Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265843 Unique Reference Number 16 May 2007 Inspection date Margaret Coyne 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 and two children aged five years and three years, in Luton, Bedfordshire The whole of the ground floor and two bedrooms and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time and is currently caring for three children under eight years and two children over eight years. Some children attend for full days and some before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends a local toddler group and childminding support group. The family have a pet cat. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds a relevant early years childcare qualification.

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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 are welcomed into a lively, child-orientated and very clean environment where they can play, rest, sleep and enjoy physical activities according to their needs. The childminder follows highly effective health and hygiene procedures, meeting the children’s physical, nutritional and health needs and allowing them to thrive and flourish. The childminder’s exceptional support and guidance helps children gain an excellent understanding of hygiene and a real desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care. Children understand how and why they should wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating, after touching animals or playing outside. These hygiene practices are incorporated within the children's daily routine and impact positively on their independence and health. They have separate towels and flannels, plates and cups which are identified with the children's names and helps to prevent

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Helping children to be healthy

cross-infection. Children's well-being is prompted as the childminder works to highly effective and purposeful policies and procedures, which she has developed with regard to health, hygiene, medication and any illness with the children. The childminder’s practice is reflected clearly in these written procedures and enriches the children's understanding about keeping healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a nourishing, varied and healthy diet as the childminder carefully takes into account both children's and parents' food preferences. Children enjoy delicious, home-cooked, nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to them and meet their dietary needs. For example, children have popcorn, breadsticks, rice cakes and fresh fruit for their snacks. Lunch and tea consists of items such as chicken casserole, Rigatoni with a meat and cheese sauce, cottage pie, ham and cheese wraps, omelettes and fresh vegetables some of which they have grown themselves. Children are also able to select healthy options from the breakfast menu. For example fresh fruit and yogurts, cereals and toast. Parents are informed daily about what their child has chosen to eat throughout the day. The children learn about healthy living as the childminder encourages them to take an active role in learning about healthy foods

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Helping children to be healthy

through projects and outings. For example, she takes the children to visit the local shop to buy the ingredients for their cooking activity. Children thoroughly enjoy being involved in these activities and this stimulates lots of discussion, encourages them to make healthy choices and is instrumental to their knowledge of healthy eating. Children have a juice and a water day which is alternated to ensure they remain hydrated and understand the importance of drinking plenty of liquids. The childminder has completed a 'Basic Food Hygiene' course which greatly enhances her knowledge of safe hygiene practices when she prepares their meals and snacks and when storing food items.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy because they are involved in an extensive range of physical activities. They develop control and coordination as they take part in stimulating daily indoor and outdoor play. This contributes extremely well to their good health. The childminder provides regular opportunities for the children to enjoy outdoor activities such as walking to the local school, playing in the garden, trips to feed the ducks at the lakes, trips to the zoo, park and Dunstable Downs thus gaining lots of fresh air and exercise. The children develop their own physical skills as they build an assault course in the garden and help to dig in the vegetable plot before planting seeds and plants. Indoor activities take place to help children develop confidence and skills to move their bodies. For example, they join in simple Yoga exercises and younger children develop their mobility through the extensive equipment and support in place. The childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

has a keen knowledge of 'Birth to three matters,' and uses the framework extensively. Her excellent understanding of each child’s stage of development means that the youngest children

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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 are confident to try out new skills, ask for help when needed and set their own limits within the safe environment. For example, younger children move around using the hold on toys and explore their dexterity with the items in the treasure basket.

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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 stimulating, vibrant environment where risks of accidental injury are minimised because the childminder is extremely vigilant and meticulous about her safety measures and involves children in learning about keeping themselves safe. For example, the childminder explains to the children about the risk from fire and how to keep themselves safe. They understand fire hazards and take part in regular emergency evacuation drills and practise road safety when ever they are out of the home. A thorough risk assessment is used to identify and reduce potential hazards. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to achieve a balance between letting children take risks but ensuring they can do so in a safe environment. The older children learn how to keep themselves safe through the childminder’s expert practice and guidance and through the house rules they have drawn up for themselves. Children have

