Holman Donna Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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149238 Unique Reference Number 18 July 2006 Inspection date Kerry Freshwater 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 1997. She lives with her husband, who is also a registered assistant, and one child aged 6 years in Benington, Hertfordshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and upstairs bedrooms for sleep purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside 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 four children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also cares for children over eight years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has three pet cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder welcomes children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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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 thrive because the childminder has a highly effective approach to health and hygiene. Thorough procedures and documents are in place to ensure that children's individual needs are very well met. Accident and medication records are up-to-date, appropriate treatment given and parent's signatures and consents have been obtained. Children learn about the importance of being healthy through the childminder's skilful support and guidance. For example, they know to wash their hands after using the toilet, touching animals and before food. They learn about germs as they talk about keeping themselves clean. The childminder reduces the risk of cross-infection by ensuring that her home is always clean and well maintained. Individual flannels and towels are used and activities are carried out to support children's knowledge of staying healthy. For example, children learn about healthy barbecues and complete different

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Helping children to be healthy

activities to develop their knowledge of good eating practice, avoiding germs, how to cook and enjoy food and the motto, 'stop, think, wash'.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical activity is highly regarded and children are able to develop their physical skills through a wide range of activities on a regular basis. They enjoy daily walks and activities in the garden, such as football and skipping. They set up tournaments using hoops and cones. Inside they paint, draw and manipulate play dough. This helps to develop their coordination and physical abilities. Children are able to rest and sleep as they need to.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a clear awareness of good nutrition and understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They enjoy an excellent range of fresh food prepared by the childminder and a sample menu has been provided to inform parents of meals available. Meals provided include both light meals and a cooked meal daily such as spaghetti bolognaise, sausage casserole or meat pie and children are provided with a range of vegetables and salad foods. The childminder is happy and confident to meet individual dietary requirements of which she has obtained clear information from parents. She works closely with the parents to ensure that these requirements are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is a high priority and they are cared for in a home where risks are identified and minimised. They move around safely, freely and independently and adhere to house rules to keep them safe. Children sit at the table when they are eating so that they do not risk choking and know not to touch electrical items or open the front door. The childminder helps children understand how to keep themselves free from harm inside and outside of the home with a variety of interesting books, discussion and leading by example. Children learn to be aware of strangers, they know not to leave school if they do not see their parents or childminder, they know that they must remain within the childminder's sight and practise crossing the road safely. Fire fighting equipment is in place, however, emergency evacuation has not been practised and this puts children at risk in the event of a fire.

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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 A broad range of safe, developmentally appropriate resources are stored around the room at child height for easy access. This enables the children to independently select their play and activities safely. The childminder has the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she has a good understanding of Child Protection issues. She has attended training in this area and has all the relevant documentation in place.

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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 activities, which contributes to their creativity and imagination, such as singing songs and making music, making camps, pretending with the kitchen equipment, producing celebration cards and baking cakes. Children's art and craft activities are added to their project books to show their hard work and achievements and enable children to admire their efforts and share them with parents.

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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 as they enthusiastically discuss their activities and talk about what they are doing. They listen to simple stories and look at picture books identifying familiar figures and objects. Children are well motivated as they draw pictures, observe and talk about different things of interest such as the childminder's flycatcher plant. Children make positive relationships, they play exceptionally well together and are encouraged to consider younger children 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 activities and themes which extend their knowledge. They count bricks as they play, count raisins at lunch time, paint, draw and produce collage masterpieces for different themes like Halloween, Food, Christmas and Easter. 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 good. The childminder provides a good range of activities and meaningful resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. Books, dolls and activities to celebrate a variety of festivals increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. The children enjoy story time when they read about different people and how they live, they celebrate Diwali learning about different foods eaten, hand designs and discuss different religions.

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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 Children are valued and respected. Their individual needs are well met as they follow their daily routine which is discussed with parents. Children behave very well. They understand right and wrong through consistent boundaries, praise and the age appropriate methods used by the childminder to manage behaviour. Children are considerate, share, take turns and are polite, remembering to say please and thank you. The childminder provides a range of opportunities for the children to socialise which helps them to make positive relationships with others. Realistic challenges are set by the childminder to help the children develop. This promotes their confidence and self-esteem. They feel relaxed and secure and able to make independent choices about what they want to do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a very strong partnership between the childminder and parents who exchange information frequently. They have daily discussions and review contracts, policies and procedures regularly. The childminder keeps a daily record book to update parents about what children do, how they eat and sleep. This helps keep parents well informed of how their child's needs are being met and their developmental progress. Detailed information is provided for parents about the childminding service to give a clear indication of what to expect from the childminder and her family.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's needs are met through very effective organisation and good communication with parents. Space and equipment is prepared so that children can access resources easily and independently which enables them to make choices about their play. A balance of child-led activities and organised play ensure children have a range of different enjoyable experiences whilst they are with the childminder. They benefit from routines which make them feel secure and relaxed. Children play, eat, sleep and rest as they need to.

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Organisation

Documentation is stored securely and information shared appropriately with parents. All of the required policies and procedures are in place to help keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge and experience which she uses to support her practice. The childminder holds a current first aid qualification. Overall, the needs of all the children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to review her procedures for recording children's attendance, developmental concerns and spillages of medication. The attendance register now shows the actual attendance of children, a diary is in place to record developmental concerns and the childminder has reviewed her policy for recording medication spillages.

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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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Complaints 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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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): • practise emergency evacuation to ensure children are aware of the procedures to follow in the event of fire.

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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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