Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY100272 Unique Reference Number 19 July 2006 Inspection date Kathryn Margaret Clayton Inspector

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Integrated Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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.

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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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder first registered in 2002. She is registered to provide care for five children and currently 11 children attend on a part-time basis throughout the week. The childminder is part of the Approved Childminding Network in North East Lincolnshire and cares for one child who receives funding for nursery education. She lives in a residential area of Grimsby with her husband and three daughters aged six, eight and nine. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a secure outdoor play area to the rear of the premises. The family have a dog, rabbits and guinea pigs. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a Level 3 qualification in Early Years and Childcare. She has successfully completed the 'Children Come First' quality assurance assessment.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy a very wide range of activities that contribute to their good health. The childminder provides an excellent range of equipment, such as a seesaw, swing, scooter and various wheeled toys that children use confidently outdoors. They also regularly visit the local park and attend play and stay sessions where challenging physical equipment is used. Older children enjoy activities such as ice skating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children remain very healthy because the childminder ensures there are very good procedures to help them learn about personal hygiene. Excellent posters and notices about water and hygiene helped to reinforce children's understanding. The childminder provides separate paper towels for children to use, therefore reducing the risk of cross infection. Children start to learn about the importance of hand washing and removing germs through effective discussions with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Very healthy and nutritious meals and snacks that are essential for children's healthy growth and development are provided throughout the day. The childminder plans for children to try a wide range of healthy foods over a period of time, for example, strawberries, grapes and bread sticks with hummus as a healthy snack. Excellent strategies are used to encourage children with a limited diet to try new foods. They are rewarded with a petal on their 'flower chart' when they eat five portions of fruit and vegetables during the day. Children's health is effectively promoted by canvassing parents' ideas about healthy eating through the use of questionnaires.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are very confident and at ease in the welcoming child-centred home. They enjoy the use of a very attractive, fully enclosed garden with a large shaded area that helps to protect them on sunny days. Children enjoy using an extensive range of good quality toys and play materials. Outdoors they particularly enjoy sand and water play. They confidently access an excellent range of books and dressing up clothes for example; that are very well organised and readily available. Children remain safe because of the very good procedures adopted by the childminder. For example, she makes sure fire safety equipment has an annual check and completes an extensive health and safety check of the areas that the children use before they arrive.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children start to be aware of maintaining safe boundaries as they skilfully negotiate steps to the garden for example. Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder teaches them how to evacuate the building in the event of an emergency. They understand what they should do with the help of an excellent evacuation plan that includes sequenced photographs that are easy for children to follow. The childminder helps to further develop children's understanding through planning very effective themes and activities. One example of these is a talk given to children by the Fire Safety Officer. Children remain safe because the childminder has an excellent understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy and settled in the care of the childminder. They enjoy a very broad range of interesting activities, for example, dressing up, exploring rice and sand, and playing imaginatively with kitchen equipment. Children relate to each other very well and develop excellent relationships with the support of the childminder. Children develop a very good sense of self-esteem, as they receive praise, for example, when being successful with potty training. They benefit from following a routine that includes a very good balance of indoor and outdoor play. They settle very easily to rest and sleep because they know the childminder well and feel secure. Children are very independent and confident in the care of the childminder. They enjoy activities such as sharing books with the childminder. She very effectively encourages their learning through discussions about the story. They concentrate extremely well when completing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