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

a clear understanding of the boundaries in place and the reasons for them. They have an excellent all-round opportunity to learn a sense of danger and acquire a sound knowledge about how to protect themselves from harm. The entrance hall provides a source of valuable information for parents and conveys that children's needs are paramount in this setting. For example, photographs and certificates assure parents that their children are in safe hands. Children's art work is displayed around the home which instils a sense of pride and belonging within the group.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have safe access to an exceptional range of high quality play resources and equipment appropriate to their age and stage of development. The childminder ensures children's safe access to age-appropriate toys because she sets them up in different rooms for children to access. For example, when younger children are present the older children can play with items such as Lego bricks in a separate room. Children enjoy freedom to choose and select activities and resources because they are stored exceptionally well on low-level shelving and in see through, labelled boxes. This greatly promotes their independence and contributes to the rapid progress they make in all areas of learning. Highly effective and exciting resources are used to help children develop their tactile skills such as a treasure basket with household items which is enjoyed by all ages of children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are extremely well-protected as the childminder has extensive knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and a sensitive manner to focus on any signs or symptoms of abuse or neglect. She has attended extensive training in child protection which is regularly updated. She provides parents with factual, up to date information on child protection issues enabling them to work in partnership together to protect each child. She also provides a written policy and procedure to ensure parents fully understand the adults’ duty to protect children. All supporting records and literature is in place including the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. This underpins her knowledge and ensures she can give utmost priority to safeguarding all children’s welfare.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy, confident and secure with the childminder because they can play and be nurtured in a home from home child orientated environment. High quality activities which are rooted in expert knowledge of all areas of learning ensure the children are consistently challenged and highly stimulated. Activities are exceptionally well planned across the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the Stepping Stones. This contributes to the children's enjoyment and the rapid progress they make. Extensive development records record children's progress across these areas and show how they achieve new skills through their play and learning. These contain photographs of the children taking part in the activities and link into the different areas of development. Activities are planned that strike a balance between child initiated and adult directed play and the childminder competently seizes teachable moments when ever they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

present themselves. For example when planning a cooking activity the children go to the shop to buy the ingredients, prepare these at home, cook the pizzas and enjoy eating them. Through this activity other areas of learning are incorporated such as mathematics, language and an understanding about the world.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder enriches experiences for the children because she is able to offer a wide spectrum of play both within the home and in the wider community. Children benefit from these experiences as they go for walks, enjoy trips to the zoo, parks and library and take part in community events such as the 'Toddler Waddle' the childminder sensitively supports and acknowledges their achievements. Children's efforts are praised and this enriches the whole experience for them. Children have inspired opportunities to explore and experiment as take part in gardening activities. First preparing the ground then planting lettuces, tomatoes, peppers, peas and pumpkins. They have fun growing sunflowers each year and take part in a competition to see which one grows the tallest. This also helps children develop their simple problem solving skills and generally mathematical understanding.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children demonstrate their security and confidence as they play with the childminder and enjoy spontaneous cuddles. This is clearly evident in the way the children respond to the childminder and the enjoyment she gets from being part of the children's play. It is a lively, happy and vibrant setting in which the children are able to feel at home and have a strong sense of belonging. Their creative work is displayed beautifully around the room helping to develop their self-esteem and pride. Children are highly motivated and keen to take part because the activities are well-planned and children can choice what interests them. Their language and literacy skills are highly developed because they have opportunity to take part in discussions, join in shared reading and when using their imaginations in role play. Younger children babble and make their needs known because the childminder knows them so well. She relates to their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

different personalities and because of this she can help them avoid becoming frustrated or despondent. Older children are able to identify their own names from their name cards and can link the sounds of the letters into different words and objects around the room. The equipment is also well labelled which contributes significantly to children's emergent reading skills. Younger children enjoy the 'baby beat' sessions where they learn about different sounds, rhythm and beat.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has attended numerous, additional training sessions in many areas. This has increased her knowledge and understanding in providing exciting and highly effective activities and learning opportunities for children. She has been awarded her accreditation to enable her to start to take funded children and holds a Nursery Nurse Examination Board certificate (NNEB). She is also working towards the Early Years Foundation Degree. This enables her to

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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 apply her considerable expertise to her practise and ensures her teaching is routed in expert knowledge of the Foundation Stage. Her use of the 'Birth to Three Matters' framework promotes the younger children's natural curiosity and instincts to learn through play. This impacts significantly on the progress the children make.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children develop a sensitive awareness of diversity and an understanding of the needs of others. This is achieved through the extensive range of activities and resources which promotes a positive outlook of the wider world. For example, children learn about other cultures festivals and celebrations such as Chinese New Year where they enjoy trying food and making dragons. Children accept each other as individuals with the childminder setting an excellent example by valuing and respecting each child. Children's needs are meet in a highly effective manner through her open, honest and effective communication with parents and children and with her ability to tailor her care to meet individual needs. Children and parents produce an 'All about me' document which provides the childminder with valuable information to gage each child's starting point. This also helps her to learn about them enabling her to help each child feel

