Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY262492 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2006 Inspection date Greg Wolff 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 outstanding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and nine in Grays, Essex. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and 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 one child under five full time, and six children under eight part time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of an approved childminding network and is currently in receipt of funding for early education for three and four-year-olds. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 are very well protected by the childminder's consistent high standards of hygiene. They play and learn in clean and exceptionally well-maintained premises. The childminder provides very good equipment for children to take care of their personal hygiene. Children learn about personal care through daily routines and topic work, for example, 'keeping ourselves healthy'. Excellent procedures are in place in the event of a child being unwell while in the childminder's care including a written sickness policy and a detailed emergency plan in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thrive in the healthy environment where they frequently enjoy fresh air and exercise. They enjoy an extensive range of physical activities which helps keep them healthy. The childminder links in the 'Birth to three matters' framework for younger children, ensuring their development and good health. All children have access to physical play through the extensive range of resources the childminder provides, which are mainly outside. They make regular trips out to the park, library, local shops and other local attractions, promoting their physical well being. Children have very good opportunities to rest and be active, according to their needs, in the home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder providing an extensive range of organic, healthy and nutritious foods including fresh fruit and vegetables, and children are encouraged to be involved in the writing of their weekly menu plans. Drinks are made available throughout the day. Children are encouraged to help themselves from their own cups, increasing their independence. The childminder is comprehensive in the exchange of information with parents to ensure she meets children's individual dietary requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play safely within the well organised, safe and secure premises of the home. They are protected by the very good practice the childminder follows for the safe arrival and collection of children. She has clear procedures to be followed in the event of a child being uncollected or lost when on outings. The childminder carries out very comprehensive risk assessments and effective action is taken to reduce any potential risks within the home. For example, low level sockets covers are in place. The home is effectively organised, resulting in the children being able to move around safely with independence, self-selecting toys. Toys and equipment are thoroughly checked ensuring there are no broken parts that could harm them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded by the excellent fire safety precautions she has taken. The fire equipment is regularly checked and tested. Children benefit from participating in regular fire drills, ensuring children are able to evacuate the building quickly and safely. They learn about safety through gentle reminders, such as picking up toys which could be a tripping hazard. When on outings the childminder ensures children know about why they need to stay close and the importance of road safety and being aware of strangers.

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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. The childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection issues and is clear about her responsibilities in protecting children from harm. She informs parents of her role and responsibility in protecting children. As a result parents are fully informed about of her role in protecting children, reassuring them of their child's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy, settled and extremely confident in the childminder's home. They are highly motivated and engrossed in the varied activities provided. Children enjoy an extensive range of planned and spontaneous activities, for example threading beads to make bracelets or playing in the garden on the large equipment. The childminder has effectively implemented the 'Birth to three matters' framework. As a result, young children have excellent opportunities to experience a varied range of activities that are suitably challenging for them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self-esteem through the excellent relationships they have with the childminder and other family members. Children look to the childminder for reassurance, help and assistance and she responds in a warm, caring and enthusiastic manner. Young children are beginning to distinguish between right and wrong as the childminder uses a broad range of appropriate and sensitive strategies for managing children's behaviour. All children receive regular praise and encouragement developing their self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. Children are making excellent progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has an extensive knowledge of the Foundation Stage curriculum which is used exceptionally well in planning activities that are suitably challenging for children. The childminder's planning is very detailed and comprehensive, covering all the required elements of the Foundation Stage curriculum. This results in children having an extensive range of play and learning experiences that are suitably challenging. There is plenty of flexibility within the childminder's planning allowing for child initiated play. The childminder is skilled in her observations of the children and she uses these to report on their achievements and to plan for their next steps. Regular meetings with parents ensure that she is aware of their wishes and concerns regarding their children's learning and she incorporates

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder ensures that she finds out about what children can and cannot do prior to them attending through discussions with parents and with the children themselves. She makes copious notes on them and in this way ensures that her planning is appropriate and the activities she provides can best address children's next steps.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very motivated and are eager to learn as they settle quickly into activities, and their interest is maintained and extended by the childminder's skilled questioning. They have extensive opportunities for mark making during daily routines, role play and activities such as crayons, pencils and painting. Children engage in conversations and are very confident speakers and listeners. Children use an extensive range of vocabulary. Language is used effectively for many purposes such as initiating conversation, making their needs known and developing a

