Crown Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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133750 Unique Reference Number 08 May 2006 Inspection date Joanne Graham Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 1972. She lives with her husband and two grown up children in Sonning Common, Oxfordshire. The childminder's husband and daughter work as assistants to support her care. The ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and may care for six children under five years when working with her assistants. She is currently minding eight children on a part-time basis. 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 are protected from infection and are very well taken care of if they have an accident or become ill because the childminder ensures the environment is clean, tidy and a suitable temperature; she ensures she updates her first aid certificate, there are facilities to accurately record accidents and medication administered and the first aid box is easily accessible. Children rest and sleep according to their individual needs and routines. The childminder ensures they use suitable bedding and monitors the children when they are sleeping in the cot. This ensures their welfare. Children learn to understand simple good health and hygiene practices, which help prevent the spread of germs, and the childminder promotes these effectively. Children wash their hands after playing in the garden, stroking the cats and using the toilet, and before eating. Independence is promoted very well due to excellent resources available to support

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Helping children to be healthy

children and the sensitive support and attention the childminder offers. Dropped food and spills are cleaned up immediately, tissues are available to use and the childminder disposes of nappies promptly and hygienically.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well nourished and have their dietary needs met very well. The childminder ensures she provides children with healthy meals and snacks, considering their preferences and having an awareness of their allergies. Children enjoy sociable mealtimes and particularly enjoy taking it in turns to serve the food to the other children, according to the food rota. They have regular access to drinks when they are thirsty. Children take part in regular physical activity both inside and outdoors boosting their development very well. They negotiate the pushchairs carefully inside, avoiding the furniture with increasing skill, they ride bicycles in the garden, go for walks to local parks and the older children particularly enjoy the challenge of the obstacle courses.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment, where the childminder has identified hazards well and minimised potential risks effectively. She ensures the cats' feeding bowls are made inaccessible to the children, dangerous substances, sharp knives and medication are stored safely and the rugs have grippers. Children learn to keep themselves out of harm's way. They know they do not enter the kitchen or garden without the childminder and play within sight and hearing distance of her and her assistant. The premises are very secure and there are good procedures in place to prevent unwanted visitors gaining access. The childminder only opens the door and always checks visitor’s identification carefully before allowing them to enter the premises. The childminder and her assistant work harmoniously and this guarantees children are well supervised and safe at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from playing in a spacious well-organised environment. This allows them to move around and play safely. Children have easy and safe access to a very good range of toys and resources appropriate for their age and stage of development. The outdoor play area is safe for children to enjoy fresh air and play with good quality equipment that is suitable for

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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 their ages and needs. The childminder has a very good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child in her care. This supports children’s wellbeing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have their individual needs met very well. The childminder and her assistant offer excellent support, maintain low ratios and are very attentive to the children's nurturing and developmental needs. They provide suitable and challenging activities, promote children's confidence, self-assurance and independence and ensure the environment is child-friendly and comfortable. This contributes to the children feeling happy, settled and secure. Children participate with self-chosen activities for extended periods and often invite the childminder and her assistant into their play. They welcome their sensitive support and respond positively to their attention and effective questioning. They especially enjoy listening to stories, whilst snuggling together on the sofa and drawing together at the dining room table.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder supports and develops learning extremely effectively. She is aware of children’s preferences and ensures there are sufficient selection and good variety of stimulating, interesting and engaging toys and resources available, to increase the children's skills and development. She has a very good understanding of child development and includes all the children in the activities; consequently, she meets children’s needs very well and moves their learning forward.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children feel a sense of belonging as the childminder is aware of their family context, their routines and their individual needs. They receive very good individual care and attention from the childminder and her assistant, helping them to feel settled and valued. Children feel good about themselves and learn to show respect for others and the equipment. They talk happily about their home life and things that are important to them. Their confidence positively grows, as they know they will be listened to. Constant praise and encouragement helps children develop a positive self-image. A very good range of activities and resources develop children's understanding of diversity and fosters their understanding of the wider world; such as, trips to the local community, finding different countries on the globe, and accessing dolls and books. Children are beginning to form very good relationships with the minder, her assistant and one

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Helping children make a positive contribution

another and enjoy the social interaction of playing together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and respond to request for good behaviour. The childminder manages boundaries consistently and the behaviour management strategies are age appropriate and help children understand right from wrong. Children respond positively to her high expectations. They learn important social skills such as not throwing toys, sharing and listening to each other. The partnership with parents is very good. Parents provide appropriate and relevant information about their children on a daily basis. This helps to ensure children receive individual care and attention and an effective two-way flow between parents and the childminder, ensures continuity of care.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children play in a very warm, welcoming home setting, where they feel a valued part of an extended family. Children are well protected and cared for by the childminder who has a very good knowledge and understanding of child development. They receive excellent care and attention from the childminder, contributing to them feeling settled and secure. Policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice. This ensures she meets children's needs and she shares all relevant information with parents effectively. The childminder uses her time exceptionally well and her flexible approach allows children the opportunity to investigate and pursue their own games. She has very high regard for children’s welfare. She provides a calm, welcoming and spacious environment for children to explore freely and she does not leave children unsupervised with persons not vetted. This contributes to children’s safety, enjoyment

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Organisation

and ability to take an active part in the setting.

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Organisation

All legally required documentation that contributes to children’s health, safety and wellbeing are in place, very well maintained and stored securely. The childminder displays her registration certificate during operating hours. 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 had recommendations to ensure medication records evidence that parents have given consent to administer all medication, and to ensure the appropriate consent has been obtained, to seek emergency medical attention. She has addressed both of these fully and all documentation is well maintained, up to date and the childminder adheres to confidentiality well.

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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. There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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 set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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