Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY235658 Unique Reference Number 04 December 2006 Inspection date Beverley Blackburn Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and five children aged 18, 16, 13, 10, and 5 years old.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

They live in a house in a residential area with easy access to local schools and pre-school activities. Shops, parks and local bus routes are also within easy walking distance.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children have access to most of the house as appropriate with toilet and sleeping facilities being provided in this area. There is also a fully enclosed garden.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for no more than five under eight years at any one time and currently cares for four children, mostly part-time.

p.2

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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She regularly attends meetings for childminders and their children and also visits the local toddler group and music appreciation group. She hasrecently completed her NVQ level 3 qualification.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children clearly thrive because the childminder follows highly effective and robust procedures and practices. These meet the children’s physical, nutritional and health needs. For example, children are provided with fresh fruits and vegetables, water or juice as they need it, and are helped to understand the need to remain hydrated. Children are consistently protected from cross-infection as they have individual towels provided on a daily basis. They independently and enthusiastically wash their hands at appropriate times with adult intervention. The exceptional adult support and guidance, through daily practices, helps children gain an excellent understanding of hygiene, and a real desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care. For example, a child spontaneously demonstrates her understanding of good hygiene practices as she pretend plays with her doll, washing the doll's hands with soap and water.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from being outside in the fresh air; they have the opportunity to develop excellent control of their bodies through regular vigorous physical activities and develop a positive attitude to physical exercise as part of their daily routine. They enjoy the regular opportunities to go for walks to the library, the local park or soft play, they take pleasure in these activities, which they tackle with enthusiasm. They are able to rest and be active in line with their individual needs and parents wishes. Children move with confidence, and skilfully manoeuvre a doll's pushchair around the play area. Children receive excellent opportunities to grow their own vegetables and fruits in the garden such as cucumbers, beans, sweet corn , tomatoes and kiwi-fruits.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a safe, warm and welcoming environment. The childminder has an excellent understanding of safety issues. Children have space to move around safely and freely because she has minimised risks to keep them free from harm. Children learn about danger as the childminder helps them to understand how to keep themselves safe. They practise fire evacuation, which are recorded, and learn about safety on the road. The childminder enhance the children’s understanding of safety by inviting into her home service people such as a fire officer, the crossing lady. The theme for the term is based on emergency services and how they help people. This helps to enhance the children's understanding of keeping themselves safe.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to an excellent range of quality toys and resources which are suitable for their age and stage of development. The children play happily under the supervision of the childminder in a stimulating environment with a varied range of planned and free child initiated activities.

p.3

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 All required documents and procedures are in place and are consistently maintained to safeguard children's welfare. Children are very well protected as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection and has attended training to update her knowledge and skills. The childminder gives top priority to the welfare of the children.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children display high levels of confidence in their daily activities and are developing very good independence skills, as they busy themselves and become absorbed in their activities. Their early communication skills are extremely well supported through high quality interaction with the childminder as they enthusiastically discuss their activities and talk about what they are doing. They listen to stories attentively, with enjoyment and wanted the stories read again and again, for example, "Santa". Children are well motivated as they think about the story and participate in detailed discussion with the childminder. Their love of books is nurtured, as time is spent daily looking at and reading children's favourite stories. Children's language is developing well through good conversations with the childminder. They have excellent opportunities to explore

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make positive relationships, they play exceptionally well together. They are relaxed and happy and thoroughly enjoy their time in the setting. Children's needs are being met effectively through the childminder's sensitive and appropriate interactions that promote their self-esteem. She has a very good knowledge of child development. This means that children are able to develop their personal, social and emotional development

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy an excellent range of activities, which contribute to their development inside and outside of the home. Children learn to socialise with other children through regular attendance at the local toddler's groups. The childminder has a very good understanding of the Birth to three matters framework and incorporates this into her practice to support children's learning and development. She also shares the information with the parents and some of them willingly introduced the framework into their own care practice.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to children’s well-being in the setting. Parents are fully informed of the planning for each term as well as their own child’s progress. The childminder actively seeks parents’ views about their children’s needs and interests before their child starts at the setting, and on a regular basis throughout their time in her care. Parental feedback shows that parents greatly value the care offered by the childminder. She ensures that all parents know how their children are progressing and developing through verbal exchanges and through the use of the daily diary. These steps ensure extremely effective continuity of care for the children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an understanding of their needs and are learning about the needs of others through excellent examples. They play with resources that reflects diversity and boys and girls

p.4

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 have equal access to all resources. Children experience outings within the community and celebrate different festivals such as Chinese New Year and English Festivals. These develop their understanding of the wider world.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is very experienced with dealing with children with special needs and is very much aware of meeting the children’s individual needs in a sensitive and supportive manner in partnership with the parents.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behaviour is exemplary. Children learn to understand right from wrong and behave well because the childminder shows clear and consistent boundaries suited to the age and stage of development. The children are clearly at ease in the company of the childminder. They receive cuddles, lots of praise and encouragement to promote and encourage good behaviour.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Organisation

Children benefit from an environment where they receive excellent support from the childminder which helps them to feel secure and confident. She greatly enhances children's care by the exceptional quality of organisation. The premises are very well organised. Indoor and outdoor space is laid out to maximise play and learning opportunities for children. Detailed documentation is in place, which contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being. The day is very well planned, allowing children time for quiet and active play. Information kept about children is relevant and helps promote their welfare.

p.5

Organisation

Children benefit from a very well qualified and skilled childminder who strives to improve her personal development through attendance on courses such as riding a tree, sign language and children with special needs. This results in a childminder who works effectively to meet the individual needs and achievement of all the children.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to extend the use of the garden to stimulate creative outdoor play. The childminder has significantly improved the outdoor area to promote the children’s learning and play. She has included a vegetable garden, a sand pit and variety of other outdoor equipments.

p.5

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 records may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6