Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY363133 Unique Reference Number 10 April 2008 Inspection date Judith, Mary Butler 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 first registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and child under eight years. The family live in Bracknell, Berkshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding purposes, bathroom and sleeping facilities are available on the first floor. The property is close to local shops, schools and amenities. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for up to five children at any one time. She is currently caring for five children on a full and part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a range of healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. They sit at the table for all meals and snacks. Younger children sit in highchairs next to the table making it a sociable time for all children. The childminder and children chat about their day and what they will do after snack time, for example, children talk about playing outside with the bats and balls. 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 discusses and records the dietary requirements of children and parental preferences regarding food and drink with parents. This ensures she is able to meet each child's needs with regard to the provision of food. Drinks are available throughout the day and children access these freely.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds the required documentation to record accidents and administration of medication. Parents are requested to countersign completed paperwork and receive a copy of the report. This ensures they are aware of any incidents that have happened to their child. The childminder does not have a valid paediatric first aid certificate; therefore the health of children is not fully protected. Children are independent and access the bathroom freely. They are aware that they need to wash their hands after playing outside, using the toilet and eating meals. They learn about the importance of hygiene through the daily routines and effective procedures in place and carried out by the childminder. These include having their own flannels and reminders from the childminder about washing their hands. Children requiring sleeps do so in a travel cot, the childminder ensures bedding is individual for each child.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy fresh air and exercise within their daily routine. They especially enjoy the time in the garden playing with a range of resources and equipment such as the play house, sand, spaghetti, animals, small slide and climbing frame. Children access larger equipment through regular outings to a range of local play parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the well maintained and welcoming home. They move freely and with confidence around all areas of the home and garden identified for their use. They access a range of interesting and stimulating toys and resources. Children make independent choices about what they wish to play with from the range available in the garden, lounge and kitchen. The childminder rotates the toys to ensure children access a wide variety within the time they spend in the home. Toys are cleaned and checked regularly and this ensures they are age and stage appropriate for the children who attend.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are safe and secure; the childminder undertakes regular risk assessments and a daily safety check to minimize risks in the home. Children are aware of keeping themselves safe and older children talk through the procedures in place when crossing the road or practising the emergency evacuation procedures. The childminder regularly checks sleeping children and uses a baby monitor; this enhances their safety and welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good awareness of safeguarding children procedures and has attended training. She holds all of the documentation to use should she need to refer concerns regarding a child in her care. An incident book is in place however, the childminder does not always use this effectively, for example, to record existing injuries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from the individual time and attention they receive from this childminder. She has a good knowledge of their play preferences and plans resources and activities to suit these. Including bats, balls and golf clubs for one child who enjoys sport and was keen to show off his skills, using language such as Eagle and Bogey when hitting the ball with the golf club. Children are inquisitive and keen to learn, they enjoy examining the water that was placed in

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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 freezer and talk to the childminder about how it has frozen and why the duplo block is now stuck in the ice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's welfare is promoted well. The childminder discusses the routines of the children with parents and follows these in her home. This enables the children to feel comfortable and secure in their environment. Children quickly settle into the daily routine and foster sound relationships with the childminder and other children in the home. They access a range of quiet and active times within their daily routine, for example, art and craft activities, show and tell and free play in the garden and lounge.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a variety of outings including trips to the local parks where they access free space to run in and a range of larger climbing and physical equipment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the communication that takes place between the childminder and parents. Verbal exchanges take place each day and the childminder completes a daily diary for younger children. This ensures parents are fully informed about their child’s day. Parents can view written information about the childminder's methods such as policies, procedures and toys and resources. The complaints procedure is displayed at the entrance to the home and this ensures parents have information about how to contact Ofsted should they wish to.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Established house rules and boundaries are in place and the childminder offers reminders to children about these through the daily routine, for example, asking the children to wash their hands after playing in the garden. She discusses behaviour management and issues with parents and this ensures a consistent approach between the two homes. Children receive praise and encouragement in their play, for example, thanking one child for sharing the toys with a younger child. This enables children to develop their self-esteem. Children behave well and show cooperation with others in their play. Older children are particularly considerate of younger children and encourage them to join in with their play, such as hitting the ball with the bat. Children enjoy showing other children objects they have bought from home at show and tell time, for example, teddy bears and ice skating boots. All children are included and valued and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder plans a range of different activities and children have opportunities to learn about the world around them and different people, such as Chinese New Year. Children meet different people and learn about the world around them while on outings to local parks, walks to and from school and shopping trips. There are limited resources in place to reflect diversity.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children play happily in the home and move freely around all areas identified for their use. The childminder makes effective use of the space in the house and garden and children particularly enjoy playing with a wide variety of toys and resources outside. Children gain from the interaction they receive from the childminder in their play and they chat freely to each other about what they are doing. The childminder knows the individual children well and plans activities, outings and resources to suit their individual needs. This enables the children to feel comfortable and at home in their environment.

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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 The childminder holds most of the required documentation to protect the health, safety and welfare of children in her care. However, she does not have a valid first aid certificate and does not use the incident book to record existing injuries. The childminder has effective systems in place to record children's attendance and exact times of arrival and departure are recorded. She understands her responsibility to protect children from visitors in the home and this enhances their safety and welfare. 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 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 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): • complete a paediatric first aid course • further ensure the safety and welfare of the children by recording existing injuries • extend the toys and resources available to ensure they reflect the diverse society.

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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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