Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY251501 Inspection date 24 January 2006 Inspector Samantha Hunt

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 9 and 11 years in Lacey Green, near Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire. Most of the ground floor is used for childminding with sleeping facilities situated on the first floor. There is a large fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 4 children aged under 5 years all day on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children.

p.2

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 attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have 2 cats. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a paediatric first aid certificate.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are becoming aware of their personal needs. For example they tell the childminder when they need to sit on the potty. They learn about good health and hygiene practise through excellent discussion with the childminder, they talk about wiping the germs away after eating snacks and using the potty. The childminder has a very high regard for children’s health and wellbeing, she has a written sickness policy, which she shares with all parents and collates accurate medication records when administering medication to children in her care. Children rest according to their individual need and routine, sleeping takes place in comfortable cots upstairs. The childminder has high regard for children’s health and hygiene as she provides them with individual bedding, which is clean and well maintained. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They are able

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

to choose from a variety of regular snacks and drinks that are healthy such as milk, water and fresh fruit. Parents provide individual meals; the childminder ensures risks to children’s health are kept to a minimum by storing them appropriately in the fridge and checking them carefully when reheated. Children learn to become healthy through lots of regular fresh air and exercise. The childminder takes very good steps to promote children’s physical wellbeing as they go on daily walks to and from nursery, school and visit local parks and surrounding woodland. Children have very good opportunities to develop physical skills through weekly visits to a gym club and use of play equipment at the park and in the garden such as bats and balls, the slide and tricycle. Children confidently use equipment such as ride on toys in the garden.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The environment is well maintained and welcoming to the children. They can freely access all areas safely as the childminder has an excellent understanding of the safety issues in her home. She takes very effective steps to ensure the children remain safe; a daily check of all areas takes place prior to the children arriving. Safety equipment such as a stair gate across the stairs ensures risks to young children are minimised. Children learn to have regard for their own safety; the childminder supervises the children well both inside and outside the home. She sets clear boundaries, gives the children good simple explanations such as “we don’t run indoors because we might

p.3

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 fall over” and discusses road safety with them when on outings. Children can freely access a wide variety of toys and resources, which are well cared for and age appropriate. The childminder takes very good steps to ensure that smaller items are not so accessible to ensure younger children, can self-select but remain safe when playing. The childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection. She holds all the required documentation and is very clear about whom to contact should she have a concern. She has a clear understanding of the appropriate measures to follow to ensure children’s safety, informs parents of her policy and records existing injuries to further safeguard children’s welfare.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have many opportunities throughout the day to play, with and without support from the childminder, both inside and out. They initiate their own play well and are happy to request help when they need it. They are beginning to use their imagination for example playing with the cups and saucers, making cups of tea. They are freely able to make choices and become independent as they access a very good variety of toys and books from the low-level shelves and boxes. Children are confident and very comfortable in the childminder's care and relate well to one another and visitors. The childminder provides children with regular opportunities to mix with other children through meeting up with other childminders, visiting friends, gym club and local toddler groups. Children are beginning to link their play to previous experiences for example "the fire engine is like the one we see on the way to the park". Children receive excellent

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

praise and encouragement from the childminder, which helps to extend their self-esteem and confidence further. She actively engages herself in the children’s play in a very positive manner for example, pretending to talk to them through the play people. This makes it fun for the children. Children engage very comfortably in conversation with the childminder and eagerly climb on her lap to share books. She extends their language and thinking through very good questioning for example,” What noise does the cow make” and “Can you guess what’s coming next” as they lift the flap on a favourite book. The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of the children’s individual needs and takes positive steps to ensure to meet them, for example involving all children in setting up the small world town and track, supporting and extending the children so they all gain from taking part. Children benefit from a well-planned daily

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

routine that takes into account individual needs such as sleep patterns, this contributes to the children being happy and relaxed in the setting.

p.4

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 The provision is outstanding. Children become aware of the wider community in which they live. They have access to a good selection of toys and experiences which promote positive images of gender, culture and disability. Children are very comfortable within the setting and feel a sense of belonging because of the close relationship they have formed with the childminder. They receive lots of praise and encouragement and happily talk about experiences they have had within the setting. The childminder has a good understanding of how to care for children with special needs, although none currently attend. The childminder has a very high regard for the children’s individual needs. She treats all children with equal concern and responds well to their needs. Excellent partnerships with parents promote the children’s welfare at all times. The childminder

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

liaises with all parents prior to starting and on a daily basis. She identifies concerns and is proactive in discussing these with parents ensuring children’s wellbeing. Children behave well because of the consistent boundaries and positive praise given by the childminder. They show concern for one another and play harmoniously. Children are confident to make their needs known to the childminder, who listens and responds to what they say well.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The organisation of space both inside and out is very good and play opportunities for children are maximised. The organisation of equipment is effective and children can freely access toys and initiate their own play with ease. For example, children enjoy making cups of tea in the play kitchen and looking at books together. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This enables her to react in an emergency to promote children’s health and wellbeing. All regulatory documentation that contributes to children’s health, safety, and wellbeing is in place. The childminder has high regard for her working practice. She takes positive steps to improve and update her practice through training courses with the local authority. Excellent policies and procedures are shared with parents to help keep them informed about the setting and their child’s care. This effectively supports and

p.5

Organisation

contributes to the continuity of care for the children. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has improved positive contribution. She now makes parents aware of the procedure for making a complaint and is aware she must keep a record of complaints.

p.5

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

p.5

Complaints 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 contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted. There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

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

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6