Childminder in Wokingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY305997 Inspection date 16 December 2005 Inspector Christine Cutts

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 2005. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 6 years , 4 years and 17 weeks in their family home in the Woodley area of Reading, Berkshire. The area has good local amenities and the children attend local schools and toddler groups. The family have no pets other than fish in a garden pond. The childminder is registered to care for 4 children under 8 years. The childminder currently minds 1 child aged 1 year on a part-time basis.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminders Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop and achieve with the childminder promoting children’s physical development and well-being effectively. The childminder has a clear understanding of the developmental needs of the children she minds; each day there are good opportunities and activities to help children develop control of their bodies; playing in the garden or walks to school and visits to the park to feed the ducks. Children benefit from the very effective provision of age appropriate toys, musical activity toys and puzzles for developing hand eye co-ordination. These activities encourage children to progress to the next step in their physical development. Children's sense of belonging and sense of self worth are developing, by following the children's home routines, such as sleeping arrangements. The childminder organises the daily routines to enable her to give each child individual attention.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is of a high priority. They have access to a clean and well-maintained home environment in which good hygiene routines help minimise risks of cross infection, keeping children healthy and well. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. The childminder works closely with parents to provide the children with a nutritious diet providing healthy snacks and drinks. She values the wishes of parents and the children's likes and dislikes, encouraging children to develop healthy eating habits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children have a safe and secure environment in which the children have good opportunities to enjoy playing and learning. The childminder's has a sound knowledge of health and safety issues and vigilant monitoring of the children ensures that they are safe and secure in their play, happy to move around the home, chatting and playing with the childminder. However, the childminder has identified some areas for improvement, such as the garden and upstairs horizontal banisters. The children always play with in sight of the childminder who makes herself aware of what the children are doing all the time The open plan ground floor enables the childminder to see the children at all times. The childminder is aware of the need to keep children safe and is proactive in ensuring the children learn how to keep themselves safe both in the home and

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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 outside, with gentle reminders such as not to climb or have small play pieces of toys out when very young children are around. To safeguard the children's welfare and protection the childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place, for example the childminder holds has a secure understanding of child protection in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children play and learn in a home environment, with a good range of quality toys easily accessible, that support their progress in all areas of learning. The childminder is aware of the Birth to three matters framework in her planning of activities to support younger children's development. She does offer a balance of activities in a flexible daily routine to meet the developmental needs of all the children. Children benefit from the childminder's understanding of the children's individual needs, helping children develop on to their next steps. The childminder encourages children to enjoy books and play with puzzles as well as giving them opportunities to socialize at toddler groups which develops their social and communication skills. Children's self-esteem and sense of achievement are developing, because the childminder has very good relationships with the children, joining in their play, guiding

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and leading their learning, and through praising and encouraging the children’s efforts as well as their achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued, the childminder meets the children's needs well, getting to know their likes, dislikes and individual requirements. She helps them to develop into strong children, with a sense of self-assurance and a sense of belonging. Children behave well, share and take turns working and playing well together, in an environment where the children feel confident and valued by the childminder. She responds promptly to the children's needs. The children develop an understanding of others through socializing together and using a good range of resources that promote equal opportunities, learning to value themselves as well as others. The childminder understands the needs of the children she minds their individual needs and would work closely with parents to support children with special needs, although the childminder is not currently caring for any children with special needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is very good. They show concern for one another and learn to play well together. The good relationships with parents helps the childminder meet the individual needs

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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 of the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease in the well-organised environment. Children benefit from the childminder's good organisation. She keeps her childminding commitments low to ensure that there is an appropriate level of space and resources to meet all the children's needs and to ensure that she is able to offer them individual time and attention. The childminder has undertaken all relevant checks and training to enable her to support the children she cares for. All relevant documentation is in place to ensure care of the children, however it lacks detail in written parental consents for emergency medical treatment. The childminder has good relationships with parents and exchanges information to help meet the children's individual needs. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last 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.

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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):

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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 • obtain written parental consents for emergency medical advice and treatment • extend good practise by ensuring all safety issues are addressed, including making garden area suitable for children's play and replace cover on upstairs horizontal banisters.

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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

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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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