King, Margaret

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 129481 Inspection date 26 May 2005 Inspector Sheila Harrison

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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 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 registered in 1985. She lives with her three children aged 16,14 and 12 years. They live in a house situated in Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead. The town centre, schools and parks are within a short walking distance. All areas of the property are used for childminding except for the children's bedrooms. There is a dedicated playroom indoors and a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has pet cats, rabbits and fish. There are 11 children on roll aged between 16 months and 9 years.

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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 The childminder runs a local carer and toddler group for minded children and attends local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and a buddy for new childminders.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are outdoor experiences to help them exercise and learn to control over their bodies. They frequently walk to the park and there are sufficient and suitably challenging outside toys in the garden. Children follow simple hygiene practices as they wash their hands before eating and when touching the animals. They are beginning to understand the importance of a healthy diet with varied and nutritious cooked meals and a choice of vegetables and fruit. Their likes and dislikes are respected as they are gently encouraged to try new tastes. Children discuss the need for frequent drinks to maintain their health. The childminder ensures that meals are hygienically prepared, cooked and served. They have sufficient opportunities to relax and sleep during the day following their normal routine

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a secure, comfortable home. The ground floor and garden is a well maintained child friendly environment. When a child starts to walk a new risk assessment is undertaken in the garden. Children are kept safe by a knowledgeable childminder, where risks are generally identified and minimised as they are supervised when using the stairs and first floor. The safety equipment is appropriate. Children choose from a range of stimulating, well organised and displayed resources that are kept in good order and appropriate for their developmental needs. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a secure understanding of the child protection procedures and suitable recording systems of accidents and incidents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are eager to attend; they are confident, settled and enthusiastic in all they do. They are beginning to count and recognise numbers using the clock face, front door and car numbers. They visit the shops to purchase fruit linked to the number and colour of the week, for example, buying purple grapes and five plums. Children are well supported by the childminder, who is highly skilled in extending the children's experiences by listening and talking to them and showing delight in their

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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 achievements including completing an alphabet puzzle. Children’s interests are harnessed when the childminder plans for the next steps in their development. She uses the Birth to three framework and the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage to observe and develop the children’s learning. Early communication skills are excellently encouraged with children bringing articles from home for the letter of the week. Story sacks using appropriate props including library books and photographs of people the children know help them discuss their families, recall past events and link sounds to letters. The length and complexity of story time is varied to take account of the differing developmental stages of the children. Children are making choices of a wide range of resources and activities that allow them to play together or

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

organise their own games, building on their natural curiosity and developing their self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel comfortable and welcome as the childminder has an excellent partnership with the parents. She asks about the children’s needs, interests and follows their bed time routine in their own home if the parent is working late. Children are gently encouraged to respond to each other appropriately by sharing their toys, taking turns and tiding up. Good manners are fostered and the children play an active role in the setting by discussing and making the house rules. They benefit from consistent behaviour management systems with the parents and childminder discussing suitable strategies to limit unwanted behaviour. Children having a growing sense of responsibility as the take toys home and remember to bring them back next week. They develop sensitivity and concern for living things as the older children have the responsibility to care for one of the pet rabbits. Children participate in the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

local community taking part in parent and toddler groups. Children become aware of the diversity of themselves and others as there is a wide range of resources that reflect positive images of culture and ethnicity.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a balanced routine and well organised environment. They have consistent care, with the childminder offering flexible working hours to accommodate parents shift patterns. Robust policies and procedures are individual to the setting and are used effectively to promote the welfare of the children in consultation with the parents. Comprehensive and confidential records are kept of the children's activities. This informs parents of the childminding service and their child's day including the children's likes and dislikes. The childminder has a secure knowledge of good childcare practice through her qualified teacher status. She uses available publications such as National Childminding Association periodicals, Birth to three framework and the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage to reflect on her practice. The childminder shares her knowledge and experience by acting as a

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Organisation

“buddy” to newly registered minders. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the

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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 range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There is a secure system to ensure that the family are suitably checked as they reach the required age.

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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): • enhance safety measures to further reduce risks on the stairs and in the hallway.

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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: 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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