Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY152517 Unique Reference Number 23 May 2006 Inspection date Amanda, Jane Nicholls 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 first registered in 2002 to care for six children under eight years old, including overnight care for two children. She lives with her husband and three children in a mid-terraced property in Buckland, Portsmouth. With the exception of the first floor master bedroom and second floor attic bedroom, all rooms are registered for the purpose of childminding. There is a small garden to the rear, enclosed by fencing.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Currently eight children are cared for on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family keep one pet dog, although children do not have access to the animal.

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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 have an excellent developing awareness toward their own good health and hygiene. Through daily routines, they begin to understand the importance of hand washing and personal care. For those who forget, the vigilance of the childminder offers gentle reminders and easy to understand reasoning.

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Helping children to be healthy

Exceptional care is given toward the presentation and presentation of foods and drinks. Mealtimes here are a relaxed and social affair. This as a result, allows children to eat and to chat together and, with adults who tend to encourage and coax them, using gentle persuasion and reasoning.

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Helping children to be healthy

Drinks are freely available to children throughout the day, offered within individually designed beakers and cups.

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Helping children to be healthy

Immense opportunities are maximised upon for children to explore the outdoor world. Through the exceptional use of their own mini-bus, children are able to access a varied range of facilities including local parks, woodland trails and adventure areas. It is clearly evident that both the childminder and the children in her care, enjoy the flexibility and spontaneity that is available to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. As a result of the childminder's extreme vigilance, children play within a carefully designed and sensibly organised environment. Outstanding consideration is given toward monitoring the areas children use. The arrangements to evacuate in the event of an emergency for example, are not only known, but well rehearsed by all children. Regular communication with parents contributes greatly to children's safety overall.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Consistent and attentive supervision allows children to explore and experiment safely. The arrangements to store and display activities are of a high standard. Low level boxes and units for example, contain an excellent selection of well maintained play equipment. As a result, children are able to access toys which are suitable only to their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Whether walking or being transported in a vehicle, children are kept safe. Exceptional measures are taken such as the use of reins, and individually fitted car seats. The activities they enjoy, and the routes they take, are also appropriate and well prepared.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The welfare of children is given equal priority because the childminder is knowledgeable and experienced in her role and responsibilities in their care. Because she has a sensible approach toward child protection, they are safeguarded from abuse and neglect.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children clearly enjoy their time with the childminder because she is overwhelmingly interested and enthused in what they say and do. They become absorbed in a range of stimulating experiences, with an emphasis toward outdoor activities and events. This enhances children's eagerness to participate while encouraging them to have a greater understanding of the world around them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

As a result of her exceptional ability to relate spontaneously to children's interests and enthusiasms, they receive high quality care. Here, within a comfortable, child led environment, children's uniqueness is recognised and celebrated and their individuality sensitively accommodated.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder shows high expectations of what children are able to achieve. As a result of this, they master many new skills such as selecting and choosing materials to enhance their play. Opportunities are promoted for them to make choices because the play equipment they use is stored at low level, with trays labelled by both pictures and text.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Early communication skills are developed and enhanced through the close and caring interactions between the childminder and the child. As a result of her ability to provide time and her awareness to stand back, children are able to think through problems independently.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder speaks highly of children and their families, welcoming them into her home environment in which they are valued and accepted as individuals. She spends unlimited time, supporting, establishing and enhancing these worthwhile relationships, based upon genuine warmth and respect.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has high expectations on how children treat each other and their environment. Through the consistent use of clear, simple, easy to understand rules, children of all ages gain an outstanding understanding of right and wrong. Under the watchful eye of the childminder, children show high levels of care and affection toward each other and the adults around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Opportunities are increased for children to safely socialise and to experience the world around them during their visits to local parks and attractions. The benefit and enjoyment children and their families gain from this is outstanding and very worthwhile.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

As a result of this exceptional partnership with parents, children's well-being is significantly enhanced. This is because opportunities are maximised for them to become actively involved in their child's welfare and development. Parent's views about their child's interests and needs are sought before the child starts and, on a regular basis, throughout their time there. Time is prioritised by the childminder to allow the niceties of the day to be shared and relayed in a comfortable and pleasurable manner.

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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's care is greatly enhanced by the exceptional quality of the organisation.

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Organisation

Indoor and outdoor space is child orientated and laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. Within the daily programme, there is a strong emphasis for children to enjoy outings to local places of interest which, as a result, enhances their learning.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's high quality care and her exceptional knowledge in early years. Documentation, including the comprehensive range of policies and procedures, all of which are available to parents, indicate no weakness in the childminder's methods to record and review the information she keeps on each child. As a result, children's health, safety and well-being is given top priority.

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Organisation

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 sufficient details are recorded in written records, assess the security of the premises and the safety of the outside play area, and update knowledge of local child protection procedures. The childminder's records are fully completed, she risk assesses all areas to ensure safety precautions are in place, and she has updated her knowledge of the local child protection procedures to promote children's welfare and safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

In 2004 a complaint was raised under standard 2. The suggestion that the childminder was carrying out additional employment whilst caring for minded children was not found. As a result, Ofsted took no further action.

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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.

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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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