Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY350901 Unique Reference Number 11 August 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 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 fourteen and seven, in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding, plus a first floor bedroom for children sleeping in a cot. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for two children on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children receive a good range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks while in the care of this childminder. They sit at the table or in high chairs to eat their food. Meal and snack times are sociable occasions, with the childminder chatting to the children about their day. The childminder discusses and records the children's dietary needs with parents and ensures she

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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 adheres to these at all times. Parents receive daily written information about their child's day and this includes information about the food they have eaten. Children can freely access drinks throughout the time they spend in the home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy access to fresh air and exercise through a good variety of outings and use of the enclosed and secure back garden. Outings include trips to the local parks as well as other places of interest, including farms. Children enjoy playing with a range of toys and resources while in the garden and these include the play house, swings and sit-and-ride toys.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing an awareness of personal hygiene through the procedures followed by the childminder, including individual changing mats and towels for each child. Children staying for a full day are encouraged to brush their teeth after their meals. The childminder holds all the documentation to record accidents and administration of medication. Parents read, sign and receive a copy of all completed paperwork. This ensures they are fully aware of any incidents occurring to their child. The childminder holds a valid paediatric first aid certificate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are very happy and comfortable in this clean, well maintained, warm and welcoming home. They move freely and with ease around all areas identified for their use. Children access a wide range of toys and resources and have opportunities to freely select the toys they wish to play with. The childminder ensures there is a variety available in the lounge and dining room each day and children can select further resources from the storage boxes and shelves in the playroom. The childminder cleans and checks the toys regularly and this ensures they are suitable and in good repair for the children who attend. Children access toys that suit their individual preferences, for example, a range of dolls and accessories for one child who likes role play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good awareness of safeguarding children and holds all the required documentation to record any concerns she may have regarding children in her care. Information about the Local Safeguarding Children Board is held, including contact numbers for advice and referral. This enhances the welfare of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about safety through reminders from the childminder, for example, talking to the children about what may happen if they climb on the furniture. The childminder undertakes a daily safety check in the home and this minimizes risks to children. The premises are secure and visitors are supervised while in the home. Procedures are in place should an emergency evacuation of the home be required. However, the childminder does not practise this procedure with the children. Children remain safe while on outings through the use of discussion about road safety and appropriate equipment, such as pushchairs and car seats.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time in the home of this childminder. They settle quickly and happily into the routine following time away on holiday. They build good relationships with the childminder, other children and members of the household. Children receive individual time and attention from the childminder who knows them well. They develop and learn through the childminder's support and involvement in their play, for example, encouraging children to count and make the animal noises when building the tower with the stacking beakers. Children respond

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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 enthusiastically to the childminder's chatter and questions and are beginning to respond verbally with new words.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder discusses the individual routines of the children with parents and plans activities to enable children to follow their normal routine, such as going on outings and visits to the park later in the morning to allow one child to have their sleep. The daily routine allows children opportunities to be active and quiet and play with a range of toys and resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into this home by the childminder. Children receive and enjoy a high level of attention and support from the childminder, who ensures they have their own particular needs met. The childminder and parents exchange information daily and this enables the childminder to identify and meet each child's needs. The childminder completes a daily diary for the children and this includes information about routines, such as sleeps, nappy changes and food intake, as well as details of the activities the children have taken part in. This enables the parents to be fully aware of their child's time with the childminder. Parents receive information about the childminding service from the childminder. However, they do not receive the correct contact details of the regulator.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about the world around them and different people through play in the home with resources such as small world toys, role play and books. The childminder plans a variety of outings to parks and other places of interest where children have opportunities to meet different people and learn about the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has high expectations for behaviour and has established house rules and boundaries in place. These include showing kindness to others and remembering to say 'please' and 'thank you'. Children learn to take turns and share through constant support from the childminder, for example, encouraging and talking to the children about taking it in turns to build the tower. Children receive a high level of praise and encouragement from the childminder and this enables them to develop their self-esteem. Children develop sound relationships with other children in the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises the available space within her home well to meet the needs of the children who attend. Children move freely and with ease around all areas of the home identified for their use. They enjoy the range of toys and resources available to them and make individual choices about what they wish to play with. They are learning to take turns and show cooperation in their play. The childminder has a good knowledge of the individual children and uses this to plan activities and outings to suit their play preferences, such as role play and ball games. The childminder has developed good working relationships with parents and this enhances the care of children.

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Organisation

The childminder has a business-like approach to her childminding and holds all the required documentation to support the welfare, health and safety of the children in her care. The childminder keeps her documentation in an orderly fashion and accurately records the days and hours children attend. All completed documentation is shared with parents. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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 to provider of 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 enhance the safety of children by practising the emergency evacuation procedure • ensure parents receive the correct contact details of the regulator.

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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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