Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY336211 Unique Reference Number 13 December 2006 Inspection date Ron Goldsmith 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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and one child currently aged one year old. They live in Ellesmere Port. The whole of the ground floor apart from the front lounge is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. There are currently six children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene routines as they are encouraged to wash their hands and wipe their noses. The childminder is an effective role model, washing her hands regularly. Thorough and clear nappy changing and nappy disposal routines are in place ensuring children stay clean and healthy. Comprehensive written health and safety policies are in place, including a sickness policy and information about infectious diseases. Parents have easy access to policies and they are all discussed with the childminder during settling in visits. Parents are very well informed about any events during the day, as appropriate procedures are carried out, for example, accident, incident and medication recording. Any medication

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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 administered is carefully monitored and stored safely ensuring children's well-being at all times. A daily diary is also well maintained to give parents written information about their children's routines and achievements. Children are cared for with concern and expertise if they have an accident or become ill, as the childminder is first aid trained and a fully stocked first aid box is available. Accidents are dealt with swiftly, giving children cuddles and reassurance.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well nourished and enjoy the healthy and varied diet provided. Younger children are offered meals and snacks throughout the day. Hot meals are always served with vegetables and fruit, for example, chicken with potatoes and vegetables and fruit yoghurt. Daily diaries show parents the interesting and nutritious diet their children are offered and what their children are eating daily. The childminder has a food hygiene certificate and ensures that food is stored safely. Babies follow their individual home routine as far as possible for bottle feeds, drinks and meals, offering continuity of care. Parents are consulted regularly regarding dietary needs and preferences, ensuring all individual needs are fulfilled. Children socialise and develop independence skills during snacks and meals as they sit together to enjoy their food, for example, younger children enjoy each others company as they eat their bananas.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is further promoted because physical activity is a high priority in the daily routine and children enjoy frequent opportunities for play that contributes effectively to their health and well-being. All the children benefit from having easy access to the garden, where they can enjoy some fresh air and access to climbing and slide equipment. The childminder supports the physical development of the younger children well, as babies and toddlers learn to crawl and walk safely in the clear play space. Older children are offered a wide variety of activities to help them develop increasing finger and hand control, for example, puzzles, arts and crafts and construction.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a clean, very secure and child-friendly environment. The ground floor of the house, including the play room, offers plenty of free play space for the children, effectively encouraging their physical development. Children are offered a very broad range of appropriate play equipment, most of it at child height, enabling children to make independent choices. Children develop positive attitudes to others following the strong example set by the childminder and as they see images of diversity and difference reflected in books, toys, puzzles and pictures. Extensive appropriate procedures are in place for checking and cleaning all equipment and toys regularly, ensuring it is all suitable and safe for the children. All equipment is of high quality.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe because the childminder has an excellent understanding of health and safety issues and is vigilant, supervising the children at all times. They play safely in the house and the childminder is skilled at explaining the need for any rules that are in place, for example, clearing away to avoid tripping hazards. Accurate registers are completed daily. Children begin to understand about keeping themselves safe as they discuss and practise the fire drill. Well-maintained fire safety equipment is in place and the childminder ensures gas safety checks are carried out.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected from abuse or neglect as the childminder has a professional understanding of child protection issues. She completes regular appropriate training and is clear about her responsibility to report concerns. Parents are aware of the policies and procedures that are in place through discussion and the information pack provided by the childminder.

