Childminder in Wokingham

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

148331 Unique Reference Number 09 January 2008 Inspection date Sheila Collins Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and two children aged 18 and 14 years in Lower Earley in Berkshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, with the children having access to the upstairs for sleep only. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

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 two children under five and one school aged child before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends a local toddler club.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children learn about personal hygiene through their daily routine and know the importance of good hygiene procedures. They know to wash their hands after going to the toilet, before eating and after taking part in messy play. Each child has their own towel to prevent any

p.2

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 possibility of cross infection. The childminder has excellent hygiene practices herself and supports the children well.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual routines are respected and incorporated in the daily routine, for example, sleep times. The childminder actively promotes the good health of the children and responds appropriately when they are ill. The children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of their individual health needs and all the relevant documentation is in place to support the meeting of these needs. The childminder has a current first aid certificate, which ensures that she is able to effectively manage any accidents that may occur.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder consults with parents about their child's dietary requirements and preferences, and the menus are displayed for them to see. The children have a balanced diet, are able to choose healthy options for snack and help to compile the menus for the following week.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy physical exercise and the childminder successfully plans their day to ensure that they have a wide range of excellent activities to help them develop physically. These include visits to park and the local soft play area as well as garden play.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder gives high priority to keeping children safe, both within and outside the home. The children are learning to keep themselves safe as the childminder discusses the boundaries with them. The children are aware of the evacuation procedures, which they practise and are logged by the childminder. The childminder has equipment suitable for the age and stage of the children attending. The childminder checks the equipment and toys frequently to ensure that they are safe for the children to use.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has built up an extensive and comprehensive range of toys and equipment for the children to use, which covers all areas of their development. The children independently access the majority of the toys and activities for themselves, from the storage boxes in the play area. The childminder rotates these with others which are stored elsewhere in the house.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes the children's welfare through a comprehensive knowledge of children protection issues. She has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow and routes of referral if she has concerns about a child which safe guards their welfare.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children are confident and relate well to each other and adults present. They have extremely good relationships with the childminder, who praises their efforts and achievements. They benefit from the childminder's excellent planning, which ensures a variety of activities are available throughout the week, both in and out of doors. The children enjoy regular trips to the local toddler clubs and the park as well as playing in the garden.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an extensive knowledge of the children in her care. This is reflected in her practice. She knows the needs of the individual children and is therefore able to offer activities and resources, which will appeal to the children. Children’s own routines are taken into account when planning the day.

p.3

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 The children are able to choose their own resources and to direct their own play, supported by the childminder. The childminder makes suggestions to help the children extend their play themselves, for example, when playing with the play dough. She helps them to increase their knowledge and understanding by counting with the children, for example, when going upstairs, discussing the colours when painting and showing how to mix colours to make others. She spends a lot of time talking with and listening to the children. The children take part in both active and quiet activities, which allow them to develop, practise and progress their skills. They enjoy reading books, various craft activities and helping to tidy up.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has in-depth knowledge of the individual needs of each child through ongoing discussion with parents. When planning, she considers the children in her care, their stage of development and ability, and chooses activities which all the children can take part in. The children are using a range of resources and take part in activities, for example, visits to Sikh and Hindu places of worship, which help them to learn about different cultures and abilities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The children understand the house rules that are in place which are straightforward. The childminder encourages good standards of behaviour by the use of positive behaviour strategies, clear explanations, lots of praise and plenty of encouragement, which builds the children's confidence and self-esteem. As a result the children behave well.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an excellent partnership with parents and works closely with them to ensure continuity of care for the children. They receive comprehensive information from the childminder about her service and her policies and procedures. She has daily discussions with parents to keep them informed about their children's progress, in addition to keeping written records for the younger children which she shares regularly with parents.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. All the children benefit from the childminder's careful planning and excellent organisation of the day.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder has all the required documentation in place to make sure that she is able to meet the individual needs of the children in her care. In addition, she has comprehensive written policies, all of which are informative for parents and underpin her excellent practice. Documents are displayed for parents to see including the registration, insurance and first aid certificates, menus and planning for the week. The childminder is proactive in keeping herself up-to-date with current practice and is attending courses to ensure that she will be familiar with and able to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage initiative.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection one recommendation was made. This was to expand policy to cover overnight care. The childminder has not offered overnight care for some time, so this is no longer applicable as has requested removal of this condition from her registration.

p.4

Improvements 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

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5