Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265547 Unique Reference Number 18 September 2007 Inspection date Sarah Johnson Inspector

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Integrated 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged one year and three years in Frinton-on-Sea in Essex. The whole ground floor of the childminder's bungalow is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog, two cockatiels and two gerbils.

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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 is currently minding seven children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to locals schools to take and collect children. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of an accredited childminding network and is currently in receipt of funding for early education for three and four-year-olds.

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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's health is highly promoted as they are cared for by a childminder who follows excellent health and hygiene procedures. They are cared for in a very clean and effectively organised home, protecting them from possible risk of infection. For example, the bathroom and kitchen, including food preparation and serving areas, are maintained in a very clean and hygienic condition by thorough and effective cleaning routines. Children consistently wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating and after playing outside in the garden. They are provided with liquid soap and towels and individual flannels which are washed daily to effectively prevent cross-infection. There is a comprehensive policy in place detailing how children will be cared for if they become ill or need medication. Children needing first aid for minor injuries are treated by the caring childminder, who has attended appropriate first aid training and has proactively

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Helping children to be healthy

considered procedures to follow should different types of accident occur. All accidents and any medication administered are recorded in detail and the entries are consistently signed by parents. Younger children sleep very comfortably in travel cots with clean bedding and older children relax according to their needs as they find a duvet and snuggle up on the sofa to watch their favourite television programmes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are prioritised and effectively met as the childminder is proactive in gathering detailed information about individual dietary requirements before children first attend and ensures these are updated regularly. They enjoy a highly nutritious diet as they are offered a wide variety of healthy snacks and drinks, including a choice of sandwiches with ham, jam or cheese and ample fresh fruits and vegetables. Children enjoy freshly prepared home cooked meals with the family in the evening, including spaghetti bolognaise with pureed vegetables, pasta bakes and pizzas with healthy toppings which the children add themselves. Children remain well-hydrated as they are frequently reminded to have a drink, particularly following physical play and in warmer weather. They experience purposeful opportunities to learn about healthy eating as they visit the local garden centre to choose seeds to plant in the large vegetable

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Helping children to be healthy

garden. They enjoy watering the vegetables and proudly help themselves to cherry tomatoes to snack on and add to the evening meal.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have excellent opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air on a daily basis. They enjoy free-flow access to the large garden and show an understanding of the benefits of this as they explain that it is 'good to get fresh air'. They relish using ride-on toys, swings and a trampoline and enjoy running around during visits to a nearby park. Children's physical play is promoted further as they delight in completing fun assault courses in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming and attractive environment where they are safe and secure. For example, the childminder creates a child-friendly environment by displaying the children's creative work. The space is organised well, enabling children to move around freely and eat and play together comfortably. There are a good range of stimulating toys and resources

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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 which are set out daily for children to select independently. Additional resources are appropriately stored in a separate cupboard to ensure children are not overwhelmed by the amount of resources available. All equipment is cleaned regularly and maintained to ensure children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is promoted effectively as the childminder takes positive steps to minimise all potential risks. The childminder ensures that the premises is fully secure, hazardous chemicals are stored in locked cupboards and a safety gate is installed to prevent children from having unsupervised access to the kitchen. Fire safety procedures are well-planned and preventative measures are in place to protect children from the risk of fire. For example, a fire safety blanket is easily accessible in the kitchen and children are involved in practising the clear emergency escape plan. In addition, children are transported safely in the childminder's vehicle as the childminder obtains written permission from parents and ensures that appropriate car seats are available for each child.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively protected from harm as the childminder has completed training in child protection and demonstrates good knowledge of issues relating to safeguarding children. A comprehensive written policy is fully implemented to ensure concerns are dealt with effectively and children's welfare is prioritised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy an excellent range of play opportunities provided through stimulating toys and purposeful activities. The childminder draws on her skills and knowledge to plan play opportunities that provide excellent levels of interest and challenge for each individual child. She is motivated by the children's interests and skilfully allows children to take the lead in their play. For example, the childminder fully encourages children when they choose to remove their socks and shoes whilst playing in the sand. Children build high levels of confidence and self-esteem through the development of genuinely warm and trusting relationships with the childminder, who is clearly intuitive of their individual needs. The childminder is skilful in making the most of incidental opportunities and developing children's natural curiosity. For example, the childminder takes the children outside so they can watch the delivery of gravel for the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

driveway. Children show great interest as they ask questions about the delivery truck and press the button on the truck to release the gravel.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children receive excellent care as the childminder has vast experience of caring for babies and young children and effectively reflects all aspects of the 'Birth to three matters' framework in her practice. The childminder draws on her extensive understanding of the needs of younger children to enable her to adapt activities to meet their individual developmental needs. The childminder places emphasis on allowing ample time for children to explore and learn from new experiences. For example, younger children are fully supported to join in with a cooking activity as they are provided with some of the cake mixture to explore with all of their senses.

