Redbourn Park School

Inspection report for early years provision

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148472 Unique Reference Number 15 January 2008 Inspection date Claudia Padfield 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children in Woodley Berkshire. The house is within walking distance of local facilities including pre-school, primary school, shops and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding, with one bedroom for rest and toilet facilities upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. She takes children to the local library and park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for six children under eight years and is currently minding six children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children take part in regular physical play which helps them to acquire new skills and make good progress in their physical development. Children have plenty of fresh air as they go on walks with the childminder and make good use of local parks. They attend a local toddler group and enjoy the social interaction of a wider circle of friends. As well as providing opportunities for active play, children are also able to rest and relax according to their individual needs and routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes children’s health by recognising and reducing possible risks. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained environment and good practice is followed for the hygienic change of nappies.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder pays good attention to children's care and health needs and has good arrangements to care for children if they become ill or have an accident. All necessary documentation is in place to record any accidents and medication given, and there are clear procedures to obtain written parental consent prior to administering any medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and enjoy healthy and nutritionally balanced meals and snacks. These are freshly prepared and successfully contribute to their well-being, healthy growth and development. The childminder works in partnership with the parents, who provide a selection of store cupboard basics to promote a varied and interesting diet. Children are offered drinks at regular intervals and confidently know the colour of their own beakers. The childminder actively seeks information regarding children's health and dietary needs, and all individual requirements are respected and followed to safeguard children and accommodate their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm and inviting environment in which children are settled and interact warmly with each other. Children are able to freely explore and independently select resources which interest them. They have safe access to toys and resources that are suitable for their age and stage of development. These are of good quality and are regularly checked by the childminder to ensure there are no broken parts that may pose a danger. The childminder ensures these are cleaned monthly with the help of the children to increase their awareness of health and safety issues. Toys are rotated and stored in developmentally appropriate storage boxes. This ensures that the children are interested and have a variety of challenges on a daily basis through out the week.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder is aware of her responsibility towards child protection. She has a good knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of children at risk and the relevant procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child. She has all the latest information on safeguarding and local contact numbers are held on file for reporting such concerns. The childminder has risk assessed her environment and has most of the relevant safety equipment in place to minimise potential hazards to children. However the fire blanket is not easily accessible in the case of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the setting as they actively engage in a range of exciting and well supported range of activities to develop their curiosity, creativity and imagination. The childminder uses her experience and initiative to encourage their overall development. Close and caring relationships significantly increase children's confidence and self-esteem as they build close relationships through interaction and inclusion. The children enjoy a familiar story as they cuddle closely with the childminder and enjoy warm and interested interaction.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy each others' company and are learning through play how to take turns and share toys. These interactions are carefully supported by the childminder who has a gentle and calm approach encouraging the children in her care to take turns and think about each other as they play. This they do and play alongside each other with a range of toys and books with little disruption. Children have a weekly visit to toddler group and regular outings to local places of interest and the park; this enhances the children's learning and physical development. Parents are kept up to date verbally and with a daily diary that demonstrates the range of activities covered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder works effectively to ensure all children are included as she works closely with parents to identify and meet children's individual needs. Children enjoy opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through daily outings into the community and sharing a range of stories and books. Families share information about their culture and differing styles of cooking, as families provide a wide range of differing ingredients which the childminder uses in her daily food preparation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the sensitive and pro-active methods to promote positive behaviour. They gain good levels of self control as they follow consistent boundaries and simple yet effective house rules which are verbally shared with parents. This ensures children receive consistent care as they develop a clear understanding of right and wrong. Children respond warmly to the childminder's effective use of praise and encouragement. Children receive consistent care appropriate to their individual needs, in line with parental wishes. Parents receive regular information about their children's progress through daily discussions and diary entries.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised and she is clear about her role and responsibility as a registered childminder.

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Organisation

The childminder meets all of their individual needs with kindness and care. The childminder is knowledgeable about how children learn and develop and she provides a rich environment in which children grow and develop. The childminder has the required documentation and ensures she updates parents verbally of any changes to her everyday practice.

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Organisation

The childminder is enthusiastic and proactive in her approach to caring for children and working in partnership with their parents. As a result of this, children thrive in her relaxed childminding

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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 home. The childminder attends courses when able and ensures her documentation is up to date. Overall, 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 required to update her written documentation to ensure it was correct and relevant. She has the correct information and seeks regular updates from the parents to ensure all required documentation is in place. This ensures the care of the children protects their well being 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 fire blanket is easily accessible in case of an emergency

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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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