Stanley Wrenthorpe Jerry Clay Lane Junior and Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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108201 Unique Reference Number 07 February 2008 Inspection date Susan Victoria 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 1993. She lives with her husband and adult son in the Woodlands Park area of Maidenhead. The whole of the ground floor 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 may care for six children and is currently minding three children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is prepared to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a clean and well maintained home that provides a child friendly and healthy environment in which to rest and play. Children develop a growing awareness of good hygiene practice through the good role model provided by the childminder. Children’s understanding is increased and reinforced through routine and age appropriate explanation. For example, the childminder after changing a nappy, wipes down the mat, washes hands and says to the child

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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 'that will make everything nice and clean'. She then helps the child change ‘dollies’ nappy, following the same hygiene practices. This helps reinforce children’s understanding and promote future good practice. The childminder holds all of the required documentation to accurately record all accidents and administer prescribed medication. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate in place to ensure she can deal with minor accidents effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to a broad, interesting and challenging variety of activities, which they enjoy and helps develop their physical skills and promote their good health. The childminder is on hand to offer support and praise. Trips to local parks and play in the childminders well equipped garden provide opportunities for children to run climb, scoot and balance to improve their physical skills. The childminder has a clear understanding of the development of babies and young children and has received training in the Birth to three matters framework. She uses this effectively when planning activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to drinks throughout the day. The childminder offers healthy snacks and meals that are appropriate for the age of the children and are nutritious, for example, young children are offered a snack that consists of several healthy options from which to choose and enjoy. The childminder works closely with parents, discusses the parent’s preferences regarding food and individual children’s needs to ensure dietary needs of the children in her care are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. To ensure the on-going safety and well-being of the children the childminder is vigilant and has procedures in place to ensure children can play in a safe and secure environment. For example, the very well set out garden offers a vast range of play experiences for children to participate in activities and explore the clean, challenging and well maintained equipment safely. The childminder gives high priority to helping young children to begin to understand how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, she reminds a child to be careful not to push a dolly’s buggy near to where another child is playing on the floor. To keep children safe on outings the childminder carries essential items that include written contact numbers, mobile phone and first aid kit. All fire and evacuation procedures to help protect children are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have independent access to a range of equipment and resources from which to choose. These are stored at floor level for babies and on shelves in a cupboard for older children. The childminder monitors and supervises children’s choices of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder carries out regular checks on all toys, resources and equipment and implements effective procedures to clean and maintain them. This ensures they remain safe for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards the children's welfare in line with Local Safe Guarding Children's Boards procedures. She has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child in her care. This ensures she is able to quickly recognise when a child is in danger and act in the child’s best interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the childminder's home and are clearly comfortable in the childminders presence. Children are happy, keen to select the toys they wish to play with from the range of resources available to them. The childminder suggests toys that the children may

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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 wish to play with and this helps ensure they have a wide variety to enable them to develop new skills. For example, the youngest children show developing control and co-ordination as they build towers, show excitement as they fall down and anticipate what will happen as they build them up again. Regular trips out to local groups help children socialise and offer new opportunities, for instance, to the cooking club where children learn about foods as they prepare and cook them; play games such as ‘snap’ with food cards and discuss healthy eating. Children follow routines that include outings on most days to local parks and shops. This provides children with opportunities to learn about the world around them in a familiar environment and give them confidence to try new experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has good relationships with the children; enjoys their company and knows them well. She spends time talking and playing with them; consequently, children have good support and make progress in all areas of development. The childminder has a good knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework and an understanding of providing children with a broad range of experiences, for example, helping develop imagination and self-expression through role play and art and craft activities. She provides good opportunities for children to learn in all areas. The childminder and parents share daily information on the children to help them progress effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are at ease and happy in the childminders home. The childminder discusses the children with their parents to enable her to provide activities that are suitable or their age and stage of development. Children consequently undertake activities that they are within their capabilities. This helps children to feel good about themselves. The childminder has a good understanding of supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities; through working with parents and other professionals to help them reach their potential. The childminder has a sound understanding of all equal opportunities issues; children celebrate festivals and have access to resources promoting positive images through the pre-schools and groups they attend. Children develop a sense of place and learn about where they live through regular events such as walks in the immediate area, such as to the park and local shops.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is generally good and the children are lively and curious; they begin to develop a sense of right and wrong as the childminders clear expectations and consistent boundaries encourage the children to begin to take responsibility for their own behaviour. For example, with appropriate explanation from the childminder; children begin to share and respond to requests for toys and resources from each other in a positive manner. Praise and encouragement from the childminder helps builds children's self-esteem. Children develop a sense of self through this positive attitude.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder share with parent’s all information about how their children are progressing. She records information about babies in a daily diary that is shared with parents.This good relationship between parents and the childminder and the regular written and verbal communication helps supports children's learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her day offering activities and play opportunities away from and within her home. Children are settled and relaxed and play comfortably and freely in defined

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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 areas. For example, children can relax on comfy sofas in the childminders lounge for a story and rest times, or use the toys and resources with adequate floor space to extend their play if they wish. Art and crafts and messy play activities are completed at the kitchen table. The garden offers further opportunities for a variety of supervised play experiences. The childminder offers appropriate adult support to help them feel secure and confident. This enables them to initiate and extend their own play and learning.

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Organisation

All documentation which is legally required is in place, and the childminder understands the importance of maintaining documentation confidentially. However, children’s individual records do not include full details about their individual requirements and parental preferences to ensure continuity of care.

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Organisation

Information about the childminder's practices is shared both verbally and in written form, including contact details of the regulator and a complaints procedure; however, the registration certificate is not on display. Ratios are always observed and attendance records are kept, these accurately reflect the times of children's attendance. 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 asked to inform parents of the address and contact number of Ofsted and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. To ensure children's health and welfare is protected parents are requested prior to children being cared for; to give written consent for emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder provides parents with information about the regulator and the contact details prior to children being minded and ensures the information is accessible at all times.

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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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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 certificate of registration is displayed

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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 • update children's details to include details of culture, dietary requirements, specific needs and parental preferences

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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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