University of Worcester

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

133911 Unique Reference Number 09 January 2008 Inspection date Gillian Little Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1992. She lives in Bicester with her husband and three grown up children. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder walks to a local school to take and collect children. She attends local children's groups and takes children to the local park and swimming pool.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding four children, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder also cares for children over eight years.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the TRIO Childminding Network and the National Childminding Association. She holds a level three qualification in Extending Childminding Practice.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children’s risk of infection is minimal as the premises are clean and the childminder uses anti-bacterial wipes to clean high chairs, toys and tables. Very hygienic nappy changing procedures, such as using disposable plastic gloves, help to maintain the clean environment.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit greatly from excellent opportunities to develop physical skills as they have daily opportunities to play outdoors in all weathers and have frequent outings, such as swimming sessions and walks through the woods. Young children who are learning to walk and potty train receive very good support from the childminder to help them develop the necessary skills. They are also able to rest and sleep according to their individual routines and they confidently snuggle up to the childminder when they are feeling tired.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Excellent procedures are in place to ensure that children receive good quality care in the event of an accident or illness. For example, very clear accident, medication and illness policies are available and the childminder gives copies to all parents. A well thought out written plan ensures that other adults, who are known to parents and have suitable background checks, are available to care for children in the event of an emergency.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children receive very good opportunities to learn about healthy eating through baking activities using healthy ingredients and fruit based recipes. They learn about the 'five-a-day' rule for eating fruit and vegetables as they help to fill in a chart on the kitchen wall. Children bring packed lunches from home and the childminder encourages them to eat the healthiest foods first. The childminder provides additional fruit or sandwiches to satisfy children’s appetites where appropriate and ensures that drinks, including water, are freely available to children throughout the day.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are able to play comfortably in a very welcoming and child focussed environment, which has good facilities and the space for their needs. For example, a large living room with carpeted floor space and comfortable sofas is available for general play with an adjacent kitchen available for art activities and eating.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s risk of injury is minimal as the childminder assesses risks very well and takes effective precautions to prevent accidents. For example, well prepared written risk assessments detail how the childminder minimises risks on the premises, and parents comment that security at the premises is very good. Children are able to explore their surroundings safely as the childminder is very vigilant and keeps children within her sight or hearing at all times. Children are able to play with a wide range of safe toys and resources, which the childminder regularly cleans and checks for damage. Excellent fire prevention and evacuation procedures help to keep children safe in the event of an emergency. For example, the childminder regularly practises fire evacuation with children giving them excellent opportunities to develop their understanding of safe procedures. The childminder also keeps a fully charged emergency lamp in the event

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of a power cut, contributing to very good emergency procedures.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play safely outside as the garden is fully enclosed and free from hazards. They stay safe when away from the premises as the childminder has excellent procedures in place. For

p.3

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 example, she makes risk assessments of any new outing and is often accompanied by another registered childminder, ensuring very good safety procedures for children. In addition, she always carries a mobile phone, emergency contact numbers and a first aid kit to ensure that she can deal effectively with an emergency situation. Parents comment that children learn from the childminder about the importance of wearing seat belts, walking sensibly and looking out for cars.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s risk of harm from others is minimised as the childminder has a very good understanding of her role in child protection. She is very familiar with possible signs and symptoms of abuse and is very confident about the procedures to follow if she has concerns.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children show a very keen interest in what they do and are able to develop a wide range of skills, as there is a very good variety of activities available. For example, children become very engaged playing with a tray of rice, picking up the grains and filling up toy trucks, which helps them to successfully develop hand to eye co-ordination skills. They thoroughly enjoy listening to music, rocking to the rhythm, and joining in with action songs led by the childminder. Lots of references by the childminder to numbers, letters and colours, along with engaging activities such as making bird feeders and visiting a pet shop, very effectively help the children to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. Parents favourably comment that children enjoy 'many new experiences' with the childminder.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive excellent support from the childminder as she is very keen to follow the children's lead and ensures that activities truly interest and engage children. She has a very kind and caring approach and fully involves herself in the children's play. She is very responsive to the children's needs, their interests, and their conversations. She maintains very good records of young children's progress based on the Birth to three matters framework, ensuring that she covers all areas of development. She plans additional activities where she identifies gaps in learning so that children can fully develop their skills.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop excellent relationships with the childminder and are able to play in a settled and calm environment. Children show that they feel relaxed and confident with the childminder, and they learn to play well with each other. Parents comment that children are always happy when collected from the childminder and that they confidently talk about their time with her.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children have very good opportunities to become aware of wider society. For example, the childminder listens to their concerns about disabilities and helps them to develop their knowledge and understanding by visiting a 'Shopmobility' centre so that they experience how people use wheelchairs. They also have access to a wide range of resources reflecting diversity including lots of books, dolls and dressing up clothes, such as saris. The childminder effectively draws on the experiences of family, friends and the children's parents to help children experience a wide range of cultural backgrounds. She knows children very well, including their developmental needs and family circumstances, and is therefore able to meet their individual needs successfully.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about responsible behaviour as the childminder uses very effective methods. For example, she very clearly establishes rules and explains to children why these are necessary.

p.4

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 She also talks to children about their worries and concerns helping to prevent difficult behaviour from occurring.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from very good continuity between the home and the setting as the childminder develops excellent relationships with parents. Very positive and detailed written feedback from several parents indicates that they are very appreciative of the childminder's interest in their children and are 'extremely happy with the outstanding care'. The childminder keeps parents very well-informed of her service by ensuring that they all have copies of her policies and by keeping them fully up-to-date with their children's progress.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are able to make excellent progress as the childminder has a very strong sense of purpose, ensuring that children's safety is paramount, providing excellent learning opportunities and establishing very good relationships with parents.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has very good skills, experience and qualifications to support children in her care. She holds a level three qualification in Extending Childminding Practice and has current first aid and food hygiene certificates. She frequently attends training to further improve her knowledge and understanding of childcare. Very well organised documentation, policies and procedures are in place and work very effectively in practice. She maintains the adult to child ratio at all times to ensure that she can support children effectively. Parents comment that the childminder is very organised, plans ahead, ensures that children have regular routines and maintains excellent consistency between the home and the setting.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve hygiene practices regarding hand washing. The childminder now provides individual hand towels and supervises children closely to ensure good levels of hygiene.

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6