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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. storyline in their free play. Children recognise their own name and will phonetically sound it out. This is extended through topic work as the childminder re-visits phonetics throughout daily routines. There are excellent opportunities for children to experience early maths through their play. Early calculation skills are developed through every day experiences and all the children can count up to ten and beyond. More able children have an understanding of early addition and subtraction of sums. Children enjoy regular trips out where there are lots of opportunities to discuss the world around them, such as wildlife, both large and small.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children regularly explore paint and create with craft materials in two and three dimensions for example, the beaded bracelets. They display a creative imagination when taking part in role-play. They have regular trips out within the local community such as to the beach, park and library. Children learn about the wider world around them through planned activities, such as Mother's Day, and through the good selection of resources and spontaneous discussions. Children move carefully and safely around the home, negotiating space for themselves and tidying away chairs. Outside, children use an extensive range of equipment such as, bikes, balls, a climbing frame and swings where they can practise and develop their physical skills. Children's fine motor movements are encouraged through using an excellent selection of resources, such as mark making tools, magnetic toys, puzzles and threading equipment. This results in children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

making excellent progress in all aspects of their physical development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are treated as individuals and with respect, helping them to feel good about themselves. They gain a very good awareness of diversity through the multitude of excellent resources and activities that are provided such as books, games, puzzles, dressing-up clothes, play people and equipment, for example a toy wheelchair. They are able to offer their own views and opinions in a supportive environment where inappropriate comments or actions are consistently challenged by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to share and take turns with toys and resources, ensuring they play harmoniously together. They respond very well to consistent and regular praise and encouragement, ensuring they feel confident and valued in the home. Extremely positive and warm relationships are established between the children, as the childminder provides a positive role model. For example, positive interaction is encouraged between young and older minded children. They receive an excellent level of supervision and support so that any difficulties are sorted out quickly and effectively by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has ensured that she constantly updates her knowledge regarding children with special needs and this ensures that she is fully prepared to care for any child, with support from relevant professionals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is outstanding. The childminder works very hard at developing good relationships with the parents and she is totally committed and professional in her approach. Parents receive an abundance of excellent information on the Foundation Stage curriculum and activities provided through children's daily log and newsletters. There is very good written and verbal communication in place which contributes to children's continuity

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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. of care. Parents have access to all relevant information about the childminder's practice, reports, polices and guidance. There is an admissions procedure for new children ensuring the childminder has a good understanding of the children's needs and parents gain a clear understanding of her role.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision fosters children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are empowered in the well-organised, child-centred environment in which they undoubtedly come first. Play experiences are effectively organised to accommodate children's individual needs. Children are supervised effectively at all times and daily routines are planned to incorporate school collections and individual time with younger children. The childminder identifies areas for personal development and she ensures she is up to date and knowledgeable with current issues to enable her to continue to provide high quality child care. The childminder has completed first aid training and the Childminding training. She continues to update her child care practice by attending courses such as the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the early learning goals training. In addition she continually monitors and evaluates her practice, working closely with her network coordinator to enhance children's play and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder is very aware of her role in delivering a service that enables children to make good progress towards the early learning goals. She ensures that the children have a range of different experiences to cover the six areas of learning. Very informative and detailed daily diaries record children's progress in all areas of their development and these are shared with parents. The childminder's excellent knowledge and practice ensures that all children are able to develop their full potential.

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Organisation

The childminder has an extensive range of policies and procedures in place that she uses to promote the care and welfare of children. These cover each of the National Standards and have a positive impact on children's safety and well-being. Records and documentation have been effectively organised, enabling the childminder to spend her working day with the children. She is very professional, committed and enthusiastic in her approach to childminding and she works extremely hard to ensure that the childminding runs smoothly. This results in providing outstanding continuity of care. The childminder consistently evaluates her childcare practice and will make positive changes for example, bridging the 'Birth to three matters' framework with the Foundation Stage Curriculum, ensuring good standards are maintained. She uses a self-evaluation form, updated regularly, to constantly assess and improve her own practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection, the childminder agreed to obtain the contact details for the local safeguarding children board. She has now got the relevant details required, ensuring that children are always kept safe.

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Improvements since the last inspection

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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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 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 outstanding.

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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

recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of nursery education are outstanding.

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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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