Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY251047 Unique Reference Number 20 March 2008 Inspection date Catherine Louise Sample 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 2003. She lives with her children, aged 9 and 12, in the rural area of Woodcote, Reading. The whole ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six minded children at any one time. There are currently four children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning about good hygiene practice. They wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. The childminder always checks that they have done so and discusses hygiene issues with them. Children's hygiene needs are generally met. The house is kept clean and toys are washed regularly. The cat is treated for fleas and worms to minimise any possible

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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 health risks to the children. However, children are put at risk of cross-infection because they share a hand towel and the childminder does not wear disposable gloves when changing nappies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have sufficiently healthy food and drink. They are offered a varied menu of hot meals which always include fresh vegetables. They have snacks of fruit or biscuits and have treats at the end of the week, which link in with a reward system for good behaviour. Children have water or milk to drink, but drinks are not left out so children can help themselves. They do have bottles of water in the car which they can help themselves to. Children learn about healthy eating through discussion with the childminder and through cooking activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected well from illness. The childminder has a full sickness policy that includes a 24 hour exclusion period for sickness and diarrhoea. She contacts parents and asks them to collect children who become unwell during the day. She keeps a full record of accidents and of any medication administered. She has a current first aid qualification and keeps first aid kits in both the home and her car. Children are helped to keep fit through regular exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are learning how to stay safe. They practise road safety when out walking. The childminder reminds children to be careful when they kneel up on a chair to eat at the table. Children can move about the setting safely. The childminder has a detailed health and safety policy which includes regular fire drills, emergency cover by a vetted individual, and collection of children by named persons only. There are smoke detectors on the ground floor and in all the bedrooms. A fire blanket and fire extinguishers are in place, and the childminder also has a carbon monoxide detector. All areas are safe for children to use since hazardous materials are kept out of their reach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety outside is ensured through effective measures. The garden is fully enclosed and there are no ponds or poisonous plants which could pose a risk to children. The garage and the garden gates are kept locked to ensure that the garden is secure. The childminder has appropriate car seats for the various children whom she cares for. She carries emergency contact details and a mobile phone with her when out and has identity tags for children to wear on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected because the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues. She has attended child protection training and is aware of the possible indicators of abuse. She knows what to do and where to seek support if she has concerns about a child in her care. She records all existing injuries. Parents are made aware of the childminder's duty to refer any child protection concerns to the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident. They have a warm relationship with the childminder and are happy and settled in her care. They quickly settle down to play and talk about what they like doing. They are developing their independence, for example, as they explore the sitting room while looking for Easter eggs, or as they go to the toilet by themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to make choices, because the childminder provides an extensive range of toys and other resources that cater for all ages. Some toys are stored in boxes on the

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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 floor, where the children have easy access to them. Toys are rotated to maintain children's interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a stimulating range of activities. They do lots of arts and crafts activities, such as decorating eggs for Easter. They have also enjoyed collecting blackberries and making a crumble. They go to toddler group and meet up with other children, which helps them to develop their social skills. Children are learning through their play. They count the number of eggs they have found and enjoy listening to stories and looking at books. They use their imaginations in art activities and messy play and are developing their physical skills when playing in the garden and parks. They are finding out about a wide range of subjects through discussion with the childminder, who is good at extending activities to help children learn.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well behaved. For example, a child follows instruction well and remembers to say 'please' when asking for a fromage frais. Children's behaviour is managed using a reward system based on collecting apples on a behaviour tree. The childminder has attended positive behaviour training and makes effective use of a number of strategies including distraction and discussion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about wider society. They use resources that promote diversity, including small world figures and books. They take part in activities, such as celebrating Chinese New Year, that help them to learn about other cultures. They are also learning through discussion. The childminder sponsors a child in Uganda and she and the children discuss their different lifestyles. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of the need to work closely with the parents of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to ensure that their needs are fully met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from an effective working relationship between the parents and the childminder. The childminder shares information with parents through discussion and through daily diaries and written monthly reports. She respects parental wishes, such as not allowing their children to watch too much television. She ensures that parents sign to confirm that they have read the detailed policy document and have access to contact details for Ofsted. She has asked parents for feedback to allow her to evaluate how successfully she cares for children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a generally well organised environment. They use the ground floor of the house which provides plenty of play space and has a downstairs cloakroom. The environment is welcoming, with displays of work by minded children and the childminder's own children. There is a fully enclosed garden, which means children can play outside regularly.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's training and commitment to development. She has attended a variety of training including child protection and behaviour management and has started training on the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is planning to attend food hygiene training.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is enhanced because the childminder has all the necessary records, policies and procedures. For example, she keeps records of accidents and any medication administered. She records children's attendance accurately. She has a full policy document, which she shares

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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 with parents. This includes a policy statement to provide a "reliable, safe, caring and stimulating environment" for children.

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Organisation

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 obtain written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice and/or treatment for their children. She was also required to provide written information to parents about how to make a complaint.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now records parental consent to allow her to seek emergency medical advice and /or treatment. She has a written complaints procedure, which she shares with parents in her policy document. These measures enhance children's welfare.

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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): • ensure that children's hygiene needs are met through hygienic hand washing and nappy changing procedures and that they have easy access to drinking water at all times

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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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