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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 thoroughly enjoy their time in the childminder’s home. They thrive because the childminder is highly skilled and uses her exceptional understanding of early years guidance, such as, 'Birth to three matters' framework, to provide high quality care to the children in her setting. She provides an information pack for parents, which includes a written statement clearly outlining how she intends supporting children in their progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a well developed knowledge of 'Birth to three matters' and is implementing the framework successfully as part of her planning. This ensures that activities are planned to meet the individual needs of the children and to ensure that each child makes excellent progress. The childminder ensures that activities meet the needs of all the children present, for example, when younger children are sleeping, she makes time to develop older children's interest in spelling simple words. This high level of interaction is based on effective observation of children and excellent advance planning. Children's achievements are celebrated and recorded in each child's individual progress file and the child's achievement celebrated with other children in the setting and with the parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder's understanding of each child’s stage of development means the youngest children are confident enough to try out new skills or to ask for help when needed. They set their own limits within the safe environment exploring the equipment and accessing the extensive range of experiences within the setting. The childminder also takes the children to toddler groups and on trips to the local park where children enjoy exploring large equipment and enjoy the opportunities to have fresh air and exercise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children in the setting are happy and eager to participate. The childminder recognises when there may be factors which inhibit children's enjoyment, such as tiredness or when they are beginning to feel unwell. The children make excellent progress because the childminder recognises the individuality of each child. Close and caring relationships with the childminder increase children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. High quality child-adult interactions support children's early communication skills. The childminder echoes children's early speech and complements it with the developing use of sign language, which the children demonstrate with ease. This ensures that children know that their communication is valued and very effectively increases their self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder finds out about children’s skills, interests and needs and builds on this information effectively to help children achieve as much as they can from the beginning of their time in the setting. She is extremely sensitive to the needs of the children from a range of home circumstances. She adopts a flexible approach to planning and allows children to learn at their own pace by an excellent balance between adult and child-led activities . The childminder uses questions very successfully to challenge children’s thinking and language skills. For example, during an activity, called 'What's in the bag' she encourages children's thinking and language by being perceptive to children’s interests and abilities, helping them to build on what they already know and can do. She uses highly effective systems to observe, monitor and record children’s achievements in their development files, and to plan experiences that help children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

make progress to the next step in their learning.

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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 outstanding. The childminder completes regular and appropriate training and is clear about her responsibility to ensure children's individual needs are met. Children develop positive attitudes to others following the strong example set by the childminder who recognises the uniqueness of individual children. The positive attitude the childminder adopts towards equality issues enables the children in her care to follow her example. There is a range of good books and resources, and the childminder ensures children are offered very effective opportunities to gain an understanding of others through looking at positive images of diversity and difference.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop a strong sense of belonging because their eating and sleeping routines are discussed regularly and there is a constant exchange of information between the childminder and the parents. Procedures are in place to meet the needs of children with special educational needs, working alongside parents and others involved in the child's care. The childminder displays a commitment to inclusion. Children are encouraged to share and to be considerate and helpful, effectively developing a good awareness of the needs of others. They begin to understand right from wrong through the consistent boundaries which are in place and the age appropriate methods the childminder uses to manage behaviour, for example, distraction and explanation. Children respond positively to the praise and encouragement offered and their self-esteem is enhanced.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is excellent. Children benefit from the strong, open relationships between parents and the childminder, effectively supporting the involvement of parents in all aspects of their child's care and learning. Parents appreciate the daily exchange of information and the opportunities they have to telephone and visit their children at any time. Parents have the opportunity to read all the policies and procedures put in place by the childminder in the information pack she provides for them, increasing their confidence in the care offered. They are given extremely good and comprehensive written information about their child's care through the daily diaries which the childminder completes for each child.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children’s care is significantly enhanced by exceptional organisation. There are warm relationships demonstrated throughout the home, producing a relaxed and happy environment where children thrive. Children feel safe in the caring environment which helps them develop a strong sense of self. The high quality interaction between the childminder and children helps to develop their confidence and self-esteem significantly.

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Organisation

The children experience rich, stimulating activities, that are skilfully planned to be suitable for their age and interest levels. They are developing an excellent understanding of the wider world through discussion, stories and an excellent selection of resources. Her understanding of each child's stage of development means the children are confident to try out new skills, ask for help when needed and set their own limits within a safe environment.

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Organisation

The children are well protected and cared for through an excellent understanding of child development and child protection. Records and documentation, including a log which records areas which the childminder feels she can develop further in the future, are extremely well written and maintained. These are easily accessible and respect confidentiality. The outcomes for children are excellent. All policies and procedures are robust and fully support the expert

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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 practice of the knowledgeable and highly skilled childminder who consistently gives the utmost priority to protecting children. She promotes their well-being and supports their development and learning. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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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 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

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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