Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY103540 Inspection date 20 October 2005 Inspector Rosemary Davies

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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 outstanding. 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two school-aged children in a rural village near Buckingham. They live in a detached, four bedroomed house, all of which may be used for childminding purposes although in practice, minded children use only the downstairs rooms. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. Local amenities, such as parks, are within walking distance. The childminder can take children to, and collect them from, local schools and playgroups. The family keeps one dog as a pet. The childminder's registration permits her to care for no more than 6 children under

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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 age of 8 years, at any one time. The childminder is a member of the National Childminder's Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children play in an extremely clean and very well maintained home environment. The childminder pays meticulous attention to hygiene routines, so that the possibility of cross contamination is minimised. She carefully labels individual pots of nappy cream and cleans high chairs before and after use, for example. She makes parents aware of when children may not come to her, keeping them fully informed as to which illnesses are infectious. She pays scrupulous attention to personal hygiene procedures, washing her hands thoroughly before preparing food. Children begin to learn how to keep themselves healthy, knowing such established routines as washing hands before snack or after playing with the dog. The childminder explains to them clearly why they must do this. She talks to them too, as they eat and drink, telling them what food is good for them and why. Children eat healthy snacks and light meals, such as cheese on toast followed by fresh fruit. Even

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Helping children to be healthy

the youngest children try new things willingly, such as dried fruit, under her encouragement. They express their preferences confidently, making it evident that raisins are preferred to dried apricots, for example. Children experience cooking activities for themselves, making healthy dishes for special occasions. All children eat and drink as much as they need. They make their own decisions about what to drink, such as hot chocolate or juice. Fresh drinking water is always available in individual labelled bottles. The childminder works extremely closely with parents to get to know children's personal needs before they start with her. This means that children with special dietary requirements, such as drinking bottled water only, are provided for. Children in the care of this childminder benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise. Several walk from school or playgroup to her home, often stopping on the way to play

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Helping children to be healthy

football or use the play-equipment in the park. Pre-school aged children enjoy regular visits to nearby open gardens where they may run freely, experiencing wide-open spaces.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children receive a wonderfully warm welcome from this childminder and play in a child-oriented environment. The childminder uses excellent procedures to identify and minimise possible hazards to children's safety. She conducts regular risk assessments, indoors and out. She keeps sharp items, such as knives, well out of reach and allows children in the kitchen and back garden only when she is with them.

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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 organises her home very well indeed for childminding purposes. She offers a dedicated playroom centred on the children's needs. Here, children help themselves to high quality toys and equipment which are readily accessible. They know they must ask to use items such as scissors, that are locked away, but which they may use under close supervision. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. They walk to the childminder's home from school, for example, knowing to "look and listen" when crossing the road. The childminder remains vigilant for traffic, (although there is little), particularly where there is no pavement. Children's welfare is further protected through the childminder undertaking training to up-date her skills and knowledge. She holds a current first aid certificate and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

maintains several first aid kits so that she is properly prepared for emergencies when she is out and about with the children. She thoroughly understands her duties and responsibilities with regard to child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy their time with this childminder. They encounter a wide range of carefully planned experiences which stimulate all areas of their development. They benefit from spending individual time with the childminder whose interaction with them is excellent. She uses her extensive knowledge of child development to care for them appropriately and to extend their understanding of the world around them. Younger children's speech develops particularly quickly. The childminder talks about children's play, describing their actions so that they hear new words frequently. She praises their efforts at saying difficult ones, such as 'injection' and 'temperature', so they persist in their efforts. All develop their early understanding of mathematics extremely well. The childminder plans specific activities to help them do so, such as homemade picture-matching games. They hear early mathematical language

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

frequently as they play and the childminder remains alert for opportunities to encourage them to think. Older children remember previous activities with pleasure when looking through their personal record books, recalling 'colour days' when they explored particular colours. The childminder takes account of their views and plans future activities accordingly. Children learn about their local environment such as the location of the village park and school. They discuss things which interest them whilst on walks, such as old tractors. Their interest in the changing seasons is awakened when collecting natural materials, including conkers and fir-cones, in preparation for Christmas activities.

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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 All children flourish in this childminder's care. She meets their individual needs extremely well. She liaises closely with parents to find out about children's specific requirements before they start and adapts her practices accordingly, meeting children's special needs. Parents value the flexible settling in process and speak appreciatively of the care given. They receive an extensive range of information about their children's progress and daily experiences. Comprehensive record books, for example, detail children's achievements. This partnership with parents is excellent. This household enjoys exceptionally warm, relaxed relationships. Children settle in and quickly learn to trust the childminder, whose established routines help children know what to do and when to do it. Children understand that they remove shoes on

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Helping children make a positive contribution

entering the house, take meals at the dining table and help pack away toys. These clear expectations, together with the interesting range of activities, contribute to excellent behaviour. Children receive much individual care and attention. They develop their sense of identity and self-worth through the childminder valuing their ideas and praising their contributions. They celebrate each other's birthdays and delight in recalling past activities when looking at photographs. Older children recall special activities related to festivals, such as pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. They use a range of resources which reflect the diversity of modern life.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children undoubtedly benefit from the childminder's ability to organise her home, time and paperwork extremely effectively for childminding. This underpins the excellent professional service she provides. Children thrive in a child-centred environment and enjoy a varied range of stimulating activities because the childminder is committed to her work and uses her skills and knowledge exceedingly well. She undertakes regular training, incorporates new developments such as 'Birth to three matters' in her work and keeps abreast of new legislation. This results in children's safety, good health, learning and welfare being fully promoted. All legally required documentation is in place. Records and documents are kept securely, confidentially and readily available for inspection. The childminder keeps Ofsted informed about any major changes to her circumstances, such as moving

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Organisation

house. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the previous inspection, the childminder was required to improve the way in which records of attendance were kept. This has been achieved and records now show clearly the times for which the children are in the care of the childminder.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints made to Ofsted 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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