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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 The quality of teaching and learning is good. Children make good progress towards the early learning goals, given their capability and starting points. This is mainly down to the childminder's good knowledge of the Foundation Stage and sound understanding of how children learn. Children experience a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities based around interesting themes, including under the sea, transport and patterns. Planning documentation is reviewed regularly to ensure it includes good coverage of all six areas of learning and activities are linked to appropriate stepping stones. Children's individual stages of development are considered as the planning outlines ideas for adapting or extending activities for individual children. There are detailed assessment files for each child including examples of the children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

creative work and a checklist of the stepping stones, which is highlighted and dated once each stepping stone is fully achieved. Children benefit further as parents are encouraged to contribute to these records. The childminder effectively records short observations of children's development and as a result, children benefit from a childminder who is intuitive of their individual progress. However, it is not sufficiently clear in the planning how the observations and assessments are being used to inform the planning and help children to move on to the next stage in their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses a varied range of teaching methods to motivate children so they are keen to learn and make progress. For example, the childminder extends children's learning during a cooking activity by encouraging them to predict the colour they will create when adding different food colourings to the cake mixture. She effectively uses open-ended questioning which helps to develop their curiosity. A clear consistent approach is adopted by the childminder when it comes to behaviour management, ensuring behaviour is supported effectively. Children begin to learn to manage their own behaviour by following clear boundaries. For example, when they struggle to share the exciting task of mixing ingredients, the childminder encourages them to take turns by counting to 10 together. The childminder uses the accommodation, time and resources effectively to maximise children's learning. For example, she makes effective use of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

local facilities such as the zoo, farm and library, to offer many opportunities for children to socialise and have meaningful learning experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very sensitive to the needs of their peers as they take time to show each other how to use the swing. Children are learning how to manage their skills in self-care as they independently wash their hands after using the toilet and confidently put on their shoes before playing outside. With support, children are learning about the initial sound in words as they identify the initial sounds of objects and match these to the corresponding letters. Children are working towards using writing as a means of recording and communicating. For example, they write shopping lists and copy their names onto their finished creative work. Children practise their mark-making skills further when writing and painting on the easel and copying print to make labels for a picture of different body parts.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children confidently count up to 10 and some are beginning to count beyond 10. They use mathematical language such as 'more and 'less' when using the scales to weigh ingredients. More able children are able to solve increasingly challenging number problems such as taking away some flour when the scales show that they have added too much. Children use realistic resources to support their role play. For example, they enjoy using realistic pots and pans in the sand to make custard and use a bowl of water to wash a doll. Children explore a range of

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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 media and materials through creative activities. They make rubbings from the leaves they collect during a nature walk and use their hands and feet to explore paint freely.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn about living things and are interested in finding out more about them as they plant and observe different vegetables and fruits in the garden. They show an interest in the world in which they live as they use an electronic globe to find the locations of different places in the world. Children find out about the use of everyday technology and use information and communications technology to support their learning. For instance, children use a digital camera to take photographs of their favourite things in the house and use an electronic cash register in their role play. Children use a range of tools and equipment safely as they spread sandwiches with butter and identify the most appropriate tools for making their play dough models.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a good sense of belonging as the childminder ensures their ideas are valued and they are included in all aspects of the setting. Children look forward to celebrating their birthday by making a birthday cake at the setting and they have equal access to toys and equipment that meet their individual needs. As a result, children feel confident and secure. Children's social, moral, spiritual and cultural development is fostered. They become aware of diversity through discussions about similarities and differences in people. However, their awareness of diversity and the wider world is not fully maximised as they have limited access to resources that promote a positive image of diversity. Children benefit from the childminder's positive approach to supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. For example, the childminder understands the importance of working in partnership with parents

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and other professionals to ensure children's individual needs are effectively met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is calm and consistent and uses clear explanations to promote children's understanding of responsible behaviour. For example, children are consistently praised when they are helpful and share resources with others, helping them develop an understanding of the needs of others. The childminder shares her behaviour management policy with parents to encourage a consistent approach based on promoting positive behaviour and respecting values and practices followed at home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is good. The childminder fosters friendly and approachable relationships with parents in order to support children's development. For example, the childminder arranges an initial meeting with parents in order to gather information about what their children can do, their likes and dislikes and individual routines. Parents are well-informed regarding policies, procedures and the Foundation Stage. This is achieved successfully through informal daily discussion with parents when they collect their children and a clear prospectus which includes an overview of each of the areas of learning in the Foundation Stage. Parents are kept up-to-date with their children's progress as the childminder passes on information during daily discussions and photographs of children taken during activities are made available. Parent's contributions are respected and their involvement in their children's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

learning is well-promoted. For example, the childminder offers regular review meetings with parents to discuss their children's progress and encourages children to bring items from 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 which relate to the theme focus. A detailed written complaints procedure is shared with parents and consequently, they have all the information they need to enable them to raise a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for as the childminder approaches childminding in a professional yet caring manner, demonstrating a clear commitment to providing good care for children. They benefit as the childminder is experienced in offering care and education for children and she continues to improve her practice through attendance on relevant training courses, including a foundation degree. In addition, the childminder evidently acts upon any advice received during regular monitoring visits with an advisor from the local authority and as a result, children's care, education and enjoyment at the setting are enhanced.

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Organisation

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder ensures they are never left alone with adults who are not suitably vetted. The childminder enhances children's care by the way she effectively organises the setting. For example, children experience good levels of supervision and individual attention as the childminder fully complies with the ratios defined in her conditions of registration. Children's welfare is further promoted as the childminder has a very good understanding of the National Standards and her responsibility to comply with these. All documentation is well-organised and underpins all aspects of the childminder's good practice. It is regularly updated and children's personal records are stored securely to ensure confidentially. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection the provider agreed to ensure that registers include the times of attendance and to establish a written agreement with parents, setting out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the children, activities provided and business arrangements. The childminder now consistently maintains registers which specify the actual arrival and departure times of each child. In addition, the childminder has introduced a written agreement which is completed with parents before their children first join the setting. As a result, children are cared for in line with their parents' wishes.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder also agreed to improve fire safety precautions by practising an emergency escape plan. This is now in place, ensuring that children's safety is promoted and they are beginning to understand how to keep themselves safe in the event of a fire.

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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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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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): • increase the range of activities and resources, which reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability and help children learn about diversity.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • continue to develop the use of observation and assessment by ensuring the information gathered is used to inform the next steps in children's learning.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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 nursery education

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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