Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY298640 Unique Reference Number 18 September 2007 Inspection date Mary Kelly 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 has been registered since 2005. She lives with her husband and four children aged 16, 13, 10 and six years in Allesley Park, Coventry. The house is within walking distance of shops, parks and schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes, in addition the first floor bathroom and occasionally one bedroom is used for sleeping purposes. Children have access to a fully enclosed garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding 13 children. She will take and collect children to local schools and pre-school groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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’s health is exceptionally well protected because the childminder places a high priority on ensuring they learn the importance of good personal hygiene, healthy eating and plenty of fresh air and exercise. Children develop a strong understanding and awareness of why they need to follow good hand washing routines due to the childminder’s exceptional support and guidance and they show a real desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care. Daily cleaning routines prevent the spread of infection, for example, all areas accessed by the children are clean, paper towels are used and gloves are worn at nappy changing routine times. Effective and detailed records are kept and maintained about children's health and medication needs and the childminder uses her knowledge in first aid to ensure that any minor bumps and bruises are handled in a sensitive and effective manner.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's understanding of the importance of healthy eating is effectively supported because the childminder has an excellent knowledge of nutrition and children's dietary needs. The childminder gives considerable thought to the weekly menu and children are provided with tasty and nutritious meals and snacks, including various fresh fruits, and vegetables. Children are able to serve themselves to drinks throughout the day and younger children are supported when doing this. The childminder effectively monitors their intake of fluid to ensure they are always well hydrated. The childminder has an excellent understanding of children's individual dietary needs and is vigilant about ensuring foods are healthy and suitable. Good manners are encouraged and the childminder takes time to talk chat to the children and offering more food or another option if required.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder actively promotes the value of the importance of physical play. The garden is a stimulating and exciting area where children can access an excellent range of equipment and resources. Younger children also have regular opportunities to go on outings to the local parks and talk excitedly about their weekly trips to play groups and trips to places such as the Transport Museum.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder has an excellent understanding of health and safety, which has been enhanced by attending a health and safety course. Potential risks to children have been identified and appropriate safety measures put in place including socket covers and safety film on low-level glass. Children are always supervised and the home and garden are safe and secure. As another precaution, the internal front doors are always locked enabling the childminder to be fully aware of any one leaving or entering the premises.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a wide range of safe, stimulating and age-appropriate resources that are frequently checked for cleanliness and safety. The childminder has carried out risk assessments of activities and the use of equipment. For example, the childminder found road safety booklets that were suitable for the children and ordered one for each child. Topics covered by the childminder include stranger danger and road safety. This ensures that children have an awareness safe practices.

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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 Children have an excellent understanding of how to keep themselves safe because the childminder discusses safe practices with them. The childminder is proactive in promoting fire safety, she has recently invited the fire service into her home to carry out a fire risk assessment. She has supplied the older children with a word search of fire safety words to heighten their awareness. The childminder is clear about the evacuation procedure in the event of an emergency and children have practised this, ensuring they are familiar with the routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder has a professional understanding of child protection procedures and is fully aware of her role and responsibility to protect the children in her care. She has an excellent understanding of how to protect children and has attended training to update her knowledge and skills. Parents have been made aware of the procedures so that they know what action she will take if she has any concerns about their children. The childminder has a range of professional documents and policies both for her reference and to support discussions with parents and older children about safety issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has an exceptional knowledge of the children in her care. They make excellent progress because she recognises their individual needs and has a professional understanding of child development and early years guidance, including the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Close and caring relationships have formed between the childminder and children and playful interactions reflect the outstanding level of care offered. Children are involved in their own learning and they are encouraged to develop new skills whilst being given time to experiment at their own pace. High quality adult:child interactions are extremely supportive of children's communication skills and the childminder is attentive to what they say and do, fully respecting their contributions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit significantly from her substantial levels of enthusiasm, sensitivity and obvious enjoyment in her role as childminder. Children are extremely happy in her care and eager to participate in a stimulating and rich range of activities that captivate their concentration and curiosity. A wealth of hands-on experiences are planned and offered which are fun, stimulating, and educational, these include various art activities including making a pig masks when it was Chinese New year or self portraits when the topic was 'all about me'. Children regularly go on outings to places of interest including the local library, Transport Museum as well as toddler groups where children have opportunities to interact socially with other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has realistic expectations of children's behaviour and sets consistent boundaries to increase children’s understanding of right and wrong. Behaviour management rules are shared with parents and are simple and effective. Children have a clear understanding of the what is expected behaviour and respond to gentle reminders to care for the resources and each other. As a result, children are very well behaved, polite, confident, well promoted self-esteem and make close relationships with the childminder as well as each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have extensive opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through the broad range of resources and well-planned activities. Children celebrate and recognise different festivals and go on outings, in and outside of their own community, to

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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 help them become aware of the diversity of our society. There is a strong commitment from the childminder to ensure all children are included. She shows a willingness to work competently with parents and other professionals, and shared a willingness to attend further training to enable her to fully understand and meet the needs of all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed an excellent partnership with parents. Children's needs are established through in depth discussions with parents and the childminder respects and follows their daily routines. As a result, children benefit from an exceptional level of care from their main carers. Parents are kept informed of the progress their children are making, through daily verbal feedback and their individual day books. Written policies and procedures also help them to understand the childminder's roles and responsibilities. The childminder seeks parents’ views and concerns in the form of questionnaires, which she then uses to evaluate her own practices.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of childcare, her experience, enthusiasm and easy going nature. She demonstrates an ongoing commitment to improvement, as well as developing and enhancing her practice further. The childminder has made a significant investment in her personal development through attending training that is relevant to improving her practice.

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Organisation

The childminder has excellent organisational skills and the environment is well-organised both indoors and outdoors to maximise play opportunities for children. All required documentation that contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being is in place and is regularly reviewed. The childminder has developed a comprehensive folder of well-written policies, a portfolio of information to help parents understand her practice. All significant information is recorded and used to best effect, ensuring an outstanding level of care is offered. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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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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

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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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