Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY152389 Unique Reference Number 01 February 2008 Inspection date Maria Lumley 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and five years old in Lower Earley, Reading in Berkshire. 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 is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. There are four children currently on role. The childminder walks to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children. She takes children to the local toddler group, library and nearby parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds a Nursery Nurse Examination Board (NNEB) qualification and supports children with learning difficulties.

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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 are provided with a choice of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks to help them to grow. The healthy eating policy includes home cooked menus such as roast dinners and pastas with a selection of fresh vegetables. Children are encouraged to try new tastes as they sample foods from around the world. Older children can access fresh drinking water freely. Children too young to ask are regularly offered drinks to keep them well hydrated. Children gain independence and a sense of belonging from helping to lay the table and prepare snacks and the childminder knows that this encourages them to be interested in their food and to eat well. For example, a child eagerly spreads butter and marmite to make them self and the childminder a sandwich. They then help to slice the cucumber before sitting and eating the lunch they have prepared.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the high standards of cleanliness and hygiene within the home. For example, work surfaces are cleaned and toys are regularly washed. The childminder follows good hygiene practices such as wearing gloves when dealing with any body fluids and positioning boxes of tissues at low level for children to use. Children learn about personal hygiene through discussions and daily routines. They wash their hands before lunch using anti bacterial soap. However, the communal childminding towel compromises children's health. Guidance on infectious illnesses, including exclusion periods is in place and shared with parents. This ensures that parents are fully aware of when it is not appropriate to send children to the setting, consequently, reducing the spread of infections.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy outside play, fresh air and physical exercise through playing in the well equipped garden and on large apparatus in local parks. Use of slides, climbing equipment, balls and bikes develops children's strength, confidence and coordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming environment. They have space to move around in comfort in the well organised and safe surroundings. Children are learning about staying safe through routines, discussion and activities. The childminder has a good balance of child sized and adult furniture, resources and rooms are well planned to meet children's needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children stay safe as the childminder has good risk assessments which identify and eliminate hazards. For example, sharp utensils are stored at high level and cleaning products are kept in the garage. All age appropriate safety equipment, such as reins and safety gates, are used inside and on outings. Children stay safe as the childminder has a secure and effective policy for emergency evacuation which is practised with them. This ensures that children are familiar with what to do in an emergency situation. Children are gently reminded of ways to keep themselves safe as situations arise. For example, when a child kneels on the stool, the childminder says, 'Sit down on your bottom, I don't want you to fall'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children understand about road safety at an appropriate level. Those too young to understand the Green Cross Code learn the simple rules when outside, such as holding hands, listening and pressing the crossing button. Older children are given independence whilst maintaining their safety. For example, they are allowed to walk to next lamp post and then wait for the childminder

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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 before progressing any further. The childminder supervises the children at all times to ensure they are not exposed to risks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good understanding of the issues around safeguarding children and policies and procedures have been created in line with these. She demonstrates a good understanding of signs and symptoms of non-accidental injury to children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a wide range of toys, books games and activities for children. These are rotated regularly to sustain children's interest. They are reviewed and added to as the needs of the children change to identify any gaps in provision and to ensure that all children are included and have their needs and interests met. The childminder devotes all her time to the children, playing, fostering and extending early language by introducing new words, through sensitive questioning and by always responding to them. When a young child arrives back from pre-school, the childminder takes time to sit down with the child and looks at the work they have done that morning. They snuggle up together and talk about the child's drawings, this builds the child's self esteem and makes them feel valued and important.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy positive interaction and play with the childminder. They select a game, 'Snail's pace race', and take turns in throwing the dice, calling out colours and moving their snails forward. Children understand the rules and take turns and wait patiently for each other. This prompts discussions about winners and losers as they compare which snails are in the lead and which have further to go.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunities to express themselves and be creative through arts and craft activities. They become absorbed in rolling and kneading dough to form shapes and models. They then ask to do some painting and carefully make marks on the paper. A child is delighted with their end product and proudly hold it up to show the childminder. The child says, 'Look, it's a baby, mummy, daddy, rainbow and monster'. The childminder responds positively and congratulates the child for such lovely work.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children gain an understanding of diversity and knowledge of the wider world by seeing positive images in all areas of the play provided by the childminder. Children have opportunities to celebrate their own festivals and those of others, such as Diwali and Chinese New Year. When a plane flies over the house the childminder asks, 'I wonder where that plane is going to, where have you been to in a plane?'. A child calls out, 'I went to Spain'. This promotes discussions about holidays and different countries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has toys and equipment which are suitable for all children and she adapts her play activities and setting when needed to include all children. Inclusive play activities are planned, with each child supported at a level according to their need. The childminder knows all children's family backgrounds well and consults parents daily to ensure all their needs are met. This gives children a sense of belonging and they are settled and very happy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good. They are fully aware of what is expected of them. For example, they take off their coats and shoes when entering the house as this is part of their daily routine.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children help to prepare snacks, lay the table and put their used crockery beside the dish washer. These tasks make the children feel important. The childminder offers high levels of praise and thanks the children for completing tasks. Children are polite and say 'Please' and 'Thank you' without prompting. The childminder uses effective, positive and age appropriate strategies for managing behaviour, these include time out and discussion. The childminder is calm and firm and provides a good role model for behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents from the onset. New families are offered settling in sessions which support a smooth transition from home to minding setting for the child. Routines, likes and dislikes are shared to ensure that there is consistency which helps keep children feel settled. Good verbal exchanging of information is given daily to ensure that both parties are aware of children's changing needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are confident and settled in the well organised home environment. They are provided with a variety of good activities to promote their development and enjoyment. They play happily in warm and comfortable surroundings. Space is well organised inside and out and older mobile children are encouraged to be independent in safety. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to ongoing training. She attends regular events and workshops to further improve and enhance the provision.

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Organisation

All persons with access to the children are suitable and ratios of children to childminder are met to keep children safe. Children have individual time with the childminder at appropriate times of the day to ensure their individual needs are met.

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Organisation

Children's care is enhanced by effective and efficient organisation. The childminder has comprehensive records and written policies that are up to date and shared with parents. These promote children's safety and welfare. However, the childminder has not fully considered children's health regarding hand drying. Parents are consulted about all aspects of the care provided. Children make good progress and have their needs met through the effective planning of activities. The childminder has an appropriate system for recording parent's complaints. 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 provider agreed to review and update documentation. Parents have now given written consents for the childminder to complete the daily register which is kept out for parents to view.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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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Complaints 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

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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): • improve hand drying procedures

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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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