Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY284947 Unique Reference Number 06 September 2007 Inspection date Lynne Kathleen Talbot 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 registered in April 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and five years. Their house is in the town of Hitchin.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding, the first floor is used under supervision. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. There are shops, schools and pre-schools within an accessible distance. The childminder walks to local schools to collect and take minded children. She attends toddler groups and activity groups with minded children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time. There are currently three children on roll attending part-time hours.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home which is a well-organised space for play and arranged to meet the needs of all children attending. Children are encouraged to understand

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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 about their own physical needs and learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. This is because the childminder acts as a good role model and offers clear explanations. She encourages very young children to be aware of washing their hands, using wet wipes and using antibacterial gels when away from the home to clean their hands. Children show that they are learning the routines by fetching a changing mat for their nappy changing and handing wet wipes to the childminder to use.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are indoor and outdoor large physical activities to help them develop control of their bodies. They eagerly explore large physical equipment such as the mini-trampoline and have access to hoops, balls and wheeled vehicles. Children explore wider movement when they attend the physical activity group in the community and a musical group. These additional physical opportunities broaden their scope to move to music or use larger spaces and equipment. Children are extremely well nourished with clear agreements between the childminder and parents, supported by sample menus, where required, by the childminder. Children are offered healthy snacks and fruit throughout the day. Children are introduced to new tastes when exploring other countries and cultures, this supports their development of an awareness of cultures

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's immediate health and safety is very well protected because the childminder is fully informed of current health guidelines and requirements of the National Standards, for example through information on infectious disease and very clear sickness procedures. Additional and supportive information to ensure children's well-being is held and shared with parents. This means that children's health is able to be fully supported. Daily practice within the home, including the use of antibacterial solutions to clean the toys used each day, ensures that children access facilities which reflect a high standard of hygiene.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children access an environment within which they may be independent because the childminder uses safety measures in all areas to ensure that their well-being is ensured. For example, by using safety gates and rubber door closure guards to allow children free movement within the play areas. Children access materials and learn about appropriate storage and care for materials in the ground floor rooms. They begin to learn to replace items to leave free floor space for play and reducing the risk of accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected in the event of an emergency evacuation because this is fully planned with supportive emergency carers detailed within the procedures shared with parents and carers. Children take part in outings on a regular basis and have opportunities to learn about road safety. They are able to explore venues in the wider community safely because the childminder carries out planned visits to risk assess them before taking children there, this minimises possible hazards. Measures such as wrist bands and information, held by the childminder with emergency contacts, ensure that emergencies are planned for and children's safety maintained. Children are able to play safely outdoors because the childminder ensures she has clear agreements with parents regarding the application of sun protection and checks each day to see that it has been applied before their arrival at her home. Additional measures, including a large gazebo, provide

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

extra protection and enable children to benefit from physical outdoor play in all weathers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected to a high standard because the childminder has a very good understanding of her responsibilities and robust procedures to follow in the event of concern

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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 or child protection. She has sought specialist child protection training and updated her procedures to ensure that children may be protected through swift action in the event of concern. Health and safety arrangements support and protect children's welfare. This includes policies as well as information sources obtained from appropriate professional bodies when training and from up-to-date periodicals.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, secure and settled. They participate enthusiastically at each activity and play opportunity provided. Children are able to develop confidence and self-esteem because the childminder gives them opportunity to talk and values their efforts at all ages. They listen as the childminder asks open questions such as 'where shall we go?' as the children explore the setting, bang on the table to make noise or use crayons. Children enjoy close contact with the childminder that enables them to feel secure, whilst her eye contact and both speaking and listening to the children encourages them to try new sounds. Children are developing social skills at an early age. Each child is listened to carefully and their developing language reinforced through repetition by the childminder. Children explore new words, such as when they repeat words such as 'snack', or 'drink' . Their progress is noted and written into their developmental

