Childminder in Wiltshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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222806 Unique Reference Number 06 September 2007 Inspection date Beverley Blackburn 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 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 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 has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband and four children in Broughton Gifford, Melksham, Wiltshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is use for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. She provides overnight care for three children under eight years. She is able to collect children from the local schools. The family have a dog, four ponies in an adjacent field, chickens and cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for no more than five children under eight years at any one time, and is currently caring for six children on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the Wiltshire Childminding Network and has completed her NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education. She is also an accredited childminder, receiving funding to provide nursery 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 are cared for in a warm, clean and comfortable home; they thrive because the childminder has thorough procedures and documents in place to ensure that all the children‘s individual needs are very well met. Children are encouraged to be independent in their self-care skills. They learn about good hygiene practices through well-planned daily routines. Excellent procedures, such as the childminder wearing disposable gloves for nappy changing and the regular washing of toys, sustain high levels of hygiene and prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop very good physical skills; they regularly take part in a wide range of vigorous physical activities on a daily basis. Children enjoy walks around the large garden, collecting apples to feed the horses; rides on bikes and climbing on the climbing frame. They are able to made full use of the garden and enjoy the open space and the fresh air. Children are given the opportunity to enjoy an excellent range of activities which contribute to their good health. The regular physical outdoor play helps them to develop control over their bodies. Children are able to rest and play according to their own needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder makes excellent use of the Birth to three matters framework. Her thorough understanding of appropriate activities and levels of support gives children the confidence to try new skills, set their own limits and know when to ask for help. This is demonstrated in a detailed and well explained dairy of photographic evidences of young children at play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well nourished. They are provided with well balanced meals and snacks and regular drinks throughout the day. Children gain excellent social interaction at mealtimes as they sit together with the childminder and enjoy their meals. They are helped to become aware of good foods as the childminder discusses healthy eating and selects nutritious and healthy options with them. Children show enjoyment in what they are eating, such as raw broccoli, strawberries and toasted sandwiches. The childminder is very much aware of children with special dietary needs and is able to put a care plan in place if required. Children have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works with the parents; she takes account of their wishes and children’s choices.

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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 welcoming, secure, bright, and stimulating child-centred environment. Children's safety is very well fostered both around the house and when on outings. The childminder ensures all areas of the premises are safe, is vigilant and supervises the children well. High priority is given to help children keep themselves safe when outside of the home. Children play safely because of the childminder understands the purpose of risk assessment, which she undertakes conscientiously, indoors and out. She has implemented the new car seat regulation by ensuring car seats are the appropriate size for the children she cares for. The childminder helps children to contribute to their own safety by encouraging them to help tidy away toys before taking out others, and not to climb on furniture.

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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 She discusses all aspects of road safety with the children. The childminder gives high priority to fire safety and evacuation procedures. She ensures the children have a good understanding by carrying out regular fire drills once a term, which are meticulously recorded. Extra drills are carried out for new children to enable them to gain an understanding of the procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All children have access to a superb range of good quality toys and resources, which are appropriate for their ages and stage of development. Toys are made easily accessible and at the children’s level so that they can independently select resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected because the childminder is knowledgeable about child protection issues and understands her role, and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. She has written policies in place to ensure the children’s welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an excellent setting where they are encouraged to enjoy themselves and achieve. They are provided with excellent care, in a warm, secure and stimulating environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children thrive on the wealth of play equipment and activities provided by the childminder. They are able to make choices from the extensive, well organised and easily accessible resources which promotes their independent learning. The childminder involves herself in children's play, listens carefully to their ideas and provides thoughtful support and encouragement in order that the children achieve. She uses good questioning techniques to develop children's ability to recall events and to communicate their ideas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder carefully plans a broad range of interesting activities, based on topics, such as water, spring, 'All about me' and staying healthy. These topics extend children's learning. Planned activities include a wide range of experiences, for example, feeding the chickens, making a snowman, seeing stick insects eggs hatch, collecting flowers and enjoying the pleasant smell. They plant cress seeds, water and care for the plants as they watch them grow, fostering their understanding of nature. The extensive range of resources provides inviting opportunities for pretend play, such as the home corner resources, dressing up clothes and the dolls house. Children are inspired by the craft resources available and use their own ideas and designs when making items from dough, using paint and glue.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy playing outside where they can climb and play games, for example, football or exploring the sand-pit. Children's learning is enhanced because the childminder has a very good understanding of child development and enables children to explore and learn at their own pace. Activities are balanced to include active play and time to rest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and has incorporated some of the play and practical support ideas into the activities she provides for younger children. Children are making very good progress in all areas of their development. The childminder provides a very balanced programme of child-led and adult led activities.

