Childminder in BuckinghamshireOfsted inspection, 17 Oct 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY303133 Inspection date 17 October 2005 Inspector Patricia Joan Latham

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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2005 and works with his wife, who is also a registered childminder. He lives near to the centre of High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, close to local schools and amenities. The rooms available for childminding are the lounge, dining room, play room and toilet facilities. There is a bedroom available upstairs for children to use for sleeping purposes. There is also an enclosed garden area available for children to use. The childminder is currently minding five children on a part time basis.

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 He is a member of the National Childminding Association

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children remain healthy because the childminder follows good practice. He cleans all areas children use thoroughly and maintains a high level of hygiene at such times as nappy changing and toileting. Children are encouraged to follow good practice, such as washing hands before and after eating. The childminder has effective procedures in place, for dealing with accidents, and to minimise the risk of cross infection to children. However, there is lack of clarity in some of the written policies and procedures for parents to follow, which may compromise children’s health. Children receive nutritious food to maintain their health. Snacks include fruit and regular drinks. The childminder stores, and prepares, any food that parents provide appropriately. He discusses any allergies, likes and dislikes concerning children’s food to ensure he meets individual dietary needs. Children have the opportunity to have regular exercise to promote their health and

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

well-being. When it is not possible to use the garden area, they have regular visits to local play areas. There they use a range of equipment to aid their physical skills and development. Within the home children take part in activities to help their co-ordination, the childminder providing good support to children learning to walk. There is also a good range of outdoor equipment available for children to use in the garden.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, safe environment. The areas children use are suitable and well-organised for their play. They have access to areas were they can sleep undisturbed and there is playroom which is newly built. This is brightly decorated, has direct access to the garden and to toilet facilities. Children have access to a wide range of good quality resources to support their learning and development. These are easily accessible and are suitable for the differing ages and interests of the children attending. The childminder checks equipment and toys regularly to ensure they remain safe for children to use. The childminder maintains children's safety through close supervision at all times. He encourages children to follow safe practice, ensuring younger ones play safely and older ones follow established rules, such as not opening the front door without permission. All areas of the home are safe, and the childminder considers, carefully,

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedures such as evacuation in the event of a fire. He has a written safety policy but this does not include the procedure if a child is uncollected or a statement concerning his responsibilities as regards child protection issues. However, the

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 childminder has a good understanding of such issues and has an appropriate procedure for referring any child protection concerns to the relevant agencies. This ensures children’s welfare is protected.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, secure and developing well. They have opportunities to take part in a wide range of interesting activities, such as painting and sticking and display their work on the wall. Older children have access to a computer and have support with their schoolwork. Children feel secure through following a consistent daily routine. This is flexible enough to accommodate children’s personal routines, such as sleep times, and ensures the childminder has time to give children individual support as needed. Children are relaxed in the care of the childminder and are able to express their needs, such as stating what they want for lunch and asking for cuddles. They form a close relationship with the childminder, involving him in their play. He encourages social skills, helping children negotiate who will play with what during role-play. Younger children feel confident he can support them whilst they are learning to walk

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and older children enjoy involving him in board games.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop their self-esteem and a respect for others. The childminder encourages them to become personally independent and gives lots of praise when they achieve, such as when dressing themselves. They are gaining an understanding of others and the childminder ensures all children are included in activities. He promotes positive attitudes towards differing cultures and abilities to encourage children to be sympathetic towards each other. Children have their individual needs met. The childminder has a good understanding of how children develop so that he can provide an appropriate level of care and support according to their needs. There are consistent boundaries in place so that children learn how to play together harmoniously. They are encouraged to share resources and offered lots of encouragement to promote good behaviour. The childminder forms a good relationship with parents to promote consistency of

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

care for children. He keeps them fully informed of what their child does; completing a daily diary, which he gives to parents. He obtains full information regarding children prior to them starting, and parents are able to settle children in gradually so that they know they are happy and secure.

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from an organised environment which supports their learning and care. They remain safe and healthy because the childminder follows effective procedures and good practice. There are some written policies and procedures available for parents. However, not all policies are written down and, of those that are, some are unclear. This may result in children’s well-being not being safeguarded. The childminder organises his time to ensure children have appropriate support and ensures registration conditions are met at all times. The childminder maintains documentation accurately. All recordings are shared with parents, and paperwork well organised and retained for the required length of time to safeguard children’s interests. Documents are stored securely and children’s confidentiality maintained. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom he provides.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report 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.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 existing written policies are clarified; include an uncollected child policy, a child protection policy and a complaints policy, all of which are

p.5

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 shared with parents.

p.5

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: 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.6