Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY272544 Unique Reference Number 16 May 2007 Inspection date Donna Stevens 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 husband, who works as her assistant, and four-year-old child in a house in Kidderminster. There are shops and schools close by. The whole of the ground floor and the spare bedroom upstairs are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently six children on roll who attend for a mixture of full and part-time sessions. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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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's health is extremely well promoted and all possible steps are taken to prevent cross infection. Children begin to learn the importance of good personal hygiene through daily routines. They are encouraged to wash their hands before eating, after using the toilet and after playing outside. Children are able to take themselves to the toilet and are encouraged to be independent. They learn about dental health as they brush their teeth after meals and talk about why they need to do this. There are very good arrangements in place for nappy changing and potty training. Extremely detailed policies, clear medication and accident records ensure that children's health and well-being are given high priority and that these procedures are fully understood by parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Mealtimes are sociable occasions where children and adults eat together and enjoy a wide variety of nutritious home-cooked meals. The childminder has an excellent understanding of healthy eating and ensures that meals are prepared using fresh ingredients and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Children have the opportunity to try foods from other cultures and are able to help themselves to a selection of nutritious and filling snacks. Children are encouraged to eat their five recommended portions of fruit and vegetables each day. They are helped to do this by growing some of the produce that they eat such as tomatoes and strawberries. Children take part in a variety of cooking activities and food preparation tasks such as making meatballs and helping to cut up fruit.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children make excellent physical progress and get extensive opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They take regular walks and visit the local parks. The childminder has a policy that 'there is no such thing as bad weather only bad clothes' and children are encouraged to bring coats and wellingtons so they can play outside during all weathers. During a recent visit to the park they enjoyed paddling in the stream, splashing and having fun. They use a variety of climbing equipment, bikes and ride on toys and learn ball skills. Inside they take part in dancing and pres-chool gym sessions, as well as visiting the local soft play area.

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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 very clean, well maintained and extremely safe home where all reasonable steps are taken to minimise risks. Children have access to the open plan play room, dining and kitchen area and this enables the children to have free movement, spread out activities and provides them with plenty of space to play or to have quiet time. There is an extensive range of toys and equipment that are of a high standard and are continuously checked to ensure that children can play safely and independently with a superb range of resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The open plan layout of the home allows children to be very well supervised at all times and the childminder and her assistant ensure that children remain within sight or hearing distance of an adult. Their safety is paramount and they are encouraged to be aware of dangers both inside and outside the home. They do this by practising the fire evacuation plan, learning to cross the road and being aware of safety around the childminder's pets and the pond. In the home they are encouraged to keep themselves safe by tidying up toys, not climbing on furniture, playing nicely together and using equipment appropriately.

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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 very well protected from possible abuse or neglect. There is a clear up-to-date written policy that is in line with current guidance is shared with parents. The childminder has a very good understanding of the types of abuse, appropriate action to take she is concerned about a child in her care and the necessity to record any concerns and ensure professional confidentiality.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder and her assistant provide a very calm environment where children are extremely happy and confident. Children thoroughly enjoy themselves and are helped to achieve. Good, warm and caring relationships between the adults and children are evident. They communicate easily with each other and are very affectionate towards each other, this helps children feel settled. Children are highly valued and this encourages them to feel good about themselves. They constantly receive positive support, praise and encouragement. Children play well together and are encouraged to make choices about their play and activities. This enables them to make excellent progress in their personal, social and emotional development. Children enjoy an extensive range of stimulating practical activities. They take part in cooking, arts and crafts, painting and other messy play. They learn about nature and the world around them as they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

plant seeds, help to feed and care for the childminder's pet rabbits and look at and handle frogs from the pond. Their art work is displayed on the walls of the play room and children talk with pride about which part of the wall displays they helped to make. Children benefit from a range of activities outside the home. They regularly visit local parks, take walks to feed horses in fields nearby, enjoy sessions at the local soft play area and walk to the local shop to help buy cooking ingredients. Some toys are kept in the playroom on low-level easily accessible storage that children are encouraged to help themselves to. Each week the childminder chooses different toys to bring into the playroom but children are encouraged to ask for any play equipment they would like from the vast selection that is stored in the outside sheds. This enables children to be independent and make their own choices.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children of individual needs are extremely well met. They develop a positive attitude to others and gain an understanding about the wider world and community through access to a range of play and activities that encourage positive images of culture, ethnicity and gender. The childminder's assistant is bilingual and children have the opportunity to listen to and learn simple songs and phrases in another language. This helps them to understand that there are other languages in the world, different ways of life and customs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They are encouraged to understand right from wrong through consistent boundaries, continuous praise and encouragement to learn to share and take turns. Children are kept busy so they do not become frustrated or bored and the wide range of equipment means there are plenty of resources for the children to share. Any problems are dealt with through explanations, ensuring that children begin to understand the consequences of their actions and why certain behaviour is inappropriate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is excellent. Children benefit from constant verbal communication between parents and the childminder. This is extended through the use of daily diaries, photograph books of both the setting and the children's homes, and two teddy bears

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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 who regularly go home with the children and complete an adventure diary about how they spend their time. This strengthens the link between home and the setting and helps to ensure that children are settled and secure.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from the childminder who is extremely well-organised and plans days so there is a variety of activities and opportunities for the children both in and out of the home. The open planned play space allows children to move freely and expand their play. Children are encouraged to extend their play into the outdoor area and thoroughly enjoy the flexibility of being able to move between the indoor and outdoor environment.

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Organisation

The childminder is very well qualified to NVQ level 3 in Childcare and Education and shows a continued commitment to her own self development by attending regular courses and workshops. She has recently attended a food hygiene course and a briefing about the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She uses this extensive knowledge to provide an excellent range of activities for the children.

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Organisation

All required records are kept up-to-date, confidentially stored and are available to share with parents. The childminder has developed an extensive range of written policies and procedures that she shares with the parents of the children in her care. They are clear, concise and easy to understand reflecting the excellent standards of care provided. Overall the needs of all children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was not minding but was asked to ensure that all paperwork was in place when she began caring for children. All required paperwork and records are in place and are of a very high standard.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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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