Childminder in Wokingham

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY298772 Inspection date 15 December 2005 Inspector Carol Patricia Willett

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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 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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband and their two children one of whom is preschool age and the other primary school age in a house in Arborfield, near Wokingham in Berkshire. The house is situated within easy driving and walking distance of the local shops, parks, schools and amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Children mainly go upstairs for sleeping, school-age children may go upstairs to play in the children's bedrooms. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a cat. The childminder is registered to care for 4 children under 8 years. There are currently

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 6 children on roll who attend on a part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She holds a current first aid certificate.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a suitable range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are outdoor activities to help them develop their physical skills. They enjoy playing in the fresh air as they walk to school. They have good opportunities to develop physical skills as they go to the local park, soft play adventure parks and enjoy garden play using a variety of ride on toys and a trampoline. Children rest and sleep according to their needs. Children develop knowledge of a healthy lifestyle as they eat a good range of healthy snacks which are freshly prepared and include fruit and vegetables. They eat well and enjoy apples for their midmorning snack. Children drink water freely as their own cups are always available within reach. Parents' wishes regarding their children's dietary needs are acknowledged and adhered to. The childminder has suitable daily hygiene routines to ensure the resources are

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

clean and in satisfactory condition and the premises are clean, tidy and well maintained. This ensures children's healthcare is adequately promoted. Children's personal hygiene is not well promoted as children do not consistently wash their hands before eating. Children's health is safeguarded by suitable procedures when children are unwell, parents are informed and they collect the child. The childminder maintains appropriate documentation when children have accidents or require medication which parents sign. She does not have written consent to ensure she follows parents' wishes should their child have an accident or require emergency treatment.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and learn in premises that are mainly safe, warm, comfortable and child friendly which makes children feel settled and secure. The layout allows them to play freely developing their confidence and independence. Children freely select from the range of suitable play materials which are kept in boxes within easy reach in the living-room. The toys are rotated to maintain children's interest and are checked regularly to ensure they are in suitable condition. Children play safely as most risks are identified and minimised by the childminder, for example stair gates are in place and the garden is secure. Risk assessment procedures are not totally effective, for example some sockets are not covered, toilet cleaning materials are not out of reach in the bathroom and a sharp knife is left on the kitchen worktop after the childminder prepares the snacks.

p.3

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 The childminder has most documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded. She has satisfactory procedures in place to enable children to be protected for example she has relevant insurance cover, has completed a first aid course and has a sound knowledge of child protection procedures. Children are suitably protected as the childminder ensures all adults in house have completed disclosures and she always supervises the children closely when other adults are present.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident in their relationship with the childminder. They receive support and praise which encourages them to be increasingly independent and learn what they can do. Children develop a good sense of belonging and self-esteem as the childminder has a warm, caring manner. She talks constantly to the children about their families and responds to their gestures and non-verbal communications. She treats children with affection and they enjoy sitting on her lap and having cuddles and looking at books. She points to objects in the books to encourage and build their vocabulary and knowledge of colours for example. Babies and young children benefit from satisfactory play experiences. The childminder is not yet using the Birth to three framework. The children are secure, happy, confident and mostly well behaved. They play alongside each other going to the childminder when they need help for example to

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

help mend a toy that has come apart. Children learn to care for each other as the childminder encourages them to share toys and take turns. She plays with the children sitting on the floor with them and supports their play well as she helps them build the train track for example. There is a suitable and sufficient range of toys and outdoor equipment that is appropriate to the age and stage of development and covers all areas of development. The children have access to a range of activities outside the home to develop social and physical skills. Older children enjoy craft activities making light sabres from recycled materials and Christmas cards. Children experience natural materials as they play with playdough and have sand in the garden in the summer months.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, secure and settled as the childminder is aware of and values children's needs and personalities and provides experiences to meet their needs. The childminder values and respects parents’ wishes working closely to provide consistent care in daily routines for the children for example when managing inappropriate behaviour. This helps them settle well and feel confident and secure. Children have good opportunities to see the local community as they walk to school

p.4

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 visit the local shops and park. They visit friends with children and go to a soft play adventure area so they develop an awareness of other children and relate to a larger group of adults. The childminder provides a suitable range of books to provide positive images and develop children's awareness of diversity. There are no resources to develop children's awareness of disability. The childminder is not confident in her understanding of her responsibility regarding caring for children with disabilities and special needs. Children's welfare, care and learning needs are known and met as the childminder maintains satisfactory relationships with parents and keeps them informed about their child's time with her. They share information about the children's progress and development and daily activities through informal discussions when the children are

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

collected. The childminder maintains most of the required documentation and polices which are shared with parents. The behaviour management policy does not reflect current practice. Some written consents are not in place in order for the childminder to be aware of the parents’ wishes for example when going out in the car. Children begin to learn right from wrong as the childminder uses suitable methods of behaviour management. She helps them to learn simple rules and uses positive language and praise to encourage good behaviour. The childminder uses distraction well and is sensitive in her support of younger children, remaining calm and gently encouraging them to share resources and attention.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children receive satisfactory care. The childminder is warm, caring and attentive to the children in her care. The children's needs are met sufficiently through the organisation of the home which provides children with good adult support within an environment that is mostly safe. There is sufficient space for them to explore and play and the organisation of resources allows children to develop choice and independence. The childminder has a range of suitable documentation and policies which mainly provides sufficient information to enable her to meet children's needs and manage the provision safely. Information about the children's progress and development is exchanged informally on a daily basis to keep parents well informed and ensures children's needs are met. Not all written consents from parents are in place, for example parents have not provided written consent for emergency treatment or use

p.5

Organisation

of transport. Practice does not always follow policy as in the behaviour management policy. A log is not available to record parent complaints. The childminder has suitable procedures in place to ensure children are protected from un-vetted persons and she closely supervises children at all times. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

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 Not applicable.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • improve hygiene procedures ensuring children wash their hands at appropriate times and develop their awareness of staying healthy • develop knowledge and understanding of the Birth to three framework to further improve practice and to increase children's experiences • improve daily risk assessments procedures to ensure children's safety at all times • further develop the range of resources to develop children awareness and understanding of diversity including disability • develop awareness and understanding of special needs and responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act • improve documentation; obtain written consent from parents to ensure their requirements are known should their children need emergency aid or treatment, when using the car and going on outings

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

• provide a complaints log to record any complaints and ensure these are shared with parents should they ask.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website:

p.6

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 www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.6

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

p.7