Childminder in Wokingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY302637 Inspection date 03 October 2005 Inspector Judith, Mary Butler

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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 registered in 2005. She lives with her partner and 3 children aged 13, 11 and 1-year. The family live in Lower Early. The property is close to local shops, schools and amenities. The childminder uses the ground floor for childminding; a bedroom on the first floor is used for sleep purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family have a pet dog. The childminder is registered to care for up to five children at any one time and is currently caring for four children 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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop their physical skills through a variety of activities, including outings to local parks, walks to shops and playing in the garden. They have opportunities to access a range of large physical equipment including sit and ride toys, climbing frames and slides within their weekly routines. Children are happy and settled within the home. They are developing their independence skills. The childminder acts as a good role model for children; she ensures they are aware of the importance of washing their hands after using the toilet and before snacks and meals. The childminder holds all of the required documentation to record accidents, administration of medication and to protect the health of children in her care. She ensures parents are aware of any accidents that have happened to their child by requesting them to sign the completed documentation. Parents receive copies of all completed paperwork. This ensures

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Helping children to be healthy

they are fully aware of any issues relating to their child. The childminder ensures children receive healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. Children are developing an awareness of healthy eating and have choices about the food they wish to eat, for example, bananas, apples or raisons at snack time. Children gain from the good communication in place between the childminder and parents. The childminder discusses and records parental wishes and children's dietary needs to ensure she meets the needs of the children in her care. The childminder verbally discusses what the children have had to eat each day and formally records it in the communication book for parents to take home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are warm and welcoming and children move confidently and freely around all areas of the home identified for childminding purposes. They play happily with the toys available within the home. The childminder ensures toys and resources are appropriate for the ages of the children she is caring for and are in good repair. The childminder considers individual children's preferences when buying further resources. Children receive a high level of supervision from the childminder ensuring they play safely in all areas of the home and garden. The childminder identifies and minimizes risks to children through daily safety checks, children benefit from a well-organised and safe environment. The premises are secure and the childminder supervises all visitors to the home. Procedures are in place to be followed in the event of an emergency and children are developing an awareness of keeping themselves safe,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

for example, holding onto the pushchair when out walking. Children have opportunities to undertake a range of outings with the childminder; however, parents have not signed consent forms for outings to ensure the safety of children.

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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 The childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the procedures to follow should she have concerns regarding a child in her care. All of the required documentation is in place to ensure children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are comfortable and at ease within the home, they talk to each other and the childminder in a friendly manner. Children are able to choose the toys they wish to play with from the range put out by the childminder. The children have limited opportunities to freely select toys and resources from the full range available. Children are happy, settled and are developing strong relationships with other children and the childminder. Children are developing their language and communication skills. The childminder spends individual time with the children and extends their language through discussion and questioning, for example, talking to the child about the Octopus she has drawn. They count the legs and compare it to the one they saw on the television. The childminder provides toys, resources and outings to suit the children's stages of development. The childminder undertakes regular outings with the children; these include outings to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

toddler groups and parks. This provides children with opportunities to socialise with a wider group of children and make their own friends.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder respects and values the children as individuals; this ensures children are happy and content within the home. Children benefit through the regular communication in place between parents and the childminder. The childminder liaises with parents to discuss the individual children's daily routines and offers regular verbal and written feedback through the communication books. These record children’s daily routines and the activities they have taken part in each day. This ensures parents are fully aware of their child's day. Children have opportunities through regular outings and some toys and resources to discover about the world around them and that people are different, for example, outings to parks and toddler groups. Children are learning to show co-operation to other children when playing together. The childminder acts as a good role model and encourages the children to play

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Helping children make a positive contribution

happily alongside each other. She has established rules and boundaries in place and gently reinforces these within the daily routines, for example, asking a child to ask another child nicely for his hat back. The childminder uses constant praise and encouragement with the children throughout the day, this helps build children's self-esteem.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and at ease within the home, they move freely and confidently around all areas of the home identified for childminding. Children have opportunities to access a range of active and quiet times within their daily routines. The childminder has a good awareness of the needs and preferences of the children she is caring for. Children receive individual time and support with the childminder. Good relationships are in place between the childminder and parents; this enables children to feel safe and secure within the home. The childminder has a business like approach to childminding. She uses the polices and procedures in place to protect the health and welfare of children in her care, however she does not hold consents for outings and therefore does not fully protect the safety of children in her care. The childminder shares the policies and procedures with parents to keep them well informed about the service, children's activities and

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Organisation

daily routines. This contributes to the continuity of care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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): • ensure consents are held from parents to take the children on outings • provide children with further opportunities to self select the toys and resources they wish to use from the range available.

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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 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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