Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY289946 Inspection date 06 January 2006 Inspector Josephine Rayner

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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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 9, 6, and 4 years in Weston Turville, Buckinghamshire. There are four rooms on the ground floor of the childminder’s home which are used for childminding, this includes sleep and toilet facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children under 3-years part-time and two school age children. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The family has two cats.

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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 outstanding. Children stay healthy, as the childminder is diligent in following very good hygiene routines. The children learn about the importance of washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet, they understand that they may get germs and become ill. The childminder uses effective procedures to prevent cross infection; wiping down the changing mat after use, wearing gloves when nappy changing and ensuring the toilet is clean after use. Kitchen surfaces and the table are cleaned thoroughly with antibacterial wipes before use. These meticulous and stringent procedures protect the children from harmful germs and the risk of cross infection. Children’s health benefits from the effective procedures for the management and prevention of accidents. The childminder conducts risk assessments before taking children on outings. The childminder ensures she has readily available at all times a

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Helping children to be healthy

first aid kit, children’s emergency contact numbers and has procedures in place to seek immediate advice and support from her local doctor. Children’s good health is fostered from a very good variety and quality of nutritious home made meals and healthy snacks. Children learn about the importance of healthy eating and understand which foods are good for you and why. The children gain a very good awareness of their own needs for nourishment and freely help themselves to drinks of water. Children thrive with regular trips outside the home for fresh air and exercise. The children have wide-ranging opportunities to develop control and co-ordination with a mixture of play in the garden and visits to the local park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are safe and protected from harm in the childminders care. The childminder ensures this through the effective use of safety equipment, and her excellent and constant supervision. As a result, children play and move around the house safely and independently. Children safely access an extensive range of equipment and toys. These resources are of good quality, properly maintained and clean. The childminder is very aware of the need to keep children safe and is proactive in ensuring children learn how to keep themselves safe both in the home and outside. The childminder has a thorough understanding of issues regarding child protection. Her documentation contains a comprehensive range of information to enable her to act confidently and quickly should she have concerns for a child. Children’s protection and welfare is safeguarded

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are eager to play in the highly stimulating environment. The childminder is excellent at engaging children in play. She encourages children to recognise numbers, letters and words through the effective use of books and games. Children’s efforts are highly valued. The childminder uses constant praise, encouragement and has substantial involvement in the children’s play. As a result, the children are confident learner’s and have developed good self-esteem. The childminder has a professional attitude to planning her activities, she knows the children well and develops their interests through well thought out activities, which take into account the individual developmental needs of the children. Children are delighted to choose from an extensive range of play equipment and activities. Children thrive through the childminder’s knowledge of their likes and dislikes, as a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

result, they are happy, motivated, and eagerly take part in activities, take turns and the older children give encouragement to the younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children prosper from the childminder’s awareness of them as individuals and her ability to engage them in meaningful conversations about their home life and families. The childminder has very effective strategies to ensure she knows about their individual needs, daily routines and developmental stage. She ensures this information is readily available; health and care requirements are recorded, comprehensively; in addition, parents and childminder share information both verbally and in writing daily. As a result, children feel valued, make progress and receive felicitous care. Children experience a good range of activities and outings that give them knowledge and understanding of the wider world. The childminder is proactive in teaching children about diversity as a result children learn about and accept differences. The childminder has a clear understanding of how to care for children with special needs,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

although none currently attend. The childminder uses successful strategies to manage children’s behaviour. As a result, children behave well and are eager to gain the childminders praise. They respond enthusiastically to the childminder and join in with praise when other children have been helpful. Parents receive comprehensive details about their child’s day and progress and are able to contribute to these through recording in the children’s daily diaries. This ensures the children’s needs and parent’s wishes are met thoroughly.

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Organisation

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 organisation is outstanding. Children benefit greatly, from the childminder, providing, an exceedingly high quality service, where the children’s wellbeing is paramount. They enjoy the extensive range of age appropriate toys and resources, which they can access and select freely. The planned activities are stimulating and appropriate for the children’s age and stage of development. Children are busy, happy, well occupied and receive dedicated adult interaction. All records of the children are comprehensive and all written parental consents are in place. Children’s welfare is of high priority and the childminder meets the needs of all the children for whom she provides. The childminder heightens children’s care by the thought given to the clear written policies, which the childminder shares with parents, and where appropriate children.

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Organisation

She has excellent procedures for sharing information with parents about their child’s care, progress, behaviour and all relevant issues.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 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 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

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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