Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY234736 Unique Reference Number 11 January 2007 Inspection date Janice Shaw 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 2003. She lives with her partner and two children aged nine and six years. The family live in a house in the East Didsbury area of Manchester, within walking distance of shops, schools and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and there are currently five children on roll. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She is a qualified NNEB, a member of an approved childminding network and the National Childminding

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Association. She receives support from the local authority.

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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 have acquired excellent concepts in hygiene procedures due to the childminder’s thorough understanding of good practice. Young children learn with enthusiasm about taking responsibility for their own personal hygiene. They have learnt the principles of a use-once towel-system well and can independently address their personal needs. They are encouraged to clean their teeth after main meals to promote good dental health. The childminder has developed excellent written health and safety procedures which are shared with parents. Equipment and toys are washed and sterilised thoroughly on a regular basis to ensure the risk of cross infection is effectively minimised.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children and babies enjoy moving about freely in a clean and well-organised environment. They are protected against illness and disease through clear and effective exclusion policies, which are made available to parents in writing. Children have excellent opportunities for physical play. Use of the garden, daily walks to school and the local park ensures that children receive regular access to fresh air and outdoor play which contributes to their well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's growth and development is extremely well nurtured due to the nutritious meals and snacks they receive. For example, she uses organic fruit and vegetables and liquidizes them for younger children’s meals. Children sit together where they enjoy and delight in social interaction whilst eating their food. They enthusiastically choose from a wide range of drinking cups, that they can freely access from kitchen cupboards and which fosters their independence extremely well. Parents are kept well informed of their children's diet by weekly printed menus. The childminder is exceptionally well experienced in caring for children with special dietary requirements

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are able to explore the exciting range of toys, equipment and resources in a safe, warm and welcoming environment. Their learning and development is significantly enhanced by the excellent toys and resources stored on low level shelves and toy boxes. The rooms used for childminding are exceptionally well planned and organised to offer children freedom to move and express themselves. Their safety is a clear priority and the childminder has taken every step to ensure children are safe at all times through the high level of supervision in a safe and secure environment. Stair gates exclude children from areas of potential risk and all external doors are secure. They are given a high level of support to help them learn how to keep safe in the home and on outings. Displays of children's art work and posters create a child friendly atmosphere.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about keeping themselves and others safe through discussion during play, when they are encouraged to keep small play items away from younger children. They are extremely well informed about how to behave when using roads and public places. For example, they understand that they are allowed to splash in puddles on the pavement, but not to step off

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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 the kerb to splash in puddles on the road. Children's safety is positively promoted through regular visual checks on equipment and toys. Children are very well protected by the childminder's considerable knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures, she is committed to continuing professional development and regularly attends training to update her knowledge.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children's welfare and development is greatly enhanced through the childminder’s excellent practice and knowledge of young children. Children flourish, their self-esteem and confidence growing through the childminder's constant positive approach. They are very happy and settled with the childminder who uses her expertise to provide happy and purposeful activities to enable children to enjoy learning and celebrate their achievements. Children are eager and enthusiastic to make choices about their own learning at a very young age, they demonstrate a real pride in deciding which toys to play with. Children are confident in independently choosing their own resources and activities, and are able to concentrate and persist at their chosen tasks. They develop high levels of independence, are fully engrossed in activities and play cooperatively with each other.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond extremely well when the childminder joins in their play. For example, children listen attentively and take great delight in participating in story time. The childminder is highly effective in pacing stories to keep all children involved and interested. Visits to local toddler groups and activity centres actively fosters children's social skills. Children's enthusiasm and interest is maintained through the ever changing provision. Children visit the local library where they are extensively involved in making choices. They show great enthusiasm and enjoyment when using the books. They relate well to each other and this is encouraged and supported by the childminder as she talks to the children with genuine interest in what they have to say, whether talking, babbling or gurgling.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are made to feel genuinely welcome and are relaxed at the setting. The childminder has a detailed knowledge of the individual needs of the children she cares for. Time is spent, initially, discussing with parents their children's home routines, likes and dislikes to ensure she can follow the home routine closely. This ensures the children have consistent care and promotes their security and well-being. Children delight in sharing photographs and time is taken to value children's comments and experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's knowledge and understanding of society and the wider world is effectively supported by constant access to an excellent range of high quality resources that provide positive images of cultural diversity and disability, for example, books, dressing up clothes, DVD’s and musical instruments. The childminder has excellent experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities and has an expert knowledge of planning to support learning and development in partnership with parents and other professionals.

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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 play cooperatively together, taking turns and helping each other. Children have high self-esteem, which is nurtured by positive encouragement and praise from the childminder who shows delight in their company. Young children make good attempts to tidy away after activities with enthusiasm and enjoy this responsibility. The highly effective behaviour management policy is shared with parents; strategies are discussed so that children receive consistent messages. Children are busy and engaged in both adult-led and child-chosen activities and reflect the childminders attitude of calm purpose. Their needs are met extremely well because of the excellent relationships the childminder has with their parents. This ensures that children's changing needs are well known and provides consistency at both the home and childminding

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Helping children make a positive contribution

setting. Parents have made many very positive written statements about the care their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The organisation is outstanding. The care of the children is significantly enhanced by the exceptional organisation of the childminder. There are clear and concise policies and procedures which reflect her good practice. Detailed records of the children provide sufficient and suitable information to enable the childminder to meet their individual needs professionally. The childminder also records the children's activities, games and trips through excellent photographic evidence, with the parents consent. All records, documentation and information are shared effectively, and the comments of the parents valued. In addition, the childminder continually evaluates her practice in order to improve on the high quality of care she provides. Children benefit from this honest and friendly partnership because the relaxed interaction provides a seamless transition from home to the setting. The childminder invites parents to share their

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Organisation

comments on the provision to ensure the highest standards of care are maintained. This means that children benefit from her knowledge and commitment. Parents value and appreciate the dedicated support the childminder offers them, which means they are able to leave their children in her care with total confidence.

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Organisation

Children enjoy themselves and are motivated to develop extremely well in the child-centred and well organised environment. Children receive excellent care due to the childminder's commitment to her work and training. She is a very experienced childminder who strives to continually improve her practice. This is evident in the ongoing training she attends and the childcare materials she uses for reference. She regularly attends courses and network meetings and welcomes support and advice from the childminding network coordinator.

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Organisation

Children play in a very rich and stimulating environment. They confidently help themselves to resources that are stored within their reach; this promotes their independence and ability to make choices. For example, she recognises that older children sometimes need to play with toys and games which are not suitable for younger children and she arranges for them to play safely in another room away from the others. The childminder is very competent in dividing her time to ensure the needs of all children are met. Strong bonds are formed very quickly between the children and the childminder which results in children being calm and very well settled. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection three recommendations were made. The childminder was required to ask parents to countersign for any medication given, to give consent for outings and activities and to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Potential hazards were required to be removed from the garden. The childminder has since moved house and her present garden is very safe. All records are now appropriately signed by parents.

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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

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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