Childminder in Wokingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY222667 Inspection date 05 April 2006 Inspector Anne Jeanette Faithfull

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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 registered in 1990. She lives with her husband and their adult child in Woodley, Berkshire. The childminder’s father-in-law lives with them in a separate annex to their house. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with provision for children to sleep downstairs in the playroom or upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder's registration is to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time

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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 and she is currently minding 5 children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and park. The family have a pet dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. 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 record all accidents and administration of medication and has a valid first aid certificate. Children develop their physical skills for 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. The childminder supports children well, becoming involved as children try out their developing skills, for example, encouraging a young child to begin to develop their fine motor skills by helping them build a tower of duplo bricks. The childminder considers the individual routines of the children when planning activities and children are able to rest and sleep according to

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Helping children to be healthy

their needs. The childminder encourages children to begin to think about their personal needs by reminding them to have a drink. Older children have access to drinks at all times and can help themselves. While parents currently provide food for the children, the childminder demonstrates a good awareness of healthy eating practices. The childminder discusses and records children's dietary needs, to ensure she meets the needs of the children in her care.

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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 move freely and easily around all areas of the home used for childminding. They play happily with the range of toys and resources available to them. The childminder ensures these are in good repair and suitable for the children attending. Children learn to keep themselves safe, as the childminder gives good explanations and examples of why they must not do something, for example, she reminds younger children not to climb on the furniture as they could fall off and hurt themselves. She provides opportunities for older children to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. For example, when collecting the children from school the childminder follows the road safety code to increase children's understanding,

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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 thereby helping them to learn how to keep themselves safe. The childminder encourages children to discuss and contribute to her fire evacuation plan, by allowing the children to draw their own evacuation plan and display their plans on the playroom door. 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. 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 outstanding. The children are happy, supremely confident and very secure in the childminder's home; they are totally at ease in the setting. Children's independence is encouraged, by the childminder providing opportunities for them to make choices. For example, she attractively sets out a range of stimulating, interesting and challenging toys, to enable the younger children to self-select and to express personal preferences. The childminder provides an extensive range of appealing toys, which the children enjoy, show significant interest in and which unquestionably promote their development and learning in all areas. The childminder readily undertakes a good variety of outings with the children, these include visiting local toddler groups, outings to parks, library, and school runs. This provides children with excellent opportunities to socialise and make friends with a wider group of children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an excellent knowledge of child development and the individual stages of the children she is caring for. She spends time playing with the children and makes suggestions to extend their play, such as, asking the child what noise a crocodile makes and encouraging the children to begin to count the duplo bricks with her. Children develop well because the childminder has a caring attitude and is very aware of the need to provide activities that are stimulating, challenging and fun. The childminder recognises the uniqueness of children and is sensitive to their individual needs; children make excellent progress because of the superb support they receive from the childminder. Older children who attend after their school day have opportunities to relax and discuss any issues regarding their school day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder knows each child extremely well. She treats them with respect and values the children as individuals, this ensures the children are extremely settled and comfortable within the home. She plans activities to suit the individual children's preferences and their age and stage of development. The childminder provides an excellent range of stimulating activities and resources that promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness and their understanding of others. For example, a large map of the world is displayed in the playroom; the children have

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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 drawn pictures relating to the various countries on the map. Children have extensive opportunities to learn about their local community as they visit the local library, parks and local places of interest. The childminder acts as a good role model to children. She is calm, patient, positive and consistent. Children receive constant praise and encouragement in their play, which fosters an idea of self-worth. Children’s behaviour is very good. The childminder works in partnership with the older children, they write and agree house rules together, her consistent boundaries help develop children's sense of right and wrong, helping them to take responsibility for their own behaviour. Children respond positively to requests from the childminder and are eager to help and please.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop a strong sense of self through this positive attitude. Relationships with parents are excellent; this contributes greatly to the children's well-being. Parents are welcome in the home and receive detailed information about the childminder's practices. The childminder shares with parents information about how their children are progressing through regular written and verbal communication. This sharing of information supports and enhances children's well-being and learning. The childminder asks parents to complete a questionnaire on a regular basis to help her evaluate her childminding service.

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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. Children receive a high level of support and interaction from the childminder. Children benefit from the experience and learning the childminder gains from attending regular training courses. Good relationships are in place between the childminder and the parents, this ensures the children feel safe and secure within the home. Required documentation and other relevant records that contribute to the health, safety, and welfare of children are mostly in place. However, the childminder does not have written parental consent for all aspects of children's care, although she discusses and agrees these informally. The childminder and parents verbally share

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Organisation

information about all of the children at each end of the day. Further information is recorded formally in a diary for the parents of younger children. This includes information about food, sleep and daily activities, and assures parents are fully aware of their child's daily routine. 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 required to develop and implement a system of recording incidents and to record medication given by parents.

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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 The childminder has implemented a system to record incidents, to further protect the welfare and safety of children. Medication forms now record the medication given by parents, to protect the safety of children.

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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 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): • develop existing documentation to further promote children's health and safety, by obtaining written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and to transport children in a vehicle.

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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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