Marie Weller Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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148571 Unique Reference Number 31 January 2008 Inspection date Margaret Davie 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 1994. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 13 in Woodley near Reading. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and the upstairs is used for sleeps. There is a fully secure garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under two, one full time and one part time. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The family have a dog, two cats, a gerbil and a guinea pig.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are beginning to understand the importance of good hygiene through daily routines. For example they are encouraged to wash their hands regularly to minimise the spread of germs. Surfaces are thoroughly disinfected to ensure they are clean, which helps to prevent cross

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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 infection. Nappies are changed safely and disposed of hygienically, however the childminder does not wear rubber gloves when changing children's nappies, which increases the risk of spreading germs. Young children sleep according to their own patterns which contributes to their good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children bring their own packed lunches from home and these are supplemented by healthy snacks such as wholemeal toast and fresh fruit. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children receive sufficient, nutritious food. Drinks are available at all times so that children can help themselves, whenever they are thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a good range of physical activities that include regular visits to the local park where they use the play equipment. This contributes to their good health. They also use the childminder's garden regularly where they use play equipment such as the playhouse and trampoline. The childminder occasionally exchanges outdoor equipment with another local childminder in order to keep resources interesting and challenging.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move around the childminder's home safely, freely and independently. They play in the lounge and eat their meals in the dining room. They have only supervised access to the kitchen. This ensures they only have free access to areas that are safe for them to use. The childminder checks the premises regularly to identify and minimise any hazards and ensures that toys and equipment are clean and safe. However, she does not ask parents to give their written permission for children to use the trampoline, which may pose a risk to their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety both within and outside the home is of high priority to the childminder. She has a range of equipment to use such as high chairs, cots, stairgates and buggies. This ensures that children can play and explore in safety. The childminder has given clear consideration to evacuation procedures both downstairs and from upstairs rooms.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy a range of equipment to suit their ages and stages of development such as push and pull toys, large building blocks and soft toys. The childminder has required procedures in place to ensure children's welfare and local Safeguarding Children Boards contact details, should she have a concern about a child in her care. However, she does not have procedures in place to deal with an allegation of abuse made against herself or a member of her family.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and content in the childminder's home. They enjoy looking at books such as 'At the Zoo' with her and join in games that encourage their development. For example, when the post drops through the letter slot the childminder draws a child's attention to it and asks if he can please get the letters for her. When he returns with it she gives him lots of praise and then helps him count how many there. Children enjoy listening to music and hearing simple repetitive songs, which contribute to their language skills and creativity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become increasingly independent as they choose between a variety of appealing toys and books. They develop affectionate relationships with the childminder who is very involved in their play and care and interacts with them, well supporting their development well as she

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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 talks to them about their activities. Outings include visits to a variety of local groups, providing children opportunities to socialise with other children of similar ages.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are provided with an extensive range of experiences and the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the needs of young children. She works closely with parents to ensure their continuity of care and provides them with daily written feedback to keep them informed about their child's day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children make themselves at home and choose activities according to their own preferences, in the well organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own learning. Children are very well known and the childminder supports their needs well, for example taking a child to see the health visitor for a check up.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of all equal opportunities issues and helps children develop an awareness of their own and other cultures as they play with dolls, toys and read books about people from around the world. Children develop an understanding of the wider world and where they live on outings, for example to the drop in group at the local Church or on walks to the river to feed the ducks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well because the childminder is very calm and consistent in all her dealings with them. She makes a point of encouraging them and rewarding good behaviour in order to build their self esteem. This helps them to take responsibility for their own behaviour. Behaviour management is clearly focused on both the age and stage of development of children, for example, she prefers to use distraction techniques with young children rather than repeatedly telling them no. This helps children learn write from wrong in a positive way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are good and contribute to children's well being. The childminder prepares detailed daily feedback for parents and makes all her policies and procedures available for them.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's needs are effectively met because the childminder organises space and resources well and provides children with a range of experiences to promote their development in all areas. Children feel comfortable and at home with her and this helps them go about their day with growing confidence. Children are well supervised at all times and enjoy stimulating activities both inside and outside the home.

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Organisation

Records, policies and procedures to promote the care and welfare of children are generally well maintained, however the childminder has not given consideration in her child protection policy, to how she would manage an allegation of abuse made against herself or a member of her family, which poses a potential risk to children. The information kept about children is relevant to their health and welfare and the childminder ensures parents receive good information to promote their child's continuity of care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain a copy of local child protection procedures and contact numbers and to ensure that all documentation was put in place before she commenced childminding.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's welfare is now safeguarded as she has obtained a copy of child protection procedures and contact numbers in line with local Safeguarding Children Boards. All documentation has been put in place to promote the care of children.

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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): • take steps to ensure the spread of infection is minimised when changing children's nappies • consider procedures to be followed in the event an allegation of abuse is made which is alleged to have taken place while the child is in the care of the childminder

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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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