Parsons, Cheryl

Inspection report for early years provision

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507645 Unique Reference Number 14 August 2006 Inspection date Michele, Karen Beasley 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 has been registered since 2000. She lives with her husband and two adult children. They live in a semi-detached house in Selsey near Chichester. There are schools, local shops and parks within walking distance. The ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding 4 children under eight years on a full-time and part-time basis. The family do not keep pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has achieved the National Childminding Association level 3 Quality First Certificate.

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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's health and welfare are of high priority to the childminder, who ensures they play in a clean environment where they learn from an early age the importance of good personal hygiene. The childminder promotes effective daily routines such as using individual named flannels and using individual toothbrushes. The childminder has devised an excellent range of polices and procedures, which are shared with parents, to support her childminding practice. For example children who are infectious are not allowed to attend in order to prevent the spread of contagious ailments to other children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, which means she can give appropriate care to children if there is an accident. She is meticulous about recording any accidents in a log book, which is then signed by parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a wide range of very good home cooked meals, which are both healthy and nutritious. This helps children to develop healthy eating habits from a young age. Comprehensive and imaginative menus are devised by the childminder, and these are shared with parents. Children's dietary and cultural needs are always respected. The childminder is very aware that children need to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and is vigilant about ensuring they always have a drink of water to hand. A daily diary containing details of the younger children's food intake and toilet training is given to parents each day.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures children play outside each day. She takes them to the local park where they enthusiastically explore apparatus suitable for their age and development. She also plans time for children to play in her garden where they use balls, sit on bikes and cars, developing their confidence and skills and becoming aware of space for themselves and others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a very secure environment where they can move around safely and where high priority is given to their personal safety. The childminder takes precautions to prevent accidents, for example by using socket covers and stair gates in areas where children could be at risk. She has been proactive in ensuring her home is as safe as is can be, for example requesting a fire officer check her home, seeking his advice in relation to her ensuring her home is a suitable environment for children. A written emergency evacuation plan is laminated and is displayed on the parent's notice board. Frequent fire drills are carried out with the children. The childminder evaluates and records these to ensure their effectiveness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Both indoors and out in the garden children have easy and safe access to an excellent range of toys and resources appropriate for their age, all of which are maintained in very good condition. The childminder does a regular written inventory of all her toys and resources, to ensure there are appropriate toys for the age of children being minded and no broken parts are evident that could harm children. The childminder is also extremely vigilant about children's

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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 safety when on outings, and ensures they travel in a buggy or hold onto it whilst crossing the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well being is consistently supported as the childminder has a very good knowledge of child protection issues and a very good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. This ensures children's welfare is promoted within the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has a exceptional understanding of child development which enables her to offer flexible, high quality care, which is suited to each child. Children enjoy an extensive range of planned activities, which contributes to their creativity and imagination, such as playing with and exploring jelly and angel delight, painting stones, creating paper mache sand castles and making bran muffins.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children display high levels of confidence in their daily activities and are developing very good independence skills, as they busy themselves and become absorbed in their activities. Their early communication skills are extremely well supported through high quality interaction with the childminder. They enthusiastically play an imaginary game where they have hidden treasure in the garden, which they call the childminder to look for. Children discuss their activities and talk about what they are doing such as making models out of home made playdough. Children make positive relationships, they play exceptionally well together and are encouraged to consider one another as they play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is skilful in encouraging children to make very good progress in all areas of development. For example, children participate in a wide range of monthly themes which extend their knowledge such as the moon and stars. They make large friezes depicting spring and summer which are made out of collage materials and painted. Children learn about Chinese New Year and make their own dressing up outfits for Halloween. Children are able to demonstrate what they know as the childminder uses skilful questioning to make them think. The childminder finds out about the children's skills, interests and needs and builds on this information effectively to help children to fulfil their potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are treated as individuals and benefit from the childminder knowing them well and responding to their personal needs and character. They are learning to respect their own culture, and those of the wider world, through the childminder's positive attitude towards people from all walks of life. Children are becoming independent as they make choices and take some decisions within their play from low level storage boxes set out around the hall way and lounge. Through strong relationships built with the children, care is taken by the childminder to ensure all children are welcomed and included according to their age and stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has no experience of working with children who have special needs at this time. However, through discussion was able to demonstrate a clear understanding of her

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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 responsibilities. She would be happy to liaise with other agencies and would always work closely with the parents to meet the individual needs of the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning how to manage their own behaviour through the excellent examples displayed by the childminder. They are learning to be courteous and considerate of each other, understanding that their behaviour has an impact on others around them and in this way are learning right from wrong. Older children make an active contribution to setting house rules which encourages standards of positive behaviour and helps to create harmony within the household.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationships built with parents and information is freely shared between both parties. Clear, well presented written policies provided by the childminder, including a well stocked notice board of useful information displayed in the utility, ensures parents are kept fully informed of what their child has been doing. This is further supported by a written record kept of younger children's daily activities, a parent's handbook and a newsletter every other month. Parents are also given a verbal exchange of information at the beginning and end of the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is greatly enriched by the childminder's enthusiasm, her highly effective organisation of time, space and resources and her committed approach. Consistent routines and effective support ensure children feel a sense of belonging and are part of a bigger family. The childminder is highly motivated and actively seeks and attends regular training opportunities. This ensures she is well informed and able to implement new ideas and childcare practices within the childminding setting.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's sound and secure knowledge of child development and of her legal responsibilities. All required documentation is in place and regularly reviewed, which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being. The high quality policies and procedures are shared and given to the parents, which means they clearly know about the provision and the care their child receives. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop her resources to show positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability to promote equality of opportunity. Children's awareness of the wider world is promoted through activities and resources. Posters of the world and Britain are displayed, reference books are in easy reach and children learn through projects about different festivals such as Chinese New Year, Easter and Halloween.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to provide information for parents about snacks and meals provided for children. Through discussion the childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating for children and has devised healthy nutritional menu's that are shared with parents each week.

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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

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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 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

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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