Childminder in Windsor and Maidenhead

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY305955 Inspection date 06 December 2005 Inspector Glenda Pownall

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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 satisfactory. 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. The family includes two children who are aged 1 and 2 years. They live in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The childminder uses most of the premises for childminding. The childminder may care for a maximum of two children at any one time. She is currently minding one child under five full-time and one child after school. The childminder walks to local schools to collect children. She makes use of local facilities such as parks, the library and toddler groups.

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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 play in a clean environment where they receive effective support to develop good personal hygiene practices. For example, the childminder wipes a baby’s runny nose and places the tissue in the bin. She encourages children to wash their hands before meals and after visiting the toilet. Babies sleep and feed according to their individual needs. The childminder holds them and interacts with them warmly whilst they drink their bottles of milk. This supports their emotional and physical well-being. The childminder verbally discusses children’s health and dietary needs with parents, but has no written record of these requirements. The childminder provides a good variety of healthy snacks such as carrots, grapes, and tuna and cucumber sandwiches. She frequently offers drinks of water or fruit juice. This helps children develop good eating habits. Children access daily activities that contribute towards a healthy lifestyle. For

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Helping children to be healthy

example, although children cannot access the garden they regularly visit local parks, an indoor play centre and walk to collect children from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe environment, which is tidy, warm and has good ventilation. The childminder has effective procedures in place to reduce potential hazards. For example, a lock on the door prevents children gaining unsupervised access to the stairs and all hazardous materials are stored out of reach. This promotes the safety of the children. The childminder has sufficient resources for the current childminding arrangements. The resources are clean and in a good state of repair. The childminder visually checks the resources that are stored at low level around the rooms and removes any broken toys. This ensures children access toys that are safe and suitable for their stage of development. The childminder has a sound understanding of the procedures to follow if concerned a child is being abused. This protects children whilst in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder spends much of her time actively involved in children’s play. Children are confident and settled in the childminding home. The childminder frequently changes resources to hold young children’s interest. A young child enjoys shaking rattles, pushing buttons on electronic toys and feeling the different textures in a soft book. Children form warm relationships with the childminder. They happily sit

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 on the childminder’s lap playing with resources and other family members include them in their activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder treats all children with equal concern according to their individual needs. This fosters a sense of self-worth. Children become aware of the wider world and learn to develop a positive attitude towards others through regular outings to the local market, the library, and toddler groups. The childminder acts as a good role model to children. She is polite and calm offering lots of praise and encouragement. Children behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a sound understanding of how to maintain positive communication links with parents. For example, she shares her written policies with parents and provides daily verbal feedback to keep parents informed of their child’s daily activities. Children benefit from this positive interaction between their main carers. However, the childminder does not provide parents with the contact details of Ofsted should they wish to make a complaint. She does not record information from parents regarding children’s cultural, dietary, or medical needs. This does not promote the well-being of children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder provides a warm and caring environment in which children can play safely with a range of age and stage appropriate resources. Children are happy and at home. The childminder effectively uses the procedures that are in place to promote the welfare and enjoyment of children in her care. However, not all documentation is in place to ensure the childminder has a record of the wishes of parents with regard to the care of their children. The childminder does not fully understand her responsibilities with regard to requesting variations to the certificate of registration. She is caring for a child under the age of 1 year, which her conditions do not currently allow, although her own child is now one year old. 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 registration.

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Complaints 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 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. 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 satisfactory. 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 Ofsted is informed of significant changes • record the wishes of parents with regard to the dietary, health and cultural needs of their children and provide parents with the Ofsted contact details should they wish to make a complaint.

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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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