Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY254443 Unique Reference Number 08 December 2006 Inspection date Sarah Catherine Jex 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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged six, eight and 10 in the town of Stevenage in Hertfordshire.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding five children, all of whom attend on various day and hours of the week. The childminder walks to school to take and collect children. The childminder attends local parent and toddler group and takes the children to 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's health and well-being are very well promoted as the childminder is extremely effective in implementing current and appropriate health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures which she has developed in relation to health, hygiene, medication and illness. The childminder helps children to gain an excellent understanding of hygiene and a real aspiration to become independent. Children's clear understanding of why they must wash their hands after using the toilet and after playing in the garden, substantially reduces the risk of cross contamination and having germs. The childminder is an excellent role model for the children to follow. She adheres to procedures for hygienic nappy changing which include the safe disposal of soiled nappies to prevent the spread of infection and explains to the children what she is doing and why. Young children are able to sleep according to their needs in a suitable quiet area of the

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Helping children to be healthy

house. Extremely sound procedures are in place for children who are unwell to safeguard the good health of the other children who attend the provision. The childminder rigorously maintains an accident and medication book in accordance with requirements. Children receive appropriate first aid because the childminder holds a suitable first aid qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are positively encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle because the childminder provides healthy snacks and meals and promotes children's knowledge and understanding of nutritional issues through discussion, and activities. She always ensures that fresh fruit and vegetables are available for children. They begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet as they enjoy home cooked food from fresh ingredients. The childminder shows weekly menus to parents. Children's favourite lunches are home-made pizza, shepherds pie, roast dinner and stews. The childminder meets specific dietary needs within the varied menu available to the children and respects parental wishes and preferences. The children always sit at the table to eat, learn good manners and social rules, and respond to one another with courtesy and care. Children are positively encouraged to drink water which is freely and constantly available. They choose their

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Helping children to be healthy

drinks from the selection offered by the childminder. Children access these at anytime as they play both indoors and outside.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a suitable range of physical activities which contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Children's health and development is promoted through their participation in a variety of physical activities such as walking to drop off and pick up other children from the local school, visits to the local park and playing outside in the garden with a large variety of toys. For example, bats, balls and skipping ropes. Children also have access to a wide range of indoor activities that increase their fine finger movements and hand and eye co-ordination. Such as, painting, threading, puzzles and using malleable materials like play dough. The childminder has a robust understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. This is reflected in the regular opportunities to enhance the development of young children's large muscle movements. The childminder has an exceptional understanding of the appropriate types of activities and levels

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Helping children to be healthy

of support for each child. This promotes children's confidence to try out new skills, set their own limits and recognise when to ask for help. All children are able to fully participate in the activities because the childminder uses her experience and knowledge of child development to adapt these to a suitable level.

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Helping children to be healthy

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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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe, clean and well-maintained environment. The childminder safeguards children's welfare and has a good awareness of safety. Children's knowledge of emergency evacuation is extended through discussions and regular evacuation practise. However, there is no evidence of this. An effective written risk assessment is carried out on the premises, toys and activities to ensure potential risks are identified and minimised. Children are able to move around the home and garden and explore and take risks in a safe, controlled environment. Space and resources are organised to allow free space for the children to enjoy and access safely. Children benefit from an effective range of safety measures. For example, cupboard locks, stairgates, socket covers and a range of fire safety equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about keeping themselves safe both in and out of the home. They learn about acceptable behaviour and the impact this has on their safety. For example, children know to hold hands or the buggy when out of the home and to stay together always in sight of the childminder. They learn about the reasons to pick up after themselves to keep things safe for all children playing. Supervision is of a high standard. Car safety is taught as children have appropriate sized car seats and restraints. They learn about the importance of keeping the belts in place at all times. Children have access to well-maintained, developmentally appropriate toys and equipment. These are selected according to their age and ability to ensure they gain maximum benefit from them and can play safely with them. Well thought out activities ensure the children's safety at all times. Children are able to play and take risks in a safe and controlled

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

environment with suitable adjustments made to meet all their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of her responsibilities to protect the children in her care and has a understanding of the signs and symptoms to look for along with the procedures to follow if she has any concerns. She has completed a suitable training course which has provided her with a robust knowledge of child protection issues. Parents are fully informed of her responsibilities through discussion and her written policy. Children are therefore kept safe and are suitably protected from harm or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very well settled and happy at the childminder's home as they take part in an extensive range of activities both in and out of the home. Children have excellent opportunities to socialise with others and children benefit from new experiences and can explore new areas of interest. Children have free choice and activities are readily available and well presented to encourage children to take part. For example, figures are set out and the children lined them up and naming them after familiar people in their family or close friends. Children's independence skills are consistently developing as they take part in and initiate child-led activities using their imaginations. For example, when playing with the dolls, one child was putting it to bed whilst the other child was feeding with a spoon. The childminder is skilled in listening to the children and introducing new language which they imitate in role play experiences. Activities are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

appropriate for the individual children's development, enabling them to move forward at their own pace such as having a choice of differing levels of interlocking and inset puzzles. Structured

