Childminder in Reading

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY220911 Inspection date 06 March 2006 Inspector Joanne Graham

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and 2 children in Caversham Park Village, near Reading. Local shops, schools and park are all within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with provision for toilet and sleeping facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden 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 on a part time basis. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder regularly attends the local

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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 parents/carer and childminding group. The childminder has just completed the Kite mark award within the Local Authority. The family has a dog and 2 rabbits.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean and tidy environment where they learn to follow good hygiene practices. For example, they wash their hands after stroking the dog, using the toilet and before and after eating. The childminder supports the children well to promote their independence by providing suitable resources, such as steps, to enable them to reach the sink. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. She records accidents, incidents and medication administered accurately and ensures she obtains parental signatures. She updates specialist training to administer a specific medication, as necessary. This ensures children receive the correct dose in an appropriate manner, safe guarding their welfare. Children have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works well with parents. She records allergies on the children’s detail forms accurately. She

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Helping children to be healthy

verbally requests the other parents do not provide food, which contains nuts to safeguard all the children. Children enjoy healthy snacks, which the childminder provides. They consume their packed lunches when they feel hungry and often share items with their friends. The dining room table is not always cleared before children eat and they often eat sitting on the sofa with no plates. This does not effectively promote good eating habits and hygiene practices. Children take part in regular physical activity both indoors and outdoors. They play in the garden, visit the park, enjoy walks to the river to feed the ducks and partake in dancing to music. They also attend the Topstart group weekly, which helps to promote hand and eye co-ordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a spacious well-organised environment. This allows them to move around and play safely. They have easy and safe access to a good range of toys and resources appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children benefit from a good range of safety measures, for example socket covers, fireguard, safe storage of medication and a secure outdoor play area. However, some dangerous substances are accessible as they are left on tall furniture. The premises are very secure and there are good procedures in place to prevent unwanted visitors gaining access. The childminder locks the front door when the children are present and checks identification from visitors. Children stay out of harm’s way through careful supervision. The childminder ensures they are in sight or hearing distance at all times.

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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 The childminder has clear procedures for outings that ensure children’s safety. She obtains written permission from parents to allow them to travel in the car and to go on outings; she takes with her a telephone, emergency contact numbers, the children’s own bags containing supplies of nappies and wipes and ensures they wear suitable clothing for the weather. The childminder has a good understanding of her role regarding child protection and knows how to proceed if she has concerns about a child in her care. She increases this knowledge by attending regular training courses. This supports children’s wellbeing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy an extensive range of activities that are stimulating and well balanced for all ages. The childminder has a very good understanding of Birth to three matters framework and ensures toys, equipment and resources are suitable for all children to enjoy. Children participate eagerly with planned activities and join in spontaneous activities with enthusiasm and delight. They especially enjoy painting, snuggling up with the childminder to listen to a story and dancing and singing to the music CD. Children’s language development and listening skills increase with the introduction of new words with naming the musical instruments and listening carefully to the sounds they make. The childminder reinforces this very well though different activities, including reading a story about music and matching the instruments with flash cards. Children are forming strong relationships with the other children and childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They settle well and are confident to self select their chosen activities. Some are beginning to concentrate for extended periods, increasing existing skills and developing new ones. They often invite the childminder into their play and positively grow with self-assurance when the childminder respects their ideas and requests. The childminder asks effective questions to help children think and supports their play well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children settle well and are comfortable and relaxed in the childminder’s care. They engage in suitable activities, have sufficient time to rest, play, and receive cuddles, support and affection from the childminder. Children feel a sense of belonging. The childminder is aware of children’s individual needs and routines, and respects their differences. She works effectively with parents and ensures children's needs are valued and all relevant information is shared with parents. She completes daily diaries and verbally discusses their child’s achievements and well-being. This good two-way flow of information ensures continuity of care. She has a complaints policy and a method to record complaints from parents. Children are aware of boundaries and at times, their behaviour is good. They are beginning to share and take turns, although some children find this challenging and do not always respond positively to the childminder’s sensitive requests. They know

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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 the house rules and respond to most of the childminder’s instructions and enjoy receiving her praise and encouragement. The childminder introduces resources and toys to the children, which promote positive images of diversity, increasing a positive attitude towards others. They visit places of interest in the local community to further increase this understanding. The childminder has a clear understanding of how to care for children with special needs, although none currently attend. She has attended special needs training, including Makaton.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder’s good organisation skills. They have sufficient time and space to carry out activities and visit a variety of interesting places. The childminder is committed to attending training regularly, ensuring she updates and increases her knowledge. Children benefit from this because the childminder enhances her understanding of how to continually evaluate and improve her facility. Written policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice. They promote children’s health, safety and enjoyment. The childminder has 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. She uses record keeping systems well to meet children’s needs. She updates these regularly, stores them securely and maintains confidentially. This protects children’s well-being. Overall, the

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Organisation

childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made good progress since the last inspection. She has obtained appropriate telephone numbers with regards to child protection issues and these are clearly recorded in an easily accessible document. This helps to protect children's welfare.

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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 good. The registered person meets the

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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 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 promote good hygiene practices with regard to eating at the table and not sharing food with others.

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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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