Venditti, Julie

Inspection report for early years provision

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222227 Unique Reference Number 21 August 2007 Inspection date Caroline Wright 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 1993. She lives with her husband and two adult children in St. Ives, Cambridgeshire. The ground floor of the childminder's house is 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 a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under eight-years-old on a part time basis. She also cares for six children over eight years of age before and after school. In addition, the childminder is registered to provide overnight care for three children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have three small dogs and one cat as pets.

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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 actively learn the importance of good personal hygiene through highly effective daily routines. They always wash their hands after using the toilet and use paper towels to dry them to prevent them getting infections. The childminder acts as a superb role model, washing her own hands, cleaning tables and work-surfaces before preparing food. Children’s ongoing good health is given utmost priority. All areas of the home are scrupulously clean and the childminder has established superb systems for maintaining children’s ongoing good health. For example, she has created a dog run and a rubbish bin area in the outside space to keep children away from materials that could make them ill. Baby toys are cleaned after each use with an anti-bacterial cleanser and all other toys are cleaned routinely to make sure they are always clean and hygienic. If the children need to take any medicines or they become unwell whilst

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Helping children to be healthy

they are in the care of the childminder, excellent records are in place to make sure that they are extremely well cared for.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder's excellent knowledge and understanding of childhood nutrition. She provides healthy snacks of fresh fruit and vegetables, with free range eggs or porridge for breakfast, and their dietary needs are superbly well met. Children have regular drinks of water or milk, so that they remain well hydrated and can think effectively. Children learn about healthy eating through highly effective, practical experiences that promote meaningful discussions about food. For example, the childminder enables children to prepare their own sandwiches for tea and they collect fresh vegetables and eggs from ‘the man in town’. The childminder works with parents to plan food tasting sessions. Parents donate items such as flavoured humus to support the childminder in her efforts to persuade children to try new foods. In addition, children make healthy eating posters, encouraging each other to ‘Try it. You

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn how to keep themselves healthy through exciting first-hand activities. For example, they decorate their own sun hats and wear them with pride when they visit the park or play outside in the garden. The childminder has improved the toilet facilities so that younger children and those with disabilities can access them independently and as a result, children are able learn to care for their own bodies. Children thoroughly enjoy playing outside on the bouncy castle in the summer and a superb range of outdoor play equipment encourages them to play outdoors all year round so that they get plenty of fresh air and exercise, encouraging them to lead healthy lifestyles in the future.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the needs of babies and children under three-years-old. She uses the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework very effectively to help children to make excellent progress and to enhance their learning. Children develop new physical skills according to their stage of development using the splendid range of toys and resources that she provides. Babies crawl around safely and pull themselves to stand using the sturdy playroom furniture and learn to walk by holding the childminder's hands for support. Toys are placed on the babies’ rug, within their reach and others' just a short distance away, to encourage them to move forward and explore further. In addition, babies and young children feed and sleep according to their own individual routines and as a result, they are extremely happy and relaxed in the childminder's company.

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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

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a very safe environment where all risks are minimised and they move around in absolute safety under the childminder's expert supervision. The childminder skilfully helps children to learn to keep themselves safe by reminding them to ‘Sit on the chair properly otherwise you will fall’. In addition, children learn how to seek help from the emergency services in the event of the childminder having an accident in the home. A telephone and a poster with essential telephone numbers are available in the entrance area at child-height in case children need to call for help. Children know about staying safe outside the home; they talk about how they hold hands when they go out for walks with the childminder and they know ‘We must not run out of the gate and never, ever loose hands’. The childminder very expertly uses day to day situations, such as seeing a hedgehog squashed on the road during a walk to school, to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

reinforce the importance of following road safety rules, which children have already agreed together, in a sensitive way that young children can easily understand.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children confidently select their own activities and resources which are checked by the childminder regularly to ensure they are all in good condition and safe for them to use. Children's overall welfare is maintained by highly effective procedures and documents that actively promote their safety. For example, the childminder has an excellent understanding of the local Safeguarding Children Board procedures for dealing with any concerns for children’s well-being. In addition, an ‘emergency’ box which contains useful information including contact telephone numbers of minded children’s parents, is kept near the back door to be easily accessed in the event of an emergency evacuation or an accident involving the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the childminder’s house and form very strong relationships with each other and the childminder. Their learning and development is encouraged in an excellent range of interesting and meaningful ways. For example, children organise days out, such as picnics in the summer holidays, making their own sandwiches to take with them. As a result, they learn about mathematics through practical experiences which helps young children to use language such as, ‘more’ or ‘enough’ expertly. Children make sock puppets and present puppet shows to each other. This helps them to develop their creativity, language and story telling as they play. They regularly paint pictures and freely access drawing and colouring materials so that they can make meaningful marks and learn to communicate their ideas through pictures and early writing. They develop their imagination through role play and tell their own

