Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY350355 Unique Reference Number 31 July 2008 Inspection date Glenda Pownall 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 registered in 2007. She lives with her husband, adult child and two children, who are aged 10 and seven years, in Wokingham, Berkshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding one child under five part-time and two children after school and during the holidays. However, at the time of inspection there were no children present. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks, the library and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder describes how children learn to follow effective personal hygiene routines through her encouragement to wash their hands after visiting the bathroom and before eating. The risk of cross-infection is reduced as individual hand towels are provided for children to dry their hands and an appropriate nappy changing procedure is followed. The childminder is aware

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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 of the procedures to follow with regard to the administration of medication and the recording of accidents. Parents sign the accident records and are given a copy of the document to keep them informed of the treatment their child receives.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder discusses with parents and records information relating to children's individual dietary needs. Through discussion she demonstrates a sound understanding of how to provide children with healthy balanced meals which include fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder limits the number of biscuits children eat and encourages them to eat fresh fruit if hungry between meals. Children gain understanding of the importance of regular drinks as part of a healthy lifestyle because the childminder describes offering them frequent drinks of diluted fruit squash or water. Children have daily opportunities to experience physical play. They walk to and from school, go for walks through Dinton Pastures, have regular trips to the park, use soft play centres and play in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has an adequate understanding of how to risk assess the premises in order to provide a safe environment for children to play in. However, the lock on the low-level kitchen cupboard housing potentially hazardous materials is not secure and sharp knives are not securely out of the reach of children. The childminder obtains written consent from parents for children to undertake high risk activities. However, she is uncertain of what age the trampoline is suitable for, she supervises the older children using the pop-up swimming pool through the kitchen window and with the written permission she allows older children to play in the local park unsupervised. This does not promote the safety of children as they do not receive appropriate levels of supervision at all times. The childminder explains how she helps children to learn about their own safety through discussing the emergency evacuation procedure and road safety with

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows the procedure to follow if concerned a child is at risk from abuse or neglect. She has attended recent safeguarding training to update her knowledge and further protect children whilst in her care. She has all the required documents in place and shares her written child protection policy with parents, however, it does not accurately reflect the local procedures as it makes reference to another areas procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a clean and well-maintained environment. There are sufficient resources for the current number of children cared for. The childminder frequently checks and cleans the toys to make certain they remain in a suitable and safe condition for children to use.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder talks about providing children with a range of activities covering all areas of development. These include play dough, painting and collage activities to stimulate creative development, role-play to encourage imaginative play, constructing with blocks and reading stories to develop children's interest in books and language. The impact of these activities on children’s development is not clear as there are no records of what children can do.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder describes regular outings to toddler groups during the term-time and a variety of other outings including to the cinema and bowling.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder explains how she treats all children with equal concern and meets their individual needs through working closely with parents. She describes encouraging children to find out about the local community through outings in the local area to shops, parks and the library. The childminder showed a sound knowledge of behaviour management, giving examples of how she would approach a variety of situations for children of different ages including using distraction with younger children and encouraging turn taking and sharing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates how she develops a positive working relationship with parents. She describes using verbal feedback and for younger children daily diaries to keep parents informed of children's daily routine and the activities they participate in. The childminder provides parents with written policies and all required consents are in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has an adequate understanding of her role and responsibilities under the National Standards. All required policies and procedures are in place although some are not specific to the childminder's provision. Any variation to children's attendance is recorded to ensure an accurate record is kept of who is caring for the children at anyone time. There are a number of safety issues requiring attention and the childminder demonstrates a commitment and willingness to improve her practice in particular in relation to her safety and supervision procedures. Evidence suggests that the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she 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.

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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 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): • ensure all children are under the direct supervision of the childminder at all times, including when playing in the street or park and ensure that all children do not have access to activities involving water including the swimming pool without the appropriate level of supervision • ensure the manufacturer's instructions are followed with regard to the age of children able to use the trampoline and ensure all potentially hazardous materials and objects are not accessible to children • review the written policies to ensure they refer to current documents and reflect the procedures of the setting.

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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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