Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY341165 Unique Reference Number 26 June 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 2006. She lives with her husband and son in Woodley, Berkshire. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is a secure garden for outdoor play. The childminder is prepared to take and collect children from local schools. The childminder may care for five children and is currently caring for three children on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The childminder ensures she provides for children’s needs as she follows very good procedures to maintain a warm, clean home where children thrive and remain healthy. For instance, she ensures parents are aware she has pets and that children are very clear about good hygiene practices if handling them. Younger children are supervised closely and safety measures to prevent access to the animals' food and water dishes are in place. The childminder helps children

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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 to begin to learn and practice the good hygiene routines in personal care required in later life. For example, she reminds children to wash hands after using the toilet. In the bathroom the childminder has individual colour coded towels to help prevent the spread of germs and cross infection and nappy change procedures are thorough. All documentation and procedures for recording accidents and administering medication to protect children is in place and the childminder shares information with parents. The childminder has considered carefully what documentation is required to protect the children’s health and well-being. For example, she has leaflets about all manner of childhood ailments that she shares with parents and written parental permissions to apply sunscreen and seek emergency treatment or advice. The

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder has a valid first aid certificate to ensure she can deal with minor accidents effectively and first aid kits for the home and for outings.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children explore and develop physical control through daily indoor and outdoor experiences. The childminder has regard to the Birth to three matters framework and has a very clear understanding of the needs of older children who develop control and coordination through activities the childminder offers at her home, on outings and through attending local groups. Regular trips to local parks and the riverside provide opportunities for children to run, climb and improve physical skills. Children have excellent access to resources such as books, games, construction and art and craft materials, which help increase their developing coordination and dexterity.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children receive regular snacks and the childminder has sample menus available if parents wish her to cater for the children. Menus and snacks include a good nutritional balance to help growing children stay healthy and provide for their energetic lifestyles. Children can access drinks as they wish. The childminder has recently completed a food safety course and has very good knowledge of storing food safely to ensure it remains fresh. All details of children’s dietary requirements are discussed and recorded and adhered to in line with parents' instructions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a welcoming environment where children are safe and secure. Children play in an environment where the childminder identifies and minimises risks through comprehensive risk assessments and vigilance in making visual checks. All fire safety precautions and evacuation procedures to keep children safe are in place; this includes keeping accurate children’s attendance records and practising and recording dates of fire drills. Children have access to the garden as they wish and the childminder regularly visits parks and places of interest such as Dinton Pastures where children can be easily supervised while they safely explore. To help keep children safe when off the premises the childminder, if walking, talks to the children about road safety; if on longer trips she has appropriate car seats and parental permission is in place to transport the children. To help further safeguard the children’s welfare on outings

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the childminder takes written contact details, a small first aid kit, cards with her details and is always contactable by mobile phone. The childminder has identified persons who in the event of an emergency situation may take responsibility for the children; parents are informed and agree to this emergency cover but have not been provided with the relevant contact details.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have independent access to a wide range of equipment and resources. The childminder belongs to a toy library, therefore increasing the variety of resources to which the children have access. Resources are attractively and thoughtfully displayed within the home encouraging the children to use and develop their skills. For instance, art and craft activities are stored in a clear stacking unit where children can easily see and choose what they wish to play with. The

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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 childminder monitors and supervises children’s choices of toys to make sure they are safe and 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. She encourages the children to look after the resources, this helps them begin to respect and care for their and others' belongings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards the children's welfare using relevant documentation and procedures; she demonstrates an awareness of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and has all the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and information in place. She attends training to increase her knowledge and is aware of who to refer to if she has any concerns regarding a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder is committed and enthusiastic in her desire to ensure children receive the very best opportunities to help them progress while in her care. Caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and help them develop increasing self-esteem. The childminder praises children’s efforts, many of which are displayed throughout her home, and encourages them to achieve. Children respond to the childminder well, listen when addressed and take note of what is being said. The childminder is always on hand to offer support and children often request she joins in their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to promote children's development and learning and is skilful in enabling them to feel secure and confident. Children settle well and are clearly completely at ease and comfortable in the childminder's presence. This is apparent from the time she collects them from school and the laughter and fun that is evident when they are in her home. The childminder recognises the different needs of each child physically as she offers times when they can relax as they come in from school, to following their lead when they express a particular interest and moving their learning forward. For example, after watching the birds nesting in the garden, the children went on an outing where they handled owls and falcons. This prompted an art and craft activity where a child made a bird’s nest, complete with birds and chicks and proudly displayed it in the garden in a tree. This demonstrates

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

how interested and excited children are by the activities and resources on offer and from this secure base begin to explore and understand the world around them. The childminder is guided by the children when planning activities and topics and has devised a personal profile for each child, to share with parents, that records in photographs and simple statements how the children are progressing. Parents are always informed of the children’s day. This close liaison between parent and childminder helps promote an environment in which children feel secure and can effectively and consistently progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder knows each child extremely well; she records all of the relevant information after in depth discussions with the parents. This ensures that the children’s needs are met and that parents' wishes are respected and adhered to. The childminder treats all children as individuals and values them and their family’s identity. This helps children to feel good about themselves and consequently children are secure within the environment. The childminder has a very good understanding of supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities;

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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 and of how to work with professionals and parents to help each child reach their full potential. The childminder appreciates the diverse society in which we live and ensures children have exposure to resources that promote positive images. This is achieved through the provision of a range of multicultural resources, pictures and through celebrating events and festivals from a variety of cultures. Children develop a sense of place and learn about the community and daily life through regular outings and trips. The childminder forms extremely good relationships with the children and values their contributions; as a result, children demonstrate increasing self-esteem and independence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder encourages children to behave and become aware of the house rules. She explains age appropriately to the children why we are kind to each other and why we need to follow certain rules, this helps children begin to develop a sense of responsibility and moral values. Excellent use is made of praise and encouragement through play and everyday activities. Children show care and concern for each other, for example, an older child helps younger children with a computer game, helping to produce an identikit person on the screen before they take it in turns to play the games.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are excellent; this contributes greatly to the children's well-being. Parents are welcome in the home and receive detailed information about the childminder's practices. A portfolio provides parents with useful general health and childcare information and outlines the learning outcomes for the children. The childminder shares with parents daily information about how their children are progressing through regular written and verbal communication. This sharing of information supports and enhances children's learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder promotes children’s overall welfare and development well as she pays attention to all areas when organising her childminding day. Children are offered a wide range of stimulating activities, have appropriate adult support and clearly feel secure and confident. Children benefit from the very child friendly environment where they can sit at a table indoors or out to complete activities, sit in comfy chairs in the lounge for quiet times or use the floor space for construction play.

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Organisation

All required documentation to protect and provide for children's needs is in place and is recorded and updated on a regular basis or as required. Policies and procedures are comprehensive and reviewed at regular intervals. All relevant information is displayed for parents including the certificate of registration, the complaints procedure and the regulator's details. The childminder has a sound understanding of the mandatory requirements of registration; however she is uncertain of changes about which the regulatory body must be informed. The childminder shares information about the children on a daily basis with parents to keep them informed about their child's activities and her service. This contributes to continuity in the child's care.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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): • provide parents with contact details of the persons who may be responsible for the children in an emergency situation • improve awareness of changes of which the regulatory body must be informed

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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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