Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY273244 Unique Reference Number 04 February 2008 Inspection date Judith Reed 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 2004. She lives with her husband and child in Tilehurst, near Reading. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home 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 six children at any one time and is currently caring for three children under five, and two children before and after school, all on a part time basis. The family have a pet cat, some tropical fish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a healthy diet and nutritious snacks and meals. They are offered snacks from a choice of fresh fruit, dried fruit, sandwiches or crackers and cheese. Children are offered a nutritious home-cooked meal at lunch time, such as chicken in sauce with vegetables, or fish fingers. The childminder ensures she abides by the wishes of the parents regarding food. Children who arrive early in the morning often enjoy breakfast of cereal or toast with a drink.

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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 Parents are kept fully informed about food consumed through the daily diaries prepared by the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are healthy as the childminder has a suitable first aid kit and ensures her first aid training is up to date at all times. The childminder holds permission for emergency medical treatment for each minded child. She records accidents and medication administered in a confidential manner and parents sign the records as required. Suitable nappy changing procedures are in place and children are protected from cross infection as the childminder always wears gloves. Older children use the toilet upstairs and have their own individual hand drying towels and flannels to prevent cross infection. The childminder keeps her home clean and ensures the pet cat is able to keep away from the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy daily physical exercise as they walk to and from school. The childminder also takes the children to the park regularly, especially during the winter time. In the summer children use the garden extensively. They have an adventure climbing frame with swings and a slide, as well as a further low level slide, tricycles and a trampoline. The childminder ensures she obtains written permission from parents before the children use the trampoline, which is also fitted with protective screens.

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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 secure environment where the front door is always bolted when children are present. The rear garden is fully fenced and the gate is securely bolted at high level. Children have their own low level hooks for their coats in the entrance lobby. They move around the ground floor of the home freely. Children are protected from the risk of accidental injury by the good use of safety equipment. Socket covers are in place and the kitchen cupboard containing cleaning equipment is kept secure. Stair gates are available when required and children are always accompanied upstairs. The childminder has suitable smoke detectors and a fire blanket, however, she has not practised and recorded fire evacuation drill with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access resources from storage boxes. They help themselves from the items available and ask the childminder if more toys are required. The childminder accompanies children upstairs to the toy store room to bring down more items. Toys are cleaned as necessary and the childminder ensures that the toys are suitable and safe for those children present.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and understands her professional duty regarding protecting children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy with the childminder. They are busy and well occupied with various activities. The childminder enjoys spending time with the children. She offers children a choice of activities including art and craft and play dough. The childminder is very aware of the needs of the children and finds that as they all go to nursery or school as well they often prefer to relax and set up games with the toys put out for them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children choose to play with the toys which are already downstairs. They help themselves to plastic lorries and items from the storage box. Children search for their favourite plastic spider toys which they walk up and down the room pulling to and fro. The spider makes noises which

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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 children enjoy. Children have a sense of achievement when they have completed jigsaw puzzles. They sit with the childminder and complete several puzzles, asking for help when necessary. They talk about the pictures and what is going on in the puzzle. Children spot vehicles and characters they recognise. Children ask for more jigsaws and the childminder takes them upstairs to get out some different puzzles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children also take part in a matching game activity. They take turns and remember the cards they have previously turned to make pairs. The childminder asks them to name the animals on the card. They spot all the different animals in the pictures and name them, helping children to develop and learn.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals and the childminder knows them well. She ensures all children are offered equal access to the suitable toys and equipment. The childminder has some books, puzzles and imaginative play equipment which reflects diversity. A member of her family is travelling at the current time and sends interesting picture postcards and artefacts which are displayed for the children. This helps children begin to understand the wider world and different cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are valued and respected. The childminder has no experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities, but has a positive attitude towards additional needs and would work closely with parents and outside agencies to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. They are polite and have good manners, saying please and thank you without prompting. The childminder praises children throughout their activities and ensures they are aware that they are valued. Children are kind and thoughtful to new children and are aware of their feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive relationships are formed with parents which contributes to both the parents and children being confident and settled with the childminder. The childminder provides a daily diary for all parents. These include information about food consumed, nappy changes, activities and outings. The childminder is very aware of keeping parents fully informed about their children. She makes parents aware of the complaints procedure and provides a complaints record as required.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are confident and settled. They have space to play or relax and makes choices about their activities. The childminder is well organised and offers children a varied experience. She has a good understanding of the National Standards and ensures she remains within her ratio. She ensures her register is clear and accurate at all times. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

Children are cared for by a trained and experienced child carer. The childminder keeps her knowledge and training up to date by attending courses offered by the local authority.

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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 The childminder keeps her documentation well organised and has individual folders containing each child's records. Documentation is up to date and is stored in a confidential manner.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure the range of resources is extended to include more which reflect positive images of different cultures and abilities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has obtained a range of books and toys which reflect diversity and children develop an understanding of equal opportunities through being familiar with these items as well as through discussion.

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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): • practise and record fire drill with the children

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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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