Childminder, Out-of school day care in Windsor and MaidenheadOfsted inspection, 9 Feb 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 108223 Inspection date 09 February 2006 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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and 13 years old. The family live in Windsor. The property is close to local shops, schools and amenities. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor of the property. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet dog and cat. The childminder is registered to provide care for up to six children at any one time and is currently caring for five children on a full and part time basis. The childminder attends local carer 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 The childminder has an NVQ level 3 in Childcare and Education.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Older children are developing a good awareness of the importance of personal hygiene. They independently go to the bathroom to wash their hands before meals and following art and craft activities. The childminder acts as a good role model and follows effective procedures to protect the health of children, such as washing her hands after changing nappies and assisting younger children in their personal care. She holds all of the required documentation to accurately record all accidents and administration of medication and has a valid first aid certificate. Parents countersign all completed documentation and receive a copy of the report. This ensures they are fully aware of any incidents that have happened to their child. The childminder provides children with a healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. She discusses children's dietary needs and parental preferences regarding food and

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Helping children to be healthy

drinks with parents. This enables her to meet the needs of the individual children in her care. Parents of younger children provide their child's food and the childminder prepares this in accordance to their wishes. The childminder promotes healthy eating and discusses this with the children who are aware of the importance of eating fresh fruit and vegetables. Meal times are a sociable occasion with the childminder and children sitting at the table together to eat and drink. They chat freely about different topics, for example, what they will do following their meal. Children develop their physical skills through a good range of activities including daily walks, outings to toddler groups, parks and free play in the garden. These contribute to ensuring children have a healthy lifestyle. Children use a good range of equipment to develop their large muscle skills, for example, bats, balls and sit and ride toys. The

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder considers the individual routines of the children when planning activities and children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs.

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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. Children are very happy and settled in the home. They move confidently and freely around all areas of the home identified for their use. The childminder provides children with a good range of toys and resources; however, the storage of some toys in the lounge does not always allow children to see the full range available or easily select the toys they wish to play with. The childminder sorts and cleans the toys regularly to ensure they are in good repair and appropriate for the ages and stages of the children she is caring for. The childminder is aware of the individual preferences of the children in her care and provides a range of resources and activities to suit these, for example, the play food. Children play in a safe and secure environment. The childminder ensures children's

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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 safety and minimizes risks in the home by completing a safety check each day, however, she does not formally record this in any way. The premises are secure and the childminder supervises all visitors in the home. Children are developing an awareness of keeping themselves safe and have regular opportunities to develop and discuss safety issues, for example, by undertaking regular evacuation drills. Effective procedures are in place to ensure children are safe when on outings. The childminder has a range of age and stage appropriate car seats and pushchairs and discusses safety issues with children prior to going out. The childminder has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the procedures to follow should she have concerns regarding a child in her care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All of the required documentation to record and refer concerns is in place. This ensures children's welfare at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident in their surroundings. They play happily alongside the other children and are totally at ease with the childminder. Good relationships are in place between the children and the childminder. Children play well with the range of toys and resources available, they especially enjoy role-play preparing and pretending to eat food and drinks. The childminder considers the individual children's daily routines when planning activities and outings and ensures they have opportunities for active and quiet times each day. Children have opportunities to access a good range of interesting and fun activities within the home and garden and these include art and craft activities, and planting and caring for growing things. Children receive a high level of attention from the childminder who sits with them and involves herself in their play. Children welcome this interaction and chat

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enthusiastically to each other, the childminder and visitors to the home. The childminder undertakes a wide range of outings and trips with the children and these include trips to toddler groups, soft play activities and local parks. This provides children with opportunities to meet and socialise with other people and learn about the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder acts as a good role model and encourages the children to play happily alongside each other. She respects and values the children as individuals; this ensures they are happy and settle quickly in the home. Older children are able to share, take turns and show co-operation with others in their play. The childminder gently reinforces the established rules and boundaries within the daily routines, for example, discussing safety issues before going on an outing. She uses constant praise and encouragement to reinforce acceptable behaviour; this enables children to develop their self-esteem. Children benefit from the communication that takes place

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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 between the childminder and the parents; they discuss behaviour to ensure consistency between the two homes. The childminder provides children with different toys and outings to enable them to learn about the world around them including people's different customs and traditions, for example, books, small world toys and outings. Good relationships are in place between the childminder and the parents. They discuss the children each day and this ensures the childminder is able to meet the needs of the individual children in her care. Regular feedback given verbally to parents of older children and through a diary for younger children ensures parents are aware of their child's daily routines.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder makes good use of the available space within the home. Children move freely and confidently around all areas identified for their use. They play happily with the variety of toys available to them and enjoy a range of active and quiet times within their daily routines. The childminder has a sound knowledge of the individual children she is caring for and provides activities and resources to suit these. Children receive a high level of support and interaction from the childminder. Good relationships are in place between the childminder and the parents, this ensures the children feel safe and secure within the home. The childminder has a business like approach to childminding. She uses the clear policies and procedures effectively to protect and support children in her care. She shares these with the parents to keep them informed about the service, children's activities and daily routines. All of the required documentation is in place to ensure

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Organisation

the health, safety and welfare of the children at all times. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was requested to ensure parents receive information about equal opportunities issues, strategies for dealing with children's behaviour and how to make a complaint. The childminder was also requested to maintain a daily diary for babies to ensure parents were fully aware of their child's daily routines and to include information about feeds, sleeps and nappies. Parents receive comprehensive information about the childminding service through the detailed and informative parent pack given to all new parents. This ensures they are fully aware of the policies and procedures in place and followed by the childminder to protect the children in her care. The childminder and parents verbally share information about all of the children at each end of the day. Further information is recorded formally in a dairy for the parents of younger children. This includes information about feeds, sleeps and daily activities and ensures parents are fully

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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 have been no 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 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 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): • further improve the safety of children by formally recording the daily safety checks that take place • provide children with further opportunities to see the full range of toys available and self select the toys and resources they wish to use.

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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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