Meades, Kirsty

Inspection report for early years provision

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154267 Unique Reference Number 24 May 2007 Inspection date Kim Mundy 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and nine-years in Edgware in Middlesex. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has no pets.

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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 five children under five. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder cares for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/ toddler group and she is a member of the Barnet childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are having a marvellous time in the care of the childminder and their exciting day begins as soon as they arrive each morning. The childminder places an equally strong emphasis on all areas of children's care, learning and welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

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 learning excellent hygiene practices; they know to wash their hands 'because they may have germs on them' and they have their own towels in the bathroom. Children's privacy is respected in relation to nappy changing and each child has their own changing mat. The childminder wears protective clothing to prevent cross-infection. All record keeping for medication and accidents is of a very high standard. Necessary parental consent is in place to apply sun cream and to seek emergency treatment and/or advice. Children receive suitable first aid treatment as the childminder ensures that her first aid certificate is maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are enjoying very sociable meal times as they sit and chat with the childminder. Every week, children enjoy actively participating in cooking activities. As children make tuna pasta for their lunch, they take it in turns to add the olive oil, herbs and lemon juice. The childminder asks many open-ended questions as they discuss the ingredients, smells and tastes. Children relish home-made meals such as spaghetti bolognaise with whole grain pasta.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing excellent physical skills and are having tremendous fun as they run, crawl, slide, climb, balance and steer wheeled toys. They also visit the gym and pre-school groups where alternative activities are available.

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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 warm and welcoming home. They move around comfortably as they help themselves to very good quality toys and resources. The childminder makes excellent use of the space available in and outdoors. There is a cosy book corner with soft furnishings, a home corner area, individual mats for floor play, and a child-size table and chairs for various activities. Comfortable furniture and very good quality equipment is also available, for example, travel cots, high chair, buggy and car seats.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very safe and secure on the premises because the childminder has comprehensive policies and procedures in place to minimise possible hazards, for example, written and visual risk assessments. Children know what to do in the event of a fire because they regularly practise the fire evacuation drill and a record of smoke alarm checks are kept. When on outings, young children wear wrist straps with the childminder's telephone number for the unlikely event of a child going missing. The childminder plans opportunities for children to learn to take responsibility for their own safety, for example, as they help to tidy away toys and cross the road. These thorough systems ensure children's safety and welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder updates her knowledge and keeps abreast of current child protection procedures. The childminder has a clear, up-to-date written policy that is shared with parents and reflects current local guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children take part in a superb range of high quality activities during their time with the childminder. They are extremely confident and happy in the setting and in their relationship with the childminder. There is constant positive interaction between them and the children's skills, learning and language are expanded through careful explanations, practical demonstrations, encouragement and praise. The childminder has attended the Birth to three matters framework training which supports children in their earliest years and she plans very effectively for this. Plans include: the introduction of new language to extend 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 vocabulary and thinking; evaluation of the children's involvement in activities; and challenges for more able children, for example, using scissors.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's early interest in writing and reading is wonderfully promoted. On arrival, they find their name card which also has a photo of themselves on it which helps younger children recognise their name. Children take a story book home each week to read and talk about with their parents and they note comments in a book as to how they enjoyed the story. They adore taking 'Kipper' the toy dog home, to look after with his overnight bag containing his belongings such as his own 'Kipper' video, story book, bottle and toothbrush. Children decide what they should pack in his bag. The childminder asks them what he needs if the weather is cold, children respond 'his coat, gloves and hat!'. Kipper also has a book in his overnight bag which parents and children write in to explain what he has been doing during his 'sleep-over'. He also has his photo taken with the children in their own home, for example, as he brushes his teeth.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are excited as they investigate and explore. Outdoors, they crouch down to observe ants and play with whales and divers in the water play. Children are using their imagination as they play in the home corner, dress up in shoes and push the dolls around in buggies. Children enjoy digging and planting vegetables such as carrots, sprouts and tomatoes. They squeal, giggle and laugh as they chase bubbles around the garden. They are developing their problem solving skills as they weigh during cooking activities and estimate how many spoons they need for lunch. When the childminder asks them to identify what's missing for the younger children at lunch time, older children exclaim 'bibs!'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing their creativity and use their senses as they use paint, glue and pasta, make models out of clay, dough and recyclable materials. The childminder adds, for example, lavender essence and glitter to play dough and food colouring to the water play. Children are in awe of the marvellous range of activities on offer. They have time to consolidate their learning as they repeat activities. Children are introduced to very positive learning experiences and above all, they are having lots of fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are highly valued as individuals. They are developing a very positive self-image, amazing confidence and esteem, for example, through the use of photos of themselves on their lunch mats. They gain a positive attitude towards others and gain an excellent understanding about the wider world and community through access to a lovely range of toys and resources that encourage positive images of culture, ethnicity, disability and gender. Children enjoy making 'Divas' for Diwali and they taste noodles as they celebrate Chinese New Year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave extremely well. They understand the basic house rules, right from wrong and readily share toys and take turns in their play. Children have impeccable manners and the childminder encourages this with constant praise. The childminder corrects children and follows this with explanations as to why the behaviour is inappropriate and if really necessary, children sit on the thinking step to calm down. Children are very kind and caring towards each other, for example, as they help to put on each other's shoes they ask if they are too tight and as they go out in the garden they tell each other to 'mind the step'. Children also tell each other they are good. They love the sticker and certificate reward system in place for achievements and good behaviour and as the childminder says 'wherever possible'.

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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 The childminder is able to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is extremely kind and thoughtful towards the individual needs of all children and she handles situations with great sensitivity ensuring their privacy as required. The childminder has attended various training courses for example, Epi-pen administration and inclusion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is excellent. Children's emotional well-being is nurtured as the childminder requires parents to settle their children until they are happy to be left in her care. She also carries out a home visit to observe the children in their home environment. Children benefit from very close communication systems between parents and the childminder. Parents receive copies of the childminder's comprehensive policies which underpin her excellent practice. Each child has their own daily journal which includes: a copy of the week's menu; reward charts for children who are toilet training; and children's routine, activities and achievements. In Kippers' book, the childminder provides information about what the children are learning and how this relates to the Birth to three matters framework. Parent's questionnaires and 'thank you' letters show that they are extremely happy with the service provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is extremely well organised and she is very clear about her role and responsibility as a registered childminder. Children are having a wonderful time as the childminder meets all of their individual needs with utmost kindness and care. The childminder is very knowledgeable about how children learn and develop and she provides a wonderfully rich learning environment in which children flourish.

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Organisation

Children benefit immensely because the childminder is extremely enthusiastic and she continuously updates her knowledge of child care by attending many training courses, for example, Birth to three matters, child protection and behaviour management. Excellent policies and procedures have been carefully thought out with the children's safety, well-being and enjoyment being paramount and these are shared with parents. The childminder places an equal professional emphasis on all areas of her high quality childcare provision.

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Organisation

Children are having a magical time and they are very happy, busy and secure in this very stimulating environment. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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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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 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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