Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY230769 Unique Reference Number 19 February 2007 Inspection date Valerie Craven 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 provider has been childminding for since August 2002. She lives with her husband and their two children aged six, and eight years in a house on the outskirts of Chester. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding and a bathroom and bedroom are available on the first floor. An enclosed back garden is used for outdoor play. There are eight children on the register who attend for a variety of sessions.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted because the childminder follows good hygiene routines, such as encouraging children to wash their hands at appropriate times. Older children are beginning to take responsibility for their own health and hygiene. Her own hygiene practices are thorough

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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 and ensure that children are prevented from cross infection or risk of illness. Written policies and procedures are well implemented and shared with parents, such as the medication and sick children policy, which protect children's health. The childminder maintains a first aid certificate and has a well stocked first aid kit, which enables her to respond to children's needs appropriately. The childminders home offers a warm, clean and comfortable environment in which children play safely. Toys are regularly cleaned and are in very good condition.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and are offered a variety of healthy snacks and meals including a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, for example avocado. Planned cookery activities and meals sometimes focus on food from other cultures and festivals, ensuring that children are introduced to a wide variety, for example Caribbean and oriental food. Individual requirements and tastes are catered for, and the childminder is aware of the dietary requirements of hungry children after school. Children have access to drinks and water at all times which ensures that they are well hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to take regular exercise and frequently walk to and from school. Younger children use a variety of wheeled vehicles in the garden, whilst older ones are able to play basketball or swing ball. Children often go for walks and on outings, for example to the local park, canal or zoo and they regularly play football after school. Regular visits to childminder and toddler groups ensure that children have access to a wider range of physical activities in addition to those available at home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are exceptionally well supervised and cared for at all times, which effectively promotes their safety. When sleeping upstairs, babies are regularly checked on and a baby monitor is used to detect the slightest sound. Policies and procedures have been very well devised. For example the outings policy and fire procedure and are practised regularly, to fully promote children's safety and ensure that children develop a very good understanding of personal safety. Children are involved in devising their own safety policies and rules, such as how to behave when walking to and from school and are aware of the need to be quiet and listen to cars. Their road safety pictures show that they are aware of dangers and know how to keep themselves safe. Fluorescent bibs are used on dark winter evenings, to further ensure children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to all of the ground floor and hazards have been carefully considered and comprehensive risk assessments carried out to reduce risks to children, for example kitchen cupboards are secured to prevent access to harmful substances and all glass is protected with safety film. All areas available to children are very clean and well maintained, effectively promoting a wide variety of play. A substantial selection of toys are stored at low level and are accessible to even the youngest children. The back garden, in which the children play, is secure and the childminder considers safety aspects when providing outdoor activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and equipment are regularly checked for cleanliness and safety and conform with current standards. Car seats, booster seats, cots and low chairs are suitable for the ages of the children who attend and promote their safety. The childminder also uses a wide range of toys from the

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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 Cheshire Development Education Centre, which are developmentally appropriate and enable children to access a wide variety of experiences.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is very effectively safeguarded. The childminder has a thorough understanding of child protection issues and how to record and report incidents, which is enhanced by recent training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy, motivated and confident in the childminders home. They benefit from excellent relationships and the childminders caring and supportive manner. Children's individual needs are exceptionally well met, as the childminder skilfully uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework, to make observations and plan for the next steps in children's learning. Older children benefit from an exciting range of planned activities such as cookery and painting, which develops their knowledge of the world and creativity. Children are taken, with parental permission, to local amenities such as the park, library, toddler group and zoo.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's independence is fostered as they are able to access an extensive range of age appropriate toys and activities to promote all areas of development, for example, babies look at themselves in mirrors and toddlers enjoy using play-dough and scissors. Children enthusiastically learn about number and size, through songs, such as five speckled frogs, in which they learn to count, or by sorting toy animals into groups for a farm. Jigsaws and stories are skilfully used to develop children's language skills. The childminder talks to the children, encouraging their responses and valuing their questions. Children use face cushions to identify how they are feeling and are confident to explain their feelings and to use their imagination. The childminder interacts with children thoughtfully, to extend their interests and learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's attitudes to learning are outstanding and they become engrossed in self chosen activities, demonstrating perseverance and self control, for example when using play-dough. Visits to the park and zoo are used to enhance children's experiences and to ensure that children have access to regular physical activities. Records of activities and children's development are kept to share with parents and demonstrate that children's stages of development and interests are recognised and catered for successfully.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder knows the children extremely well and plans a variety of activities to meet their individual needs, for example by using the 'Birth to three matters' framework, to identify the next steps in children's learning. She takes account of the children's preferences and they are encouraged to make choices when participating in activities such as painting and playing with small world toys and jigsaws. Activities meet the needs of the children who attend and they participate with eagerness and excitement, displaying high levels of concentration. Children are encouraged to access all opportunities equally, for example boys enjoy painting and making advent calendars, whilst girls enjoy dressing up as fire-fighters and builders.

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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 Children are made aware of diversity through carefully planned activities to celebrate festivals from a variety of cultures. For example, children make and eat Chinese food in small bowl with chop sticks, to celebrate Chinese New Year. Children are able to socialise with others at a local toddler group. Extensive resources help promote diversity, as the childminder makes excellent use of the Cheshire Development Education Centre, from which she hires topic boxes and story bags. The childminder is able to cater for children with learning difficulties and / or disabilities and considers how individual requirements, may impact on the care of other minded children. Children's individual needs are given great consideration and are met well, when necessary, by re-organising the environment and by re-assessing risks in order to accommodate all children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They become engrossed in activities which interest them and are encouraged to share and to help each other. Consistent strategies for positive behaviour management are used, which appropriate to the age and development of the children, and help them to feel very secure and confident.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder communicates very well with parents and shares information, which helps to promote consistency and ensures that the children are cared for in accordance with the parents wishes. Comprehensive, written information about the provision is available for parents. The childminder carefully compiles individual books of children's activities, which reflect their achievements. Young children have daily diaries to which both the childminder and parents contribute, to ensure continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is a member of the NCMA and Chester Childminding Association. She is well organised and has policies and procedures in place which are effectively implemented to promote children's welfare. Her knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework has enhanced the children's experiences, as children benefit from well planned activities which meet their needs as well as stages of development. Children at the setting also benefit from visits to local toddler groups and childminding groups.

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Organisation

Legal documentation such as a complaints log and accident records are well maintained and available for inspection and for parents. The childminders pro-active awareness of the standards and changes in requirements demonstrate her desire to provide good quality care for the children.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was required to ensure that parents are fully informed about routines and childcare practices. The childminder has improved methods of communicating general information with parents by developing and sharing, a number policies and procedures. A daily diary is kept for younger children, whilst parents of older children exchange information

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Improvements 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 verbally, when children are collected. Consequently, children benefit from good communication between parents and the childminder and their needs are met very effectively.

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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 complaint 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): • consider ways to further enhance children's understanding of personal hygiene.

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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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