crayoning activities for example; and enjoy exploring sound with musical instruments. Older children's individual needs are effectively met. They are able to explore their own interests and plan what they would like to do, therefore enhancing their enjoyment. The childminder also encourages children to evaluate activities, for example, at the end of the school holidays. This gives her and the children a good understanding of how to further develop ideas. Young children's progress and development is very effectively planned for and assessed using the Birth to three matters framework. Excellent observations help the childminder to plan the next step in children's learning and development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The teaching and learning is good and children progress well. The childminder has a good understanding of the Foundation Stage curriculum and carefully plans for and evaluates children's learning. Plans do not always identify what children would be expected to learn across each area of learning every week, therefore there may be times when children's experiences are limited. Children concentrate very well, for example, when playing in the rice tray, carefully filling and emptying containers. There are good planned opportunities to gain an awareness of different cultures. Children speak clearly and confidently and are starting to link sounds to letters with the effective encouragement of the childminder. They handle books well and are engrossed in stories shared with the childminder, such as ' A shark in the park'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show an interest in numbers and counting. They can solve simple problems, for example, when five bread sticks have been put in a bowl they can take two away and know that three are left. Good opportunities are provided by the childminder to help children to recognise their own names. They attempt to write some letters in their name and hold pencils and crayons correctly. Children confidently explore and investigate and show curiosity, for example, in a collection of objects related to 'Native Americans'. There are many planned opportunities to explore changes, through growing sunflower seeds for example. Children show good control as they use technology equipment, such as a mini-digital camera and computer mouse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy learning about animals, as they handle rabbits and guinea pigs, and visit the local farm to see chicks and other animals. They show a good awareness of how to keep themselves healthy. They know that in hot weather they should wear a hat, have sun cream on and drink regularly. Children are very skilful in the use of tools. For example, using kitchen

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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. utensils when playing with rice. The childminder provides a good range of sensory experiences for children. They enjoy listening to music and express themselves very enthusiastically when talking about spiders and chickens they see when out walking. Children have access to a very good range of musical instruments and the childminder involves them in singing songs such as Humpty Dumpty and Three Little Monkeys. Children's learning is enhanced as the childminder labels everyday items throughout the home and ensures the very well organised range of toys is easily accessible to children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a very homely, child-friendly atmosphere where they are highly valued as individuals. The excellent display of children's photographs in the entrance to the childminder's home helps them to feel a sense of belonging. Children behave very well and are extremely polite, with the effective encouragement and guidance of the childminder. For example, children ask to leave the table after they have had their lunch and learn how to share toys in the rice tray. They start to be aware of the feelings of others as the childminder talks to them about feeling happy and sad. This helps children to resolve their own conflicts, for example, over sharing toys. Parents and children benefit from being provided with very comprehensive information about the childminding service.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An excellent range of toys and play materials including disability dolls are available to children, to help them to learn about respecting differences. Therefore children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is successfully fostered. The partnership with parents in relation to nursery education is outstanding and helps children to progress well. Parents are actively encouraged to be involved in their child's learning, for example, by bringing in items needed for activities, such as boxes for junk modelling. Children benefit because the childminder makes sure she has a very good understanding of the children before they start to attend. There are in depth discussions with parents prior to enrolment, regarding children's individual needs and stage of development. Parents and children benefit because there are excellent procedures in place for the sharing of information. These include a quarterly written report, home to home

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Helping children make a positive contribution

books and daily discussions, either by telephone or face-to-face.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from being cared for by a childminder who is very effective in her use of time. There is an excellent balance of interaction and allowing children to initiate their own learning. The home is effectively organised to allow children good space to play, eat and sleep. The organisation of the nursery education is good. The childminder is well-qualified and has made an excellent commitment to ongoing development through attending a good range of courses. Some examples of these are; Using Birth to three matters, A self-evaluation of using the Foundation Stage, Multicultural creative learning and play, Inclusive childminding, and Planning for children's individual needs.

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Organisation

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. The childminder is effective in monitoring her own practice with regard to the nursery education provision. She completes a professional development plan. This helps her to carefully consider her future training needs, therefore improving the service she provides. All the necessary documentation needed to successfully care for the children is extremely well organised, very accurately kept and up to date. There are a very wide range of policies in place to support the childminding service. 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 last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain written parental permission to take photographs of children and to apply sun cream. Children's welfare and the partnership with parents has improved as the childminder has obtained these written permissions from parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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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 nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure plans always cover each area of learning.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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 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.

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