Mustard School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 131438 Inspection date 16 August 2005 Inspector Anne Gunston

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 for 21 years and works, at times, with her husband who acts as her assistant. She is registered to provide care for 6 children under 8 years of age; her registration also enables her to care for 1 child overnight. Currently she cares for 10 children who all require part-time care. The childminder lives with her husband and two adult children in a house on the west side of the city of Southampton. The home is within walking distance of local shops and schools. The ground floor of the home is used for play, toilet facilities exist on this floor. Rest facilities are available on the first floor of the home; there is a fully

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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 enclosed garden for outside play. The family have two cats and fish. The childminder runs a local crèche and drop-in centre, which is open to childminders and other parents or carers. She is a member of the Southampton Childminding Association, the National Childminding Association and a member of an approved childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from an extremely well balanced diet as the childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of healthy eating. They receive very healthy snacks and meals, for example, cheese, breadsticks and fruit are offered as snacks and children are able to access drinks for themselves, so always have sufficient for their needs. The childminder is proactive in teaching children the importance of a good diet in keeping themselves fit and well. She plans innovative activities to this end; children purchase fresh ingredients at the supermarket, prepare them personally and assist in the cooking process, which ensures they learn about healthy living in an enjoyable, practical way. In addition, children receive plenty of fresh air and physical exercise. They are able to use the garden whenever they wish, take frequent walks to the nearby woodland, and go to local parks where they develop control and co-ordination

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Helping children to be healthy

using climbing equipment, swings and slides. Children are becoming accomplished in caring for themselves; for example, the childminder is effective in supporting younger children by providing cleansing wipes so they wipe their own hands and faces. Children thrive in the childminder's home. She has effective routines in place to ensure children can rest comfortably as and when they need. Her hygiene practice is thorough and children's medical needs are met in a professional, efficient manner.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from being cared for in a completely safe and secure home. The childminder and her assistant work cohesively as a team; they organise and prepare their home well for the care of children who clearly come first. Toy provision is extensive, colourful and safely displayed to enable children to have plenty of choice. The childminder is thorough in making sure all her equipment is safe for children's use. For example, she checks the resources to be used each day to ensure they are clean, yet also appropriate for the age of children due to attend; items with small, intricate content are stored at high level when younger children are present. Children are kept very safe at all times. When out of the home younger children are protected by use of appropriate restraints in the car or walking; older children's growing independence is recognised. They are given trust and allowed to be responsible

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

when the childminder considers it is safe to do so, enabling children to learn how to keep themselves safe. The childminder and her assistant very accurately assess the risks to children and take swift action to deal with these, ensuring that children are

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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 consistently kept safe when in their care. The childminder's thorough understanding of child protection procedures enables her to recognise any potential risk to children; she would take prompt action to assist in protecting the child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder's thorough knowledge and understanding of children's developmental needs enables her to plan and provide an extensive range of activities and resources for those in her care. Children reach their full potential because they have control and are encouraged to make their own decisions. They feel valued and proud, as the childminder is intuitive; she intervenes at exactly the correct time to support them in their play and ensure children achieve success at their chosen task. Children are purposefully engaged in play throughout their time in the childminder's care. She effectively adapts activities, and resources, to ensure all children who wish can take part. For example, she encourages younger children to spin the counter for older children's more complex board games; this is effective in ensuring that children play co-operatively together. Children are eager and willing to try new, challenging

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

experiences such as bouncing on hoppies in the garden. This is daunting for younger children so the childminder gives practical support and guidance, and unreserved praise for children's individual persistence and progress. Children blossom in the care of the childminder and her assistant as they are given consistently high levels of time, attention and affection.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children learn to form very positive relationships with all they meet, they are well prepared by the childminder and her assistant for any experiences they are likely to face. The childminder plans creative activities, perhaps linking these to festivals such as Chinese New Year or Easter, to raise children's awareness of the differences and similarities in our society. She has an extensive selection of toys, which encourage children to look positively on other cultures or abilities, and makes sure these are an integral part of children's play provision each day. Children are behaving very well, they understand responsible behaviour and play harmoniously with each other. This is because the childminder and her assistant consistently praise any achievement; they consider that "trying is enough" and that any effort a child makes deserves recognition. Children benefit from the childminder's relevant and meaningful

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Helping children make a positive contribution

relationship with their parents. She ensures parents are well-briefed on her policies and encourages thorough discussion of the children's individual needs, by instigating three-monthly reviews of the working agreement.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder has extensive experience and qualifications related to the care of

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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 young children; she ensures that her assistant is suitably qualified and guides his work, which means that children are stimulated and fully occupied when in their care. All required documentation is in place and maintained to a high standard, which supports very successful communication with parents. The childminder is forward-thinking and ensures that her policies, which relate closely to the National Standards, are specific to the service she and her assistant provide, so children's well-being is consistently promoted. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The childminder has a comprehensive understanding of the requirements of her registration, and the inspection process, enabling her to ensure children are well protected at all times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder's child protection policy include information relating to the need to inform Ofsted of any child protection concerns. It was also recommended that she ensure her assistant obtain a first aid qualification, relevant to the care of young children. The childminder has amended her child protection policy, to include Ofsted's contact details, ensuring that parents are fully aware of her responsibilities to assist in protecting children in her care. Her assistant has completed first aid training, helping to maintain children's good health.

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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

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website:

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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 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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