Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY357819 Unique Reference Number 01 August 2008 Inspection date Jenny Scarlett 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 2007. She lives with her husband and child aged 13 months in Thatcham, West Berkshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. 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 currently has eight children on roll, all of whom are minded on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have a pet cat. The childminder is qualified in Early Years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has excellent systems and practice in place to maintain a high standard of hygiene and care in her home. The home is scrupulously clean and robust policies and procedures ensure a healthy environment is provided where thorough hygiene routines prevent the spread of infection. For example, children have their own washing and changing equipment and there

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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 are clear agreements with parents that children are not minded whilst infectious. Children have a thorough understanding of their personal care and describe openly how and why they must wash their hands before cooking, eating or after using the toilet to prevent the spread of germs and infection. Comprehensive procedures ensure that any accidents children have are managed appropriately as the childminder has a sound knowledge of first aid, available first aid equipment and clear recording systems.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is careful to establish children's individual dietary requirements and works closely with their parents to ensure that a healthy balanced diet is provided for each child. They have lots of fruit and vegetables as snacks and healthy drinking options, such as water, milk or juice ensure that their physical health is consistently well promoted. Children develop a considerable awareness of healthy eating through the imaginative use of activities, such as cooking which helps them learn about nutrition. Meals and snacks are eaten at the table to promote social skills and encourage good eating habits.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive excellent opportunities for daily access to fresh air and exercise whether in the garden or on outings. The childminder ensures that she presents a varied range of stimulating indoor and outdoor experiences to enhance children's physical well-being. They use equipment to balance and climb and sit and ride in the garden. They are taken to the local parks and child carer groups to play on other large physical equipment. Children relax and sleep according to their individual needs because the childminder plans her home and routines effectively to offer opportunities for rest and quieter times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has organised her home effectively to provide a safe, stimulating environment where children feel comfortable and confident to make choices from a wide range of high quality resources for all ages. Thoughtful organisation of equipment and resources allows children to access these freely and safely, for example, toys and activities are stored within easy reach and child-sized furniture promotes independence and choice. Effective arrangements ensure the outside play area is safe and good security ensures children are not able to leave the premises unsupervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from potential risks around the home because the childminder is vigilant about their safety and risk assesses the equipment and premises regularly. Their safety is given good priority by ensuring that regular fire drills and evacuations take place. However, the childminder does not keep an accurate record of children's arrivals. This does not promote the safe management of the provision. Children have careful regard for their own safety as they kneel on the dining chair when cooking in the kitchen and receive gently reminders to be careful when walking downstairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding of child protection issues in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Boards guidance and how to take any action required to protect children. She has established a clear written policy and ensures parents are fully informed of her responsibility to protect children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are highly motivated and make use of exciting and appealing activities to learn and extend their knowledge. For example, they enthusiastically take part in baking cakes and choose to make chocolate drop cakes for themselves and their families. Children respond eagerly to effective questions from the childminder, for example, using daily routines and activities to use mathematical language, recognise colours and shapes which promotes the children's learning through play. Children count the cake cases onto the baking tray, they weigh, count and measure the ingredients and stir and mix the ingredients together. The childminder is adept in the use of spontaneous opportunities to support and extend the children's learning. For example, one of the children talks about 'seeing snails in their garden and how their brother is braver because he touched them and they did not like it because it was slimy'. The childminder discusses the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

child's fears and explains that the snail would have felt very much like the feel of the raw egg that they just put in the cake mixture. This puts the child at ease.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes great care to build positive relationships with the children which means they have a real sense of belonging and show concern for others. For example, they eagerly go upstairs with the childminder to get the baby up when she wakes. The childminder takes great care to find out what children can do and plans efficiently to ensure that they learn and develop well in her care. Their progress is observed, recorded and shared with their parents. Children flourish in this caring, stimulating, creative environment where they are highly valued as individuals and respond positively to the childminder's consistent use of praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's care and welfare is thoroughly discussed and agreed with the parents which ensures that the childminder knows the individual needs of the children extremely well. A close working partnership with parents means that they are kept fully informed about the care, learning and development of their children. For example, she completes a record of the children's daily routines and achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are extremely well behaved. Their general manners are impeccable, for example, they routinely say please and thank you and have a careful regard for the safety and welfare of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

They have agreed simple rules for harmony and safe behaviour that reflect their ages and developmental stages. This means that they are learning to behave appropriately and respond positively to the childminder's consistent guidance and praise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about the community in which they live and the wider world through an extremely well planned and organised range of activities and positive images accessible in the home. Children are highly valued and respected as individuals. A statement regarding equal opportunities is in place and this is effectively put into practice. The childminder ensures that all children have the same access to opportunities and resources in order to increase their awareness. The effective planning, preparation and resources of information, such as a faith calendar and a world map by the childminder increases children's awareness of the needs of others in the wider world. The childminder is very positive about inclusion and ensures that an

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 effective and appropriate service is available for all the children in her care in order to meet their individual needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children receive a high quality service because the childminder is self-motivated and proactive in seeking out further training to update her knowledge. For example, she has attended training to prepare for the Early Years Foundation Stage and begun to implement procedures in line with the new framework. Children benefit from the childminder's enthusiasm and commitment to her role. Space and resources are organised imaginatively and inspired activities provide children with interesting and exciting experiences to broaden their overall development. As a result, children are very relaxed and happy within the well organised environment the childminder has created. They are able to move freely around the downstairs areas in comfort and safety.

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Organisation

All relevant documentation is maintained to a good standard and kept confidential. The childminder ensures her ratios are maintained with a daily register although these are not completed promptly as children arrive and depart. A comprehensive policy file and parent pack is in place which is shared with parents. The childminder regularly reviews and updates her policies to ensure they continue to be relevant to the care she provides. She maintains confidentiality as all children's details are kept individual. She has a complaints and compliments procedure in place so parents know that she complies with requirements. Parents written comments speak very highly of the care she is giving their children and how they have developed whilst in her care. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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. 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 attendance registers are accurately recorded.

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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 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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