Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY350137 Unique Reference Number 15 April 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 two children aged four and seven years in the village of Hermitage in West Berkshire. The whole ground floor 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding six children under eight on a part time basis. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a pet rabbit, a cat and two guinea pigs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is qualified in early years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about personal hygiene through their daily routine and know the importance of good hygiene practices. The childminder follows excellent hygiene practices herself, for example,

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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 washing toys and equipment regularly to prevent the spread of infection. She supports the children well when handling the rabbit and guinea pigs reminding them why they need to wash their hands after handling the pets. Consistent routines, such as nappy changing, promote good hygiene practice and the childminder ensures that each child has an individual towel and flannel for hand washing.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder actively promotes the good health of the children and responds appropriately when they are ill. She has a current first aid certificate, which ensures that she is able to effectively manage any accidents that may occur. All accidents are accurately recorded although those requiring additional emergency hospital treatment lack detail.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities regarding food and drink, this means children are well nourished. She offers a combination of meals to the children and discusses children's individual needs with the parents to accommodate their wishes. Some children bring nutritious packed lunches from home to sustain them through the day. The childminder understands how to store perishable foods properly because she has attended a food hygiene course. She ensures fresh drinking water is readily available, offering it to those too young to ask themselves.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy being outdoors and the childminder successfully plans their day to ensure that they have a wide range of excellent activities both within the home and to places of interest such as parks and local woodlands. This helps them develop physically and children benefit from the fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring that the children are safe both within and outside the home. She conducts regular risk assessments and as a result, she is aware of potential hazards and minimises these to ensure the children's safety. She involves the children in safety procedures, such as regular evacuation practises, which increases the children's awareness of safety issues. Signs and coloured pictures are displayed around the home to alert children to what happens when an emergency evacuation takes place. The childminder has an excellent range of equipment suitable for the age and stage of the children attending, which includes items such as safety barriers. The childminder checks the equipment and toys frequently to ensure that they are safe for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are able to select resources for themselves from the excellent and varied range available for the children to choose from. The comprehensive range of toys and equipment for the children to use covers all areas of their development. The toys for the younger children are at ground level in appropriate containers and on the lower shelves of the units, which the children can reach easily themselves. They settle quickly as the childminder’s friendly approach and child-friendly environment enable children to explore with confidence. Children feel valued in a home where their work is displayed and celebrated, and bright educational posters are used to good effect.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes the children's welfare through a comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding issues. She has completed comprehensive training and has an excellent understanding of her responsibilities to protect children in her care. Parents are made fully aware of the policies and procedures that are in place to safeguard children through discussion and receiving information relating to child protection.

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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. The children enter the house confidently and settle down to play with the toys which the childminder has put out to make the living room feel welcoming for them. They have excellent relationships with the childminder. She is aware of the individual children's developmental needs and ensures they receive excellent support in their play. The children get on well with the childminder's own children and are learning to share and take turns. They sit happily together when drawing pictures and enjoy playing alongside each other with the doll's house. They enjoy imaginative play, for example, playing with the dolls and pushchairs and dressing small dolls in the house. They cooperate as they share the dolls when they pretend to go shopping. They laugh and giggle as they bounce on the trampoline and sing along with each other as they play the guitars.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children make choices about what they would like to do and direct their own play. They confidently select alternative items to play with from the wide range available. They know the daily routine which makes them feel secure. They receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder, which promotes their self-esteem and confidence. The childminder joins in their play and talks with the children about what they are doing, extending their knowledge, for example, talking about their pictures and how they will be made in to place mats for the dining table.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children take part in a variety of activities, both indoors and out. The childminder plans each day according to the needs of the children attending and their individual routines. The children go out daily with the childminder. They meet up with other childminders and their minded children, which promotes their social development. Other outings include trips to the local toddler clubs, parks, the library and shopping.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of the individual needs of each child through ongoing discussion with parents. The children enjoy free play but also have the opportunities to take part in planned activities such as creating and drawing pictures to be made into placemats for the meal times. When planning, the childminder considers the children in her care, their stage of development and ability and chooses activities all children can be involved in. The children's own routines and sleep patterns are followed which ensures continuity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses age appropriate behaviour management techniques. She takes into account the age and stage of the children, for example, using distraction for the younger children. She uses lots of praise and encouragement which builds on the children's self esteem and self confidence. Children are encouraged to respect one another and to behave with care and consideration. The childminder explains to children why certain behaviour is expected particularly whilst using the trampoline so that they understand that positive behaviour plays a part in keeping them safe. The children's art work is displayed around the house and in their profiles which shows that their efforts are valued.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works very closely with the parents to ensure they are well informed about her approach to caring for children and what they do whilst in her care. She exchanges information on a daily basis so that they know what has happened during the time when their child is being cared for. Information is shared effectively by the completion of daily diaries to

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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 inform parents of their child's daily care needs and routines. The childminder shares with parents the comprehensive written policies, which provide lots of detailed information about the business side of childminding and how children's learning and development will be promoted. By working in partnership with parents, the childminder ensures that she is meeting the children's individual needs and she uses the appropriate documentation to support this, for example, children's details forms and contracts.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is very well organised in her approach to working with children and their families. She prepares the setting and organises the space indoors and out before the children arrive to maximise their play opportunities. This enables the children to come into an inviting and stimulating environment. She plans children's activities each week in relation to the ages and development needs of the children attending. For example, outings to the park, woods and activities fit in around children's attendance at school, and pre-school. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder has a very good understanding of the requirements of registration. She updates her knowledge of current childcare trends and practice through independent research. She makes good use of training to keep up to date with changes in early years and is currently implementing new records to adapt to the Early Years Foundation Stage which comes into force in September 2008.

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Organisation

Records, policies and written procedures effectively support the childminder in caring for and keeping children safe and healthy. Children's individual files, profiles and records are very well maintained and regularly reviewed and shared with parents. All documentation is efficiently organised for day to day use, although accidents recorded requiring urgent professional medical attention lack some detail.

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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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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 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 accident records requiring emergency professional medical attention contain sufficient detail.

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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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