Childminder in Windsor and Maidenhead

Inspection report for early years provision

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159822 Unique Reference Number 12 December 2007 Inspection date Margaret Moffat 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 two children, who are aged seven and ten years, in Datchet, Berkshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding. Young children use a travel cot for sleeping in a first floor bedroom. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding four children under five all on a part-time basis. The childminder makes use of local facilities, such as parks, the library and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy as the childminder follows appropriate health and hygiene procedures. The childminder has good procedures for recording accidents and medication administered, and promoting children's welfare within the setting. From a young age children develop basic hygiene skills through the simple routines; the childminder wipes younger children's hands

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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 before snack and talks to them about what she is doing. Older children deal with their own care needs and visual displays regarding hand washing remind them to complete this task; they have their own individual towel on pegs in the bathroom and children recognise these as they have drawn the picture above the peg.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical exercise as they have access to the garden and park where they can play on large play apparatus. The childminder ensures children have opportunities to exercise and have plenty of fresh air, as she takes the children out every day. Routines are discussed with parents and children rest and sleep according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Meals are healthy and nutritious and the childminder ensures children receive home cooked meals and fruit and vegetables daily, helping them to develop good eating habits. Drinks are readily available for the children and the childminder replenishes these throughout the day. Children have their health and dietary needs met as the childminder discusses these with parents. They are given copies of menus and these are displayed in the childminder's home to ensure parents are fully aware of what their children will be eating during their time with her.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children access and use suitable and safe equipment which is age appropriate and suitable for their stage of development. It is stored appropriately and the childminder sets out toys and resources for the younger children while older can access these by themselves. Children play in a warm and welcoming environment where the childminder has taken precautions to minimise risks. For example, she hooks back the conservatory door and has door stoppers in place to prevent children jamming their fingers. Fire safety precautions are in place and include practising the emergency evacuation procedure with the children. There are smoke alarms on all levels of the property and these are regularly checked to ensure they are in working order. However, they are not all positioned appropriately and this compromises children's safety. Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder discusses road safety with them and ensures they are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

always within sight when playing in the park. The childminder has appropriate restraints for children travelling in the car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues to safeguard children’s welfare. She recognises signs of abuse and is aware of whom to inform if she has a concern about a child in her care. However, the procedures do not comply with those of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled and very at home in childminder's house. They settle quickly when they arrive back from the school run and the childminder offers reassurance and support to children when they are under the weather. Children make choices about what they wish to play with and this develops their independence. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and the types of activities that help children learn. She uses the Birth to Three Matters framework to encourage children's development and makes observations to record children's achievements. The childminder spends time talking and playing with the children, she enjoys their company and knows them well. For example, when children are playing with the shape sorter the childminder assists them by showing them what happens if they push, pull or put a shape into the space and match the colours. Children copy the childminder as they

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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 try to repeat the colours she says and show delight when they put a shape into the space. Children have fun as they dance around the room together, with younger children holding older children's hand, and dancing fast or slow depending on the music played. Children enjoy listening to stories. They confidently ask the childminder to read to them and sit next to the childminder as she goes through the book. The childminder extends the activity by asking children questions about what they see, how many, and the colours of things, helping to develop their language and thinking skills. Younger children join in the conversation by naming items they see and the childminder re-iterates the word the children are saying and they copy it. The childminder praise and encourages the children for their efforts. Children have opportunities to be involved

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

in cooking and art and craft activities during their time with the childminder, helping to develop their creative skills and outings are undertaken on a regular basis, helping children to socialise with a wider group of people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel a sense of belonging as they see their art work displayed within the childminder's home. The childminder treats children with kindness and respect and gets to know the children by spending time talking and listening to them. She thoroughly discusses children's individual needs with parents and this gives her an understanding of the children and guidance to help them feel content and settled. Children become aware of the wider society through outings in the local community. The childminder has a range of resources which promotes positive images and talks to the children about her own experiences growing up in another country. Children learn about caring for their environment as they are encouraged to participate in recycling within the childminder's home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and respond positively to the consistent praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder. Children begin to learn right from wrong as they become aware of the childminder's house rules and they respond well to the childminder's request to tidy up, as even the youngest of the children join in this activity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents and develops friendly but professional relationships with them. Children benefit from this positive partnership as information is shared through daily diaries and verbal feedback and this helps the overall well being and continuity of their care. Parents report they are very happy with the care and the activities their children are involved in during their time with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Space is organised effectively to ensure children have room to move around and play comfortably in the childminder's home. Children receive good support from the childminder and this helps them feel settled and at ease in her care. The childminder has all the relevant documentation, policies and procedures in place to ensure children's safety and welfare. The childminder continues her professional development and approach to childminding through attending regular training courses. This helps to improve the service she offers to the children and their parents. 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 previous inspection the childminder was asked to ensure written authorisation is obtained before the use of medicinal products and that confidentiality is respected when recording accidents and incidents. The childminder has procedures in place for ensuring written authorisation is obtained before administering medication and accidents and incidents are now recorded on separate sheets to ensure confidentiality is maintained. This helps to promote children's welfare.

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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): • update knowledge of child protection to ensure procedures relate to those of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board • ensure smoke alarm is fitted in line with manufacturer's instructions.

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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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