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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 activities are carried out throughout the week and children develop rapidly due to the care and excellent preparation which goes into the planning and implementation of the activities. However, this is not evidenced. The childminder has agreed to extend her current practice by demonstrating that play opportunities for all children are planned and evaluated. This would enhance her practice and the children would benefit from having access to a wider and more challenging variety of activities. Children's individual needs and stages of development are considered and activities are often adapted to ensure all children present can participate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are secure and confident with themselves and the other children attending. Children are extremely sociable and the way they relate to each other is pleasurable to watch. They share games and activities together and help each other out. They are motivated and very interested in an excellent range of purposeful activities which provide consistently high levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children respond well to the childminder who gets down to their level and follows their lead to ensure they are learning whilst having fun. Children make their own choices and access a wealth of resources which highly meet their needs. This has a positive impact on the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an exceptionally competent understanding of child development rooted in proficient knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She is committed to updating her training to enhance and guide her practice. This supports the provision of flexible, high quality care expertly modified to each individual child's needs. Children develop their mathematical skills and language with the childminder as she makes full use of everyday situations such as counting and naming objects, shapes and colours they see. The childminder skilfully encourages children to make very rapid progress in their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children hold an awareness and understanding of others because the childminder actively provides opportunities for children to mix with others from a diverse range of backgrounds on a regular basis. For example, as they travel to and from school, visit parks, toddler groups and other local amenities. Children are provided with a extensive range of resources and activities to promote a positive view of the wider world. For example, children have access to a vast range of dolls, books and puzzles which show images of different cultures, gender roles and disabilities. The childminder provides an excellent example, modelling a positive attitude by accepting and valuing children as individuals. Children’s needs are met effectively because the childminder has built close relationships which are based on honesty, trust and effective communication. All children are accepted and valued and activities can be adapted to meet their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Discussions with parents help to ensure the individual needs can be balanced with the other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s needs are met especially well as they follow their daily routine. The childminder knows the children very well. They have positive levels of self-esteem and respect the opinions and actions of others because the childminder consistently praises their efforts by reaffirming their achievements. The children receive excellent support throughout the day according to their individual needs. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They demonstrate high levels of understanding about responsible behaviour and know, for instance, to use please and thank

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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 you to one another when sharing out the puzzle pieces. Children show care and concern for each other and play together harmoniously. Children respond to the childminder’s highly effective, clear and consistent strategies to manage their behaviour. They know what is expected of them and are confident to ask for what they require.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for by the childminder who works alongside the parents to meet individual children's needs and ensures they are included fully in the life of the setting. The childminder has built strong bonds with the parents and carers. She organises a highly effective induction session followed up with a detailed welcome pack which parents keep for reference. This initiates a highly effective two-way communication process which enables parents to fully participate in their child's development and learning. The childminder has excellent systems in place to inform parents about the children’s activities and work. She maintains observations for all children. A notice board provides excellent information and allows the parents to become actively involved in their children’s development, along with photographs to enable the parents to see their children at play. Each parent has sufficient time to discuss their child's progress

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Helping children make a positive contribution

on a daily basis. The childminder shares her policies and procedures with parents which ensures consistency of care for the children, helping them to feel safe and secure. Children’s well-being is fully promoted because the childminder is committed to working in partnership with the parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder adopts a highly professional, conscientious approach to her childminding and is extremely confident in her childcare practice. She is constantly seeking ways to improve her skills and is happy to incorporate any suggestions which might further enhance her provision for children and their parents. The childminder uses her experience, qualifications in childcare, firm commitment to continued training and her efficient organisation to promote positive outcomes for children. Children feel very much at home and are comfortable in the well-organised, suitably prepared and welcoming family environment. The childminder develops children's care, learning and play through her constant enthusiasm, interaction and resourcefulness. Children confidently choose activities and take part with enthusiasm. Children extend their own play and learning in a natural and imaginative way, strongly encouraged by

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Organisation

The childminder's paperwork is exemplary with an abundance of relevant and informative documentation which ensures that parents are well informed of her practice. The childminder shares all documentation in confidence with parents and ensures that all records are maintained appropriately and stored securely. She uses her thorough knowledge of the 'Birth to three matter' framework for the continual monitoring of children's achievements, to ensure that each child moves forward at their own pace. This in effect supports children's welfare, care and learning and underpins her professional practice. The childminder gives utmost priority to maintaining relevant and up to date knowledge of child care. She uses childcare literature and the local authority training manual to maintain and improve her skills. The childminder offers high quality opportunities which are rooted in an expert knowledge of childcare and

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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 Overall, the needs of all the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was given two recommendations, to extend her resources that provide positive images of diversity, including disabilities and to review procedures for recording attendance and obtaining additional parental consents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The recommendations have been successfully completed. A wide variety of toys, activities and resources are in place which promote the children's knowledge and understanding of positive images and diversity. All procedures have been thoroughly reviewed and additional parental consents have been put into place.

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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.

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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

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): • extend current practice by demonstrating that play opportunities are planned to ensure children have access to a varied and challenging activities, which will enhance their developmental progress • provide evidence that emergency fire evacuations are carried out on a regular basis.

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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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