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

files in order that parents and carers may be fully involved.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy making music and use many instruments to explore blowing, tapping and pressing buttons to make sounds. Children anticipate daily routines, such as tidying away or nappy changing times, and will copy the childminder by placing toys into boxes or fetching changing mats when she mentions nappy change time. In this way they are becoming aware, with encouragement, to have responsibility for the play materials which they use and to understand physical care routines. Children experience new games and activities because the childminder plans all activities to enable each child, regardless of age, to participate. For example, when carrying out crafts each day she plans to extend the activity according to age by adding extra provision or extra responsibility for completing tasks, whilst babies may just be present at the table given tactile toys to explore whilst being part of the group. Play materials are rotated by

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the childminder, from storage, to the play areas according to children's current interest. However, whilst the selection is broad it does not allow children to self-select or make choices over a wide range because they lack the verbal skills, whilst young, to express their desire for toys not immediately in view. This inhibits their self-initiated learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a thorough assessment in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework because the childminder has a good understanding of how young children learn. Parents and carers are fully involved thereby remaining the primary carers for the children. Children are observed and photographed with their progression noted and the information gained used to inform and plan for future activities. This is supported by daily information sheets and the diaries used for each child. These thorough methods enable each child to be suitably supported to enable them to reach their full potential. Children settle quickly due to excellent care, understanding and planning. Children's information, including their likes and dislikes, is maintained and given high regard in their daily care. All children's learning and development is thoughtfully and carefully promoted.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are very well met as they follow their normal daily routines as discussed with their parents and provided in writing to the childminder. Relationships are positive and children are making early friendships with other children both in the childminder's home and at social groups and activity sessions. Children thrive because their individual developmental stages are recognised and planned for by the childminder. This is supported by detailed individual developmental files shared with parents, thereby promoting children's stability and sense of security. Transition into the care of the childminder is well-planned and completed at the pace dictated by children's needs. This is shown, for example, by the length of introduction, the gradual extension of the time children are left with the childminder, and the importance placed on the daily routine supplied and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

followed by the childminder for each child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to understand responsible behaviour and recognise the needs of others due to consistent boundaries being maintained by the childminder. Children are gently encouraged, in all activities, to share, take turns and be aware of each other's achievements. They are rewarded by stickers for both their clothing and their diaries to share with parents and carers to recognise each positive action they take. This supports the positive behaviour approach to learning about the effect of actions on others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to appreciate and understand about other cultures and ways of life because the childminder provides resources to promote conversation and interest. They follow topics and themes, started within groups they have attended, and use foods, play people and books to explore new experiences. Children are able to explore each other's culture and family life because the childminder seeks information and advice from parents to enable all children to be included wherever possible in topic work. Adjusting some areas enables all children to work together whilst still taking account of parental or cultural preference. This enables them to develop an interest in the world around them. Children receive appropriate support that meets their complex needs as individuals because the childminder seeks appropriate information from parents. She shows a positive approach to learning about the needs of children where they may

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Helping children make a positive contribution

have learning difficulties or disabilities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are secure within the surroundings where they develop a firm sense of trust in the childminder. Their daily comfort and enjoyment is enhanced by the quality of organisation and the attention to all details relating to their care and well-being. This is demonstrated by the thorough portfolio compiled by the childminder which is shared with parents and the comprehensive diaries and developmental files put together to review and monitor children's progress.

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Organisation

Play is effectively planned through themes linked to individual stages of development with practical experience given high emphasis. This is shown by the emphasis on themes which relate directly to children such as personal and social development when initially cared for by the childminder or when changes within their families are taking place such as the arrival of new siblings. Children have access to personal care facilities and are able to begin developing an awareness of their personal care through example and routines. These include hygiene, care for surroundings, and responsibility for play materials and personal belongings.

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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 Children's care and development is promoted through the use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and its use with parents and carers. Children's ongoing development is planned and reviewed regularly to ensure that activities offered support that development. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the Children Act and associated regulations and ensures that she continues to develop her provision through training such as basic food hygiene, first aid and child protection. Overall the provision 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 the provider was asked to ensure that accessible glass in a piece of furniture was safe and to seek parental permission in writing for administering medication, seeking medical treatment for children and for transporting children by car.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since that time the provider has ensured the safety of all furnishing and fixtures in the household and premises and reviewed all documentation to ensure that parental permission has been sought and is held for the identified areas of care. These actions have improved both the safety for children and the partnership with parents.

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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 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): • develop opportunities for children to make choices from accessible resources.

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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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