Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY351071 Unique Reference Number 05 August 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 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 registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Slough, 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 six children at any one time. She is currently minding three children under five part-time, and three children after school and during the holidays. 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 good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows good health and hygiene policies. She makes a daily check of and maintains a record of the fridge temperature to ensure food is stored at the correct temperature and encourages children to wash their hands before they eat and after visiting the bathroom. The childminder provides parents with a copy of her sickness policy to ensure they are aware of the procedures followed to reduce the risk of cross-infection. 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 childminder records accidents and medication administered to children. Parents countersign the records to confirm that they have been informed of the treatment their children received.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides healthy balanced meals. Children enjoy choosing their own sandwich fillings, making up sandwiches of cucumber, tomatoes and cheese, and eating chopped fruit for dessert. On occasions, children pick fruit and vegetables with the childminder which they eat for their meals or take home to share with their families. Children are offered frequent drinks of diluted fruit squash or milk, encouraging them to think about their own needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to experience physical play as, weather permitting, they visit the park on their way home from school each day, walk to the local shops and library and play in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in clean and tidy premises where they have sufficient space to move around and play freely. Children's work and certificates and useful information are displayed creating a welcoming atmosphere for children and parents. The childminder has sufficient resources for the current children cared for. She regularly checks the resources to ensure they are safe and clean for the children to play with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder regularly reviews her risk assessment of the premises to ensure children can play safely. Outside hazards are fenced off and a stair gate is in place to prevent young children accessing the stairs. However, the risk assessment of the bathroom does not fully promote the safety of children as the window is not locked and the bolt on the door is within reach of children. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder encourages them to become aware of the hazards around them and to follow good road safety practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe from harm whilst in the childminder's care as she has attended child protection training and has a good understanding of the procedures to follow if she is concerned a child is at risk from abuse or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are confident in the setting and talk enthusiastically to visitors about the activities they undertake with the childminder. They eagerly demonstrate how they created the magic writing pictures on display and describe in great detail how the Lego models they are designing will work. The childminder sits with children at activities and listens to what they say, asking open-ended questions which encourage children to think, for example, how they can develop their models further. As a result of the childminder's support and encouragement children are confident to try out their ideas and through trial and error find a way to make a sun with rays out of the bricks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans activities for children but is flexible to take account of their wishes and ideas. Children request to play an observation memory game which the childminder organises and children readily write down the list of objects they can remember. Children work together and organise their own games, identifying numbers and matching cards to make pairs. They also listen and follow instructions to play a card game together with the childminder who supports younger children so that they can be included in the game. Children enjoy creative

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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 activities. They take care and concentrate as they choose different materials to decorate the door hangers they are making. Children develop very good relationships with the childminder and each other. When a child asks if they can play, another child replies "of course you can, we always play together".

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children request and thoroughly enjoy a vigorous but light-hearted game of musical statues. The childminder agrees the rules with children before they start so that all children are clear what is expected. They laugh as they dance and as they try hard to stand still as statues. Children are cared for in a relaxed atmosphere where they make decisions about when to be active or when they need to lie down on the sofa and rest. Children say they particularly enjoy playing with Lego and going on outings with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats all children with equal concern and respect and they are confident to share information with others about their culture and religion. Children learn about their own culture and those of others by trying different foods and participating in activities to celebrate different festivals. They learn about the local community through outings to local shops, toddler groups and the library. The childminder has appropriate procedures in place to care for children with learning difficulties and disabilities although none currently attend.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's management of children and their behaviour is very good. She is calm, polite and patient with children and gives clear explanations to them of why they should or should not do something. As a result, children behave very well and with the sensitive support of the childminder they resolve minor disputes between themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder fosters a good working relationship with parents. She provides daily diaries for parents of young children, which contain details of their routines and activities, and she verbally exchanges information with parents each day. This supports continuity of care. The childminder provides parents with a copy of the complaints policy, and the contact number of the regulator is displayed should they have a concern about the childcare their children receive. This promotes the welfare of children. Parents state they are happy with the care their children receive. They particularly like the different activities provided and the professionalism of the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and at home in the care of the childminder as she spends most of her time actively involved in their play. The childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities as a childminder. She ensures children are not left alone with people who are not vetted and maintains a record of all visitors to the home. The childminder records children's daily attendance and requests parents sign the register to confirm it is an accurate record of who is caring for the children at anytime. All required policies and procedures are in place for the smooth and efficient running of the setting and parents are provided with a set of written policies. However, confidentiality is not always maintained in the accident records and, although the childminder has a written complaints policy in place, she does not fully understand how to record complaints. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable: this is the first inspection since registration.

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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 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 confidentiality is maintained in all records and update knowledge and understanding of the complaints procedure • consider the risks to children in relation to the unlocked bathroom window and the position of the bolt on the bathroom door and take steps to minimise these.

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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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