Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY362650 Unique Reference Number 14 July 2008 Inspection date Susan Victoria May 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 in Caversham near Reading. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding with sleeping facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder may care for a maximum of six children at any one time and currently has five children on roll. The childminder is also registered to provide overnight care. The childminder has a rabbit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are developing a good understanding of a healthy lifestyle. Their awareness of good hygiene practice developing as they follow the good role model the childminder provides. For example, the childminder routinely washes her hands and reminds children to wash their hands after petting the rabbit. Nappy changing routines are thorough, as the childminder has each child’s nappies and creams accessible, uses an anti-bacterial spray to wipe changing mats and disposes of nappies promptly. Children can easily access the downstairs toilet and the childminder

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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 is always on hand to offer support if this is needed. The childminder holds all of the required documentation to accurately record all accidents and administer prescribed medication. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and has a well equipped first aid box easily accessible. This ensures she is able to minister to children’s minor injuries effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works closely with parents, records and discusses the parent’s preferences regarding food and individual children’s needs to ensure dietary needs of the children in her care are met. The childminder offers a nutritious diet and advises parents of the weekly menu through information displayed on a whiteboard in the entrance area. Babies' formula milk feeds are provided by parents and to ensure they are fresh the childminder makes these up as required. The childminder talks to parents about healthy eating and all children are encouraged to try a variety of foods, for example, different fruits and vegetables. Children have access to drinks throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a clear understanding of the developmental needs of young children. Children have access to a broad, interesting and challenging variety of activities, which they enjoy and promote their good health. Individual routines of the children and parental preferences are considered when planning activities and children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. Children develop control and co-ordination, through activities such as playing with construction toys, riding wheeled toys, playing in the garden and exploring the local parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a well organised indoor and outdoor environment where they can move around freely and play safely. Toys and resources are attractively set out around the home. For example, children play in tents and playhouses in the lounge, have ample floor space for construction play and complete art and craft activities in the conservatory that serves as a designated playroom. The childminder monitors and supervises children’s choices of toys to make sure they are appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder carries out regular checks on all toys, resources and equipment and implements effective procedures to clean and maintain them. This ensures they remain safe for the children to use. All fire precautions are in place and evacuation procedures are discussed with the children. Older children’s art work demonstrates how, following discussion, children have written and drawn

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

plans depicting fire safety procedures. The childminder has implemented further risk assessments to reduce potential hazards and help keep children safe. For example, ensuring the steps to the lower part of the garden are inaccessible to children unless she accompanies them. To keep children safe on outings, the childminder ensures children are securely strapped in buggies, walk closely by her and are supervised at all times. An 'outdoor' bag contains all contact details, a small first aid kit, drinks and a mobile phone. Written and ongoing visual assessments form part of the childminders daily routine in ensuring children’s safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

To safeguard children the childminder has all of the relevant documentation and contacts to follow in line with current Local Safeguarding Children’s Board procedures. The childminder demonstrates through discussion a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child in her care. This ensures she is able to quickly recognise when a child is in danger and act in the child’s best interest.

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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 good. Children are clearly very happy and settled and have a good relationship with the childminder who is warm and affectionate towards them. Children are relaxed and comfortable in the childminder's home. There are many opportunities for children to make choices about what they wish to do. For example, the very youngest children have access to toys set out in the lounge or can make their own choices from open toy boxes. Older children may select from a vast array of resources in the conservatory playroom, including a good selection of art and craft materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of individual children’s needs and the next steps in their development as she spends a lot of time talking and playing with them; consequently, children have good support and make good progress. For example, she actively encourages a child who is just learning to walk, to move towards her, offering lots of praise when two steps are taken. The childminder chats to the younger children, responds to their sounds and repeats words to help develop young children’s vocabulary, thereby helping develop communication and language skills. Children follow routines that include outings on most days to local parks and groups. This provides children with opportunities to learn about the world around them in a familiar environment and give them confidence to try new experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder and parents share daily information on the children to help them progress effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats each child as an individual and values and respects them and their families. The childminder has all the relevant background information; for example, she discusses each child’s needs in detail with parents and records relevant information of each child’s personal preferences, parental wishes and health and dietary details. This helps ensure she provides good quality care for the children. The childminder plans activities to suit the individual children's preferences and their ages and stages of development. The childminder is proactive in extending her knowledge and understanding of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and for whom English is an additional language. To fully support them the childminder works closely with the parents to ensure that each child is able to reach their full potential through their specific needs being addressed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very good understanding of equal opportunity issues and helps children develop an awareness of their own and other cultures through resources and discussion. Children have access to an excellent range of resources to help them learn about diverse society. This includes books, posters and role play resources. All children are encouraged to participate in all activities. Children develop a sense of place and learn about where they live through outings within the local community

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder adopts a calm approach and has clear expectations and consistent boundaries to help develop children's sense of right and wrong, helping them to take responsibility for their own behaviour. Praise and encouragement from the childminder builds children's self-esteem. Children develop a strong sense of self through this positive attitude.

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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 Relationships with parents are friendly and professional; this contributes greatly to the children's well-being. The childminder shares with parent’s information about daily events and children’s progress through daily verbal communication. She displays information parents may find useful throughout her home and encourages parents to share their expertise and knowledge with her. The good relationship between parents and the childminder help provide the children with continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease in the childminder's environment. Space is used very well, allowing children room to play comfortably and freely in defined areas. Children’s overall welfare and development is promoted as the childminder pays close attention to all areas when organising her childminding day. The childminder ensures she is on hand to offer support as the children play in the home and garden.

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Organisation

The childminder promotes children's welfare through the professional business like approach she adopts and maintains most records accurately. She obtains and records information about the children that is relevant and understands the importance of storing children’s details securely and of maintaining confidentiality. All documentation which is legally required is in place and written parental permissions, for example, to seek medical emergency treatment, apply sun screen, go on outings and handle the rabbit is sought prior to children being minded. However, on one occasion this was not completed. Ratios are always observed and accurate attendance records are kept of all children, parents and visitors to the premises.

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Organisation

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 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 that parents sign all written parental consents before minding commences

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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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