Robb, Elizabeth Anne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY319511 Inspection date 26 July 2006 Inspector Suman Willis

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two year old son in the town centre of St. Albans. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for one child on a full-time basis. The childminder takes children for walks to the town centre, visiting the library, and shops. She also attends the toys library and the local parent/toddler group.

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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 The childminder has two cats and a house rabbit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children explore and develop physical control during free play and to music and movements. They play soft ball games in the lounge and enjoy passing a large dice to each other, thus also developing good hand and eye co-ordination. Children are involved in a wide range of activities which contribute to good health such as walks to the family allotment, outings to the park and free play in the garden. Babies are developing their crawling and pulling-up skills as they are supported in their play with the childminder. Children remain healthy because of the effective procedures the childminder has in place such as permission to administer emergency aid and medication. Cross infection is minimised as all children have individual flannels and know that their hands are washed before and after meals. Children are well nourished because the childminder prepares home cooked meals such as cottage pie made with fresh home made stock and vegetables. They are

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Helping children to be healthy

offered a variety of fruits for snacks and have access to regular drinks. Children's individual dietary needs are very well met because the childminder shares weekly food plans with the parents, thus ensuring that parents can also make a choice of what foods are best for their children. Children sleep according their individual needs and routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy playing in a safe and welcoming environment where age appropriate toys are well laid out to enable them to make choices and move around safely. Children have access to a wide range of age appropriate toys which are stored appropriately to encourage independent choice. All resources are hygienically well maintained and checked for safety. Children's safety is promoted by the childminder because she is pro-active in maintaining children's safety by carrying out regular risk assessments and seeking advice. For example, the childminder has implemented effective fire safety procedures such as smoke detectors and emergency evacuation after receiving guidance from the fire officers. Procedures such as cupboard locks and socket covers ensure that children can explore safely. Children learn about road safety as she gives clear explanations about where it is safe to cross the road and how.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well safeguarded because of the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures.

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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 are very happy and extremely well settled in the care provided by the childminder. They delight as the childminder smiles and laughs with them, and the childminder speaks proudly of their achievements. Consequently children are confident and develop self-esteem. Children are engrossed in a wide range of interesting age appropriate activities. Their language and communication skills are constantly developing. They relish music time as they sing familiar musical rhymes using appropriate props, such as a wheel when singing 'the wheels on the bus'. Babies are delighted as they are bobbed up and down to the rhyme and chuckle happily as the childminder encourages them to use their arms. Children have developed an excellent relationship with the childminder. For example, babies are excited as they watch the childminder talking enthusiastically and try to copy the sounds that she is making while being fully supported in her lap. Organised

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

daily activities ensure that children are given ample opportunities to be creative and use their imagination. Children's photographs are used to monitor children's progress within each area of development, this enables the childminder to extend children's learning and ensure they all reach their full potential. Children are developing their knowledge of right and wrong because the childminder uses positive language around them and offers lots of praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are made to feel welcome and play an active role in the childminder's home, which helps them feel secure and develop a sense of belonging. Children develop an excellent understanding of their local community as they go for daily walks to the town centre and visit the library, shops and park. They learn about the wider world through play and have access to a variety of resources reflecting positive images. All children are valued and given equal respect, and they are supported appropriately by a childminder who has a positive approach to children's well-being and happiness. Children are developing a good understanding of care. For example, they plant vegetables and fruits at the childminder's allotment, and help to care for the family pet rabbit thus learning that plants and animals need to be nurtured in order to grow. They learn right from wrong because the childminder promotes herself as a good role

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Helping children make a positive contribution

model and re-enforces good behaviour by offering praise and encouragement. The childminder has developed a good relationship with parents. Parents provide valuable information of any changes to children's routines thus enabling the childminder to effectively meet the individual needs of all the children. Information about the children's day in the childminder's care, and the progress they are making, is shared effectively. Consequently, parents are fully involved in their child's development. Parents are verbally informed of the childminder's complaint procedure, however a complaints log is not in place. Therefore, parents may not be aware of any other complaints received by the childminder.

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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 make good progress in the childminder's care because of her knowledge and understanding of child development, and her ability to review her practice. They benefit from the support that she is able to offer them because she has a good understanding of how to organise herself to meet the varying the needs of all the children. Consequently, children are well protected and able to play an active part in the setting because the childminder has a high regard for their well-being. The childminder has developed an extensive range of documents and uses these effectively to promote a strong partnership with parents. Therefore her policies and procedures play an active part in promoting children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Overall, the provision meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the registration. 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): • develop information for parents to include the complaints log procedure.

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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 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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