Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY281451 Unique Reference Number 20 July 2007 Inspection date Paula Durrant 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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in May 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and five years in a residential property on the outskirts of the town of Ware. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. Children who require undisturbed sleep have access to a bedroom on the first floor. Although there is no garden, the childminder takes the children out regularly to local parks. The childminder is registered to provide care for a total of four children under the age of eight years and is currently minding three children under five years. A majority of the children attend on a part-time basis. The family has a dog. The childminder is on the committee of a local toddler group that she visits twice a week with the children she cares for. She also attends a childminding group.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from infection and are well taken care of if they have an accident as the childminder rigorously adheres to environmental health guidance. For example, the premises is maintained to a high level of cleanliness, food is stored appropriately and surfaces where

p.2

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 food preparation takes place is cleansed with antibacterial solutions prior to use. Comprehensive written health and hygiene procedures support the childminder in her practice. For example, children who are unwell or display symptoms of communicable diseases are discouraged from attending in line with stipulated exclusion periods. Children wash hands in line with the daily routine. They understand the purpose of why they complete this task as discussions about germs are frequently held. Exemplary practices, such as the wearing of disposable gloves when managing bodily fluids, use of antibacterial solutions to cleanse hands, individual wipes, frequently laundered towels and separate bedlinen, all contributes to the prevention of cross-contamination.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is flexible in the provision of meals working in partnership with parents and carers. Current practice is that all parents provide a packed lunch which is stored by the childminder in her fridge until required. Children learn about healthy eating as the childminder encourages children to eat savoury food prior to sweet items. She talks to the children about the food they have and their likes and dislikes. She also encourages health awareness through her snack provision for those children, who have consent to be provided with some additional food outside of what has been provided by parents. Children benefit in raising their awareness of healthy food options as they taste a variance of different seasonal fruits. Individual dietary needs are known and complied with. Children receive regular drinks throughout the day. Water is preferential as the childminder is aware that it is a healthier option that does not damage

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Although the childminder does not have a garden, children still gain plentiful opportunities to develop control and coordination of large muscle movements as they undertake regular walks in the local community and access amenities such as parks and indoor activity centres such as 'Bumpies' and 'Adventure Castle'. Children rest and are active in accordance to their needs. Younger children sleep in line with home care routines, whilst older children sit quietly looking at books or watching child-centred television programmes to recuperate their energy levels.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe family home where all necessary safety precautions remain in place. The childminder is highly vigilant undertaking formal daily checks of the home prior to children's attendance. Children remain in sight and hearing at all times.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a diverse range of high quality resources maintained in good repair. The childminder abides to manufacturer's recommendations providing age-appropriate equipment that holds a recognised safety kite mark. Children stay safe as the childminder is vigilant in her practice. She gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children’s safety outside the home. For example, children know to adhere to the 'house rules' such as not climbing on the furniture as they may fall and hurt themselves. They know to listen and obey the instructions of the childminder when out, such as keeping safety restraints fastened in the car or pushchair and holding hands when walking. Although children are aware of the fire evacuation procedure in compliance with the written policy, monitoring of the frequency of drills is not evident as there are currently no formal systems in

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

place to document drills undertaken. This is a minor area for improvement.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is high priority in this household. They are cared for by a suitable adult who has a clear understanding of child development. The childminder has completed vetting checks

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 and demonstrates a strong knowledge of child protection. She knows where and how to record and report concerns in line with the local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children truly thrive in this stimulating and nurturing environment where the childminder completely dedicates her time, enthusiasm and enjoyment to supporting children in their learning. For example, children develop excellent imaginative creativity in their role play as they are encouraged to extend the game already in place, making breakfast for the arrival of new visitors. They promptly get to the task in hand to make a luxurious spread of pretend eggs, potatoes and cucumber. They talk continuously about what they are doing and how the food is being prepared, carefully timing the cooking of the different food types so that it can be plated and served together. Lovely use of open ended questions by the childminder during the child's play supports plentiful opportunities to develop language for thinking skills such as when the childminder asked, 'If the eggs were going to be boiled or fried?'.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children remain intent and highly focused on their tasks due to the positive involvement of the childminder. They are confident in voicing their thoughts and ideas, such as when a child requested to play with the building blocks on completion of their role play game. These were promptly sought by the childminder who instinctively sat down alongside the child to share in their activity. Although the activity commenced with a simple structure of one block on top of another, the childminder wasted no time in introducing mathematical concepts of colour, shape and size. The child was exceptionally competent in naming all colour bands and in counting up to and beyond ten, this was further extended upon when discussing height. The childminder reminded the child about their previous growing activity of green beans placed in pots outside the front door. Good connection of the two tasks allowed the child to build on their awareness

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of height in different contexts. It also allowed the child to develop their imagination as they continued to design structures making tall rockets.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is highly intuitive to the children in her care. She knows their likes and dislikes and preferences of resources. She promotes a varied balance of practical play opportunities both within and outside of the family home. She has a sound awareness of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and of the pending Early Years Foundation Stage. This supports her in her delivery of a varied and balanced curriculum where significant emphasis is given to teaching through play.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs take high priority in this home from home provision. A strong working partnership with parents supports the individual care needs and delivery of service. Mutual respect, love and understanding all play an integral part of the childminder's practice. Children are exceptionally polite, courteous and respectful of the childminder and her home. They know the house rules and use social graces such as, 'please' and 'thank you' without prompt. Children with defined needs are warmly welcomed and supported within this nurturing environment. The childminder is extremely supportive of every child's individuality drawn from her own parental experiences. She is extremely proactive in guiding and supporting children in respecting people, who may be defined as different ,openly talking and sharing her knowledge

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 and fully utilising resources such as books and specialist equipment from the local toy library to enhance her provision and support children in their understanding and awareness of diversity.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play an active part in their own learning. They make independent decisions in their play and the activities that they wish to participate in. They have positive levels of self-esteem and respect the opinions and actions of others, because the childminder consistently praises their efforts and reaffirms their achievements, guiding their social and moral development. Children learn about the wider world as they access resources that reflect positive images and participate in cultural celebrations throughout the year.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder openly displays Ofsteds complaints poster and has devised and implemented a procedure for managing parental concerns which she has shared with parents. The complaints summary remains empty. Whilst the childminder has a system in place she has not used the annex within the addendum to summarise the content of potential complaints. This is essential in ensuring the maintenance of confidentiality.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a conscientious practitioner who has a secure understanding of child development and the way that children learn through play. She makes full use of her life skills as a mother, short courses and childcare literature such as the 'Birth to three matters' framework, to implement practical age-appropriate activities that appeal and stimulate interest and a desire to learn. For example, she provides a balance of focused adult-led activities in addition to promoting free choice in order for children to reaffirm and practise their skills.

p.5

Organisation

Children very much feel part of an extended family and are comfortable in this well-organised and inviting environment. They confidently make independent choices in their activities and extend their own play and learning in an imaginative way. The childminder effectively uses her written procedures and routines to promote the welfare, care and learning of all the children. Whilst a vast majority of documentation is compliant with National Standards requirements some minor amendments would enhance current practice. For example, the childminder does not currently record the frequency of fire evacuations and is yet to develop a summary annex for managing parental complaints so that confidentiality is upheld. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to complete the child protection training course. Children are safeguarded as the childminder has updated her skills and holds the appropriate knowledge to share and report identified concerns.

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.

p.5

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.

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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.6

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): • enhance current documentation, this refers to the maintenance of a fire drill log and a summary annex for parental complaints.

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