Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY284971 Unique Reference Number 31 January 2008 Inspection date Christine Coram 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 two children aged eight and five years in Theale, between Reading and Newbury. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There are first floor bedrooms for children needing a sleep 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding five children under five on a part-time basis in the day, and two children over five before and after school and in school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group, creative play sessions and soft play areas. The family has hamsters, but the minded children do not have access to them.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health is promoted well and they are protected from cross-infection through carefully followed routines. For example, when changing nappies, the childminder uses disposable gloves, anti-bacterial spray to clean the mat, and hand gel to ensure that her hands are hygienic and clean after each change.

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Helping children to be healthy

Should children have an accident, they are protected because the childminder has a current first aid qualification and keeps a record of the incident and treatment given. However, this does not always contain sufficient clarity, making the precise details difficult to understand. A first aid kit is thoughtfully located and regularly checked.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s nutritional health is promoted well. They benefit from varied and healthy meals such as pasta dishes and casseroles. They learn about making healthy choices through the colourful leaflets and posters displayed and the childminder’s endorsement of the benefits of fruit and vegetables. Drinks are readily available, ensuring that children have plenty of fluids. The childminder periodically offers water to children who are too young to help themselves.

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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 child-orientated and colourful environment. The home is well maintained and the areas used by the children provide plenty of space for play. The areas can be divided to facilitate different activities to be arranged for different children’s needs. For example, the school-aged children can play with small resources in one room and the babies have freedom to play with appropriate toys in the other. The rooms inter-connect so that the childminder can supervise all the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

They are also kept safe through the suitable procedures and measures that the childminder puts in place. The emergency evacuation procedure is practised with the children and the dates recorded to ensure that this happens on a regular basis. They are also protected because the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues and is confident to take the appropriate action if she has concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from an interesting range of activities and play equipment. Activities for older children includes cooking, creative play, visits to the library and picnics in the park. Babies develop through play with a range of suitable toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate well to each other and to the childminder. Babies are involved in their activities and focus well with her support. She knowledgably adds to the activities by repeating movements, talking to them throughout the day, and encouraging new skills.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children each receive the care that is appropriate to them because the childminder is very clear about their needs. She also promotes equality through her enthusiasm to learn about different cultures. She actively seeks to increase the children’s understanding of the diversity in society and enlists the help of parents with specialist knowledge.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is managed in a positive and effective manner. For example, the childminder uses ‘time out’ for children who do not behave in an appropriate way, but she finds that this is rarely necessary. The clear behaviour policy demonstrates her positive attitude and she gives children plenty of encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from consistent care because the childminder works effectively in partnership with parents and carers. She provides useful information about the service she provides. She forms trusting relationships with them, encouraging them to keep in contact with her as their children settle in her care. She respects their wishes and follows their instructions with care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children benefit because she is keen to continue to up-date her knowledge and skills through training and has attended courses, such as fire safety training.

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Organisation

The childcare is well organised and the space and resources are used to create a stimulating environment. The procedures for health and safety are effective to promote the children’s welfare. All the required documentation is in place and completed in detail and clarity, other than the accident record. The record of attendance is up-to-date and precise. The records are confidentially and securely stored.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection the childminder agreed to increase the range of resources that promote equality, provide parents with a written complaints procedure, and increase her knowledge of child protection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A range of resources in now available that helps the children to appreciate diversity in society. Parents are better informed through the clear written complaints procedure. The childminder has attended training about child protection and is now confident in safeguarding children.

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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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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): • increase the detail and clarity of accident recording

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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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