Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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162277 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2008 Inspection date Ann Hilary Guy 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 and one child aged eight years in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor 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 three children under five part-time and two children over five before and after school and school holidays. The childminder either walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent toddler group and takes children to the local park. The family have two goldfish and a hamster as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children experience a good, interesting, range of activities that stimulate them and contribute to their good health. They have opportunities for outdoor play in the garden and at local parks on their way back from the school. The play at the parks enables them to experience larger and

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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 more challenging equipment than is available in the well equipped garden. Children sometimes walk and are sometimes driven to and from school. This is because of the time it takes walking due to the distance between the schools they attend and the childminder’s house. The childminder has facilities available for the older children to rest on the sofa and younger children to sleep in a travel cot, if required.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to learn the importance of following good hygiene practices and how to follow a good personal care routine, through the daily routine. All food is provided by the childminder, who ensures the children have a balanced meal with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the day. Her fruit bowl is available at all times and the children can ask for a piece of fruit whenever they want it. A light lunch is provided with a full meal in the evening, if required. These are all nutritious and balanced and the childminder demonstrated a good understanding of how to ensure the children follow a healthy eating pattern. She is able to adapt her meals to cater for all dietary and allergy preferences and gives all children access to drinks throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a very good standard of care in this safe, child-friendly environment. Clear strategies ensure the safety of the premises at all times, including the garden. The childminder has very clear rules to prevent children from using the upper rear garden as the steps are not safe for young children. Older children only use this area in order to play football or similar activities. This is due to the steep flight of stone steps leading to it. The garden has been clearly risk assessed and the childminder is well aware of the potential hazards and does all she can to prevent children getting into any difficulty. Children can move freely and safely throughout the ground floor of the house. Clear house rules and routines ensure their safety and good health at all times, however no incident record book is maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The dining room is transformed into a dedicated play area for the children, with toys stored in easy to access trays and boxes and all in a good state of repair. Art and craft materials are stored separately and available on request. Children’s welfare is safeguarded at all times, supported by clear documentation and the childminder’s sound understanding of child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide variety of interesting and stimulating play experiences in this family home. The childminder offers flexible care tailored to the needs of the child and their family. They enjoy regular and varied creative activities, ranging from colouring, drawing and collage work to cookery and decorating biscuits. During the inspection the children decorated biscuits to take home. Each had a plate and made one biscuit for every member of their family. A super range of coloured icing and decorative pieces were available for them to select and design their biscuits. The childminder supported the children in the activity, providing additional things if requested.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s art and craft work is valued with pictures and collages, suitably labelled and displayed all over the walls in the playroom. They are offered a good range of activities, including plenty of opportunities for physical play. Children particularly enjoy quiet times looking at books and sharing these with the childminder. Their favourites are a selection of books which have finger

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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 puppets in them. The childminder is skilled at assisting the children to develop their skills and providing activities in all areas that challenge and stimulate. During the holidays, when her numbers are small, they go on trips further away from the house and sometimes go swimming or bowling, according to the number of children present.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are comfortable, settled and included as part of an extended family. The childminder respects each child’s individuality and ensures they are fully included in all activities, adapting them appropriately to enable all to take an active part. She builds on activities they have been doing at nursery and in this way includes activities that help the children understand different cultures and traditions. Children have access to dressing up clothes, books and dolls that also enable them to discover about other cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept fully informed about their child’s time with the childminder, with daily discussions and a daily diary, together with a scrap book of pictures and photos. The childminder skilfully includes the children’s daily routines with her families’ daily routines, ensuring all are valued. Good, clear behaviour management strategies, enable the children to understand the expectations of them and promote the well-being of them all, enhancing their awareness of each other’s needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Time, space and resources are effectively organised to support the needs of all the children, giving them priority and helping them effectively develop. Clear policies, procedures and documentation effectively underpin the care offered and work very well to promote children’s health, safety and enjoyment. Children are always with the childminder, who spends much time playing alongside them, talking to them and developing their skills and understanding. In order to be able to offer the best possible care, she attends as many courses as possible to keep her practice as current as she can.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since receiving the recommendations on her last report the childminder has moved house. This means that some of the recommendations made are not relevant to her new home. A number of safety issues were identified at a house inspection of her current home and all these have been fully addressed, ensuring the safety of all the children in her care. She still has not maintained an incident record book, although resources to promote equality of opportunity are in place.

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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 a record of all incidents is maintained.

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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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