Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY359722 Unique Reference Number 30 May 2008 Inspection date Josephine Rayner 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 children, aged 11 and eight years, in a two bedroom house in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. There is a fenced garden for children to play outside. There are no family pets. The childminder is registered to care for six children and is currently caring for six children, all part-time. The childminder will take and collect children from local pre-schools and schools. She holds an appropriate childcare qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have daily access to fresh air as they go on walks, play in the garden and visit the local park, where they play on adventure equipment which strengthens their muscles and develops good coordination skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder encourages good hygiene by ensuring children wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating and after outdoor play. She provides the children with their own towels

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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 or wipes, and, as a result, children are learning the importance of good hygiene. She has good nappy changing routines, for example, she cleans the changing mat after each use, wears gloves and disposes of nappies promptly. These good procedures minimise the risk of cross-infection. The childminder holds a current first aid qualification and her first aid resources are well organised and easily accessible; first aid resources are also taken on outings. As a result, the childminder is confident to manage minor accidents should they occur.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder takes into account the children’s dietary needs and preferences. Children are offered a choice of healthy snacks; lunches are mainly rolls or sandwiches with various fillings. A hot meal is provided at tea time, consisting of pasta, pizza, fish and meat. The children and childminder watch a daily television programme on healthy eating; as a result, children are learning about the importance of healthy diets and foods which are good for you. Drinks are available at all times, which prevents the children from becoming thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The risk of accidents and incidents is minimised as the childminder has a good range of safety equipment in place, for example, stair gates are fitted at the bottom of the stairs and at the entrance to the kitchen, and window locks are in place. All exits are kept secure. There are clear written procedures for emergency evacuation in the case of a fire; these are known to the parents and children. Fire safety equipment, such as smoke detectors, a fire guard and a fire blanket, are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good range of resources, all easily accessible by children and in good condition. She undertakes regular risk assessments of her toys, equipment and home, which reduces the risk of children having an accident.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children’s well-being and welfare are protected, as there is a clear and accurate child protection policy in place and the childminder records any concerns or pre-existing injuries. She has the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures, relevant contact numbers and has completed child protection training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very confident, happy and relaxed as they play with the childminder, each other and relate well to the visiting adult. They choose toys from a good range of easily accessible resources and craft materials, such as pencils, crayons, paints and play dough. The childminder takes into account the children’s likes and dislikes and devises activity plans, which ensure the children undertake some structured activities, which provide good opportunities for them to reach their full potential and developmental milestones.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience a stimulating range of age-appropriate activities that support their development. They enjoy listening to stories read by the childminder. During these stories she supports the children’s learning by encouraging them to recognise colours and objects, as a result, they are developing their concentration, language and colour recognition skills. Children are very proud of their achievements and eagerly show the visiting adult the paintings they have completed. The childminder talks calmly and encouragingly to the children throughout their play, helping children feel secure and valued.

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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 children experience a wide range of activities outside of the home; they attend local events within the community, toddler groups and walks. These activities develop and encourage their social skills and an understanding of the community in which they live.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children experience activities that help them learn about the wider world. They are becoming very familiar with their local environment as they visit the local toddler group, library, parks, museum and events within their community. As a result, children have opportunities to become familiar with diversity. Children benefit from the childminder’s awareness of them as an individual and her understanding of equal opportunity issues. To ensure this information is readily available, health and care details are set out in her records.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder encourages good behaviour through praise and encouragement. She has a behaviour management policy which shows good behaviour is encouraged and the children undertake simple requests to share or tidy away toys and to wash their hands. Children behave well in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s care is enhanced by clearly written policies, which the childminder shares with parents. As a result, parents are fully informed of all the procedures to promote the welfare and care of the children. The childminder has a good understanding of the need to share information with parents about children's day-to-day care, behaviour, and any other relevant issues. She is willing to complete written daily diaries of the children’s progress, development and care received. The current parents do not require these and are happy with verbal feedback at the end of each day, but this does not demonstrate how the childminder has identified children's learning or developmental needs and shared these with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the thought given to the organisation of a child-centred setting, which is well maintained and interesting. Children feel at home and are confident within the setting. Children have easy access to their toys and ample space inside and outside of the home to move around. They are able to choose their activities, initiate free play and undertake some structured activities. Activities are adapted to meet the needs of all the children, taking into account their ages and stages of development.

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Organisation

The childminder has a very professional approach to her childminding. All paperwork is ready for inspection and she keeps all the required records clearly. She has a broad range of parental agreements so they understand how she will care for their children. The childminder is a qualified nursery nurse and has completed a wide range of childcare courses while working at a pre-school. Since registration, she has attended training offered by the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, to ensure her practice is up-to-date and to extend her knowledge of current childcare issues. 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: this is the first inspection since registration.

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Improvements 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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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): • further develop the systems used to record and share children's development and achievements with parents.

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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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