Meachin, Wendy

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

971736 Unique Reference Number 03 September 2007 Inspection date Ingrid Szczerban Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2000. She works with two other childminders and one assistant childminder. The childminder does not live on the premises where the childminding is carried out. The premises is owned by one of the other childminders. The childminder who owns the premises lives with her husband and two adult children. The family have three rabbits. The setting is a terraced cottage in Steeton, near Keighley, in West Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor, apart from the kitchen, is used by children, and there is access to one bedroom and a bathroom area on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden, on two levels, for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time, when she is working alone. When she works with the other co-minders, then a maximum of 15 children may attend at any one time. There are currently 31 children on roll, who attend on a full and part-time basis. The childminder receives support from the Local Authority and is a member of the Bradford Childminding Network. The childminder is qualified in childcare and is currently partaking in the quality assurance scheme, 'Children Come First'.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The environment is kept meticulously clean and tidy, and children receive excellent support to develop good personal hygiene routines. Children brush their teeth, and they wash their hands after using the toilet, and before and after eating. A clear sickness policy, which is given to parents, is rigorously followed to prevent the spread of any infections to children. Records of medication and accidents are meticulously kept and all necessary parental permissions are sought. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate in order to give children appropriate care in case of an emergency and additional training is undertaken to meet the health needs of children.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Excellent arrangements are made to prevent any cross infections, fresh bed linen is provided, children use their own toothbrushes in labelled pots, and individual paper towels are supplied for them to dry their hands. Highly effective procedures are employed to protect children from the harmful effects of the sun. Children rest and sleep according to their individual needs, so they remain healthy.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered meals and snacks which are very nutritious and encourage them to make healthy choices. They enjoy eating fresh fruits, such as bananas, apples and pears at snack time and older children pour their own drinks. Children are involved in the preparation of food; they help to peel fruit and make their own sandwiches for lunch. Foods from around the world to widen children's experience and tastes are provided. Individual dietary needs are fully considered to promote children's well-being.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an extensive range of robust play which contributes to their good health. Their pride and pleasure in being active is written on their faces. They grin broadly as they master the challenge of in-line skating, arms outstretched like an aeroplane, to achieve good balance. They enjoy balancing on stilts and climbing outdoors. They create their own dens outside using chairs, clothes horses, sheets and pegs. Young children use push-along bikes and cars. Older children develop good skills to negotiate space as they move vehicles around their peers and obstacles. Regular walks, visits to parks and 'PE sessions', increase opportunities for fresh air and exercise.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's choice and decision making is given utmost priority. Their confidence and well-being is significantly enhanced by the exceptional organisation of space. Children are animated and enthusiastic as they make choices about their activities. The door to the outside play area is left open and children choose whether they wish to be inside or outdoors. Ample space is available for children to move around freely and in safety. Children use a superb range of toys and equipment, which is developmentally challenging, of excellent quality and is frequently checked for safety. Toys and resources are all stored at child-height thereby promoting safe access and independence. Superior quality equipment is provided to keep children safe, such as a sturdy, curved nappy-changing unit.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children gain an excellent understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, they are warned not to touch the candles on the birthday cake and they tell each

