Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY241728 Unique Reference Number 11 December 2007 Inspection date Carol Patricia Willett 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 registered since 2000. She lives with her primary school aged daughter. They live in a flat in Great Hollands, Bracknell. There are local shops, parks, schools and pre-schools within walking distance. The whole of the flat is used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years. There are currently five children in her care of which three are under five years on a full time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local childminder drop-in group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has good daily hygiene routines to ensure the resources are clean and in good condition and the premises are clean, tidy and well maintained. The childminder ensures children's healthcare is well promoted as they consistently wash their hands before eating or

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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 after using the toilet. Nappy changing procedures are very good and so effectively prevents the spread of infection as the childminder uses gloves and wipes the changing mat well after each change. Children's health is promoted by good procedures when children are unwell, parents are informed and they collect the child.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular physical play both indoors and out. Although the childminder does not have a garden, she ensures the children go out daily thus developing their understanding of healthy lifestyles. They attend toddler groups and visit the park so they have regular access to outdoor play. The children's own daily routines are followed, including times for rest and quiet play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of nutritious snacks and meals which are freshly prepared. Parents wishes are acknowledged and adhered to and children are given choice about what they want to eat. They enjoy fruit and raisins for a midmorning snack. They drink water or juice freely as their own cups are always available within reach. Food provided by parents is stored appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm, welcoming child friendly home where children feel safe and secure. Children are cared for in premises that are in a good state of repair and decoration. Space within the house is well organised, allowing children to move around safely, freely and independently. Children can easily access the range of good quality age appropriate toys to enable development in all areas. They are checked regularly to ensure they are in suitable condition. The childminder is very safety conscious as she packs some of the toys away as children lose interest in them so they don’t trip. Risks within the home have been identified and minimised by the childminder so children can play safely at all times, for example, the front door is kept locked, windows have limiters and sockets are covered.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good procedures in place to enable children to be protected, for example, she has relevant insurance cover, has completed a first aid course and is confident in her knowledge of child protection procedures. Children are suitably protected as the childminder always supervises the children closely when other adults are in the house and when on outings. The childminder ensures children know why they need to stay close, hold hands and learn about road safety, so developing their awareness of keeping themselves safe. Fire evacuation procedures are practised to develop children's confidence and awareness. All of these measures contribute to the safety and welfare of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are secure, happy and confident, and very at home with the childminder as she is friendly and warm, making children feel comfortable and valued. The childminder develops good relationships with the children, she enjoys their company and knows them well. She sits on the floor talking and playing with them, consequently children are well supported in their play and are making good progress in all areas of development. The children play well together and enjoy a good variety of activities that are appropriate to their ages. They are happy and confidently choose toys and resources for themselves and are confident in their relationships with adults, going to them to share their toys and invite them into their play with the bricks and press buttons on the computer. They show concern for each other and older children help

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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 the younger ones in their play. The childminder encourages them to share toys and take turns and helps them learn right from wrong with praise and encouragement when they do things well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The interesting and worthwhile range of activities and outings provided help children learn about the world in which they live as they go to toddler groups and visit the parks and shops. The childminder reads to the children and asks questions helping to develop their language skills. She treats children with affection and they enjoy sitting on her lap and having cuddles and stories read. Children's creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as art and craft, painting, music and pretend play. The childminder uses children's play to develop children's all round skills, for example, they count and sort bricks as they build towers and vehicles and sort the bricks into colours naming their favourite and identifying which is more. Outings are undertaken on most days and include visits to a variety of local parks and toddler groups providing the children with opportunities to socialise with a wider

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder is caring and affectionate and uses affectionate terms when talking to the children. She gives them hugs and kisses which develops their sense of belonging and self esteem. She values children's individual needs and personalities and respects parents’ wishes, working closely to provide consistent care in daily routines for the children. This means children settle well and feel confident and secure. The children behave well and they care for each other and share and take turns using toys. They are developing good manners as they say please and thank-you appropriately. They respond well to the consistent praise and encouragement from the childminder and they readily take part in activities; they help to tidy up.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a sound understanding of all equal opportunities issues and has a positive attitude towards diversity. This helps children develop an awareness of their own and other cultures. Children learn about their local community through the regular outings to toddler groups and trips provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents forming good relationships and discusses useful information with them at the initial visit to ensure children's individual needs are met. There is a good exchange of information on a daily basis both verbally and in writing in each child's daily diary. Children's progress and development is also shared with parents through the trackers books. The childminder provides parents with a pack of useful information about her practices, policies and procedures. She has written consents in place to follow parents’ requirements about their children's care. Parents value and respect the service she offers providing positive comments, written references and thank-you cards.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops good relationships with parents who are kept fully informed of the childminder’s practice through the parent information folder which contains written policies and information about the childminder and her family, ensuring children’s continued support and considering the welfare of the children.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's needs are met well through the childminder's effective organisation of her home which provides children with good adult support within a safe environment. There is sufficient space in the sitting room and hallway for them to explore and play independently. The organisation of resources is effective and children are able to freely select them. The childminder has a good knowledge of the requirements of registration and ensures she maintains ratios at all times. She keeps a comprehensive range of suitable documentation which provides information to enable her to meet children's needs and manage the provision safely. However, not all records are completed sufficiently as parents do not sign the attendance register and it does not identify when children attend preschool so they are not in the care of the childminder. Some good practice written consents are not in place. The childminder practises fire evacuation

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Organisation

with the children but she does not record details when this has been done. Contracts are reviewed with parents annually and information is exchanged through the effective use of a written daily diary for each child on a daily basis to keep them well informed of the children's progress and activities. 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 improve risk assessments procedures and expand the range of resources to reflect diversity. She was required to practise fire evacuation to ensure children's confidence in an emergency. The childminder has made good progress and addressed all issues identified. Written risk assessments are completed and the childminder ensures the bathroom light cord is out of reach of the children. Fire evacuation practises take place on a regular basis. This ensures children's safety is promoted. The childminder uses play experiences to further develop children's awareness in an emergency. However, evacuation practises are not recorded and this is carried forward for improvement. The childminder has obtained a range of resources to reflect disability including a child in wheelchairs and using crutches. This ensures children develop an awareness of diversity.

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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. 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): • record details of fire evacuation practises • obtain written consent for children sleeping in buggies • ensure the register accurately reflects the children's attendance.

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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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