Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY225223 Unique Reference Number 12 December 2007 Inspection date Judith, Mary Butler 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 has been a registered since 2002. She lives with her husband and two school aged children. They live in a house in Wildridings, Bracknell. There are local shops, parks, schools and pre-schools within walking distance. Most areas of the house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a cat, three guinea pigs and fish as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for four children on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Parents provide meals for their children and the childminder stores and prepares them in accordance with their wishes. She discussed the individual dietary requirements of the children with parents and ensures she meets these at all times. Meal times are a sociable time with the childminder and children sitting together. They talk about what they will do next, for example,

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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 one child requests a fishing game to play after lunch. Drinks are readily available throughout the day to enhance the health of children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children access fresh air and exercise through regular trips to local parks, walks and play in the garden. The childminder has a range of equipment and resources to assist children in their physical development and these include a slide, and sit and ride toys.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds all of the required documentation to record accidents and administration of medication and parents are requested to countersign all entries. The childminder does not hold a current paediatric first aid certificate and not all parents have signed their consent for the childminder to seek emergency medical attention should she need to do so. Therefore the health of children is not fully protected. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene through the good routines in place and followed by the childminder. Children know that they need to wash their hands before lunch to ensure that they are clean after playing at nursery. Effective procedures, such as using individual towels, prevent the spread if infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home is warm and welcoming to children who are settled and at home in the environment. They access a range of toys and resources and the childminder rotates these to ensure children receive a variety within the time they spend in the home. Children are aware of the toys available and ask for specific toys and games, for example one child request the aeroplane from the cupboard. The childminder cleans and checks all toys to ensure they are in good repair and suitable for the children she is caring for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a safe environment. The childminder undertakes regular checks to minimize risks to children. She reminds older children that they will have to wait before playing with some toys because they have small parts that are not suitable for younger children. Children remain safe on outings due to the procedures followed by the childminder, such as age and stage appropriate car seats and chatting to the children about road safety. Children know that they have to hold on to the pushchair when out walking and that they stop, look and listen before crossing the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good awareness of safeguarding children procedures. She holds all of the relevant documentation to refer to and record incidents should she have concerns regarding a child in her care. This enhances the welfare and safety of children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder knows the children well and offers them individual support in their play. Good relationships are in place between the children and the childminder. Children talk to the childminder about what they are doing or events that have happened in their personal lives, for example, one child tells the childminder what he had to eat at the nursery party. Children are at home and comfortable in their surroundings. They choose the toys they wish to use from the range available in the lounge and freely request more from the variety available and stored in other rooms in the home. The childminder sits with the children and assists them in their play, for example, making suggestions about which piece of the puzzle to look for next and playing the lotto game with one child. The childminder plans activities to suit the individual

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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 routines of the children and ensures children have active and quiet times within their daily routine.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a range of outings while in the care of the childminder; these include daily walks to and from school, and outings to soft play centres and local parks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder welcomes all children into her home and values them as individuals. She knows each child well and provides activities and resources to suit these, for example, games and puzzles. Good relationships are in place between the childminder and parents who share information daily about the children. This ensures that the childminder is able to meet the individual needs of all children in her care. Parents are kept informed about their child's daily routine through verbal feedback at the end of the day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has high expectations for behaviour and gently reinforces these through the day, for example, encouraging children to take turns while playing with the aeroplane. Children are well behaved and are aware of the rules and boundaries in place in the home. This enables them to feel confident and secure in their environment. The childminder uses praise and encouragement to reinforce positive behaviour and this helps the children to develop their self-esteem. Children establish sound relationships with the childminder and other children in the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have opportunities to meet different people and learn about the world around them through a variety of outings and activities. They have access to a variety of resources that reflect the diverse society and these include dressing up, small world toys and books.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the effective use of space within the home, and move freely around all areas identified for their use. Children access a range of activities and resources within the time they spend in the home, they have opportunities to be active and quiet within their daily routine. Children have their individual needs met because the childminder knows them well. They benefit from the good systems in place between the childminder and parents, for sharing information about the children each day. The childminder shares written information about her service with parents.

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Organisation

The childminder holds most of the required documentation to ensure the health, safety and welfare of children. The childminder keeps accurate records of the day and times of children's attendance. Parents are requested to countersign these records and all other documentation, such as accident reports. This ensures they are fully aware of incidents that have happened to their child. 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 requested to address three issues. These related to: providing parents with written information about the childminding service; obtaining more resources to promote equality of opportunity; and obtaining information regarding local child protection procedures.

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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 Since the last inspection the childminder has produced a file that she shares with parents regarding her service and the policies and procedures in place. She now holds Local Safeguarding Children's Board information and this enhances the welfare of children. Resources are in place to promote equality of opportunity and these include dressing up clothes, small world toys and books.

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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 a valid paediatric first aid certificate is obtained • ensure consents are held from all parents given permission to seek emergency medical attention.

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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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