Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY249147 Unique Reference Number 10 August 2007 Inspection date Susan Victoria May 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two sons aged 12 and 15 years in the village of Crowell near Chinnor, Oxfordshire. The whole of the premises is used for childminding. There is a secure garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for six children and is currently minding seven children on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is prepared to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family have a pet gerbil.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children flourish in the childminders care because of the highly effective procedures the childminder follows in order to successfully meet the children's physical and health needs. The

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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 exceptional support and guidance she provides helps children gain an excellent understanding of hygiene and a real desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children explore and develop physical control in stimulating daily indoor and outdoor experiences. The childminder is extremely knowledgeable of the Birth to three matters framework and shares her knowledge with parents. This excellent understanding of each child's stage of development means the children are confident to try out new skills, request help if needed and achieve in a safe environment. For example, to help increase dexterity the children use play dough to make shapes, rolling and exploring the malleable material. They do this with confidence and show excitement at the results of their efforts. Children clearly enjoy and participate eagerly in action songs, for example, an older child sits next to a baby and sings 'Round and round the garden' demonstrating all the actions; the baby chuckles with delight, clearly enjoying the experience. This helps even the youngest children begin to appreciate and develop a positive

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to drinks throughout the day and, meal times are sociable and relaxed occasions thereby helping influence future eating habits. Parents provide all of the children’s meals including snacks and the childminder stores food and drinks correctly to ensure they remain fresh.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide detailed information about the children’s dietary requirements and are requested to observe certain practices, for example, not including nut products in the lunchboxes. The childminder is vigilant in ensuring children only eat foods provided by their parents. This helps ensure the childminder meets children's needs and contributes to their awareness of a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder minimises the risk of accidental injury by being extremely vigilant and through a thorough understanding of how to complete daily risk assessments to reduce potential hazards. For example, a scramble net in the garden is rolled up out of younger children’s reach and the trampoline has a safety net. Children receive a high level of supervision in the garden and within the home. The childminder has extensive procedures in place to ensure children can play in a safe and secure environment, for instance, children can identify where the smoke alarms are and know what happens when they make a noise, this along with ‘fire practices’ helps ensure the safety of the children in an emergency situation

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have independent access to an extensive range of equipment and resources. These are attractively and thoughtfully displayed within the home and garden; thereby encouraging the children to develop their skills. The childminder is adept at monitoring and supervising children's choices of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder carries out regular checks on all toys, resources and equipment and implements effective procedures to clean and maintain them. This ensures they remain safe for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare and development through regular communication with parents, concise and comprehensive written policies and procedures, this ensures that all required documentation is accurately completed and in place.

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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 The childminder has a first aid certificate and is consequently able to deal with minor accidents and incidents effectively. The childminder has an excellent awareness of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. She has attended training to increase her knowledge. She has extensive procedures in place to record concerns and is aware of the procedures to follow should she need to refer any concerns regarding a child in her care. This ensures the welfare and safety of the children at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very settled, relaxed and completely at ease within the childminders home. They enthusiastically select the toys and resources they wish to use from the excellent variety available and attractively set out for them. The childminder provides an extensive range of appealing toys, which the children clearly enjoy, show considerable interest in, and which promotes their development and learning in all areas. The childminder has an exceptionally good awareness in recognising the uniqueness of children and is sensitive to their individual needs; children make excellent progress because of the superb support they receive from the childminder. She spends time playing appropriately with the children, for instance, when the baby is asleep, she ensures she spends quality time with the older children playing and listening to them in order to further their progress. Children are eager to invite her to take part in their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s care, learning and play are enhanced through the childminder’s excellent understanding of child development. She has regard to the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses her knowledge successfully when planning activities for the children. Interaction between the childminder and children is very good, she is consistently nearby offering guidance and help to extend their play and learning as and when required. The childminder is skilful in extending language and thinking through open-ended questions, dialogue and activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

For example, while changing a baby, the childminder makes good eye contact, chats constantly and responds to the babies noises, this helps develop communication skills. Children's creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as art and craft, painting, music and pretend play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder treats each child with respect and values them as individuals; she knows each child extremely well. She records comprehensive details of each child’s personal preferences, parental wishes, culture and family background. This ensures the children’s needs are met in line with parents wishes. She plans activities to suit the individual children's preferences and the ages and stages of development. Children benefit from the superb communication and relationships in place between the childminder and parents. The childminder is an excellent role model and helps the children feel good about themselves. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of caring for children with disabilities and/or learning difficulties although none currently attend. The childminder has a clear understanding of all equal opportunities issues, and helps children develop an awareness of their own and other cultures through

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Helping children make a positive contribution

resources and discussion. Children develop a sense of place and learn about where they live through outings within the local community. For example, on walks to the park and to nearby farmland to watch the combine harvester in action bringing in the crops.

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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 Children's behaviour is exemplary; they are lively and curious, very polite and need no encouragement to say please and thank you, they say it spontaneously. High expectations and consistent boundaries help develop children's sense of right and wrong, this helps them to begin to take responsibility for their own behaviour. Older children are encouraged to take turns and to show kindness to each other, for instance, showing consideration and happily passing toys for the baby to hold and play with. Children respond positively to requests from the childminder and are eager to help and please. Praise and encouragement from the childminder builds children's self-esteem. Children develop a strong sense of self through this positive attitude.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are very good; this contributes greatly to the children's wellbeing. Parents are welcome in the home and receive detailed information about the childminders practices and the outcome for their child. The childminder shares with parent’s information about how their children are progressing through regular, written and verbal communication. This sharing of information supports and enhances children's learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder enhances the children's care by the quality of organisation. Comprehensive and concise policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice. The childminder has a professional, business like approach to her childminding and maintains her records accurately; this promotes the children's welfare, care and learning. To ensure the childminder meets children's needs she shares all relevant information with parents. An excellent two-way flow of information provides continuity of care. The childminder makes good use of the space and children move around the childminders house confidently. Children have access to the garden, where they can enjoy physical activities; alternatively they can sit quietly on a comfy chair with a book in the lounge or complete activities at the table in the kitchen. Adult ratios are always observed and attendance records support this.

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Organisation

All required documentation to protect and provide for children's needs are in place, are accurately recorded and updated as required. Policies and parental details are reviewed at regular intervals. The childminder gives high regard to confidentiality and is aware of how long records should be retained. All relevant information is displayed for parents including the certificate of registration, and the regulators details. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children and keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children. The childminder has achieved this by ensuring that each child's details contain written parental consent and that any medication administered is accurately recorded and duly signed by the parent.

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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.

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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 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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