Norris, Sarah Louise (Mrs)

Inspection report for early years provision

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507126 Unique Reference Number 18 December 2007 Inspection date Michelle Tuck 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 five, eight and ten years, in Long Load, Somerset. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. A bedroom is available upstairs for young children to sleep.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. There are currently eight children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are developing very healthy lifestyles as they participate in the familiar daily routines that encourage them to eat and drink regularly and to play outdoors where they can exercise in the fresh air. Parents provide children with healthy meals and snacks, and the childminder supplies a cooked tea for children that require this. These are of a healthy and nutritious content

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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 and include fresh fruit and vegetables. Children's special dietary needs are known and carefully met. They maintain very good fluid levels, as drinks are always available.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop an exceptional understanding of the importance of good hygiene. They learn from the childminder's excellent role modelling of hand washing before handling food and after wiping noses. Children use liquid soap and individual towels to limit the risk of cross-infection. Children also learn to keep their teeth clean and learn about why they do this, through discussion with the childminder. Children are further protected by the childminder's thorough procedures such as wearing gloves when nappy changing, regularly cleaning resources and excluding children who are suffering from infectious illnesses.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well cared for in the event of an accident as the childminder maintains a current first aid certificate and keeps a well stocked first aid kit easily accessible. Children's continuity of care is very well supported as clear records of accidents and the administration of medication are countersigned by parents, and permission has been sought from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment if necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an extremely safe and secure environment. Their security is assured, as the front door is locked after they arrive and the garden is fully enclosed. Children have plenty of space to move around safely and engage in different types of play. They choose from an excellent variety of toys and resources, which are all in excellent condition and checked regularly for cleanliness and safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of safety issues and procedures, and she is committed to teaching children to understand and manage risks for themselves. For example, she talks to the children about crossing the road safely and reads stories that raise issues such as why they should not talk to strangers. The childminder has assessed her home environment and taken steps to minimise risks of accidents. For example, the fire is protected by a fixed guard, a safety gate is used to restrict access to the stairs and socket covers are placed in unused electrical sockets. Children can use the bathroom safely because cleaning materials are inaccessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very safe on outings, using buggies, car seats and restraints, as appropriate. They know the childminder's clear routines and learn to walk safely near traffic. They are exceptionally safe in emergencies, as the childminder has appropriate fire safety equipment and she practises evacuation procedures with children, regularly to ensure all children know what to do in the event of a fire. They have excellent protection from abuse or neglect, as the childminder has attended relevant training courses and has a thorough understanding of all safeguarding issues and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children engage in a range of activities that support their progress and development. For example, the childminder sits a baby on her lap and encourages him as he tries the different shapes in the various holes of a shape sorter. When he is successful at posting the shape through she claps his hands together giving him lots of praise and his face lights up with joy at his achievement. Children engage enthusiastically with the activities offered and enjoy initiating

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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 their own games. They are supported well by the childminder, who interacts sensitively with them to encourage their progress. For example, when building with the duplo, the childminder encourages children to fix the pieces together for themselves, yet provides help when required.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children use resources imaginatively as they create stories in their play using small world toys that represent favourite characters, for example the vehicles that feature in Bob the Builder stories. Daily and weekly routines, along with planned activities provide children with many opportunities to learn through structured play. They regularly listen to stories, explore sand and water play and experiment with different craft materials. They explore the outside world on regular walks through the village and to the local park. Special excursions provide additional opportunities to extend their learning; for example they visit a nearby farm where they have the experience of seeing baby lambs being born. They sometimes meet up with other childminders and their children, visit toddler groups and soft play centres which extends their social experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from extremely consistent care, due to the childminder's excellent systems for communicating with their parents. She provides a wealth of information for parents, including written policies and procedures, so that they can be fully involved in their child's care. Children have daily contact books, so that all relevant information can easily be shared. The childminder takes many photographs of children enjoying their activities, which are attractively displayed and regularly presented to parents. They are welcomed into the childminders home to settle their child and at the end of the day once they are attending.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well, as they respond to the childminder's completely positive and consistent management of their behaviour. They enjoy lots of praise and encouragement and benefit from very affectionate relationships with the childminder. Children demonstrate high levels of self esteem in the way, even very young children happily interact with the inspector throughout the inspection. The individual needs of all children are thoughtfully met and they develop their understanding of differences, as they use very good resources, such as dolls, books and dressing-up clothes, which reflect diversity. Children also learn about different cultures through the exploration of festivals such as Chinese new year. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are very effectively included and supported. The childminder has attended relevant training and has a very good understanding of working with parents and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

other professionals, to meet any additional needs. For example, in order to help her meet the needs of children that find communication a challenge the childminder is completing a Somerset Total Communication course.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. She is extremely well organised and provides a welcoming home environment where children's health, safety and welfare are effectively supported. Familiar daily routines and well planned activities provide children with exciting and challenging experiences that promote their learning and development.

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Organisation

Excellent attention is paid to maintaining clear and comprehensive documentation which exceeds regulatory requirements. Many written policies and procedures are in place and shared with

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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 parents; and are implemented effectively to underpin the excellent service offered to the families accessing her childcare.

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Organisation

The childminder regularly attends training to improve and update her knowledge and has achieved a Level three qualification in Early Years Care. She regularly reflects and evaluates her practice, which supports her in achieving and maintaining an outstanding childcare service.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children. The childminder now has a current first aid certificate and has already booked herself onto another course before this expires.

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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

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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