p.3

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 other to ride bikes around obstacles in the garden because they might get hurt. Access to the provision is monitored meticulously to keep children safe. Safe collections procedures are shared clearly with parents on admission and registers are very well maintained, to manage the children's daily welfare effectively. Meticulous risk assessments are carried out for each outing and parents are given clear information of the trip and the type of equipment and clothing required, so that children enjoy their outing safely.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively protected from harm, as the childminder has a very secure knowledge of child protection procedures which relate to the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance. Detailed policies are shared with parents in writing and the childminder records all accidents and existing injuries, to ensure the daily welfare of the children is well-managed.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy, settled and achieve well. They benefit from having their individual needs met within excellent, warm and caring relationships which contribute to their sense of belonging. Children gain good levels of self-esteem and confidence in the highly effective child-orientated environment where they experience consistent support, praise and encouragement. Children benefit from regular routines that are planned around their needs, which increases their emotional well-being.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder's excellent knowledge of the Foundation Stage and the 'Birth to three matters' framework means that the two frameworks are integrate seamlessly together. The childminder, together with the other childminders she works with, plans a wealth of inspirational and challenging activities for children to widen all areas of their development. Substantial photographic records show some of the variety of experiences and outings undertaken with children. These include visits to farms, tractor rides, museums, walking through a maze, and attending school assemblies.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is a highly skilled practitioner. Story sacks are used extremely effectively to totally engage a group of children aged between two and nine years. Older children are asked questions to make them think, such as 'How many days are there in two weeks?' They express their creativity by performing their own plays for the adults and younger children, acting as an appreciative audience. This reinforces and values children's ideas and creativity.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are excited and enriched by their environment and point eagerly to posters, correctly identifying sharks, jellyfish and starfish. They show high levels of concentration and perseverance in their chosen activities, such as meticulously drawing and rubbing out unwanted lines to eventually produce a wonderful a poster-sized picture of a mermaid. Children as young as one select their own activities. They play with purpose and display increasing manipulative control, fixing the wheels on the bike and the pram with plastic pliers.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are made extremely welcome and their individuality is highly valued in this setting, as the childminder promotes an inclusive environment, where all children access activities appropriate to their age and stage of development. They develop a strong sense of belonging, as they have named cups on their toothbrush mugs and their own coat pegs. They enjoy looking at the many photographs of themselves, in both their personal development books, which are

p.4

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 accessible to them, and their own pictures, which are displayed around the rooms. The childminder and the co-minders all know the children very well and cater for their individual routines, so they are settled and secure.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an excellent awareness of our diverse society as they celebrate various festivals throughout the year, such as Chinese New Year, and play with an extensive range of resources, such as dressing up clothes, jigsaws and small world figures. Children enjoy visits from various people, such as an African drummer, which extend their experience and knowledge of music around the world. They are actively involved with other community activities linked with nurseries and schools, which helps them to positively contribute to their local area. There are currently no children who attend who have learning difficulties or disabilities. However, strong support is offered when they attend, as the childminder has been actively involved in caring for children with disabilities and learning difficulties.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are extremely well behaved and absolutely absorbed in their self-chosen activities. They are valued and respected as individuals; this is evidenced by the high levels of respect and care they show to others. They play very well together showing excellent cooperation and dividing tasks among themselves. For example, two children 'cleaning' the play house; one said 'I'm sweeping the floor so you can wash the walls'.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children settle well as a result of close consultation between the childminder and parents prior to admission. This ensures that home routines are followed and the transition for children is made as seamless as possible. Before starting, each parent receives an information brochure with comprehensive information about the childminding setting. It includes policies and procedures to reassure them that their child will be cared for according to their wishes and that exemplary arrangements are made to inform them of children's ongoing progress and achievements.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is significantly enhanced by the exceptional organisation of space, routines and resources. They are confident and happy in the well organised, stimulating play environment. They have independent access to the excellent range of age appropriate activities and to areas of the premises available for childminding. The children receive good levels of individual support from their childminder. They play a dynamic part in the setting and are able to organise their own play, moving resources and materials to suit their needs and ideas.

p.5

Organisation

Comprehensive, accurate and up to date documentation is meticulously kept, and all parental permissions have been sought. The parents' complaints procedure and the registration certificate are displayed. The childminder is highly effective in sharing information about the service with parents through a variety of different means. The childminder has a very high regard to ensuring that she evaluates her practice regularly, by using the self-evaluation system and updating this each month.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder is qualified in childcare. She has detailed knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the Curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage, which are implemented effectively in her practice. The childminder is a member of the local childminding network. She is committed to further training and is currently partaking in a quality assurance scheme.

p.5

Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection a recommendation was made for the childminder to improve documentation. Appropriate action has been taken by the childminder to meet the recommendation, she has acquired a copy of the booklet 'What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused' and therefore is able to fully meet the welfare needs of children.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6