Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY264191 Unique Reference Number 15 August 2007 Inspection date Lynn Reeves 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 2003. She lives with her husband and their two children in a residential area of Romsey In Hampshire. The property is within close proximity to local shops, schools and a park. The childminder is registered to provide care for six children under eight years and is currently minding eight children on a part and full time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children have access to all areas of the home with sleeping facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and well-presented home where they learn the importance of very good hygiene procedures and personal care. They are beginning to understand why they need to wash their hands through discussion, routines and posters. The children are kept free from infection because the childminder implements effective hygiene procedures. For

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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 example, she uses wet wipes and hand gel on young children before and after they eat, uses anti bacterial sprays to clean toys and changing mats and does not accept sick children into her care to ensure others do not become infected. The childminder has very good procedures in place for recording accidents, administering medication and obtains the required parental signatures to seek emergency medical treatment. The childminder has an appropriate first aid certificate and ensures that children's emergency contact details and a first aid box are taken on outings to help safeguard children in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an extensive range of activities, which contribute to their good health. They have access to outdoor play on a daily basis either in the garden or with walks to the park where they benefit from fresh air and gentle exercise. They develop control of their bodies as they play on the ride on toys, trampoline, slide and climbing frame. Children enjoy pushing the prams and trolleys around indoors, demonstrating good spatial awareness as they negotiate the furniture. They laugh and giggle as they act out the actions to familiar songs and enjoy jumping as they sing 'Monkeys on the bed'. Young children are starting to develop use of their small muscle control using the rolling pins, cutters and shape sorters with the playdough.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a well-balanced and nourishing diet as the childminder has a strong knowledge of healthy eating. She maintains a flexible approach to ensure parents' wishes are respected, for example, she is happy to cook meals or serve children with packed lunches sent from home. Parents are provided with examples of menus and children enjoy an extensive range of fresh fruit and vegetables as part of the daily diet. Children are beginning to understand what is good for them as they discuss what they are eating and what makes them big and strong. They have opportunities to try new tastes as the childminder introduces dishes, such as, curry, sweet and sour, pasta, roast dinners and homemade soups. Discussion with parents regarding preferences and allergies ensure children's dietary needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy a very safe and secure environment where they are able to move freely and safely around the home independently. Baby toys are laid out on the floor prior to their arrival, which ensures they feel welcome. More able children can access the good range of toys from low storage in the dedicated play room, developing their independence. The colourful learning posters and children's own artwork and creations displayed on the walls makes the home a child friendly environment and promotes children's sense of belonging. The childminder provides an extensive range of toys and equipment, which are colourful, vibrant and stored at low level enabling children to make their own choices. These are clean, well-maintained and meet safety standards. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is assured because the childminder is vigilant at all times. She keeps the children under very close supervision and ensures potential hazards are removed immediately, such as picking up toys from the middle of the floor to allow the children to push their prams and trolleys around safely. Risks have been identified and minimised within the home to keep children safe, for example, plug socket covers and cupboard locks. Stair gates are used to prevent access to the first floor and the kitchen. Children are made aware of dangers through general conversations and daily routines. They are reminded not to jump on the furniture or to run around indoors in case someone gets hurt. The childminder has exceptional procedures in place to ensure children's safety in the event of a fire; she has written fire procedures, checks all smoke detectors on a regular basis and practises emergency evacuations with the children.

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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 discuss how to stay safe outdoors as they discuss road safety issues, danger stranger and wear identity bracelets when visiting public places.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection procedures, through discussion, she is able to demonstrate she could recognise the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and is fully aware of whom to report her concerns to. Any existing injury a child arrives with is recorded and signed by the parents and clearly written policies and procedures are in place, which are shared with parents so they are fully aware of her responsibilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have many opportunities to develop an extensive range of skills and progress very well in all areas in a stimulating, exciting and interesting environment. Children show very good levels of self-esteem and move freely and independently from activity to activity. Good quality conversation flows between the childminder and the children as she encourages them to join in with activities. She uses props, such as ducks and monkeys to make songs interesting. Children laugh and giggle as they act out the actions to 'Five little ducks'. The children thoroughly enjoy playing with the musical instruments and attempt to make noises blowing into the flutes and harmonicas, they hear the sounds they make and attempt this again becoming more confident.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's creative and imaginative skills are promoted when they play with dressing up clothes, use a range of different paints and media and join in with cooking sessions. Children develop their small muscle control as they complete puzzles, use various mark making materials, use cutters with the play-dough. Children are provided with an extensive range of meaningful activities that cover all aspects of play and learning. The childminder has a very good knowledge of childcare development and knows how children learn effectively. She is fully aware that young children have a very short attention span and provides a vast amount of different activities to keep them stimulated.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are competent learners, working out how to make the balls run down the slides and pushing buttons to light the lights and to make different sounds. They squeal with delight as they repeat this experience with excitement. The childminder sits on the floor with the children helping them to build towers with the bricks, praising and encouraging them for their efforts and clapping as they succeed. Children hold their arms up for a cuddle and enjoy sitting on the childminder's lap to listen to stories, look at picture books and sing songs together. The childminder responds immediately to the children's needs, they benefit from her very strong support; she is affectionate and meets their needs effectively. She provides a wonderful, stimulating environment where children's early development is extremely well nurtured.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs are fully met because the childminder takes the time to get to know the children and their families. Children are highly valued as individuals and a fully inclusive environment is promoted. Children thrive and flourish in the childminders' care and develop high levels of confidence and self-esteem. They are provided with a vast range of meaningful activities and resources that teach them about the wider world. The toys reflect diversity; for example, dressing up clothes, ethnic figures, books, puzzles and musical instruments. Children

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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 learn about their local community and environment as they visit the library, local shops, parent and toddler groups and places of interest. They go for walks to the local woods, to search for collage materials, grow seeds and plants, watch the wildlife and feed the ducks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder maintains a positive approach to caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and deals with un-wanted behaviour in a calm and consistent manner. She gives clear explanations to the children in a language they understand so they learn what is acceptable. For example, as two young children squabble for the same toy, the childminder reminds them to share and take turns. Strategies used are discussed with parents to ensure a consistent approach. Children behave well and enjoy each other's company; young children are learning the house rules and boundaries, such as, not to climb on the furniture and receive constant praise, cuddles and smiles, which promote and support their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit enormously because the childminder establishes friendly and positive relationships with parents. Children's individual routines are discussed during arrival and collection time and via home diaries. The childminder tries to ensure consistency, for example, in relation to eating and sleeping routines. Parents are extremely well informed about the childminder's practice, policies and procedures. All the required written parental permission is in place and parents can make comments in a suggestion book if they wish. Parents are made aware of the correct procedures to follow if they have a complaint and displays of children's work and photographic evidence is made available for parents to view at any time. Parents strongly value the childminder and provide positive feedback in relation to the care she provides. This is evident through glowing references from previous and current users of her services.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit enormously because the childminder is extremely well organised and offers the children an extremely safe, secure and stimulating environment. They are protected by solid procedures, which are implemented effectively by the childminder. Children's health, safety and wellbeing are promoted because the childminder is highly effective in sharing information with parents, for example through comprehensive planning systems, written risk assessments, examples of menus and clearly written policies.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps the required documentation, which is accurate and stored securely to maintain confidentiality. The children feel at home and ease, they move freely and confidently, accessing toys and resources independently. Children enjoy their time with the childminder because resources and activities are planned well and provide sufficient challenges. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the provider was asked to ensure that a copy of the area child protection procedure is available for parents to read. The childminder has obtained copies of the child protection procedures and displays this information on the wall to keep parents informed.

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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. The provider is

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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 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

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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