Jones Susan

Inspection report for early years provision

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209931 Unique Reference Number 30 October 2007 Inspection date Lynne Milligan 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 good. 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 1999. She lives with her 2 children aged 15 and 19 in Clayton, Staffordshire. All areas of the property are 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 is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder assists in running a local toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and an approved childminding network.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children gain an excellent understanding of good hygiene practices and personal care through daily routines. Children understand from a very early age, why they must wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating meals. They know germs make them poorly so thoroughly wash their hands ensuring they have enough soap to make lots of bubbles. All children are able to rest or sleep according to their individual routines, a cot is available for babies and individual bedding is washed every day in order to prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from very healthy and nutritional meals and snacks which are successfully prepared and presented to encourage children to eat a variety of different foods. All food is prepared fresh on the day and the childminder uses probes to test the food before serving. Children enjoy mealtimes because time is given for them to enjoy their food and further enhance their developing skills and social interaction. Children talk about the broccoli and how good it tastes. They know that eating vegetables is good for them as the childminder points out how it helps to make them strong. They are able to independently help themselves to drinks throughout the day and enjoy a range of fresh fruit, vegetables and finger foods at snack time. Focused activities and excellent interaction between the childminder and children promotes their understanding of staying healthy. Children know when they need a drink or a rest.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children join in all areas of physical play enthusiastically because the childminder plans and organises a stimulating and diverse range of activities. Children are able to make choices about their play and there is a very good balance of adult led and child initiated activities. Children benefit from the support of the childminder who sensitively encourages them to build their confidence and self-esteem by trying new activities. Babies have plenty of space indoors to pull themselves up and move around safely. The childminder uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework effectively to provide challenge and recognise young children's efforts and achievements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and secure in the childminder's well-maintained home. Potential hazards are mostly identified but systems in place to monitor the safety of the garden are not so thorough. Therefore children's safety could be compromised. Indoors appropriate steps are taken to keep children safe and protect them from harm. For example, electric sockets are covered, kitchen drawers and cupboards are fitted with restrictors and a safety gate is used to restrict access to the stairs and kitchen. Children can safely access a wide range of resources that are all in good condition and organised effectively to ensure that children choose equipment that is suitable for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe when on outings as the childminder has a range of resources to promote safety. For example, children are carefully restrained in appropriate seats during car journeys and reins are used when young children are out walking. Children learn to keep themselves safe as they regularly practise fire drills so that they can quickly evacuate the building in the event of an emergency. Children's knowledge is supported sensitively as they read 'Francis the firefly' stories. This helps them gain an understanding of the dangers. The childminder regularly checks fire equipment, such as smoke detectors, to ensure they are in good working order to

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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 further promote children's safety. Children also develop an awareness of keeping safe by observing familiar rules. For example, they know they have to hold onto the rail as they go upstairs so that they do not fall.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is given high priority. The childminder has a good awareness and understanding of child protection issues and has relevant documentation to support her in carrying our her responsibilities for recording and referring information in the event of any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in the home because they receive much individual time and attention. They are developing well in the setting, because the childminder establishes warm and caring relationships with the children so helping develop consistent care and familiar routines. Babies are confident, active and curious, for instance they crawl over and pull themselves up to standing so they can discover their physical capabilities. They are feeling proud as the childminder praises their efforts. Babies also enjoy searching through the boxes of play materials, emptying the toys onto the floor appears to be a favourite activity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies are playing happily on the floor, with a good range of play materials, such as pop up toys, blocks and soft books, because the childminder sits, supports and talks to babies and children, providing them with a reassuring presence. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children learn and develop, whereby she is knowledgeable about guidance such as 'Birth to three matters' framework. Children are provided with a range of sensory and play experiences that support their development and emotional needs well, such as play dough, painting and the use of treasure baskets filled with a range of natural materials for babies to investigate and explore. Children also have opportunities to learn colours, to count, and to name and identify everyday objects through everyday routines, such as looking at books together, playing out in the park or sitting completing a jigsaw, where they explore the colours

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy an good range and balance of activities both in the home and outside of the setting, helping them to make good progress in all areas of their development. Their programme of activities includes regular visits to funsters where they develop their large muscle skills, as well as further opportunities for children to mix and socialise with other children, when attending drop in groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and settle quickly in the childminder's welcoming home environment. They enjoy a close relationship with the childminder and their sense of belonging is enhanced through conversations about their family life or looking at photographs of previous activities they have enjoyed with the childminder. They have opportunities to learn about celebrations and traditions from a variety of cultures as they dress up in sari's, learning about different countries and how people live. Children's individual needs are met well through regular exchange of information with their parents. Although the childminder does not currently have any children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, she ensures their welfare is supported as she has updated her knowledge extensively. The childminder has a very strong commitment

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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 towards inclusion and uses appropriate communication techniques and equipment to ensure that all children are able to fully participate in planned activities and daily routines.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is very good. They respond well to the childminder's calm and consistent manner and demonstrate a clear understanding of agreed rules. For example they use manners on a regular basis, sometimes putting their arms around the other children to comfort them. Their good behaviour is regularly rewarded and reinforced by positive praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the close relationship the childminder has with their parents. This enables her to exchange information regularly in order to fully meet children's individual needs. The childminder uses a range of documentation such as contracts and consent forms to ensure that children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes. An inviting display of information is offered as parents enter the property, ensuring that good links are forged and that parents and carers are kept well informed. Parents are extremely happy with the care their children receive and their confidence in the childminder supports the children in settling in and separating happily from their parents. Children who have left the setting to go onto school have created thank you cards expressing their sadness at leaving, commenting on how much fun it was.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is experienced and qualified and is committed to undertaking ongoing training to ensure she is providing good quality care to the children she minds. She is careful to protect children from anyone who has not been checked by supervising them at all times. This is further promoted as she ensures that places she visits are also safe, checking that staff are suitable to work with children.

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Organisation

Space, time and resources are very well organised to promote children's confidence and independence and to ensure they have access to all types of play and in this way the childminder helps children to make progress. Resources are stored accessibly wherever possible so that babies and young children can access the resources suitable for them, and older children are able to access some and ask for other toys to support their own particular play. The flexible daily routine helps children to feel settled and secure while they are with the childminder.

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Organisation

All the necessary documentation for the smooth running of the setting is maintained in an efficient and confidential manner and, in addition, the childminder has developed a comprehensive set of clear policies and procedures. All parents receive a copy of these before care begins to ensure they are well informed of the care provided. Overall, the setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder extended her knowledge and understanding of working with children with special needs. She has attended training to increase her knowledge and in addition to working closely with parents, she also makes very good use of information provided by other professionals in order to provide consistent, inclusive care for children with special needs.

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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 good. 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • further develop risk assessments in order to make the garden safe at all times.

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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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