is fully promoted as the childminder has effective methods of promoting this. They learn about good hygiene practices, as activities such as hand washing are part of the established, everyday routines. In addition to this, each child has their own cup and babies all have their own changing mats. These established routines and good practices help prevent the spread of infection. Children's physical development is encouraged as they undertake

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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 regular exercise on a daily basis, such as walking to the local schools or playing in the childminder's garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a good choice of healthy drinks and snacks. To enable them to make healthy choices with regard to their diet the childminder encourages them to select fruit or vegetables when out shopping. The childminder uses these opportunities to talk about what is healthy and encourage the children to try something new. Children who have allergies or specific dietary requirements have these well met, as the childminder fully records and adheres to parents' requests.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children and their families are made to feel welcome due to the child orientated layout of the home. They have freedom to play and explore their environment. This is due to the careful consideration which the childminder has given to safety. Children freely select activities from a varied range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder has thought through her emergency evacuation plan and how to keep children safe in such instances. She has appropriate equipment, such as a fire blanket and smoke detectors. The fire blanket, however, is not easily accessible in event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands her responsibilities for safeguarding children's welfare and is fully aware of the appropriate routes for referral of any concerns she may have.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children take part in a wide variety of interesting and fun activities, both inside and outside the home. They benefit from the childminder's clear awareness of their individual developmental needs and how to support these. All children are able to take part in activities on offer, as the childminder tailors these to ensure they meet each child's developmental needs. When reading a story with the childminder, very young children enjoy looking at the pictures and the older more able children are asked questions such as, 'what do you think will happen next'. This allows the children to develop at their own pace, while still being part of the group. Children enjoy regular trips out to places such as the library or local farm parks. During these trips, they develop their social skills and learn about the wider world.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children present were confidently undertaking activities and a warm relationship was observed between childminder and minded children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children receive lots of individual attention and are treated equally. The childminder gets to know children very well, being aware of their individual personalities and preferences. They frequently use many toys and resources that reflect the wider world and the differing peoples within it. The childminder welcomes all children, including those with additional needs, although she has no current experience in this regard.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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's behaviour is managed sensitively and the childminder makes good use of distraction to divert younger children from disagreements. This ensures that the children understand the boundaries and are generally well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the close relationship which the childminder has developed with their parents. Time is set aside each day for discussion with parents. In addition to communicating with the children's parents, the childminder has links to the children's pre-school to enable her to pass relevant information back to the parents. This level of communication allows greater continuity of care between home, pre-school and the childminder, for the minded children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home and time well for childminding purposes. She ensures children have ample time to both play and rest. This ensures the children get the most from the activities on offer. She is on hand should the children need her help, but encourages them to develop their independence by having a go at working problems out for themselves before she helps them. The childminder understands her responsibilities for protecting children from persons who have not been police-checked.

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Organisation

All of the required documentation relating to the care of the children is in place, with the exception of consent to transport children in a vehicle. Children’s records are updated regularly, which ensures they continue to receive appropriate individual care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following her last inspection the childminder was set one recommendation, this was to, ensure written documentation of prior medical consent and permission for emergency first aid is obtained for all minded children. The childminder has obtained this consent for all minded children. This clearly shows that the childminder has parents' consent for their children to be given appropriate medical treatment when in the care of the childminder.

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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 fire blanket in the kitchen is easily accessible • obtain written consent to transport children in a vehicle.

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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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