Cherry Tree Hill Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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112750 Unique Reference Number 11 September 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 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 1999. She lives with her two school aged children in a house in Whitehill, within walking distance of local schools, parks and shops. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a cat.

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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 currently is minding a child under one year old on a full time basis and two school aged children under eight years part-time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of a childminding network, is a support childminder and an accredited member of The National Childminding Association.

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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 stay healthy because the childminder implements effective health and hygiene policies and procedures to promote their hygiene and prevent the spread of infection. For example, she wipes the children's hands with their own flannels before and after changing children’s nappies and disinfects the changing mat after use. Their health is well maintained and written information is obtained from parents regarding children's medical history, allergies and special dietary requirements ensuring their individual needs are fully met. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate in place which ensures children's wellbeing and safety. She records accidents and the administration of medication appropriately ensuring children remain healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents can supply their own child's meals, however, the childminder has a flexible approach to providing a range of snacks and finger foods such as pieces of fresh fruit. She works closely with parents to ensure the children's individual needs are being met and the parents wishes are being respected at all times. Older children independently help themselves to squash and water from jugs in the kitchen, recognising when they are hot and thirsty. When offering the younger children drinks, the childminder gently reminds them to say 'please' and 'thank you', encouraging them to use their manners and be polite throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies benefit enormously from the stimulating range of physical play experiences the childminder provides, learning to use and negotiate a range of large and small apparatus with skill and confidence such as a baby walker. They enjoy wonderful opportunities to play in the childminder’s garden and benefit from regular trips to local parks, the forest, swimming pool and a mother and toddler group where they increase their confidence using a range of larger and more challenging apparatus. This helps to develop children’s co-ordination and their understanding of spatial awareness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well cared for in a safe and secure environment because the childminder is vigilant, implementing safety checks and risk assessments on a daily basis, and giving high priority to ensure their safety at all times. They learn how to keep themselves safe, for example because they talk through the procedures should an emergency evacuation be necessary and practise fire drills with the childminder. Children learn how to use a range of tools competently and safely, for example knives and scissors, and recognise potential dangers. Children’s safety is ensured when on outings and in emergency situations because the childminder obtains written parental consent and implements highly effective procedures. She carries the minded children's photographs and contact numbers with her.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from moving freely and safely within the childminder’s home. They freely access a vast array of suitable and safe play materials and resources, developing their independence and encouraging them to make their own choices about their play. Children are well protected and their safety is promoted because the childminder has an excellent understanding of her role with regard to child protection. She ensures detailed policies and procedures are implemented effectively in practice, including arrangements for the collection of children and emergency cover, and has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures and how to follow these where concerns are raised.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy. They laugh and giggle throughout activities, such as looking at their reflection in the lid of a large tin and listening to sounds on electronic toys. The childminder interacts with the children exceptionally well, talking to them all the time, making eye contact, playing at their level and showing affection. Babies enjoy experimenting and exploring toys with their hands and feet. The childminder praises and encourages the children at all times helping them to learn different skills such as holding their drinks beakers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an exceptional understanding of children's developmental needs. She participates fully during activities, encouraging children to join in. Children have many opportunities to develop an extensive range of skills and progress well in all areas in a stimulating, exciting and interesting environment. Children benefit from the childminder's exceptional strong support. She is affectionate and consistent as she organises the routines to ensure all children have the opportunity for group activities such as making a sea side collage out of shells , pebbles and other items relating to the beach and one-to-one activities such as playing peek a boo with a child hiding behind a door way in a baby walker.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides younger children with rich opportunities for aesthetic awareness, as they are encouraged to explore a wide range of natural and man made objects from a treasure tin. The childminder fully acknowledges individual abilities and preference and differentiates activities. Children are occupied, motivated and engrossed in the excellent range of interesting, stimulating and fun activities provided which meet their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and self-assured in the childminder's care. They show a real sense of security and belonging and are confident and highly valued by the childminder. Children thrive as they initiate their own learning such as trying to grasp a toy just out of reach. Their behaviour is very good as the childminder praises and promotes their self esteem at all times.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's interaction with children is superb and she has a very good knowledge of their individual needs, likes and interests, enabling each child to reach their full potential whilst in her care. Presently there are no minded children with learning difficulties and/or difficulties. Through discussion the childminder was able to demonstrate a clear understanding of her responsibilities. She would be happy to liaise with other agencies and would always work closely with the parents to meet the individual needs of the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children benefit from exceptional working relationships between the childminder and their parents. Very effective links are in place between home and the setting, for example, through the implementation of daily diary's, regular questionnaires and informal discussions at the beginning and end of the day. Parents are well informed about the childminder’s service through the childminder's parents notice board and detailed portfolio. This includes training certificates and written policies and procedures about the service the childminder provides.

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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 outstanding. Children receive high quality care and education enabling them to thrive and achieve because the childminder is highly effective in promoting excellent outcomes for children. Extremely detailed policies and procedures and well organised documentation ensures children are secure, safe and their welfare promoted. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

Children benefit greatly from the enthusiasm of the childminder, inspirational teaching and her wealth of knowledge and experience. She makes excellent use of her time to ensure all children receive the individual attention they need and makes exceptional use of the Birth to three framework to ensure they are provided with an extensive range of play experiences matched to their individual learning needs and interests. The childminder is a support childminder for new childminders and is supported by her co-ordinator from the childminding network. Highly effective and efficient systems are in place to monitor and evaluate all aspects of the curriculum, teaching and children’s individual progress. She strives to improve her practice and performance as she continually assesses herself and identifies training to increase her skills and enhance her already well established practice; ensuring children receive maximum benefits

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that the low-level glass mirror in her daughter's bedroom and hazards in the master bedroom are made safe or inaccessible. The mirror in the childminder's daughters bedroom has been covered in safety film. A hook and eye catch has been put up high on the outside of the master bedroom, making the room inaccessible to minded children. This ensures the safety of the children.

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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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