Clymping College

Inspection report for early years provision

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130198 Unique Reference Number 25 October 2006 Inspection date Suman Willis 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 registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and two adult children. They live in a residential area close to all local amenities. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding four children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group and is an active member of the local childminding group. Children are taken to the local library and the local park.

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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 are offered excellent range of outdoor activities which fully promote their physical development. For example they are taken to the local park with a variety of resources such as, hoops, bean bags and play ball games that challenge them. They have daily access to a well equipped garden and walk to the local school to take and collect children. Therefore, children are given ample opportunities which contribute to their good health. Children develop fine manipulative skills as they use a variety of tools with play dough, enjoy using scissors effectively to create different shapes such as crinkle cut, and painting and drawing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thrive because the childminder follows highly effective health and hygiene procedures which are very well documented. Procedures that allow children to manage their own hygiene such as paper towels at low level in the cloakroom and wet wipes at hand promotes their independence significantly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well-nourished because the childminder works very closely with parents to ensure that children's individual dietary needs are met. They enjoy the social occasion of sitting with the childminder and sharing information of their home life while they have fresh fruit at snack time. Drinks are left out for them to help themselves as they feel the need. Children stay healthy because they develop a good understanding of nutritious foods. Children sleep according to their individual routine and older children are provided with active and restful periods.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an exceptionally child-friendly environment because of the childminder's ability to organise her home effectively to ensure that children of varying ages can play safely. Pictures of their work are displayed on doors which develops children's confidence and self-esteem. Ofsted information is displayed in the hall, thus informing visitors and parents of her registration requirements. They are able to move around freely, safely and independently as they access toys of their choosing. Children use a wide range of interesting, age appropriate and exciting resources which are very well-maintained and stored for easy access, thus promoting children's independence as they make their own choices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder has extended her knowledge by attending road safety training. This enables children to stay safe because clear safety boundaries are set and shared with parents to ensure that safety rules are consistent with all main carers of the children. In-depth documents to promote children's safety are in place and are constantly reviewed. All procedures and safety resources are in place to ensure children play and explore their environment safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected by the childminder who has a sound knowledge in first aid and child protection. She has a clear understanding which she shares with parents to ensure that top priority is given to children's welfare.

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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 enjoy accessing a wide range of interesting and challenging activities. The childminder draws up comprehensive plans to enable all children to participate at their own level. They make huge achievements in their development as they engage excitedly in their play, which contribute to their all round development. For example, they are fully engrossed in making birthday cards, drawing carefully inside the card and are delighted as they childminder rewards them using words such as 'that’s fantastic' and 'that’s lovely' which makes children extremely proud of their work. Children's knowledge is constantly extended as the childminder uses every opportunity to increase children knowledge. They are given good directions which are easy to follow when drawing faces as the childminder talks about colour of eyes, hair and positioning of nose and mouth. Children's learning is fully monitored by a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder who has a very good understanding of recording children's development and uses these effectively to promote their learning. Consequently children are highly motivated and make excellent progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder's ability to incorporate her knowledge of 'Birth to three matters' framework. Activities are adapted and adjusted to enable children of varying ages and abilities to participate, thus ensuring all children are fully challenged and develop at their own pace.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are very settled in the childminder's care because of her exceptional settling-in procedures. Children's individuality is fully valued and respected by the childminder who endeavours to find out information about the child from their parents prior to them starting. Therefore children receive high quality care because the childminder is familiar with their individual family set up. Children learn about their community as they go for daily walks around the shops, park and school. They learn to care for plants as they plant their own vegetables and have their own individual trees to care for. Children's knowledge of the wider world is constantly extended through art and craft activities and a wide range of excellent books and resources. They learn to respect and value each other's individuality as they talk freely about each other's colour of skin, hair and eyes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are given equal opportunities to participate in all activities and encouraged to develop at their own pace. They delight in the praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder. Children develop a good understanding of feelings as they make happy and sad faces out of play dough and talk excitedly about what makes them happy. They have developed a strong relationship with the childminder and her adult children, and they all play and work harmoniously together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the exceptional partnership the childminder has developed with parents, which contributes significantly to their well-being. All information is shared both formally and informally to ensure parents are fully involved in their child's care and development.

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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 outstanding. Children are fully protected and they make excellent progress because the childminder has a very high regard for the well-being of children. Children thrive in her care because she constantly reviews and updates her skills to ensure that children continue to make very good progress. The childminder ensures that activities can be adapted so that all children can enjoy and achieve to their full potential. Children's care needs are significantly enhanced because the childminder organises her time and her home efficiently to ensure that children are positively supported in their care, learning and play. The childminder has developed comprehensive documentation and monitoring procedures which are regularly reviewed and effectively shared with parents. The childminder values parents' input and uses questionnaires to implement changes that benefit children. Consequently children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability

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Organisation

to make a positive contribution is extremely well promoted.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: make low level windows safe and secure; and keep a written record, signed by parents, of medication given to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's safety is promoted because the childminder ensures that all windows are safe and secure. Their health needs are effectively monitored and shared with parents by the childminder who keeps a record of medication administered and signed by parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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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