Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY346189 Unique Reference Number 12 June 2007 Inspection date Gill Thornton 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 good. 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 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged three, nine and 13 in a rural village, near Woodbridge in Suffolk. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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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 eight all on part-time basis. The childminder also cares for children aged over eight. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and pre-school. The childminder attends local children's groups and takes children to the local park. The family has three cats, a rabbit and a hamster.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is effectively promoted. They are cared for in a clean and well-maintained home where they develop good hygiene practices from an early age through well-established routines. Each child has their own flannel and hand towel to reduce the risk of cross-infection.

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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 The childminder has good systems in place to gather information from parents about children's individual health care needs and all the required consents are accurately maintained to support this. The childminder has attended first aid and food hygiene training to ensure she is aware of the correct procedures to follow to maintain children's health and prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about healthy eating as they enjoy a range of snacks and meals featuring fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder is careful to follow the wishes of parents when preparing food provided from home. Children enjoy planting vegetables such as tomatoes and cucumbers and share in the experience of seeing them grow.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of physical play experiences that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They regularly play in the large garden, walk to and from school each day and go for walks around the local environment. Babies and young children develop control of their bodies through access to a suitable range of indoor and outdoor equipment and activities such as a small slide, various cause and effect toys and sand and water play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is promoted because the childminder has taken sound steps to reduce their risk of accidental injury. The childminder is very safety conscious and supervises the children closely to promote their safety, especially in the large child-friendly garden. The side gate is kept secure with a high-level bolt so the children cannot leave unsupervised. However, it can be opened from the outside so would not prevent unauthorised people gaining access to the garden. The childminder ensures children follow her rules regarding the use of the large trampoline and she obtains parents' written consent before allowing children to use it.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to an extensive range of high quality toys and equipment that meet safety standards. These are accessibly stored in the conservatory, which is used as playroom, and helps provide a stimulating environment in which children can choose toys that interest and motivate them. The childminder supervises children's play to ensure toys are used appropriately and are suitable for the ages of children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings because the childminder takes their emergency contact details with her and teaches them the Green Cross Code. All the required fire safety precautions are in place and the childminder regularly practises emergency evacuations with the children so they know what to do in the event of a fire. Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted because the childminder has attended safeguarding children training and she is aware of the correct procedures to follow if she has a concern. She has a clear policy which is shared with parents to ensure they are aware of her responsibilities to protect children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy and well settled in the welcoming and child-friendly environment. They confidently make themselves at home and form warm relationships with the childminder and her family. Children's confidence and self-esteem is promoted because the childminder follows their interests and supports their learning by providing them with a wide range of interesting play and learning opportunities which stimulate and motivate them. For example, following a child's interest in watering the plants by providing a bowl of water and various paint brushes

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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 for them to 'paint' the patio with, then showing them how to paint the initial letters of their names to promote their interest in writing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an excellent understanding of child development and how children learn and uses effective questioning skills to extend children's learning and develop their thinking skills. For example, asking 'why do you think the water is disappearing?' Children benefit from positive interaction with the childminder as she joins in with their play to promote their learning, such as when exploring the interesting selection of musical instruments and encouraging a child to demonstrate how the wooden frogs work. Children develop a love of books and usually enjoy a story after lunch; the childminder uses strategies such as using props to encourage their interest and participation in the story.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop pride in their own achievements through the childminder's effective use of praise and encouragement. For example, when praising a child for counting to six and saying how she must make a note to tell mummy how clever they are. The childminder makes good use of everyday activities to encourage children's early counting skills, such as when changing a nappy or while supervising a child climbing the steps on the slide. The childminder plans future events for the children, such as a French Day in response to children's holidays in France and an outing to the seaside supported by a display on the fridge for ideas and suggestions for items to take or things to collect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder effectively reflects aspects of 'Birth to three matters' in her excellent practice. She ensures all children are provided with stimulating activities appropriate to their stage of development to help them make progress. She makes good eye contact with young children while feeding them in their highchairs and encourages them to feed themselves. She responds with interest to their developing language skills so that they know their views are valued. Children have regular opportunities to develop their social skills through attending local children's groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a strong sense of belonging because the childminder ensures they are all valued and included. They have excellent relationships with the childminder who responds sensitively to them and respects their individual personalities. Children have equal access to toys and equipment that meet their individual needs so they can become confident and independent. The childminder has attended some training workshops in supporting children with additional needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an understanding of the wider world through access to resources promoting a positive view of diversity, celebrating various cultural festivals and trying food from other countries. Children are learning to manage their behaviour effectively as the childminder is a positive role model and has a good understanding of appropriate strategies dependent on children's stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationships the childminder develops with their parents. All the required documentation and consents are in place to ensure children are cared for according to their parents' wishes. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure parents are kept well informed about relevant policies and procedures via a parent pack detailing her childminding practices. However, her complaints policy does not make it clear that the log of complaints is available to parents on request. Parents provide highly complimentary references

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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 praising the range of activities, excellent feedback and confidence in knowing their children are well cared for. Information is exchanged via 'All about me books' for each child to record details of their day. In addition, the childminder sometimes texts parents during the day to keep them up to date with what they are doing, this ensures children's changing needs are met and ensures continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder successfully organises her home to provide a welcoming and child-friendly environment with all the facilities to support their care, learning and play. They benefit from regular routines which help them feel confident and secure. Space and resources within her home and garden are well organised to provide a balanced range of stimulating activities. The childminder follows sound procedures to promote children's good health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended all the required training to support her registration and is committed to further professional development to update her knowledge and skills. All the required documentation is accurately maintained and well-organised to support the welfare of the children attending. Overall, children's needs are met.

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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 good. 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve security of the garden gate to prevent unauthorised access • update the complaints policy to inform parents that the record of complaints is available to them on request.

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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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