Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY102174 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2008 Inspection date Jenny Scarlett Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2002. She lives with her family and children aged 12 and seven years in Slough. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding four children under eight years on a part time basis. The childminder walks and drives to local schools and preschools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is promoted well. From a young age they learn good procedures for their own personal hygiene. For example, the childminder uses wet wipes to clean children's hands and faces before they handle food and after meals. Children are protected from the spread of infection through the childminder's routine procedures such as a hygienic nappy

p.2

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 changing system. There is a clear sickness policy which makes sure parents know that children must not attend if they are infectious. Children's medication and accidents are well managed. The childminder has a good knowledge of handling first aid emergencies such as minor bumps and bruises and relevant records are accurately recorded.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle, They take part in a range of indoor and outdoor activities that encourage their physical development and good health. Outdoor play in the garden offers opportunities to use bikes and mobile apparatus such as slides. They enjoy outings to local parks where they explore the larger equipment such as climbing frames and swings to aid their development.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children make informed choices from healthy options for lunch. They choose tuna or ham sandwiches made with brown bread and enjoy tomatoes and cucumber slices. Meal times are a happy social occasion where children sit at the dining table and chat with each other and the childminder. They make choices between oranges, bananas or grapes and excitedly wait for their yoghurts for dessert.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a generally safe and secure environment. The childminder has put measures in place to help prevent accidents such as socket covers and safety gates. Children are supervised within sight and sound at all times to help keep them safe and the childminder is particularly cautious of supervising the older children when accessing the bathroom.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are confident and at home in their environment. They move freely and make choices about the toys and resources they wish to use from the range stored in baskets in the dining area. The childminder provides resources to suit the individual play preferences of the children she is caring for. These include art and craft, construction, books and puzzles. Toys and equipment are checked and cleaned regularly to ensure they are in good repair and suitable for the ages and stages of the children being cared for. Adequate procedures are in place to ensure children are safe when on outings. Contact telephone numbers for the children are held on the mobile phone. However, there are no formal written procedures for recording children's emergency details when taking them out and about in the community. This poses potential risks for children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding children. She knows how to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow if she has concerns. This includes clear documentation informing parents of her duties to safe guard children in her care. This helps to protect children from harm.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are made to feel welcome in the childminder's home. They are confident and happy in the environment. Good relationships are in place between the childminder and the children. They chat freely to each other and the childminder, the older children recalling and laughing about events that have happened in their own home. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and benefit from the individual attention they receive. They choose toys to suit their needs and preferences in the range available to them throughout the day. Some choose to play with the tambourine and drums and younger children play with the dolls. Children learn

p.3

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 to play independently and toddlers learn to share and to socialise. The childminder offers children support in their play, for example, assisting one child to build with bricks and look at books with the younger children. Children enjoy the story time, they sit with the childminder and are engrossed in the pictures. They identify the animals in the pictures and name the colours of the buckets and spades. Children's love of books is nurtured at an early age and the childminder develops their language as they learn new words such as 'truck' and 'yellow'.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is warm and affectionate with the children making them feel valued. She clearly enjoys their company and knows them well. They receive lots of cuddles and reassurance particularly when they are unsure of visitors to the home and when tired. She spends a lot of time talking and playing with them. As a result, children are confident in the play and are making good progress in their development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children play happily and the younger children are learning to share and show consideration for others in the home, such as, looking at books together and being encouraged to pass the puzzle pieces. They chat freely in their play and are beginning to respect the wishes and thoughts of others. The childminder acts as a good role model and encourages the children to be kind to each other, share and remember their manners. Children react well to the praise and recognition they receive from the childminder. This approach assists all children in developing their self-esteem.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationships in place between the childminder and their parents. They verbally share information at the end of the day. Daily diaries are completed for the very young children highlighting their daily care routines and play activities. This exchange of information enables the childminder to care for the children with consistency and work with parents to meet the ever changing needs of the young children. The childminder shares the policies and procedures that she has in place with parents, who sign to say they have read and understood them.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder welcomes all children into her home and ensures they have their individual needs met. Children go on outings and take part in activities that enable them to learn about the world around them and different people and traditions, for example, outings to parks, and resources such as books, dolls and puzzles.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder holds all of the required documentation to support the care of the children. She shares this with parents to ensure they are fully aware of the policies and procedures in place. The childminder records children's arrival departure times and ensures all visitors sign the visitors book. However, on the day of the inspection the attendance register records the children's departure times before they left. This does not provide an accurate record of the children being looked after on the premises. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of the requirements for registration. However, she has on one occasion omitted to inform Ofsted of significant changes. This impacts on the conditions of registration.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder makes good use of the available space within her home. Children are comfortable and move freely selecting the toys and equipment they wish to use. They benefit from the

p.4

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 good relationships in place between the childminder and parents, who exchange information about the children daily. Children gain from the individual time and support they receive from the childminder. This enables them to feel confident and settled within the home. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made for the childminder to fit an additional smoke alarm, to extend the range of toys to reflect diversity and update documentation relating to permissions from parents for medical emergencies and outings. The childminder has fitted the smoke alarm on the first floor. Varied toys and resources such as books, dolls and small world resources are available for the children reflecting diversity and promoting positive images of the world around them. The childminder has updated the policies, procedures and documentation in relation to children's health and outings. As a result consents are in place from all parents to seek emergency medical attention should it be required. This enhances the health of children in her care.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

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): • formalise the emergency procedures when taking the children out and about in the community • ensure Ofsted are notified of any significant changes.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5