Hill Susan Lorraine

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 205066 Inspection date 09 June 2005 Inspector Rebecca Hadley

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 1997. She lives with her husband who assists with the childminding. They have 4 children aged 20, 17, 13 and 9 years. They live in a house situated on the outskirts of Kidderminster. The lounge/dining room is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet cat and a budgerigar. The childminder attends a carer/toddler group, childminding and structured learning

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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 groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy a wide range of physical activities including daily walks, outdoor play, visits to the children's gym. They use equipment such as swings, bikes, climbing frames and balls, all of which contribute to their health and helps them to develop control of their bodies. Babies physical development is enhanced through the childminders knowledge and expertise of The Birth to three matters framework. Children are developing an excellent understanding of the need for personal health and hygiene through regular hand washing and wearing sun cream and hats before going outside when hot. They are able to explain the reason for this. Children benefit from an excellent range of home cooked, healthy, nutritious meals and snacks which includes fruit and fresh vegetables and they regularly try different foods. They understand and can explain the importance of eating healthy food to help them "grow

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Helping children to be healthy

big and strong" and are able to access drinks at all times. They enjoy social mealtimes with the childminder and her assistant and comment on how much they enjoy the food provided. The needs of children who have specific dietary requirements are respected and met due to the childminder's knowledge and through close working and daily discussions with parents. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and child friendly environment. They are very well cared for if they have an accident or become ill and the childminder has effective procedures in place to protect them from illness and infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The children are cared for in an extremely safe environment where all risks have been identified and minimised. Children are developing an excellent awareness of safety issues through everyday activities and on outings. They have a very good knowledge of road safety, understand and adhere to simple rules to keep them safe while outside and can put into practise what they have learnt in everyday situations. There is an extensive range of equipment available which children are easily and safely able to select for themselves and which is checked on a daily basis. All fire equipment is in place and regularly checked and children frequently practise evacuation procedures to ensure that they can safely leave the premises in an emergency from all areas used. The premises are very secure and there are effective procedures in place for the safe arrival and collection of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted and safeguarded due to the childminders excellent knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse and of local Area

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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 Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy and confident and interact positively with the childminder, her assistant and their peers eagerly seeking them out to participate in their activities. They are encouraged to make the most of their experiences and their interest is further stimulated with simple questions which encourages them to think. They respond positively to the praise and encouragement offered to them. Children are making very good developmental progress. This is because of the childminder's excellent knowledge of child development, her willingness to attend training courses to further her knowledge and the constant observations she makes to ensure that children enjoy and achieve through the range of activities provided. They have opportunities to develop early mathematical skills such as counting, understand simple mathematical language and can use this in everyday situations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy outdoor activities such as digging and planting in the garden, investigating and exploring plants and animals during trips to a variety of locations including the forest and the safari park. Children benefit from and enjoy an excellent and extensive range of activities which are age appropriate and adapted to meet heir individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are valued and respected as individuals due to the childminder's knowledge and expertise. Children with both special needs and children from diverse cultural backgrounds are welcomed and activities reflect their individual needs. Daily discussions with parents and very good communication systems ensure that children's individual needs are recognised and met appropriately. Behaviour is very good and the children respond to the childminders clear and effective strategies which encourages positive behaviour. Children enjoy each others company, play harmoniously together sharing toys and actively seek out their friends to join in their games. Children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes and information is shared with parents regularly.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. All documentation which contributes to the children's health, safety and welfare are in place and there are effective procedures in place to ensure they are regularly

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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 reviewed and updated. Additional information is also available which clearly shows how the setting is organised, daily routines and policies. All confidential information is securely stored whilst still being easily accessible in an emergency. The setting is well organised and children benefit from this by being able to easily and safely access both indoor and outdoor play and also toys and activities. The childminder continues to further extend her knowledge and expertise by regularly attending additional training and by working towards a recognised quality assurance scheme. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has fitted a smoke alarm to every level of the house and regularly practises evacuation procedures with the children to ensure their safety. The childminder also obtains written permission from parents before administering medication to the children.

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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

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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