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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 Nursery Education

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is good. Children benefit from the childminder's very good knowledge of the early learning goals and stepping stones. She plans a very good range of activities that attracts the children's attention and stimulates their interest, and so helps them to make good progress towards the early learning goals.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has good knowledge of the individual children’s progress, demonstrated through the clear and accurate records of children's achievements, which are regularly monitored. This very good progress is shown through photographs, children's work and observation records. The records of children's achievement are attractively presented in diaries and are shared with the parents. They are used to inform future planning for each child. Activity plans are clear and are extremely well linked to the stepping stones.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to initiate their own play, select resources for themselves and work independently. Activities are arranged at their level and are easily accessible. The childminder questions the children during their play to extend their thinking and increase their learning opportunities. For example, the childminder encourages maths skills, by encouraging the children to count how many apples they collect to feed the horses, some are able to recognise house numbers. Children are able to talk about and recognise simple pattern and shapes. Through practical experiences and discussion, children are beginning to develop some understanding of addition and subtraction, although opportunities for children to do simple adding and taking away during their play are not extensive. Children are motivated and keen to try out new experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children display high levels of confidence in their daily activities and are developing very good independence skills. They confidently explore the toys and activities provided and spend time engrossed in their play. Children play well together and are encouraged to share and take turns. Children talk with confidence and older children initiate conversations with their peers. They develop good listening skills and are able to speak clearly and respond appropriately to questioning. Children freely make marks and are beginning to link sounds to letters. Children show interest in numbers and counting, and solve simple number problems. Children use language to describe shape, size and position and can count everyday objects reliably up to ten. Children express and communicate their ideas through imaginative play, painting and drawing. They enjoy mixing colours as they paint their own pictures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children feel at home in a welcoming and secure environment. Children are happy, relaxed and contented and feel a sense of belonging, consequently enabling them to confidently initiate their own play. Children are encouraged to participate in all activities, for example, cooking activities, so that they can move forward in their areas of learning and grow in confidence and self-esteem. They have regular opportunities to explore the environment, for example, walks to pick fresh blackberries or raspberries; visits to toddler's group or the library. Children thoroughly enjoy time and experiences with the childminder. Children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

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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 The childminder has a very good understanding and experience of children with special needs. She provides respite care for children along side her childminding service. They are offered a high level of support, are valued as individuals, and their individuality respected.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to develop a positive attitude of others and gain good understanding of the wider world and community through access to a very good range of play resources, which increases their awareness of cultural diversity, enabling them to learn positively about differences and to be tolerant with other cultures. Children are helped to feel part of the local community as they attend local toddler's group and are able to interact with other children; as they visit the library to listen to story time or choose their own books or visit friends of the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is exemplary. The childminder is a positive role model for the children, being calm and consistent in her approach. This enables children to know what is expected of them and they feel secure. Children show care and concern for each other and play together, and alongside each, other extremely well. For instance, children pick daisies and making daisy chains and clearly enjoy each other's company. Children are encouraged to be considerate and kind.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is good and contributes significantly to the children's care and well-being. The childminder creates a warm, friendly but professional relationship with parents. She has very comprehensive systems in place for sharing information with parents to meet children's individual needs. She gathers and shares extensive information, including daily feedback on their children's care, routine and activities. Parents are well informed of their children's achievements and progress. This ensures that children's care, well-being and development are greatly enhanced. Parents are extremely happy with the stimulating and caring, homely environment the childminder provides for the children, where they are safe, happy and have the opportunity to learn and achieve.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children’s care is greatly enriched by the childminder's highly effective organisation of space and resources. Children feel at home and at ease in a homely and relaxed environment. They are extremely confident in initiating and extending their own play and learning. The childminder is well qualified and experienced and is committed to training. This ensures she is well informed and able to implement new ideas and childcare practices into her childminding setting. She has a high regard to the well-being of the children.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the children's health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and the ability to make a positive contribution. Information is regularly shared with parents to keep them well informed about their children’s day and their activities. Documentations are comprehensive and very well organised. The quality of the provision is high.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding of the areas of learning, stepping stones and the early learning goals. Her planning is detailed and linked effectively to the early learning goals. She is committed to providing good quality care and a stimulating learning environment. The

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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 childminder is appropriately supported by the network co-ordinator. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that: the register shows the time of arrival and departure of children; the register is completed as children arrive, and she obtains written permission to administer medication.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now clearly indicates in the attendance register the times of the children's arrival and departure. There are also documents of written permission from parents to administer medication. With these documents in place, the safety and the good health of the children is promoted.

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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 a record of the complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints records may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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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 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 introduce more opportunities for children to learn simple adding and taking away through their play.

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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 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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