Holt Kerry-Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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220444 Unique Reference Number 28 February 2007 Inspection date Tracey Marie Boland 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 has been registered since 2001. She lives with her husband and children aged 16 and 8 years. They live in a house in Daventry, Northampton. The local school, shops and park are within walking distance. The whole of the house is accessible to children, however, minding mainly takes place on the ground floor which includes toilet facilities. An upstairs bedroom is used to sleep younger children. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has two rabbits and two fish and two small cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 enjoy a very good range of activities which contribute to their good health. They enjoy regular outdoor activities, for example they play on the large local park behind the childminder's home with a wide variety of equipment, visit local groups, play ball games, use a variety of bikes and wheeled equipment and run around in the fresh air. They benefit from using a number of soft play centres where they develop control and coordination. They use an extensive range of physical equipment in the childminder's home and are protected from the sun when playing under a gazebo. Children enjoy dance, do action rhymes and are involved in singing activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a stimulating warm, clean home where they learn about good hygiene routines and personal care. They are becoming skilled in attending to their own personal care in the toilet and they benefit from pictures and visual clues, which significantly help children understand good hygiene procedures. Older children know that they wash their hands to remove germs and the excellent nappy changing routines and practice ensure that children are protected from risk of cross-contamination. Children are protected by the childminder's thorough policy and rigorous procedures for medical emergences. Excellent systems are in place when an emergency arises and the childminder ensures she is up to date with medical procedures through regular first aid training.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder's very good food hygiene practices. Having attending food hygiene training she follows good storage procedures and foods are heated to required temperatures and allowed to cool before being given to the children. An excellent range of healthy, nutritious meals are freshly prepared by the childminder. Children's dietary needs are known from discussions with the parents and the contracts and information are recorded. These contain details of allergies, dietary requirements, and religious needs and all information is accessible at all times. This ensures that her thorough procedures protect children with regard to their diet. Children choose from a varied range of drinks available to them which are replenished regularly to ensure cool and fresh. Flashcards are displayed for the children reflecting the various foods available for their snack each day enabling them to make an informed choice

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a home where their needs are given priority and the childminder is proactive in her approach to safety, both indoors and out. Potential risks to children have been identified, minimised and daily visual risk assessments are completed to ensure that children are able to move around the home safely and freely. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and they understand the need to stay close to the childminder when out of the home. They learn how to cross a road safely and fluorescent Visi-vests are worn when out as are wrist bands with the childminder's mobile number on. Discussions about 'Stranger Danger' ensure that children are protected as far as is possible from harm.

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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 Children enjoy an excellent range of toys and resources that are of good quality and checked regularly to ensure their ongoing suitability. Baby toys are monitored to ensure that they are suitable and children's toys are only provided if they are suitable for the age and stage of development of the children attending. Fire evacuation drills take place frequently and each practise is evaluated to ensure the procedure is effective. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has all required documentation and many

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

additional written policies and procedures, which help to keep children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected as the childminder has an excellent understanding and working knowledge of child abuse and neglect and is fully conversant with local referral procedures. A clear and concise child protection policy is included in the parents prospectus outlining her role and responsibility with regard to protecting children in her care. She is proactive in her approach to keeping her knowledge and understanding of legislation and procedures up to date and regularly attends training relating to this area of her work.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy, confident and settled at the childminder's home. They move freely and confidently around the home and select from an excellent range of resources independently. Children take part in an extensive range of activities which enhances their overall development and encourages their thought processes. Children play in a self contained room and the lounge which is full of toys and resources including DVD's, videos, dressing up, activity toys, cars, art and craft, role play, construction, soft play toys and small world figures, games, books, puzzles and musical instruments. Detailed planning takes place which is displayed for parents to see although the childminder is flexible if the children want to do something different or spontaneous for example when making a snow man when it snowed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Festival celebrations take place with the children throughout the year. They have good opportunities to try foods from different cultures and information that has been shared with the children is also shared with the parents in written form so that they are able to continue the discussion with their child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are involved in activities that actively encourages their understanding in all areas of their development. They enjoy simple activities that promote their understanding of addition and subtraction are completed and they learn shapes and colours and are currently looking at the colour purple and the triangle shape. Mobiles are in place throughout the play room that reinforce colours, shapes and letters and the children have been involved in making some of them. All children spend their time purposefully, investigating and using their senses both in and out of the home. They make excellent relationships with each other and socialise with other children during frequent visits to soft play areas socialising with other children. Photographs record a very wide range of different activities children take part in.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The 'Birth to three matters' framework and foundation stage of learning is well known by the childminder who completes developmental assessments of the children which relating to the frameworks. They are shared with parents who are given a daily report of their children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 progress. Children are treated as individuals and their language is encouraged and extended by the childminder through her skilful questioning. They are praised at all times for their understanding and achievements and excellent interaction was observed throughout the inspection.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children choose from an excellent range of resources, which include books, puzzles, small world figures, dolls and role play equipment to develop a positive understanding of diversity and the wider world. Pictures and posters are displayed in the childminder's home of children and adults with disabilities and cultural differences. Children celebrate a wide range of different festivals throughout the year. They taste foods and are involved in art and craft activities appropriate to the celebrations and they learn from each other. Children's individual needs are discussed with parents in detail. Any special requirements or information are discussed and consistent communication and information exchange takes place. Special needs of children are recognised and met sensitively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play together well and resources and positive reinforcement helps children learn how to respect each others feelings. They learn to share and take turns and are continually praised for their excellent behaviour. Children's progress is communicated both written and verbally to parents. Menus and play plans for their children are displayed and a daily diary and a range of photographs record activities and outings their children take part in, which ensures they are kept informed and involved in the care provided. During initial interviews parents receive policy and procedure documents and discuss in detail every aspect of the care their children will receive. They are encouraged to discuss any issues that may arise to ensure their child's ever changing needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are happy, settled and relaxed in an exceptionally well organised, homely environment. They benefit from the childminder's excellent organisational skills, which ensure they have a fun-filled, interesting time in her care. Children use the playroom and lounge to enjoy a very wide variety of well planned and spontaneous activities and the relationship they have formed with the childminder is excellent. Regular, wide ranging, visits outside of the home greatly contributes to children's learning and enjoyment of the wider and local environment.

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Organisation

An excellent range of written policies and procedures inform parents about the level of care provided and ensures they are kept informed and up to date with their child's day, progress and achievements. Communication with parents is excellent. They have numerous opportunities for discussion and consultation about their child's development and well being. Continuous review of her policies and procedures and regular attendance at training courses to improve her skills and knowledge has excellent impact on the care of the children and as a result meets their individual needs well.

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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 Overall the needs of the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop the range of resources to include those that positively reflect disability. Children access an excellent variety of resources that reflect disability which include books, small world figures, posters, puzzles and dolls. Discussion takes place with children to raise their awareness of needs and any questions are answered sensitively and at the child's level of understanding. Therefore, their understanding of disability is enhanced through the childminders positive approach.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was also asked to obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children. Clear consent has been obtained for the administration of medicines and clear recording of medication given is in place and signed by parents. Therefore, all medical needs are being met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. Consent has been sought from parents and the information carried at all times to ensure their child is well cared for in times of emergency.

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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. 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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