Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY264327 Unique Reference Number 11 May 2006 Inspection date Elaine Murray 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 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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged 10, 8 and 5 in Elton, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding six children on a part time basis. The childminder attends the local childminding group. The family has two guinea pigs and a cat.

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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 good. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene due to the childminder's effective guidance and support. Children are familiar with hand washing routines and show a good understanding of why they need to wash hands before snack time and after using the toilet. This helps to prevent cross contamination. The childminder's clear sickness policy protects children from the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are effectively learning about a healthy diet as the childminder actively promotes this understanding. They enjoy the fruit snacks provided and benefit from nutritious, balanced meals made using fresh ingredients. The childminder discusses with the children which foods are good for them as they help to make sandwiches for lunch. Children's understanding of healthy eating is further developed as they are involved in topic work about healthy eating. Fresh drinking water is always available to children, helping to promote their good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing physical skills and enjoyment of exercise through regular outdoor play. They enthusiastically play with outdoor equipment such as wheeled toys and a climbing frame. Children also have regular walks out, for example, to the local shop, further encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an organised, welcoming environment in which they can feel secure. They move freely between the areas available to them. Play materials are set out before the children arrive, including a display table relating their current topic on mini beasts. This helps to foster children's sense of security and belonging. Children confidently select toys and equipment from the broad accessible range provided which are suitable for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken measures to minimise risks and hazards within and outside the home. Children show a good awareness of how to keep themselves safe as they explain that they must tidy away toys so that they do not trip over them. The childminder has a clear fire evacuation procedure which is practised with the children, further developing their knowledge of how to protect themselves from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder has a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and is familiar with the procedures to be followed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder establishes high quality relationships with children. She pays excellent attention to promoting children's confidence, self-esteem and sense of belonging. As a result children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 are enthusiastic to be in her care and are happy and settled. Children show a high level of confidence as they talk to the childminder, expressing their ideas and requesting resources. The childminder has a thorough knowledge of the children's stage of development and this is reflected in her approach to activities. Children are provided with an extensive range of imaginative, first hand practical experiences which develop effective learning. The childminder plans many topic based activities which the children are enthusiastically involved in. They clearly enjoy making a 'bee' using crayoning and gluing techniques and show pride in their achievement. They show great interest in the 'mini beast' display and later request magnifying glasses so that they can hunt for bugs in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to think and their learning is extended through the childminder's quality interaction and skilful questioning. Children are encouraged to solve problems such as why they need to put large pieces of train track in a particular sized box. The childminder effectively develops and extends children's language skills by discussing with them, for example, how policemen look after us. Their vocabulary is increased as they discuss the 'antennae' of insects. Children's learning is also developed well through regular outings in the locality, such as the zoo, museums and park. Outings are used well to extend children's experiences and learning. For example children were taken to a transport museum to reinforce learning from a topic some children were studying at school.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder knows the children very well and makes regular assessments of their learning which she uses to plan the next steps in their development

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and included due to the childminder's positive approach. This promotes their self-esteem and sense of belonging. Children develop an increased awareness of diversity and understanding of others because the childminder actively promotes this understanding. Children have access to a broad range of resources which reflect positive images of differences in people and cultures. Children take part in activities relating to different festivals such as Chinese New Year and Diwali, and taste food from different countries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder makes excellent use of praise and other positive strategies to promote good behaviour. Children show a caring attitude as they offer to share food with each other. They are very familiar with the rules and routines of the setting, and behave extremely well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual care needs are met well through an effective partnership with parents. The childminder seeks parents' views and requests feedback on her service through sending out questionnaires. The childminder has established a good level of communication with parents regarding children's activities and development. Parents receive a daily sheet informing them of their children's activities and share information through informal talks. This helps to ensure that children's needs are met effectively.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a well organised environment which keeps them safe and secure. the childminder has written aims, policies and procedures which work well in practice to promote children's welfare, care and learning. All required records are in place with the exception of a complaint record. The childminder shows commitment to further improving the quality of her service. She has completed further training in childcare and education. The childminder has recently completed the first stage of a quality assurance scheme. These measures make a positive contribution to the quality of care and children's learning.

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Organisation

Children's enjoyment and achievement in learning is developed well due to the childminder's good organisation of the day and careful planning. Space and resources are organised well to promote children's safety, care and learning. Children are able to access many toys and make choices in their learning due to the childminder's good organisation. This helps to develop children's confidence and independence effectively.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was required to ensure that Ofsted are notified of significant changes and to improve safety with regard to the electric fire. The fire has been removed and Ofsted are now informed of any significant changes. These measures have a positive effect on the care offered to children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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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 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): • keep a record of complaints relating to the national standards and any action taken.

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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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