Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY256983 Unique Reference Number 03 October 2007 Inspection date Jane Plested 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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 2003. She lives with her family in a residential road on the outskirts of Aylesbury. Her house is within walking distance of local shops, pre-school and schools. Childminding takes place in all areas of the house. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to care for five children under eight years. There are currently eight children who attend the setting mainly on a part time basis.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds the National Nursery Examination Board (NNEB) qualification. She takes children to the local pre-school and attends a toddler group on a regular basis. The family have no pets.

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 good. Children begin to learn about personal hygiene practice. They do this as the childminder supports them completing their personal care such as, hand washing after toileting. She sets a good example through hygienic nappy changing routines, providing separate towels, wiping surfaces and washing her own hands before preparing lunch. The childminder is mindful to wipe children’s noses when they have a cold. However, she does not always remember to wash children’s hands before their snack and thus misses an opportunity in the prevention of the spread of infection.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children’s health also benefits because the childminder keeps her first aid skills up-to-date. In addition, she has sound procedures and good records in place, to support the management of sickness and minor accidents.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Outdoor activities and visits support physical development. During outings to the park children can play on a variety of large apparatus, they walk in Wendover Woods and enjoy the freedom of easy access to the garden from patio doors. The childminder also plans her day so children walk part way to school. Overall, this good practice ensures regular fresh air and exercise for children. Outings to a soft play centre and gym plus indoor dance activities aid the development of bodily control and strong muscles.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder establishes children’s dietary needs. Packed lunches provided by parents for children are stored safely in the fridge to avoid contamination. Children are encouraged to drink and have a healthy snack such as dried fruit.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to an excellent range of toys and equipment. For example, they thoroughly enjoy their play with home corner resources and dolls. The toys for use by children are good quality and properly maintained so that they remain safe for children. There are picture and written prompts around the house to support children’s access to toys and resources. In addition, the low-level storage of resources aids the development of independence.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childcare environment is well maintained and the childminder makes sure children are safe as they play. She does this by conducting risks assessments and by using accident prevention equipment. Children learn to stay safe outside the home because, “we practise the Green Cross Code”. Therefore, children develop an awareness of road safety. Children know the evacuation procedures and a recent visit from the Fire Safety Officer acted to increase the childminder’s knowledge and excite the children. She has a written evacuation policy for parents and her fire safety equipment is in place and in working order.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s security has been well thought through, the garden is secure and the childminder has sound collection procedures. The childminder has a very good understanding of procedures to protect children. She ably describes the signs that would cause her concern, has a clear policy setting out her role and responsibilities and has relevant reference information close to hand. This strong practice will act to safeguard children.

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children play together extremely well. They are secure, welcome new children and adults into their imaginative games. Children are confident speakers as they chat together and to the childminder about recent events such as holidays, have imaginary telephone calls and introduce themselves to visitors. This demonstrates that children are developing strong language and communication skills.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience an extensive range of activities and their opinions are sought by the childminder. For instance, a child is encouraged to contribute ideas in the design of her reward chart ensuring the feeling of being valued. This positively aids the development of self-confidence.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children concentrate very well as they take part in drawing activities or play sound lotto. The childminder explains the rules of the lotto game clearly. She skilfully supports younger children so they can successfully complete this activity by talking in accessible and easy to understand language. This helps children to recognise the sounds they hear and also acts to aid the development of their speech. She enthusiastically praises children when they are successful in recognising and identifying familiar sounds such as a motor bike. Together they enjoy acting as a monkey by patting their chests and talk about funny sounds animals make. Ensuring they all have fun during the development of effective listening skills.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A snail that children observe and examine in the garden fascinates them. They closely study features such as its shell and antenna. Children squeal with excitement as they observe as centipede and a frog. They show caring emotions as they feel a bond with the snail and show concern for its well-being saying, “I will be his best friend”. Activities such as these significantly develop children’s interest in the natural world.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are frequently encouraged to make choices and valued highly. The childminder spends time talking with both children and their parent's and she keeps detailed day care record’s on each child about their needs and care. The childminder demonstrates a strong level of awareness of how to care for children with learning and physical disabilities. This ensures children receive the most appropriate levels of care and are treated as individuals.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning a sense of social responsibility, as the childminder has excellent systems to encourage them to recycle. She has labelled bins so children can complete these tasks independently and teaches them about what happens to the items they re-cycle. This effectively teaches children to care for the environment. Outings enable children to gain a sense of their local environment, bug hunts allow them to explore the wonder of nature and provide good opportunities for children to socialise. Children have access to a very good range of resources to help them learn about differences and the wider world.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave impeccably and respond quickly to the childminder’s requests to complete tasks such as get ready for school. The childminder is pro-active in praising children and she positively encourages them to develop good manners. The childminder has an effective 'star chart' reward system which encourages the children's good behaviour.

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 Parents receive well-presented information about the childminder’s service via a range of methods. She has an illustrated service leaflet; much of her practice is set out in clear policies and procedures within her portfolio, which she also shares verbally at the agreement stage. The childminder has highly effective systems for sharing children’s day-to-day care. Written references within her portfolio from past parents are extremely positive.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder provides a child-centred setting that is welcoming, safe, clean and very well organised. The activities for children are both planned and spontaneous and they are adapted to be inclusive of children’s needs and abilities. As a result, there are good opportunities for children to develop their play and interests. Children are relaxed and receive continual support from the childminder during their play and care. This helps them learn, as well as feel confident and secure within the setting.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has a professional approach to her childminding, she has up-dated her first aid training to keep her skills up-to-date. She keeps professional records about children and their needs, and these are stored confidentially. Service and business arrangements are set out in a brief leaflet and children's care in her detailed policies and procedures. All required records and parental agreements are in place. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to promote equal opportunity, to include positive images of gender, culture, ethnicity and disability.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Many aspects of the childminder’s practice promote equality of opportunity for children. There are also a wide range of positive images of gender, culture and ethnicity on display and within the setting and resources. The childminder also has some images of disability available to help children’s understanding of this issue.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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. 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.5

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

p.5

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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.6

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 children always wash their hands prior to eating.

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