Slough Activate

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 134360 Inspection date 30 March 2006 Inspector Gillian Little

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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 was registered in 1992. She lives in Witney with her husband and 2 children aged 17 and 15. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house, together with 2 first floor bedrooms, is available for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has 2 rats which are kept in a room inaccessible to children. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group, takes children to the local library and to the local park.

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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 is registered to care for 6 children under 8 years at any one time and is currently minding 15 children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also cares for a child over 8 years. The childminder is an accredited member of the TRIO Childminding Network, although currently she does not have any children in receipt of funded nursery education. She supports children with special needs and holds a qualification in Developing Childminding Practice.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health benefits from good hygiene procedures, such as a very clean environment, hygienic nappy changing facilities, and the safe storage of food. Children learn how to keep themselves clean, such as washing their hands after using the toilet, and the childminder provides a clean towel daily. The children, however, share this towel with each other and with the childminder’s family, which increases the risk of infection. Children enjoy and benefit from daily physical activity by playing in the safe and enclosed garden and taking part in a variety of outings, such as toddler groups and visits to the park. Effective procedures are in place to ensure that children receive appropriate care in the event of an accident or illness, and a written policy is in place to provide good information to parents. Children receive a healthy diet and have regular meals and snack times. Parents

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Helping children to be healthy

provide most food and the childminder has written guidelines in place to help ensure that such food is healthy and well balanced. Children enjoy snacks of fruit or biscuits, which the childminder provides, and healthy drinks are freely accessible throughout the day. The childminder is fully aware of and meets children’s individual dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to play comfortably in a cosy, welcoming environment, which has good facilities and space for their needs. Children’s risk of injury is minimised as the childminder assesses risks well and takes effective precautions to prevent accidents. For example, all areas used by children are safe and free from hazards. Good fire prevention and evacuation procedures help to keep children safe in the event of an emergency. Children stay safe when away from the premises as the childminder has effective procedures in place, such as assessing risks at each visit, teaching children about

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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 road safety and carrying a mobile phone with emergency contact numbers. Children are able to play with a stimulating range of suitable and safe equipment, which the childminder regularly checks for damage. Children’s risk of harm from others is minimised as the childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection and ensures that all household members have appropriate checks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop good relationships with the childminder and are able to play in a settled and calm environment. They enjoy chatting to each other and to other members of the childminder’s family. Children are relaxed and comfortable with the childminder and are confident in approaching her for help and support. Children show a keen interest in what they do and are able to develop a good range of skills, as there is a stimulating range of activities available. For example, toddlers enjoy dressing up, playing with stacking toys and putting jigsaws together. They become absorbed playing a matching game with the childminder who supports them well, asks questions, and talks to them effectively to help develop their knowledge and understanding. Sometimes, however, the childminder’s organisation of having young children in different rooms, such as toddlers playing in the playroom while she

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

feeds a baby in the kitchen, reduces opportunities for her to interact with all children and to supervise their play effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children become aware of wider society as they have access to a good range of resources reflecting different cultures, colours and disabilities, including books and dolls. Children have equal access to appropriate toys and equipment and the childminder treats all children with equal concern. The childminder knows children well, such as feeding patterns, toilet training stages and family circumstances, and is therefore able to meet children’s individual needs effectively. Children with special needs are able to make good progress as the childminder ensures that all activities are suitable for all children, is familiar with procedures to identify and assess children’s needs, and works closely with parents. Children are able to play a productive part in the setting as they learn to become independent, for example, taking themselves to the toilet and helping to tidy away toys. They learn to share, take turns and to play kindly with each other. Children learn

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Helping children make a positive contribution

about responsible behaviour as the childminder uses effective methods and has a positive and consistent approach. Children benefit from good continuity between the home and the setting as the

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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 childminder ensures excellent information is available for parents, such as detailed daily diaries and an informative parents’ file. Relationships with parents are strong and this benefits the children’s welfare.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are able to make good progress as the childminder has a strong sense of purpose and uses time and resources reasonably well. The childminder is committed to developing her practice through training and has attended numerous courses relevant to her care of the children. She has achieved the Oxfordshire Quality Assurance Award and is currently studying towards a qualification in Extending Childminding Practice to develop her childminding skills further. She maintains the adult to child ratio at all times to ensure children receive good quality care. Very well presented documentation, policies and procedures are in place, easily accessible and work effectively in practice. The childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework to support young children across all developmental areas. 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 asked to ensure that medication records include permission for administering antiseptic cream. Records show that she now obtains consent from parents for such treatment.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • provide individual hand drying facilities for minded children • consider ways to keep young children within sight at all times so that their play is supervised effectively and opportunities for interaction are increased.

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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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