Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY348384 Unique Reference Number 29 April 2008 Inspection date Susan Mary Deadman 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 satisfactory. 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 2007. She lives with her husband and their four year old child. The family live in Slough, Berkshire. Children have access to the downstairs of the property and the upstairs bathroom. The facilities include a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She cares for one child under the age of two years, one child age seven years and one over the age of eight years. She is able to take children to and collect them from Cippenham School and James Elliman School. The childminder speaks English, Urdu and Punjabi.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder follows effective hygiene procedures, which maintain children's health. The nappy changing routine promotes good practice as the childminder uses a changing mat and disposable gloves and places soiled nappies in the outside bin. The regular cleaning routines in place ensure children are cared for in the clean, hygienic environment. For example, the childminder routinely uses antibacterial spray in the bathroom. Children are familiar with the

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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 routine of washing their hands prior to meals. The childminder minimises the spread of infection as she follows a clear sickness policy.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder maintains clear and accurate medication records. She gains parents' written permission prior to administering medication, records the time of the previous dose and the time she administers the medication to the child. Although children have had no accidents whilst in her care, the childminder was able to demonstrate a clear understanding of her responsibilities relating to this issue. The childminder gains parental permission to obtain emergency medical treatment should the need arise.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder discusses with parents the individual dietary requirements for the children. This ensures she has a clear understanding of meals she can provide for them. Children keep hydrated as they have independent access to drinks. The childminder sits with the children and encourages social interaction at mealtimes. She encourages them to try new foods and talk to their parents about how they introduce these to the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular access to a secure small garden and the childminder takes them to the local park, which provides them with exercise and fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children make choices from a safe range of toys and play materials. They have a suitable amount of clear space for various types of play in the lounge. There is equipment to support the individual needs of children. For example, they have access to a bouncy chair and lay in this whilst taking their bottle, booster seat for the dining table and car seat. Children snuggle on the sofa for a nap and a travel cot is also available. Although the range of toys is basic, they are of good quality, safe, clean and bright.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes steps to minimise the risk of accidents. There are working smoke alarms on both floor levels and fire blanket fixed to a wall in the kitchen. Stair gates prevent children's unsupervised access to the kitchen and upstairs. However, in the bathroom, the antibacterial spray is in reach of children. The rear garden is secure and provides a safe area for children's outdoor play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards children's welfare as she has a clear understanding of her role and responsibility in relation to child protection procedures. She has attended additional training and demonstrated a suitable understanding of possible indicators and the referral procedure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder plays with children and supports their learning and development. For example, she talks to them about shape and colour and they very much enjoy the interactive play equipment such as telephones and computers. She regularly looks at books with children and they point to the pictures she is talking about. When the childminder talks about socks in a picture book, toddlers raise their feet to show that they too are wearing these. Children copy the activities of adults, for example, they raise both arms and pretend to grasp a steering wheel. The childminder describes how the children also enjoy doing this whilst travelling in her vehicle.

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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 childminder basically records the developmental progress of younger children in the daily diaries. She identifies their learning and plans for the next stage of development in relation to their understanding of colours, shapes and mobility.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The very young children watch the inspector with interest and show her that they have their own computers. They express enjoyment as they press the buttons and are rewarded with a musical response. They enjoy the posting box, which vibrates each time they post a shape correctly. Children enjoy the company of others and clap with delight as they kick a small ball round the room.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children complete interesting art work such as collages made of rice, pasta and chickpeas. They produce bright and vibrant paintings and play with clay. Although children have access to a suitable range of activities, much of these are not easily accessible, which does not support their independence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident, happy and settle well in the childminder's home. The childminder has a warm and gentle manner with the children. When toddlers wake from a lunchtime nap she picks them up and cuddles them. The childminder treats children with equal concern, which enhances their self-esteem and confidence. Children enjoy close relationships with the childminder and her family.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a generally good partnership with parents. The childminder discusses the children’s requirements with parents and provides them with verbal and written feedback. The childminder meets parental requests to speak in Urdu with the children. Her fluency in the Urdu and English language promotes children's understanding and language development. The childminder holds the majority of the required information on children. For example, she records parents' contact details, home address, language and religion. Children benefit from the strong commitment the childminder has to adhere to parents' wishes. The childminder speaks to parents on a regular basis and gains their verbal consent for photographs, outings and car travel. However, she does not gain this consent in writing

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a sufficient understanding of regulations relating to complaints. There are written procedures in place and the childminder provides parents with the contact details of Ofsted as the regulators.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has satisfactory understanding of the requirements in relation to the National Standards. The records available meet registration requirements, for example, she records the exact hours children attend the setting.

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Organisation

The childminder displays her certificate of registration, which reassures parents that she is complying with her conditions. She also displays the Ofsted parent poster, public liability insurance and her first aid certificate. She has completed the childminder training course, which supports her knowledge and understanding in caring for young children and working in partnership with their parents. Although she has a suitable range of policies and procedures these do not always specifically relate to her individual childcare practice. However, she has

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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 made a positive start to her childminding. She is eager to develop her understanding of childcare issues and has attended the introduction training for the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the first inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 satisfactory. 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): • improve children's safety and ensure they do not have access to cleaning items in the bathroom • continue to extend the range of toys and improve children's independent access to their play items • gain parents' written permission to take children on outings, transport them in a car and to take photographs • devise policies and procedures which are specific to actual practice.

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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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