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Activities are adapted to meet the needs of all children and a sensitive approach ensures children can play without fear of discrimination. The childminders superb attitude encourages children to feel good about themselves and show respect for others. She has an wealth of experience working with children with learning difficulties and disabilities and is innovative using this knowledge to underpin her practice. The childminder knows the children extremely well and is highly responsive to their needs. For example, if a child needs a cuddles this is happily provided and children respond positively knowing this. An inclusive environment has been created which clearly shows that each child matters.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children know and accept the realistic boundaries in place and this impacts positively on their behaviour. They respond well to the skilfully planned activities and play an active role in managing their own behaviour. Children show care and concern for others and when drawing up their own rules being kind to others is high on their agenda. Older children are caring towards the younger children and help them learn by example. Children respond extremely well to the childminder and her effective support and consistent strategies help them understand how to manage and control their own behaviour. Their confidence and self-esteem is enriched by the consistent support and praise offered. When asking a child to respond the childminder always gives a reason and explanation for her request. This again helps children feel valued and respected.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed extensive and worthwhile information for parents' detailing all aspects of her practice. An outstanding portfolio is in place which provides parents with excellent and clear information about activities, partnership with parents, consent forms, contracts and many other useful information. She has photograph albums of the children to share with parents so they can feel part of their child's day seeing them enjoying their time at the setting. Quarterly newsletters also update parents with events and information about activities. Each parent has time to discuss their child's day and are able to share in this and play an active and important role in their child's care. The children's observation records also provide parents with a wealth of information about their progress and achievements. Children's care and development is extensively promoted due to the childminder's commitment to working closely with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have written glowing letters and have filled in questionnaires detailing the childminder's

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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 support and high standard of care she provides for their children. An extensive notice board in the entry hall provides parents with invaluable additional information.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder adopts a highly professional, conscientious and caring approach to her childminding and is extremely confident in the high level of care she provides for the children. She is constantly seeking ways to improve her skills and is happy to incorporate any suggestions which might further enhance her provision for children and their parents. The childminder uses her maternal experience, her qualification in childcare, her firm commitment to continued training and her effective organisation to promote positive outcomes for children. She has now obtained her accreditation and hopes to start to take children who are funded offering a high level of support for their learning.

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Organisation

Children’s development is promoted due to the careful planning and preparation completed by the childminder. She has written plans for activities which she evaluates afterwards. Then she plans the next steps for each of the children and identifies the progress and achievements they make across the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the Foundation Stage stepping stones. Detailed records are kept of each child’s progress inline with these and are shared with parents. The childminder has a dynamic, enthusiastic and professional approach. She uses polices and procedures in a high effective manner to promote the welfare, care and learning of all children. She ensures all legally required documentation relating to children’s health, safety and well-being is in place and is regularly reviewed.

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Organisation

The childminder's paperwork is exemplary with an abundance of relevant and informative documentation which ensures that parents are well informed of her practice. This effectively supports children's welfare, care and learning and underpins her professional practice. The childminder ensures all documentation and records are maintained appropriately and stored securely. These are shared with parents to support their excellent working relationship. Purposeful policies and procedures are shared with parents and are clearly reflected in her practise. Ratios are met at all times and the childminder has an excellent awareness of the impact these have on the children's health, safety, socialization and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to extending her knowledge and has completed an extensive range of additional training courses to compliment and enhance her practice. For example, she has attended courses for behaviour management, health and safety risk assessment, every child is special, speech and language in the early years, identifying learning in children's play, imaginative play workshop, music workshops, special educational needs, child protection and first aid, to name but a few. She has also attended training for the 'Birth to three matters' framework, holds her nursery nurses qualification and is working towards her Early Years Foundation Degree. She continually updates and extends her knowledge to enhance the high level of care she can provide for the children. The childminder is an active member of the local childminders support group and helps support new childminders to raise the level of care in

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Organisation

the community. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to obtain written consent from parents to seek emergency treatment or advice. This is now in place from each parent and is included in the children's records to refer to in an emergency.

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Improvements 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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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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