Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY252519 Unique Reference Number 14 November 2006 Inspection date Lynne Kathleen Talbot 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 registered in February 2003. She holds the NVQ Level 3 childcare and education qualification. She lives with her husband, and their three children aged 13, 10 and four. Their house is in the town of Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding, the first floor is used under supervision. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. There are shops, schools and pre-schools within an accessible distance. The childminder walks to local schools to collect and take minded children. She attends toddler groups with minded children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time. There are currently five children on roll attending part-time hours.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home which is well-organised offering appropriate space for play and arranged to meet the needs of all children attending. Children are encouraged to understand about their own physical needs and learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. This is because the childminder acts as a good role model and offers clear explanations. They have access to personal items, which prevents any cross-infection, and are encouraged to understand the needs of the younger children, developing a caring attitude towards them and being aware of safety issues which may arise. Children discuss washing and drying their hands, they independently seek tissues and wet wipes, using them with little assistance and discarding them safely showing that they understand hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are indoor and outdoor large physical activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example as they attend activity groups in the community and access facilities in the garden. They eagerly explore large physical equipment such as the trampoline, set on a soft bark surface area, and discuss the safety netting and how to make sure they are safe. Children are extremely well nourished with clear agreements between the childminder and parents, supported by sample menus devised by the childminder which show alternatives for both religious, cultural, personal or medical needs. Children learn to select healthy snacks and have access to fruit throughout the day. They are eager to try new tastes including dried fruits, they cut and peel fruits with little assistance discussing the taste. Children take part in a '5-a-day' project with

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Helping children to be healthy

charts displayed to promote their understanding of the positive effects of healthy foods on their body.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's immediate health and safety is successfully protected because the childminder is informed of current health guidelines and requirements of the National Standards, for example through information on infectious disease and clear sickness procedures. However, further information and understanding is required to ensure that appropriate action may be taken in the event of significant injury or notifiable disease to ensure regulations are met. Children's medical needs are effectively supported and protected due to good attention to maintaining information, seeking training for individual needs, and reviewing the care of children with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children access an environment within which they may be independent and self-motivated learners because the childminder completes very comprehensive risk assessments each day to assess the hygiene of the premises and safety of all areas. Children access materials and learn about appropriate storage and care for materials in the ground floor rooms. They are learning to keep themselves safe due to routines designed to teach them safety routines, such as that used when coming down the stairs as a train, on their bottoms, and counting each stair. However, in the event of a child requiring medical attention, or one-to-one assistance, routines in the

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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 home are not yet in place to minimise risk to other dependent babies and this requires attention and forward planning to ensure safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children take part in regular evacuation routines from the home, learning about safety within the home and any premises where they may be cared for. Children take part in outings on a regular basis and have opportunities to learn about road safety. Measures such as wrist bands and a laminated card held by the childminder with emergency contacts ensure that emergencies are planned for and children's safety maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected to a high standard because the childminder has a very good understanding of her responsibilities and robust procedures to follow in the event of concern or child protection. She has sought training and updated procedures in line with regulations and ensures that children may be protected through swift action in the event of concern. Health and safety arrangements support and protect children's welfare. This includes policies as well as information sources obtained from appropriate professional bodies when training and from up-to-date periodicals.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy, secure and settled. They are eager to attend and relish their time at this welcoming childminding setting. They are enthusiastic about the activities and play opportunities provided, clearly and competently stating their own ideas, consistently acquiring new skills and fully embracing new challenges. For example, they explore both toy and full-size objects such as musical instruments, learning about their uses and eagerly trying new experiences. Children are able to explore creativity through various media in the home as well as attending music creativity groups twice weekly where they may express themselves as well as becoming socially confident.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have excellent relationships with each other and with the childminder, confidently participating in discussions and initiating conversations. Their personal development and self-esteem are consistently promoted through extremely sensitive support and interaction from the highly experienced and genuinely caring childminder. This is seen in play when they show delight in each others achievements, praise each other, share toys without any prompt and show consideration for the baby when sleeping.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children settle quickly due to exceptional care, understanding and planning. Children's information, including their likes and dislikes, is maintained and given high regard in their daily care. All children's learning and development is thoughtfully and carefully promoted. The childminder has an excellent knowledge and enthusiasm for the practical use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Children are accessing activities with evidence of the 'Birth to three matters' framework being used effectively supporting rapid learning and development in all areas. They explore new subjects with the support of extensive long-term planning and each step of their development is photographed, noted in diaries and subject to detailed observations which are used to plan the next steps on their development. This ensures that their early years are full of new and exciting experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are well met as they follow their normal daily routines as discussed with their parents. Relationships are positive and children are making early friendships with other children both in the childminder's home and at social groups and activity sessions. Children thrive because their individual developmental stages are recognised and planned for by the childminder. This is supported by detailed individual files completed and shared with parents which supports close relationships and partnerships, thereby promoting children's stability and sense of security. Initial assessment of children is developed with parents and is used to inform future planning for appropriate activities. Transition into the care of the childminder is well-planned and completed at the pace dictated by children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to understand responsible behaviour and recognise the needs of others due to consistent boundaries being maintained by the childminder. They show that they have developed good social behaviours and are supported in learning about the development of babies, they show that they are caring and appreciative of younger children's needs. For example they offer toys to each other, ask each other what they would like and, when bringing an item for themselves, insist on bringing a second for the other child. Older children have developed a set of behaviours together which are displayed on the wall enabling them to feel ownership of their own behaviour recognising socially acceptable boundaries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children appreciate and understand about other cultures and ways of life because the childminder provides resources to promote conversation and interest, including topics and exploring the wider locality around them taking part in social events and gatherings. Children receive appropriate support that meets their complex needs as individuals because the childminder seeks appropriate information from parents and takes positive steps to inform herself on a variety of special needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are secure within the surroundings where they develop a firm sense of trust in the childminder. They feel at ease in this exceptionally well-organised environment leading them to confidently initiate play, explore their surroundings and respond to conversations led by both the childminder and visitors. Their daily comfort and enjoyment is greatly enhanced by the exceptional quality of organisation and the meticulous attention to all details relating to their care and well-being.

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Organisation

Play opportunities are enhanced by the creative organisation within the home which allows freedom to access all play activities both indoors and outside. Play is effectively planned through topic themes with practical experience given high emphasis. Reviews and assessment of activities adds to the continued forward thinking and development of the service.

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Organisation

Children have supported access to personal care facilities and develop good awareness of their personal space and care through example and routines. These include personal hygiene, care

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 for surroundings, and responsibility for play materials and personal belongings. This clear organisation enables the children to feel confident in initiating their own play and learning.

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Organisation

Children's care, safety and welfare is promoted through the childminder's commendable practical, daily implementation of detailed policies and procedures across all areas of care. For example, through the use of detailed policies, written information provided to parents regarding regulations, and implementation of the 'Birth to three matter' framework planning for every child's development together with parents. Information held ensures that the childminder is able to act appropriately at all times. The childminder has a clear knowledge and understanding of the Children Act and associated regulations ensuring that she addresses her responsibilities and demonstrating to parents that she meets the National Standards through a detailed file and discussion.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets 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 provider was asked to ensure that procedures related to parental concerns and complaints were planned for. Since that time the provider has introduced a procedure for reporting concerns with a record for such concerns thereby improving communication with parents and carers and subsequent effective care for children.

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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 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): • improve knowledge of procedures to prevent the spread of infection or notifiable disease, or in the event of significant injury to minded children. Ensure that action taken complies with relevant authority requirements

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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 • ensure children's safety in the event of the childminder moving around the premises, for instance, when placing minded children for rests or applying first aid.

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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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