Childminder in Shropshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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506733 Unique Reference Number 08 February 2008 Inspection date Tracy Bartholomew 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 2001. She lives with her husband and three children aged one, four and six years in Banbury, Oxfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends toddler group, goes for walks, visits to the park and school pick-ups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for three children at any one time and is currently minding two children who attend on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive whilst in the childminder's care due to the effectiveness she has to promote healthy living. The children follow methodical practices and procedures which fully maintains

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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 children's physical well-being and good quality health. The childminder works with the parents to meet the children's physical, nutritional and health needs. Through this she ensures that the children are looked after appropriately; with use of her comprehensive policies and procedures which are admirably implemented.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat healthy snacks throughout the day, which are prepared appropriately by using through hygiene practices. This fully prevents the possible spread of infection. Children are offered juice at snack time, with water readily available at other times. Children benefit from the high emphasis placed on taking daily exercise and fresh air. This involves regular walks, play at toddlers, and free play within the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a warm and cheerful environment where they safely access available resources. The childminder displays children's craftwork for others to see, such as painted rainbows and a number line; this ensures the children feel valued and secure. Children play with a vast range of excellent age appropriate and challenging toys, which the childminder rotates weekly to develop interests and skills. The home and all play materials are meticulously cleaned and maintained to effectively safeguard the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning house rules and follow good practice demonstrated by the childminder to avoid accidental injury. Children have use of a fully enclosed outdoor play area, which is equipped with sturdy apparatus suitable for the varied ages and development needs of children attending. The childminder has ensured and regularly maintains all safety measures, she is proactive in assessing dangers and minimise all risks in and outside of the home environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates an excellent knowledge of child protection issues. All the relevant reference materials are in place and used effectively to ensure the children's welfare. As a result the safety and welfare of the children in the childminder's care is always a priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from a comprehensive programme, which accommodates individual routines, and incorporates free play, organised activities and outings. The childminder's planning is unsurpassed; it gives children variety of everyday activities that unquestionably covers all of the children's milestones. The children are happy, settled and thoroughly enjoy their time in the setting. They are confident, interested and participate in activities independently. For example, when taking part in singing time, they help to pick out the animals from the animal bag to assist with the song, and all have their own instrument for the grand old duke of York. Children have excellent opportunities to explore the outdoor environment with outings to local places of interest. They take part in developmentally active and quiet activities, which allows for variety and interest in the day.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident in the environment. They arrive happily and demonstrate eagerness to take part in activities, such as the play tent, and ball pool available in the sitting room. The childminder has excellent relationships with the children, who play an active part in the setting. They show immense enthusiasm as they make independent choices and select their own activities from excellently presented resources and equipment. The childminder has an excellent

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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 understanding of the individual developmental needs of the children attending and uses this to focus on their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are fully valued and cared for according to their individual preferences and needs. They learn to share and take turns very well together. The childminder gets to know children very well, being aware of their individual personalities and preferences. Children develop an understanding of their needs and are learning about the needs of others through excellent example. Children see pictures of other lifestyles; play with resources that reflect diversity and boys and girls have equal access to all resources. They experience outings within the community and celebrate different festivals such as Chinese New Year, English festivals, and African customs. These develop their understanding of the wider world. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They behave well and are supported by the childminder's use of praise and encouragement. She uses appropriate strategies, such as discussion and distraction, which is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

consistent to the age and developmental stage of the children to ensure they understand right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has excellent strategies for building good relationships with parents and carers, which contributes significantly to children's wellbeing. She ensures records of activities and procedures are comprehensive and clear. These are available in the children's individual scrap books, which details, activities undertaken, photographs, and descriptions whilst linking these into the Birth to three matters framework. The childminder religiously shares information to ensure consistency and helps parents and carers feel actively involved in their children's development.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit immensely from the excellent standard of care the childminder brings to her role. The children are thriving continually as the childminder has the children's welfare and interest at heart throughout her day. The childminder is a trained teacher, and is committed in continuing to update and improve her practice and knowledge in childcare. This as a result, ensures that quality the of the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Organisation

The childminder has a high value of the National Standards, and is proactive in ensuring children are well protected from persons who have not been police checked. She has in depth and comprehensive documentation in place, which positively and effectively reflects and underpins the childminder’s high quality practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure, written permission was obtained to seek emergency first aid and transportation of children in a vehicle, update her knowledge on child protection, and to complete a first aid course. The childminder has reviewed her documentation to ensure that all permissions are in place, to maintain the health and well being of the children in her care. In relation to child protection and first aid, the childminder has attended suitable training to safeguard the children in her care.

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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 the last inspection 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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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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