Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344158 Unique Reference Number 19 April 2007 Inspection date Susan Magaret Lyon 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 2006 to care for three children. She lives with her husband and three children in a quasi-semi detached house in Oldham. The rooms and areas of the house used for childminding are kitchen/dining room, the play room, two front bedrooms for sleep purposes, upstairs bathroom and back garden. There are two pet guinea pigs which are kept outside. The childminder provides an out of school service for local primary schools. There are currently four children on roll. The childminder has a childcare qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children have excellent understanding of good hygiene through daily routines, such as washing hands and cleaning teeth after meals. Children are cared for in a very clean and hygienic environment due to high priority given to maintaining floors and surfaces. Highly effective procedures prevent cross infection, for example, children have their own bedding and paper towels are in use. A detailed exclusion policy further prevents the spread of infection and keeps children healthy. Meticulously detailed paperwork records children's health and dietary needs

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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 following considerable communications with parents during settling in visits. The childminder places utmost priority to daily fresh air and exercise by walking to school, parks and playing in the garden using a good range of equipment to encourage children to be active, such as bikes, bats and balls. This contributes significantly to keeping children fit and healthy. Children rest according to their individual needs and are very comfortable with their own routines and sleeping patterns enhancing their health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are extremely well nourished through varied, nutritious and organic foods, such as fresh fruit, raisins and breadsticks. They respond really well to routine, such as sitting at the table and enjoying a healthy lunch. Children are very confident and self assured, for example they pour their own honey onto their yoghurts. Children competently help themselves to drinks and clearly understand that water keeps us well through effective discussions with the childminder. The displaying of posters, such as 'five a day' inspires children to have a positive attitude to healthy eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Space and resources are well organised to allow children to move around freely and safely. Play areas are bright, welcoming and child centred. Children use suitable and safe toys and equipment due to daily safety checks and regular cleaning. They are cared for in a very safe and secure environment through the childminder, ensuring effective precautions are in place to minimise hazards, such as socket covers and safety gates. Children are kept extremely safe on outings due to the use of high visibility jackets, wrist bands and identity cards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Strong emphasis is placed on teaching children how to keep themselves safe, for example, through good discussions about road safety and climbing stairs safely. Children are kept safe whilst on the premises because the childminder has a good awareness of fire precautions. They develop a high level of awareness of fire prevention through discussing and practising the emergency escape plan. Children are well protected because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection and appropriate procedures to follow if needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely confident and self assured through the childminder giving them lots of praise and encouragement. Children are inspired to join in activities and are highly motivated and eager to play. Children engage extremely well in a broad range of stimulating and interesting activities, such as painting the fence using water and food colouring, and planting sunflower seeds and tomato plants. They cooperate exceptionally well and understand well the need to share. Children acquire new knowledge and skills through spending time in a rich, varied and imaginative learning environment. Children enjoy making choices in their play and pursuing their interests, for example, by selecting a favourite activity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Well organised resources help children to become independent and confident learners. Children are extremely happy and settled. They show great interest in the environment and enjoy their time at the setting. Young children and babies can explore textures of natural materials using sensory baskets as well as a good range of manufactured toys. Through using an excellent range of art and craft materials children develop their imagination and creativity, thus promoting their sense of achievement and enjoyment, for example, by making marble paintings and Chinese dragons.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children feel a strong sense of belonging through having their own toothbrushes and aprons at the setting. They are valued and made to feel important by their art work being attractively displayed on the walls. Children enjoy a trusting and secure relationship with the childminder contributing significantly to their care and well-being. They are actively involved in the life of the setting through setting boundaries for behaviour, for example, through devising 'house rules' which are clearly displayed. This helps promote their high self-esteem and sense of self worth. Children become aware of the wider world and learn to respect differences through an excellent range of play resources and activities, such as books, dolls and jigsaws. A high level of importance is placed on talking to children about feelings resulting in them having a clear understanding of the needs of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is fully committed to including all children in the life of the setting through the rigorous reviewing of play plans, and changing or adapting the way play is provided. Children behave extremely well and begin to understand right from wrong through clear boundaries and explanations. Utmost priority is given to providing the best care for children through the childminder actively seeking parents views and opinions through the use of questionnaires. Children are cared for extremely well by a childminder who works closely with parents to meet their individual needs, for example, through obtaining signed consent forms for various aspects of care. Children's care is enhanced through the daily exchange of information regarding their progress and welfare using diaries to record how the child has been and what they have done.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are very safe and protected because the childminder clearly understands the vetting of household members. She is highly motivated to provide an excellent service for families through maintaining appropriate ratios to keep children safe. The childminder organises her time, space and resources extremely well to meet children's needs effectively, for example, during the school holidays she plans interesting trips to art galleries and museums. Children's care and well-being is enhanced through the childminder's commitment to broadening her knowledge and skills through attending lots of training courses for asthma, epilepsy and food hygiene. All required documentation is in place, up to date and shared with parents. Children's details are kept confidential and a file is available for parents explaining how the outcomes for children are met. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it

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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. 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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