Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY290909 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2007 Inspection date Michele, Karen Beasley 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 in 2004. She lives with her husband and their school aged child and pre-school aged child in the village of West Stoke, near Chichester, West Sussex. The living room, kitchen and spare bedroom areas of the childminder's house 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 two children at any one time and is currently minding three children under eight years, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder takes children to the local parent/toddler group, local library and to the local countryside. The family have a dog, cats and chickens.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds a BTEC National Diploma in Childhood studies. 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 are cared for in a warm and welcoming home where they learn the importance of high levels of hygiene and personal care. Exemplary practices are strongly encouraged. The childminder helps children to gain an excellent understanding of hygiene and a real desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care. Exceptional vigilance by the childminder ensures opportunities to extend discussion as to the reason why hand washing is important. Children have a clear understanding of why they must wash their hands prior to eating. This substantially reduces the risk of cross contamination. Children actively learn to protect themselves against the harmful effects of germs as they use antibacterial solutions to cleanse and eradicate dirt from their hands and have individual flannels to wash their faces with.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder rigorously maintains an accident book in accordance with requirements. Children receive appropriate first aid because the childminder maintains her first aid skills through regular training. Clear procedures for hygienic nappy changing include the use of disposable gloves when dealing with bodily fluids and the safe disposal of soiled nappies to prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are positively encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle because the childminder provides healthy snacks and meals. She promotes children's knowledge and understanding of nutritional issues through discussion and activities such as making fruit kebabs and 'five a day' fruit and vegetable plates. Children develop an increased awareness of the benefits of a healthy diet as they plant and grow their own vegetables such as carrots, runner beans and garden peas. The childminder respects parental wishes and preferences. The children always sit at the table together to eat, learn good manners and social rules, and respond to one another with courtesy and care. Children are positively encouraged to drink water, organic milk and fresh fruit juice which is constantly available.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy fresh air and exercise such as going on rural walks, to the library, park and mother and toddler group which contributes to their good health and physical development. They use sit and ride toys in the childminder's garden to develop their physical skills and co-ordination. Children have opportunities to develop their small muscle skills and are becoming competent learners. They independently use tools such as paint brushes and glue sticks which supports the development and improvement of children’s physical dexterity.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and learn in a comfortable, child friendly environment which is well laid out with sufficient space for them to play and explore. The children are happy and occupied as the childminder provides a wide range of good quality, age appropriate toys which are freely accessible to the children. Toys and resources are checked and cleaned to ensure they are in a suitable condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children stay safe and develop confidence as the childminder closely supervises them and is very attentive. She takes steps to minimise hazards to ensure children's safety, for example fireguards are in place in the kitchen and lounge. However, fire drills are not carried out with

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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 the children. Consequently this could compromises children's safety in an emergency. Good security is in place to ensure children are not able to leave the premises unsupervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected and their safety is promoted because the childminder has a good understanding of her role with regard to child protection. She ensures procedures are implemented effectively in practice, including arrangements for the collection of children. The childminder and has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures and how to follow these where concerns are raised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder ensures the children have a balanced programme of activities. She has a very competent understanding of child development of the Birth to three matters framework. She effectively uses her training in childcare and her constant commitment to update training to enhance and guide her practice. This supports the provision of flexible, high quality care tailored to each individual child's needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are supported in developing high levels of independence. They take an active part in their own play and learning. For example, children learn about hibernation by discussion on rural walks, looking at reference books and making hedgehogs out of salt dough. They grow their own pumpkins, carve them out and make collage pumpkin masks. Children enjoy smelling and playing with cinnamon playdough. Exceptional interaction by the childminder and excellent use of open-ended questioning enables the maintenance of interest and opportunities to challenge children in extending their learnt experiences and knowledge.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework to adapt activities such as singing, story telling and mark-making to promote younger children's learning. All children spend time purposefully. They enjoy exploring a wide range of activities which contribute to their creativity, such as mixing different colours to make autumnal tones.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children show a real sense of security and belonging and are confident and highly valued by the childminder. Their behaviour is good and they learn to take responsibility, by making their own choices from the toys and equipment provided. They gain a well-developed respect for others and their beliefs as they learn about themselves and the wider world through a wide varied range of activities and experiences linked to topics. This includes learning about Halloween and making salt dough tea lights for the Hindu festival of Divali.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop good relationships with one another. The childminder’s interaction children is exceptionally good and she has a good knowledge of their individual needs, likes and interests, enabling each child to reach their full potential whilst in her care. The childminder does not mind any children with learning difficulties an or disabilities. She would be happy to liaise with parents and other agencies to support them in making secure progress. All children benefit from good working relationships between the childminder and their parents. Strong links are in place between home and the setting, for example through the implementation of daily diaries and informal discussions at the beginning and end of the day. Parents are well informed about the childminder’s service through a comprehensive notice board and a vast array of photographs and children's work displayed in a scrapbook in the childminder's home.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children thrive in the setting and receive good quality care because the childminder is well organised and plans her day accordingly to ensure she meets the needs of all children attending. She has a well thought out routine, and adapts this to incorporate those of younger and older children, helping to establish secure relationships and a sense of belonging. Children benefit because the childminder is active in improving her practice by identifying continual training needs and making the improvements recommended from the last inspection.

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Organisation

The childminder gives priority to protecting children, promoting their well-being and ensuring that all children develop to their full potential. Parents are kept well informed about the service provided by regular verbal and clear written communication. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the childminder's last inspection she was asked to ensure the register includes children's full names. The childminder's attendance register has the full names of children recorded and arrival and departure times. The childminder was also asked to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder has a thorough understanding of equal opportunities. She provides a range of resources and experiences that promote a diversity of culture, age, gender and disability, helping children to learn to recognise and value the differences and similarities between themselves and others.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint. Parents are notified of the new procedure to report complaints or concerns in line with legislative changes.

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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 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):

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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 • ensure fire drills are carried out with the children.

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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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