Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY338224 Unique Reference Number 25 January 2007 Inspection date Diane Mary O'Neill 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 childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her one child aged two years in Elstow, Bedfordshire. The whole of childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 is currently minding two children under five and one over five. The childminder also provides overnight care for three children. The childminder is within walking distance to take and collect children from school. The childminder attends local groups. The family has no pets.

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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 good. Children actively learn to stay healthy because the childminder is very good at promoting hygiene practices. This helps to raise children’s awareness of healthy living and to effectively enable them to understand the need to practise good routines of personal care. This is further expanded as the childminder involves the children in discussions about food, diet, being healthy and incorporating this at times within their play. For example, the children talk about how carrots are good for you as they help make your skin, eyes and nails strong. Children are well protected from infection as the childminder ensures cross-infection is limited as much as possible through good hygiene and exclusion procedures for certain illnesses. The children are further protected as the childminder has effective systems for the recording and administration of any first aid or medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a very varied and well balanced and nutritious diet. All meals are home cooked from fresh ingredients and consideration is given to children’s preferences and meeting individual dietary needs. The childminder makes sure parents are fully informed about the foods she will be providing. For example, having menus on display, discussions with parents about their children's likes and dislike therefore having effective lines of communication in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have very good opportunities to develop their physical skills. This is achieved through a variety of play experiences both inside and outside of the childminder's home, which contribute to their overall health and well-being. The children move freely and confidently during their play, where there are excellent opportunities to select play equipment independently. This enables them to explore, investigate and use their communication and imaginary skills effectively within their play. Children’s outdoor play is further expanded within the local community by going on trips to the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm welcoming, secure and safe environment. The childminder is proactive in maintaining a safe place for children and has taken reasonable steps to minimise any risks. The children clearly understand emergency evacuation procedures as they practise these on a regular basis which helps to reinforce their learning. The childminder has taken professional guidance from the fire department to ensure she offers a safe environment for children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have very good opportunities to access suitable play space and equipment both inside and outside of the childminder’s home. This contributes to developing their independence skills as they have a choice of activities and play materials available to them. Children are beginning to learn about safety by abiding by the expectations the childminder has in place. However, at times when the children are playing, the play space is not effectively checked and cleared to totally ensure their safety. The children learn about road safety and being safe when on outings, as they know not to talk to strangers and they practise the 'Green Cross Code'.

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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 are well protected as suitable checks have been undertaken on all adults who may be caring for children. Their safety is further ensured by the childminder having clear and informative up-to-date guidance on child protection procedures, which help to underpin her knowledge and understanding.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very settled, confident and made very welcome in this happy and relaxed setting. The childminder encourages the children to explore and investigate their surroundings, as well as making it a fun and motivating environment. This is achieved through the exciting and stimulating range of equipment and play resources that are available to them. For example, the children thoroughly enjoy role play, such as going on a train journey. They gain considerable enjoyment as the childminder joins in and extends their play through positive questioning that further motivates their play. Children confidently initiate their own play and learning as well as being involved in some set activities. Children respond positively and with great affection to the childminder. They happily engage in the variety of play experiences she has on offer for them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are enthusiastically involved in a broad range of challenging and fulfilling activities. Some of these the childminder carefully plans. She uses her skills and expertise to enable the children to enjoy activities that inspire interest and promote challenge whatever their age and stage of development. For example, the children enjoyed building a den and all crawling inside to play. This enables them to develop their confidence and be proud of their achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's play and learning is further transferred to outings such as, the children going on trips to the park and playing in the garden. This is successfully shown with photographs the childminder has taken which she shares with both the children and their parents. The childminder is beginning to use the 'Birth to three matters' framework for devising age-appropriate activities for very young children. The childminder is starting to do observations and recordings of the children's achievements, through the use of resources such as, photographs. These are all shared with the parents so enabling them to work with the childminder to further enable children to learn and achieve.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are beginning to learn about their community and the diversity of the world around them such as festivals, cultures and the different countries people come from. This is achieved through the childminder’s positive attitude and bringing information into the children's play. For example, the children pretend to go to Australia on the train and they talk about the animals they might see. The children's learning is further extended by the childminder actively using resources, talking about holidays and looking at books to talk about countries and where people live.

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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’s needs are very well met as they follow a clear daily routine. The childminder has built up very good and trusting relationships with the children that enable them to feel confident and happy within their surroundings. The children are starting to foster good relationships with one another and this is further promoted through positive contributions by the childminder. Children are beginning to learn and have an awareness of boundaries and rules such as sharing and taking turns when playing games and not jumping on the furniture.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s care is enhanced through the childminder having a very good working partnership with parents which impacts on the confidence and security of each child. Each parent has sufficient time to discuss their child’s progress on a daily basis, whether it be day or overnight care. The childminder ensures they are fully informed about their child’s day and care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has very good communication links with the parents and has a clear and concise system in place for the recording of any complaints or issues that may be raised by the parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has developed extremely well organised play areas both inside and outside the home, which appeal to all ages of children. They are provided with a wealth of exciting learning opportunities. Children feel relaxed, secure and comfortable within the childminder's care. They seek adult support when needed, clearly showing confidence within their surroundings and the very good relationship they have formed with the childminder. They are confident, energetic and engage well in their play together.

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Organisation

The childminder has an excellent standard of record keeping, policies and procedures of required documentation. She is very well organised and ensures these are kept up-to-date, easily accessible and stored securely. The childminder ensures she effectively shares this detailed information on a regular basis with parents, keeping them fully informed about their child's well-being, progress and achievements. This contributes to a secure relationship which impacts positively on the children.

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Organisation

Children’s care and welfare is safeguarded by the childminder’s overall good practice and awareness of procedures to follow. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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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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

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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): • ensure children's play area is safe and free of hazards.

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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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