Price, Carol

Inspection report for early years provision

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210183 Unique Reference Number 06 August 2007 Inspection date Michelle Smith 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 1992. She lives with her husband and adult son in Uttoxeter. All areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding. 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. She is currently caring for nine children. All children attend on part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. The family has a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has achieved level three of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) 'Quality First' quality assurance scheme. She is a member of a network childminding group, coordinates childminding vacancies and is a mentor for new childminders.

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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 good. Children reap the benefits of healthy living. The childminder has a proactive approach to involving them in a diverse range of activities which help them to understand why a healthy lifestyle is so important. Children eat healthily and in line with their individual care plan. Young babies are held closely whilst they drink their formula milk as part of their daily routine and more able children eat a wide variety of fruits. More able children also help to make bread and enjoy homemade cakes. Children thoroughly enjoy outdoor play. They explore and experiment within their natural surroundings and begin to understand the world around them as they grow fruit and vegetables such as bananas and tomatoes. The childminder is very good at extending children's natural curiosity as they play outside, for example, when children show an interest in pegs the childminder devises a small washing line where children can use pegs safely whilst

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Helping children to be healthy

furthering their coordination skills. In less favourable weather, they splash in puddles, adding washing-up liquid to extend their enjoyment and learning even further. This makes learning outdoors fun.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable home where they learn to follow simple hygiene procedures from an early age. Individual colour coded hand towels are available, inspiring children to wash and dry their hands appropriately. They also use hand gel that requires no water to clean their hands after touching pets. In addition, a clear sick child policy is in place and a record of accidents is countersigned by parents. This effectively promotes children's well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play safely in a secure environment where they can relax and enjoy their play. The childminder is very safety conscious which means that they can move freely around the home without risk of harm, for example, the water feature in the garden is not switched on whilst they play outdoors. They begin to learn how to keep themselves safe from an early age because the childminder talks to them, age and stage appropriately about potential dangers such as when crossing the road. Children are also fully involved in emergency escape procedures. Their self-esteem is boosted as they draw their faces on a 'fire chart' when they have shown that they understand how to exit safely in an emergency. The childminder has also devised a diagram to support the emergency services which identifies key aspects of the home, for example, the gas isolation point. This clearly demonstrates the childminder's dedication to keeping children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have very good access to a stimulating range of high quality toys, equipment and natural resources which are maintained in superb condition. Resources are stored according to the type of toys and the age of the child for which the equipment is suitable. This enables children of all ages to be fully stimulated and to play with increasing levels of independence, for example, older children know where their small pieces are stored and how to use the childminder's home to play safely with tiny pieces around babies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded from harm. The childminder has a strong awareness of her duty to protect children from potential harm and has attended an advanced child protection training

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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 course. She keeps a well-organised child protection file which contains the contact numbers for the relevant support agencies. This ensures children's safety is continually prioritised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy their time in the childminder's care and are making exceptionally good progress in their learning. The childminder has not only extended her knowledge about many care, learning and play subject areas such as the 'Birth to three matters' framework and 'drama and story telling' but implements her knowledge gained with great success. Children receive incredibly individualised care because the childminder plans a diverse range of daily activities which are tailored to challenge children who are due to attend on the actual day. The childminder also completes developmental assessments, namely 'trackers' for each child which helps to plan children's next steps in learning and ensures all children are making at least good progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very well-stimulated. They receive a high level of individual attention as the childminder shows great interest in what they do and their communicative sounds. Their early language skills are making good progress as the childminder talks to them throughout their play and daily routines, using simple words such as 'up' and 'down' but also introducing more complex words such as 'spine' when looking at books. Children show confidence in their own ability. Younger children have daily, unrushed opportunities to explore, test and develop their physical skills. They move around the floor space freely, showing a motivation to learn as they accidentally start a musical toy and then reach for the object. More able children become involved in technology as they learn to programme a timer for 30 minutes and talk about how to use a mobile phone. All children have the opportunity to express their unique imagination

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and creative talent. Children enjoy gathering many resources together such as ribbons, wooden objects and stones which helps them to recognise and make full use of their senses. Fresh creative approaches such as story sacks together with the childminders cheerful interaction ensure lively interest in all activities. Children smile as they demonstrate they are having fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated with respect and valued. The childminder provides an inclusive environment where every child's strengths and own personality is cherished. Children learn about what is both acceptable and unacceptable in the childminder's house through the consistent implementation of 'house rules' and through being involved in discussions and activities. The childminder views herself as a positive role model and demonstrates through discussion a sound knowledge of how to manage children's behaviour in a positive and calm way. She recognises that some children may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities and has worked in an extremely proactive way to broaden her knowledge on subject areas such as cerebral palsy and sign language. Children take part in activities which help them to learn about the diversity of society, for example, children make candles of light out of malleable materials

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Helping children make a positive contribution

when learning about festivals. Resources which reflect positive images of the wider world are incorporated into many aspects of their day, for example, they use Chinese bowls during pretend play and use a special puppet known as a 'persona doll' called 'Jean-Paul' who wears glasses. This helps children to respect each other's similarities and differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the strong and trusting relationships between parents, carers and the childminder. Written diaries and policies all help to keep parents up to date with the care their

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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 child receives. However, some accident and incident records mention more than one child's name which restricts children's privacy. A positive relationship is built with parents and carers from the very beginning. Consequently, children receive consistent care and are very happy.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease in the well-organised environment. This is evident as they respond very well to the childminder, for example, smiling happily after waking from a sleep and play very contently. Children thrive in this setting because the childminder uses time, resources and space within the home very well to support each child's care. This helps them to feel secure and to develop personal confidence. The childminder ensures close supervision at all times and makes sure children are never left alone with unknown persons. More able children are further involved in this process as they examine the close circuit television (CCTV) to identify who is standing at the front door. This not only protects children but helps them to begin to understand their own safety needs.

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Organisation

All of the required documentation is in place for the safe and efficient management of the setting. The childminder is exceptionally well-organised, for example, she provided a very detailed self-evaluation to aid the inspection process and maintains a very high percentage of written records confidentially. She has a clear understanding of the National Standards and demonstrates a real keenness to continually improve her working practice. She has attended a wide range of training courses which cover many subject areas. This increases the quality of care children receive and broadens children's horizons.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to make sure all children's records contain emergency contact details. A full list of emergency contact details is now contained within every child's file and a list is also displayed confidentially in the kitchen. This means that the childminder can react calmly and swiftly in emergency situations. Consequently, children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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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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

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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): • ensure confidentiality is maintained within all written records.

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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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