Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY284649 Unique Reference Number 11 January 2008 Inspection date Elizabeth Juon 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children, one an adult and the other aged five years in Windsor. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is available for childminding with toilet and rest facilities upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder's registration is to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and she is currently minding four children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder goes to the local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive because the childminder follows effective procedures and routines to meet their physical, nutritional and health needs. Children learn excellent hygiene routines. They wash their hands at appropriate times to safeguard their health, drying them on their own individual

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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 towels to prevent cross infection. Children are becoming independent in their self-care skills. Children are able to play and rest in a clean home. The childminder uses effective and thorough cleaning routines to maintain a fresh and welcoming environment with clean toys and resources for the children. Children are well cared for in the event of an accident or becoming unwell, as the childminder is qualified in first aid and has very good systems in place to respond appropriately to an emergency. Clear policies and procedures and relevant documentation to record accidents and medication are in place and parent’s signatures and consents are obtained; all of which safeguard children’s welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an excellent range of physical activities and experiences indoors and outside. For example, on outings to the park or Legoland, playing in the garden or exercising and following instruction on the musical activity mat. Children’s emotional wellbeing is thoroughly promoted as the childminder offers comfort and support, maintains children’s routine for eating and rest and offers a cuddle when needed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy snacks, meals and frequent drinks. Children can choose the fruit they like for snack and help to wash the fruit before eating it. The childminder follows healthy eating advice and endeavours to provide ‘five-a-day’ fresh fruit and vegetables. This ensures children are well nourished. The childminder has a certificate in food hygiene to ensure high standards are maintained in the kitchen to protect children’s health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe in the home as the childminder is aware of their developing abilities and ensures effective safety measures minimise the risks to children, such as, safety gates, foam padding on hot pipes, window and cupboard locks and a secure garden. The childminder provides appropriate levels of supervision to monitor children’s activities and maintain their safety. The childminder has a written emergency escape plan in place and regularly practices the emergency evacuation with the children so they are familiar with the procedure enabling them to leave the house quickly. Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder uses suitable equipment such as a buggy or car seat and has established arrangements such as, ensuring the children have on their person the childminder’s mobile telephone number, in the event of a child becoming lost.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a varied range of developmentally appropriate resources and equipment that is of good quality and kept in good condition. Children select toys from storage boxes and shelving, enabling them to make decisions about their play. The childminder regularly rotates resources around to provide children with different experiences and maintain their interest. Children have space to move around freely in the well organised and welcoming home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare and safety is supported by the childminder’s sound understanding of child protection procedures. She has undertaken recent training and has current information and procedures to follow should concerns arise about the children in her care. However, it is unclear if the contact number available for the local area social services department is still current which may prevent a swift referral if it is not. Parents are fully informed of the childminder’s responsibility to protect children from harm.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy, settled and relaxed in the company of the childminder. Children are motivated, eager and actively participate in and enjoy the experiences on offer. Throughout the day the children are engaged with interesting games, stimulating activities and outings into the local area. Children attend a variety of activity settings and toddler groups and have the opportunity to develop social skills and experience the wider community. Throughout the childminder’s well planned daily programme she ensures children have time to rest and relax to meet their individual routine and stage of development. The garden is used by the children to explore plants and insects and to play on larger equipment developing physical skills such as, pedalling. Positive relationships are evident between the childminder and children which promotes children’s security and sense of belonging. The childminder keeps a scrap book of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

photographs of the children’s achievement to inform parents. The children eagerly look through the book and remember the activities they have done and talk about the children in the picture who are not present. The children make friends in the setting and look forward to playing together. The childminder talks to children as they play and asks simple questions effectively to develop children’s play and learning, for example, repeating the names of colours or counting grapes at snack time. Children are treated and valued as individuals and respond well to the childminder’s caring nature and genuine interest in what they do and say.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are beginning to learn about the world around them and value differences. The books and toys children play with reflect a variety of cultures and also disability in a positive way. Although the childminder has no experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities, she has a positive attitude to providing an inclusive environment for all children. The childminder encourages children to think about the needs of others and to be aware of the world around them. Children talk about and practice, recycling waste to help keep their world a nice place.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and flourish from the childminder’s use of praise and encouragement to promote their self-esteem and confidence. The childminder is frequently at child level, extending play to keep children happy and occupied and distracted from displaying unwanted behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued as individuals. The childminder collects detailed information from parents about their children to ensure appropriate care is given. Parents are well informed about their child’s day. They receive a copy of the childminder’s written policies and procedures and contact details for the regulator, Ofsted.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s welfare and safety is positively promoted through the childminder’s comprehensive set of policies, procedures and guidelines that underpin her working practice. The childminder is well organised and has a professional approach to childcare. She undertakes frequent, relevant training sessions to update her knowledge and skills to benefit children’s care and learning. The childminder ensures children are supervised at all times and kept safe from anyone who is not vetted.

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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 All the required documentation is in place, including a record of children’s times of attendance; this ensures the appropriate adult to child ratio is maintained at all times. However, the storage of children’s personal information and parental consents is not individual to each child and does not sufficiently promote confidentiality or easy access.

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Organisation

The childminder provides a child oriented, homely environment where children are comfortable and settled. 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 Care inspection the childminder was asked to continue to update her knowledge and understanding of issues relating to childcare and education.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder endeavours to complete six relevant training sessions each year and is intending to begin study for a recognised childcare qualification. This commitment to training improves the childminder's childcare skills for the overall benefit of the children in her care.

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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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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 the contact numbers for the Local Safeguarding Children's Board are current • maintain child records individually to fully maintain confidentiality

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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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