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

stories as they play at café’s or with the duplo blocks. Young children calculate, recognise numbers and use number names with expertise; talking about ‘three dogs; the barky one, the quiet one and the small one’. The childminder skilfully extends their knowledge when she expertly engages them in discussions with the children as they play. She helps them to extend their vocabulary, through sensitive discussions in everyday contexts. For example, the childminder helps children to learn that a female dog is called a ‘bitch’ when they play with the childminder’s new puppies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children eagerly pursue their own interests and their independence is actively promoted. The childminder uses her excellent understanding of how young children learn to plan a wide range of interesting, practical activities that enable children to explore so that they make very good progress in their learning. Regular nature walks along 'The Thicket' help children learn about the natural world. The walks also stimulate children's imagination: when they return to the

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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 childminder's house they explore their creativity, making articulated caterpillars or a river with ducks, using the excellent range of interesting craft materials that the childminder provides. The children’s artwork is highly valued and displayed attractively on the walls and windows in the play room for others to see and enjoy, promoting children's confidence and developing extremely high levels of self-esteem in children of all ages and abilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies form excellent relationships with other children as they play alongside them and learn to share resources. Toys are carefully placed within babies’ reach to stimulate their interest and actively encourage them to investigate further. The childminder enthusiastically responds to babies’ ‘babbling’ with encouraging smiles and comments, to help them to become confident communicators. Children of all ages enjoy sharing stories and looking at books with the childminder, who uses her excellent knowledge and understanding of how children and babies learn to encourage them to make comments and develop their language skills. The childminder's enthusiastic response to children’s questions encourages them to become confident communicators and fuels their natural curiosity as learners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children have superb opportunities to access a wide range of extremely interesting activities and resources, including those children with disabilities or learning difficulties. Children are very confident and independent, making their own decisions and pursuing their own interests. They play with a diverse assortment of small world figures and role play equipment that represent all members of society and as a result, they actively learn about the world they live in and develop a very positive attitude towards diversity. In addition, children with disabilities or learning difficulties, as well as those who speak English as an additional language are very well supported. Their individual needs are extremely well met by the childminder who is proactive in making alterations to the premises and attending training to make sure that she is able to offer excellent facilities and superb support to each child that she cares for.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Babies and children have extremely high levels of self-esteem and they form excellent relationships with the childminder and each other. Babies enjoy close contact with the childminder at feeding times and the childminder's consistent attention to their individual needs makes them feel very secure and valued. Children celebrate their achievements and are proud to show off their ‘special scrap book’ with examples of their artwork and writing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and clearly understand what is expected of them. They learn through purposeful routines and consistent expectations. For example, they always sit at the table to eat meals and take their shoes off when they come indoors. The childminder sensitively explains what she expects them to do in a way that they can understand and she listens patiently to their views so that they feel respected and acknowledged. They know that they must not ‘break other people's work because it’s not very kind’.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from highly effective relationships between the childminder and their parents. Their individual progress is discussed daily with their parents so that their changing needs continue to be met. A daily diary with records of their achievements enables parents to share their children’s progress and helps children to move confidently between home and the childminder. Parents have access to a fantastic array of additional information about child health and safety, and local events in the welcoming entrance area. A detailed questionnaire is sent to the parents so that they can raise any concerns and have an opportunity to express

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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 their views about the childminding provision. Questionnaires indicate that parents are exceptionally pleased with the care their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The exemplary organisation of the childminding is highly effective in promoting positive outcomes for children. Children’s overall safety and welfare is actively promoted by the childminder’s excellent knowledge and understanding of the Care Standards and outcomes for children. In addition, the childminder has a very good understanding of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and the early learning goals, which she uses purposefully to plan an outstanding range of activities that help children to learn through their play. She has a superb knowledge and understanding of child development and how children learn through practical activities and uses this to help all children to make excellent progress across all areas of learning, according to their individual needs.

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Organisation

Children are welcomed into a very attractive and highly stimulating environment, which is prepared before they arrive each day. They leave their parents easily and immediately become engaged in activities of their own choosing. The play room is very well-organised, with toys and equipment at child height, so that children can easily help themselves to whatever they need. Additional toys are clearly labelled and easy for children to access from the open-shelving storage in both the play room and the entrance area.

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Organisation

Up-to-date, well-organised records contribute effectively to the health, safety and well-being of the children. All of the essential documents are stored confidentially and are very easily accessed if they are needed. In addition, the childminder is fully committed to her professional development. She sources and attends a superb range of early years training courses such as, 'Observation and Assessment' and 'the Early Years Foundation Stage'. The childminder is proactive in identifying areas of her practice that she wishes to improve so that she can continue to develop the way she cares for children. This enables her to be highly successful in providing a superb range of age appropriate activities and outstanding care for the children she looks after.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to make sure that children who sleep overnight are unable to access the other bedrooms. The childminder has provided stair gates to prevent children from accessing the other bedrooms and also from falling down the stairs if they wake in the night. This has improved the safety of children that she minds overnight.

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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 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 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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