Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY315992 Unique Reference Number 14 June 2007 Inspection date Debbie Molly O'Callaghan 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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged three years and 14 months in Wallington. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years. There is currently one child on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local toddler groups, park and the library. All areas of the house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive in the childminder's care as she is extremely vigilant in ensuring consistently high levels of clean and hygienic practice. This ensures that children are fully protected from germs and infections as the childminder maintains a very clean and well-maintained environment. Children's toys and equipment are cleaned regularly.

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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 Babies' bottles are kept sterile for the preparation of their feeds according to parents' wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and medical needs are identified and fully addressed throughout all areas of childminding practice. The childminder is extremely conscientious in ensuring she obtains all relevant information from parents, regarding all children's health and welfare needs. This enables her to provide for them accordingly within her daily routine and administer any medication, correctly and appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the importance of maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet as the childminder offers nutritious snacks and encourages children to have regular drinks to ensure their well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and physical needs are consistently met as the childminder plans daily opportunities for children to have fresh air and undertake physical exercise to enhance their healthy development. Each child's individual sleep patterns are followed consistently, to ensure children gain sufficient sleep within a peaceful and comfortable environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in an extremely spacious, well-maintained and secure environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with an extensive range of high quality play materials, which are frequently checked to ensure their safety. The childminder has a very good range of equipment to meet the children's needs including a travel cot, double buggy and high chair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys are stored effectively to enable children to reach them easily and safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is vigilant in identifying and addressing potential hazards and taking necessary precautions to safeguard children. The childminder has an extremely high regard for teaching children the importance of staying safe, both inside the home and whilst on outings. Young children recognise the importance of keeping toys with small pieces away from babies and toddlers, as they pose a potential hazard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

She has a thorough understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and is confident that she would recognise these and understands her role in the protection of children. All of these measures contribute to the safety and welfare of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder creates a warm welcoming environment for babies and young children, they are very settled and at ease with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play with a very exciting range of high quality toys and resources which will help them progress in all areas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies enjoy sensory experiences as they explore textured and musical play materials. The childminder has an extensive knowledge and understanding of child development, enabling her to plan suitably challenging activities and play opportunities to encourage children to reach appropriate milestones. For example, non-mobile babies are gently encouraged to gain the muscle development to crawl and sit up using the appropriate play materials to encourage

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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 movement. Babies and toddlers express themselves enthusiastically using sounds and gestures, which the childminder clearly understands and responds to. Language and communication skills are gently encouraged through the use of books, reinforcing vocabulary and conversation, to encourage repetition of words and sounds.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder successfully shares her attention equally between all the children in her care. She interacts extremely positively with the children and develops strong and trusting relationships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has a very positive attitude and promotes equality of opportunity in her daily practice, she has a comprehensive written policy stating that all children will be treated with equal concern and how she plans to meet every child's individual needs. Children have access to a good range of resources that promote their awareness of diversity. The childminder has given thought on how she will support children with English as an additional language and children with learning difficulties/disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has very good strategies to promote positive behaviour. She uses distraction and explanation as a way of discouraging unwanted behaviour. She is firm and consistent to ensure children know and are secure in the boundaries set.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder maintains an extensive range of written material for parents, containing all of her policies. This means parents are fully informed of all her childminding practices to ensure that children's care routines are discussed and agreed. This promotes consistency for children between routines followed at home, and those implemented by the childminder. The childminder has a written complaints policy that includes full details of the procedure she follows if parents have a complaint and explaining her regulatory duty. The childminder exchanges information with parents by the use of a comprehensive daily diary and discussion when children are dropped off or collected. The childminder obtains all written consents and detailed information about the children to enable her to meet their needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are very at home and benefit from the very well organised play space provided. They receive excellent support from the childminder who enjoys their company and knows them well, helping them feel secure and confident.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to further training and has obtained information on the Birth to three matters framework which she puts into practice.

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Organisation

Written, clear and precise policies and procedures cover all aspects of practice and are consistently applied and fully shared with parents so there is a supportive working partnership.

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Organisation

All required regulatory documentation is very well recorded and maintained up to date. This ensures the quality of care for each child is retained to a very high standard and in line with parents' wishes and feelings.

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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 Parents are kept extremely well informed of their child's achievements with the childminder discussing all aspects of the children's care with them.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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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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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