Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY280512 Unique Reference Number 23 November 2006 Inspection date Susan Elizabeth Tovey 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 was registered in 2004. She works with another registered childminder in her own home. The childminder lives with her husband and three children aged six, four and six months, 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. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children and has two 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. The childminder also occasionally works with an assistant.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice.

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has a highly effective approach to health and hygiene so children thrive in her care. Children are extremely well-protected from unnecessary illness and infection and do not attend if they are contagious. Thorough procedures and documents are kept, to ensure that individual needs are very well met. Accident and medication records are in place, appropriate treatment given and parent's signatures and consents have been obtained. Children learn about the importance of being healthy through the childminder's skilful support and guidance. For example, they are gently reminded to wash their hands after using the toilet, playing in the garden and before food. Children then proudly offer their hands to the childminder saying 'smell my lovely clean hands'. The childminder reduces the risk of cross infection by ensuring that her home is always scrupulously clean and well maintained.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are extremely well catered for. They enjoy an excellent range of healthy home-cooked meals and snacks, which they eat sitting comfortable at the table, and enjoy sociable mealtimes with each other. Comprehensive and imaginative menus are devised by the childminder, and these are shared with parents. Children's dietary and cultural needs are always respected. The childminder is very aware that children need to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and is vigilant about ensuring they always have a drink of water to hand. A daily diary sheet containing details of the children's food intake is given to parents each day.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Physical activity is highly regarded and children are able to develop their physical skills in a wide range of activities on a daily basis. They enjoy daily walks and activities in the garden, such as football, painting, ride bikes and playing with sand. Children regularly visit local activity centres, parks and soft play areas to enable them to climb and use a range of physical play resources. This helps to develop their coordination and physical abilities. Children are able to rest and sleep as they need to.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from an extremely well-designed, totally child-orientated environment in which they can be fully supervised at all times. Children's safety and security is given optimum priority. They have space to move around safely and freely as the childminder has fully scrutinised for any potential dangers and a comprehensive risk assessment is undertaken to identify any hazards.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a superb range of quality toys and resources which are suitable for their ages and stages of development. All resources have been carefully chosen to support children's play and are regularly checked for hygiene and safety. Children independently help themselves from the well organised selection of interesting play equipment. Children with special needs will be safe and fully included because of the sensitive adult support and well planned adaptation of resources and activities. The childminder has a comprehensive

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 understanding of all safety, related issues and has in place all relevant documentation which is consistently maintained to safeguard children's welfare.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected as the childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection policies and procedures and gives top priority to children's welfare. Children are closely monitored at all times. All of these measures greatly contribute to the safety and welfare of the children.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has an exceptional understanding of child development which enables her to offer flexible, high quality care, which is suited to each child's individual needs. Children enjoy an extensive range of activities, which contributes to their creativity and imagination, such as marble painting, playing imaginative games with play food, frying sausages in a pan and singing action songs.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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. Each child selects their favourite book and they listen to the story of 'Thomas the Tank Engine' then the 'Farm Book'. Children are well motivated, as they think about the stories and participate in detailed discussion. 'Why was Thomas sad and left in the shed.' Children make positive relationships, they play exceptionally well together and are encouraged to consider younger children as they play.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is skilful in encouraging children to make very good progress in all areas of development. For example, children participate in a wide range of activities and themes which extend their knowledge. They collect leaves, do leaf printing of owls, made caterpillars from egg boxes and plant seeds. Children are able to demonstrate what they know as the childminder uses skilful questioning to make them think. The childminder finds out about the children's interests, needs and builds on this information effectively to help children to fulfil their potential.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder values and respects the children as individuals therefore, they are very settled and confident in her care. Their behaviour is exceptional. The childminder has a very positive, clear and consistent approach to behaviour management, which means children know what is expected of them and they feel very secure. Children play very happily together, they learn to share and take turns, as the childminder uses her skills to encourage and help them develop their relationships with each other.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to value differences through sensitive discussions, stories and the use of developmentally appropriate resources. They are receptive to the childminder's inspiring role modelling. The children have many opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and

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 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.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The excellent partnership with parents and carers contributes to the children's care and well-being. The childminder provides detailed information about the service that she provides including well written policies, daily routines and family details. 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 daily, so children are looked after according to parents' wishes and the childminder ensures she has an excellent understanding of their opinions and attitudes.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is greatly enriched by the childminder's enthusiasm, her highly effective organisation of time, space and resources and her committed approach. Consistent routines and excellent support ensures children feel a sense of belonging and are part of a bigger family. Indoor and outdoor space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. The childminder is very keen to constantly develop her knowledge and skills to benefit the children by accessing all training courses offered.

p.5

Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's sound and secure knowledge of child development and of her legal responsibilities. All 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 provision and the care their child receives. This contributes to excellent continuity in the children's care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

p.5

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.

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.

p.5

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.

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