Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY280530 Unique Reference Number 23 November 2006 Inspection date Susan Elizabeth Tovey 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 2004. She works with another registered childminder and minds from her co-childminder's home. The co-childminder's husband and three children aged six, four and six months live at the property. in Chalfont St. Peter in Buckinghamshire. Within walking distance of local amenities. The whole ground floor is used for childminding with sleeping facilities available upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. There are no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children and has three children on roll. She minds with a co-childminder and together they may care for a maximum of eight children. Currently they are caring for five children between them. She also occasionally works with an assistant.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice.

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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 thrive because the childminder follows highly effective procedures and practices which meet the children's physical, nutritious and health needs. The childminder has excellent hygiene procedures in place that enable children to be cared for in an environment that greatly reduces the risk of infection. Children are protected from unnecessary illness and do not attend if they are contagious.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children explore, challenge and develop physical control in stimulating daily indoor and outdoor experiences. Her excellent understanding of each child's stage of development means the youngest child is confident to try out new skills, gesture or ask for help when needed and set their own limits within the safe environment; for example, the youngest child wiggles around the activity ring successfully reaching the toys without adult help. Older children develop a very positive attitude to physical exercise. They delight in the challenge of a versatile range of activities, such as exploring in the woods and climbing the adventure apparatus in the playground.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an excellent range of healthy meals and snacks, which they eat sitting comfortably at the table, and enjoy sociable meal times with each other. The childminder takes into account parents' wishes and children's choices so that she can meet individual dietary needs. Children's independence is well promoted as they have the opportunity to select their own snacks. They are able to access drinks regularly throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Risks of harm to children are at a minimum, as the childminder is extremely vigilant and uses thorough and highly effective risk assessments. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits, and how to involve children effectively in organising their environment. Children have a keen awareness of danger and how to protect themselves from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use high quality equipment and resources appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children with special needs will be safe and fully included because of the sensitive adult support and well planned adaptation of resources and activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a comprehensive understanding of all safety, related issues and has in place all the relevant documentation to ensure children's safety.

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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 an excellent understanding of child protection policies and procedures and gives top priority to children's welfare. All of these measures greatly contribute to the safety and welfare of the children.

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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 have enormous fun and they play enthusiastically with an excellent range of toys and resources, which fully promote their learning. The children make excellent progress because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. Close and caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. Children play with a wide range of appropriate toys and join in activities such as marble painting, playing imaginative games with play food, frying sausages in the pan and singing action songs. They play and explore their world at their own pace because the childminder has a secure understanding of how children learn and makes very good use of the Birth to three matters framework. She gives them space to discover things for themselves but is always available to provide help or support when they need her.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children grow in confidence and independence through being able to choose and plan what they want to do next and enjoy a wealth of activities, that help them learn, question, explore, and have lots of fun. Communication skills are extremely well supported through high quality adult-child interactions. All children are eager to learn, self assured in their play and confident to try new experiences. Children have great opportunities to experience the wider world when they visit local places of interest, Black Park and Odds Farm. The children involve the childminder in their play and they receive an abundance of warm, individual attention, which enables them to successfully extend their learning and experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are very settled and confident because the childminder values and respects their individuality. Their behaviour is exemplary. The childminder supports younger children in sharing and turn taking. She has high expectations and sets consistent boundaries for the older children which helps them learn to negotiate well with others and take responsibility for their behaviour. Children's understanding of right and wrong is increased as they respond to gentle reminders to care for their environment, resources and each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children have extensive opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through organised activities, socialising at activity groups and outings to local places of interest. This positive approach enables the children to develop their social and cultural awareness.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to children's well-being. Parents' views about their child's needs and interests are actively sought before the childminder starts caring for their child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very happy and content because parents share information about their child's individual needs, interests and experiences with the childminder. Children's routines and activities are shared with parents daily.

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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's care is greatly enhanced by the exceptional quality of the organisation of the setting.

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Organisation

The home is extremely well organised. Indoor and outdoor space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. All legally required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and wellbeing is in place and regularly reviewed. These are shared regularly with parents to keep them very well informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to excellent continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

Children benefit from a highly motivated and extremely skilled childminder, who is committed to continuous improvement and development. She regularly reflects, monitors and improves the quality of the care and education she provides. The childminder is very keen to constantly develop her knowledge and skills to benefit the children by accessing all training courses offered.

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Organisation

The high quality of the provision means that the childminder meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to provide opportunities at mealtimes for children to develop their social skills and good manners. The children sit together for all snacks and meals at a table. They chat to each other and the childminder, who sits with them and encourages good manners. This improves their social interaction and independence.

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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 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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