Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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207446 Unique Reference Number 22 August 2007 Inspection date Patricia Bowler 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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband, one adult child and one child aged 13 years in Breaston, Derbyshire. The whole of the ground floor is 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 years and four children over five years before and after school. She is also caring for four children over eight years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends a local carer and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a homely environment where they benefit from robust policies and procedures to ensure the premises are hygienically maintained. A range of household agents actively prevent the risk of cross-infection.

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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 Children's knowledge of personal hygiene is greatly enhanced as they follow meticulous daily routines. They know to wash their hands following toileting and outside play. An older child reminds and actively assists a younger child when returning from the garden before they engage in a table activity. She speaks knowledgeably about the use of soap to remove germs and helps to ensure the child's hands are dry. Excellent support and additional resources are skilfully used to encourage children's growing independence as they accept responsibility for their own personal care.

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Helping children to be healthy

An exemplary medical policy, with clear procedures to be followed in the event of sickness and the administration of any medication is established. Children are well cared for in the event of accidents because the childminder is first aid trained and has a fully stocked first aid kit. Accurate records ensure parents are fully informed to actively maintain children's health

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Helping children to be healthy

An excellent range of activities help children to develop their physical skills. They walk to and from school every day, enjoying all weathers as the seasons change. They learn to dress accordingly and know to wear sun hats and cream to prevent sun burn and why they need to wear appropriate clothing during wet weather to stay dry. Children enjoy looking at photographs which depict them involved in rigorous exercise, nature walks and outside activities. They gleefully engage in sack races taking care to place their feet in the corners of the sack and running carefully. They laugh delightfully as they tumble under the watchful eye of the childminder who offers rescuing hands as required. Play resources in the garden include a range of wheeled toys which children ride skilfully. They enjoy outside play whenever possible and improve their balance and coordination as they enjoy an 'egg and spoon' race using large plastic

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Helping children to be healthy

eggs and spoons. Much laughter is evident as the eggs fall from the spoons and children rush to retrieve them. They joyfully celebrate their success when they reach the finishing line at the end of the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Every child learns about healthy living through innovative activities such as helping with the planting and watering of tomatoes to learn about growing processes.

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Helping children to be healthy

A varied diet, including healthy options such as fresh fruit and vegetables is provided. Children's knowledge and understanding is consolidated as they help to compile the weekly menu choosing favourite meals. Menus are clearly displayed and include three meals and snacks. Children engage in discussions about visits to the dentist and talk about healthy foods, limits on sugary foods and the importance of cleaning their teeth. Drinks are always available so children can independently address their own thirst needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in an extremely safe and secure environment because risks are substantially minimised through vigilant risk assessment and safety procedures. They play in organised surroundings that allow them to move freely as they independently access toys and resources. High quality equipment is vigilantly maintained as the childminder conducts regular checks for wear and repair. Children play with age and developmentally appropriate resources to further enhance their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

High priority is given to helping children to keep themselves safe. They discuss road safety procedures as they walk to and from school and know how to use pelican crossings and cross roads safely with the assistance of the 'lollipop lady' outside school. A clear procedure is established if children become lost on outings and effective procedures such as wearing wrist

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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 bands with the childminder's mobile telephone number ensure they can be swiftly reunited if this should occur. They learn about personal safety such as wearing sun hats and using sun block to protect themselves from harmful rays. Detailed written plans are discussed so children know what to do in the event of emergencies as they practise emergency evacuation procedures. They know what to do if the smoke alarms are activated and successfully demonstrated this when the alarm was activated during the process of making toast. Younger children immediately went to the childminder asking if they should leave the home but were reassured by an older child who informed them it was a 'false alarm'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection issues, including the referral process. She has attended numerous training events and workshops and can efficiently put the processes into practice if required. Information is shared with parents, and displayed within the home to ensure they understand her role and responsibilities to protect children from significant harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children relish their time at the setting as they actively engage in a range of exciting, well planned and presented activities to develop their curiosity, creativity and imagination. Children benefit from the childminder's attendance at numerous training events including 'Birth to three matters' and the Early Years Foundation Stage. Written activity plans clearly identify areas of learning through excellent quality play opportunities to enhance their overall development and enjoyment. Pictorial records of children's achievements are displayed within the home and they speak enthusiastically about a recent nature walk where natural resources were collected, dried and mounted to make decorated compact disc covers. Photographs with written text and drawings, completed by the children clearly record the event and their enjoyment. They learn about growing processes as they plant and water tomato plants, recognising changes and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Close and caring relationships significantly increase children's confidence and self-esteem through exemplary interaction and inclusion. Children communicate extremely well as the childminder listens intently, recognising gestures and requests. They snuggle closely as they enjoy a digital video disc about 'opposites' and eagerly call out the answers. Innovative ideas help children in their understanding and an older child explains a method to recognise his left and right hand by forming a letter 'L' with the thumb and fore finger of his left hand. Much emphasis is placed on developing children's independence as they address their own personal needs such as putting on shoes and coats to master a variety of fastenings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Social interaction is encouraged as children engage in developing their own play. Children of varying ages play cooperatively as they take part in sack races and egg and spoon races. They recognise age appropriate skills and older children help younger children through careful explanation of how to get into the sack and where to place their feet. Much laughter erupts as children tumble and chase fallen eggs. Children use their imagination as they play with a large cardboard box using this to play hide and seek and run away excitedly as they make each other jump playing 'jack in the box'. They use their own initiative to set up a shop, acting out various roles as they become the shop keeper and customers. They talk about daily activities such as using credit cards to pay for items purchased.

