Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY259909 Unique Reference Number 31 July 2008 Inspection date Tracy Bartholomew 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 husband and their two school aged children, in Thatcham.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The downstairs of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently three children on roll. The childminder drives to the local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local toddler groups. The family have a pet cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. (NCMA)

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children develop an excellent awareness of their own needs. They are developing independence in their personal care, such as using the toilet independently and washing their own hands.

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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 Comprehensive discussion with children of all ages ensures that they are developing a thorough understanding of the need to protect themselves and others from illnesses and germs. Nappy changing routines are well organised to minimise the risk of cross infection and maintain children's privacy. The childminder has a paediatric first aid training which enables her to manage accidents appropriately. Excellent policies and procedures are in place to support the children's health and wellbeing, this ensures that the parents are provided with clear and concise information on accidents, illness and medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thoroughly enjoy snack and meal times. They are all developing their skills exceptionally whilst consuming food in a family home environment, table manors are exceptionally well supported. The children enjoy healthy and well balanced meals such as roast dinner, lasagne and cauliflower cheese. The childminder ensures she probes the meals before they are given to the children to ensure food is suitable for consumption. Drinking water is freely accessible throughout the day in individual bottles or lidded cups. Children's knowledge of healthy eating is further enhanced by regular cooking activities, helping to prepare their snacks and picking of fruits and vegetables at local pick your own farms.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from excellent opportunities for physical play. They use a wide range of equipment in the garden such as crawling tunnels, play houses, balls and push along toys. Regular visits to the park and places of interests enable children to further extend and develop their gross motor skills in climbing and balancing skills for example, whilst at the crazy kids club. Throughout the home the children move confidently from one room to another and independently access toys and equipment of their choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for within premises where safety is given top priority, the home is secure, suitable, and made welcoming and friendly to children and parents. Risks of accidental injury is effectively minimised because the childminder is extremely vigilant and fully aware of where children could potentially hurt themselves whilst out of the home. She has a thorough understanding of how to complete daily risk assessments to reduce potential hazards within the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have a wide variety of areas in which to play safely, which include the sitting room, hall, downstairs bedroom area and the kitchen. They develop their independence as they access resources which are stored invitingly in low level boxes or attractively displayed in the sitting room. Toys and equipment offer a wide variety of opportunities and enable children to develop their emotional, intellectual, social, creative and physical skills. Premises are well maintained and decorated, conform to high levels of cleanliness to offer a wide range of activities for children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is exceptionally well catered for in regards to child protection. The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of how to safeguard children and exceptional documentation to support her in the event of a concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children at the childminder's home are happy, settled, and secure in her care. They are completely confident and at ease in the setting, responding well to communication from 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 childminder, assistant and visitors. Loving encouragement and supportive communication is part of everyday activities to which children respond and relate well to, for example when learning to walk and making cups of tea with the tea set.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides an extensive range of engaging toys, which the children enjoy and show considerable interest in, for example when reading books, playing with kitchen, construction and playing with the Fimbles musical box. This positively enhances and promotes their development and learning in all areas. The childminder makes excellent use of 'Birth to three matters' guidance to help her plan a broad range of exciting and stimulating activities to help children progress. She clearly demonstrates a secure understanding of how this guidance compliments the next stages in their learning, and plans activities accordingly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of the individual developmental needs of the children. She assists the children to focus on activities of interest, to ensure that they gain the maximum learning progression from them, this is further more supported with in-depth conversation to develop their language and understanding and concepts on how things work. Children are motivated and become engrossed in a wide range of developmentally appropriate activities, indoors and outdoors, which provide good levels of challenge.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued as individuals and the childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of their individual needs. Children's details are clearly documented and regularly updated with parents, helping to ensure continuity of care for all children. Children are learning to co-operate with each other and value differences; their awareness is enhanced through the suitable resources and toys which are available to positively reflect diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with additional needs are included, valued and supported by the childminder who ensures a wide range of strategies are used to encourage and develop their inclusion. Children are very well behaved and flourish within the care of the childminder. They learn about right and wrong through clear and consistent boundaries which in turn assists them to take responsibility for their own behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is of a high importance to the childminder. She ensures that the parents have clear and concise information about the setting through the exceptional handbook. Within this the parents have a record of the policies and procedures that the childminder uses, although the complaints procedure does not contain all necessary information. Good communication ensures that the continuality is maintained to a high standard, with the childminding using this time to verbally inform the parents of their child's achievements and emotions throughout the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The childminder is suitably qualified and has completed a number of training courses since registration, to support and develop her knowledge and practice. She organises her home and time well for childminding purposes and space is used effectively.

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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 Ratios are met throughout the day, the children are offered exceptional support in their development as the childminder does not mind to her fully capacity, to ensure that all children benefit from one to one support. The childminder understands her responsibilities for protecting children from persons who have not been police-checked and ensures that children feel confident and secure in her care before beginning a minding agreement. All documentation is of a high quality and most policies and procedures cover the Every child matters framework.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop her understanding of what children learn and gain from activities and ensure that paperwork is organised effectively. The childminder has effectively addressed these recommendation's and has secured her knowledge through use of the Birth to three matters guidance, which she incorporates within her work to effectively support each child's development. All paperwork is effectively managed and available for childminding and inspection.

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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 that the complaints procedure includes all of the legislation

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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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