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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 Children's individual needs are significantly enhanced as they are greeted and sing songs in their first language. They giggle gleefully as the childminder sings some words incorrectly and start again sharing delightfully in their final success.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children access an excellent range of resources, stored in low level units which enable them to make active choices about their play. They enjoy a wide range of books including early reference material and help to choose these through regular visits to the local library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder works effectively to ensure all children are included as she liaises with parents to identify and meet children's individual needs. Outstanding records are accurately maintained and updated to ensure the information is correct. Children enjoy opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through very well planned activities and outings into the local community. An excellent range of resources promote positive images of differing cultural backgrounds and disability to enhance children's understanding of these issues. Children with additional needs benefit from the childminder's high commitment to meet these effectively. She is learning Makaton, a sign language for children with additional needs and is learning different languages to support children whose first language is not English.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the sensitive and pro-active methods to promote positive behaviour. Working practice is enhanced through the childminder's attendance at behaviour management training and workshops and she talked about the positive aspects she has acquired through these courses. Techniques gained through these have been used successfully to develop the children's inclusion in setting and maintaining simple house rules. Children benefit from her attendance at workshops to manage difficult behaviour and develop clear understanding of age appropriate behaviour and how to manage this. She is acutely aware of home backgrounds and the influence this has on children's behaviour. Children gain high levels of self control as they follow consistent boundaries and follow the simple yet effective house rules which are systematically shared with parents. This ensures children receive consistent care as they develop

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Helping children make a positive contribution

a clear understanding of right and wrong. Children respond warmly to the childminder's effective use of gentle reminders, praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Outstanding partnerships are established with parents. Children receive consistent care appropriate to their individual needs, in line with parental wishes. A comprehensive parent file identifies information relating to current outcomes for children and how these are met. Clear written policies and procedures ensure they are fully aware of current legislation and how this is promoted to benefit children's welfare and care. Parents receive regular information about their children's progress through daily discussions and pictorial records of activities and creative achievements.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from the childminder's outstanding organisational skills. They follow consistent daily routines in a happy homely environment where they engage in an excellent range of stimulating activities and play opportunities to enhance their overall development. Excellent planning ensures the home is well prepared to maximise all play opportunities for children. Children benefit from the childminder's experience, caring and sensitive nature and a high commitment to constantly monitor and improve the quality of care she provides. The childminder

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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 has attended various training events and workshops to develop her skills and children spend their time purposefully as their individual needs are successfully met. They build close relationships with the childminder. They are very happy and there is lots of laughter whilst they are in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

All required documentation is highly maintained to effectively contribute to children's health, safety and welfare. This is discussed and reviewed on a regular basis to ensure parents are kept fully informed about their children. An excellent set of clear and comprehensive policies and procedures ensure effective working partnerships with parents. They are fully aware of the childminder's clear understanding of the National Standards and how these are implemented and maintained to sustain the outstanding levels of care. Pertinent information such as, child protection and the complaints procedure are clearly displayed within the home so parents are fully informed and know how to use the procedures if necessary. Confidentiality is rigorously maintained to further enhance children's care and welfare.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meet 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 childminder was required to improve the range of resources in respect of positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability.

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Improvements since the last inspection

These have been significantly improved to promote positive images. Diversity is evident in small world play equipment and role play resources such as dolls. A range of books are available including a series about culture and disability and children access these as part of everyday play.

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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 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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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