Nicholson, Jean

Inspection report for early years provision

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310074 Unique Reference Number 16 October 2007 Inspection date Andrea, Jane Lockyer 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 has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband and four children, in a semi-detached house in the Wideopen area of North Tyneside. Local amenities and public transport systems are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor area is used for childminding purposes; access to the first floor is restricted to the use of the bathroom. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. There are no pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children; she is currently caring for seven children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support and training from the local Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy an excellent range of well planned, stimulating activities which actively contribute to their good health. Each day there are interesting outdoor and indoor activities which help them develop increasing control of their bodies and enjoy being active, such as going to the

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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 garden centre to buy seeds to plant in pots and care for them as they grow, playing in the snow and rain, jumping in puddles and making snowmen, collecting leaves and natural materials from nature walks to make pictures with, visits to soft play, and dancing to music. Strong emphasis is placed on learning in the outdoor environment, and all children are able to experience a wide variety of activities outside which they have daily access to, such as swings, slides, pedal cars, ball games, and skipping games. The childminder's excellent understanding of the developmental stages of the individual children she is caring for means that the youngest of children are confident to try new skills within a safe environment. All children are able to rest according to their individual needs. Younger children's sleep routines are discussed with parents and observed

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thrive because the childminder follows highly effective procedures and practices which meet their individual health needs. The exceptional adult support and guidance helps children gain an excellent understanding of hygiene and a desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care. For example, they enjoy activities and topics about oral hygiene which includes visiting the dentist, help to wash and clean toys, follow good hygiene when helping to prepare snacks, and learn the importance of using different chopping boards for raw and cooked foods. Older children happily clean their own teeth, independently access the toilet, and wash and dry their own hands using their own towels.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's excellent knowledge about healthy eating ensures that children are developing a good understanding of the benefits of a healthy diet. They take part in activities, such as food tasting, helping to buy fresh produce from the local shops, and discussing how it is made or where it comes from, making fruit salads and their own snacks. Children are able to make choices from the extensive range of fresh fruit available daily, such as pineapples, melons, strawberries, plums, apples, oranges and bananas. They help themselves to drinks throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

In-depth discussions with parents and comprehensive records ensure that children are provided with a healthy nutritious diet, which takes account of individual dietary needs and parental wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised because excellent safety procedures and risk assessments are effectively carried out by the childminder within the setting and on outings. These ensure that children are able to move around freely, safely and independently. The childminder gives the utmost priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe, both in and out of the premises, and effectively achieves a good balance between freedom and setting safe limits; for example, how to play safely on the beach and use outdoor play equipment. Children are developing a high level of awareness of danger and are becoming knowledgeable about how to protect themselves from harm. For example, they take part in fire drills, learn to cross roads safely when on outings, make story boards of hazards and what they need for outings, learn about people 'who help us', act out scenarios in role play dressed up

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

as fire-fighters and the police, talk about safety around animals when on trips to the farm, and help to tidy away toys so as not to fall over them. Activities and discussions, such as safety in the home, fire safety and talking about the dangers of fireworks, help children to gain an understanding about how to keep themselves safe throughout their daily lives.

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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 Children are well cared for in a warm and welcoming environment which is organised exceptionally well. This allows all children to have independent access to an extensive range of good quality toys, equipment and furniture, both in and out of the premises. Children's artwork is effectively displayed giving them a sense of belonging.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are extremely well protected from possible abuse or neglect because the childminder has an extensive knowledge of child protection issues and procedures, in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines. Comprehensive policies and procedures keep parents informed of the childminder's role and responsibility with regard to child protection. Children are developing a good understanding about how to protect themselves through sensitive discussion with the childminder about good and bad secrets and stranger danger.

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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. They enjoy affectionate, sensitive and caring relationships with the childminder who knows them extremely well and inspires them with her own enthusiasm. This means that children are developing high levels of self-esteem, becoming extremely confident and self-assured. They engage eagerly in an extensive range of stimulating and enjoyable activities, such as exploring natural objects, creating collages and designs using a variety of different textured materials, growing, planting and caring for seeds, going rock pooling, acting out as they engage in role play, baking, playing musical instruments, and visiting the library to select their own books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities and topics are planned in advance and are extremely well thought out, taking into account children's individual developmental stages and their interests. They are purposeful and provide all children with optimal challenge, such as exploring their senses; children are involved in tasting different foods, exploring natural and man-made textures, smelling flowers, freshly baked bread and farm smells, and listening to what they can hear in the outdoor and indoor environment. Children make rapid progress because the childminder is highly skilled. She uses her knowledge of the children's developmental stages to provide high quality care and learning experiences for the different range of children she is caring for.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's independence and confidence are promoted very well through a variety of opportunities. They are able to move around freely, taking part in planned activities or activities of their own choosing. They select freely from the exceptionally well organised resources and are skilfully guided by the childminder to extend their own learning. Written and verbal comments from children past and present state 'they have lots of fun and adventures' with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder provides an excellent range of innovative activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world, which increase children's awareness of diversity and an understanding of others. They enjoy activities, such as celebrating Chinese New Year, linking photos of people they know from different countries to a map of the world and learning about their culture, meeting people who have a hearing or sight impairment and being involved in sensitive discussions and activities to help them understand how it might feel to be blind or deaf, and going on a trip to the 'Tall Ships Festival' where they enjoyed experiencing, food, music, language and cultures from around the world. All children have access to an extensive range of resources throughout their everyday play. Children learn about their local community

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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 and culture through well planned visits to places of interest, such as the coast, rock pooling, lighthouse, nature walks, historical and natural history museums, art galleries, and music centres.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder has realistic expectations of children's behaviour and effectively implements a range of extremely good strategies which promote positive behaviour. This means that children are developing a very good understanding of right and wrong, and are learning to respect and value each other. Children respond positively to meaningful praise and sensitive encouragement which promotes their social skills, confidence and self-esteem. They willingly help clean up, share activities and games, and help one another with activities. They show care and concern for each other and behave extremely well. Children are actively encouraged to share their views and opinions and make their own choices. This helps them take responsibility for themselves and others and promotes a strong sense of self and belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to children's wellbeing at the childminder's. Parents' views about their children's needs, interests and abilities are actively sought before the child starts, and continues on a regular basis throughout their time there. Highly comprehensive, daily written journals, which parents also make comments in, and daily verbal communication shared with parents, ensure that they are kept extremely well informed about their children's progress, care and welfare. The childminder ensures that parents are informed about all aspects of the childminding practice by providing them with an extensive information package, which includes copies of all policies and procedures, samples of menus, activities, trips out, as well as a personal portfolio which includes information about the childminder and training courses completed. Written comments from parents show that they

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are extremely happy with the care their children are receiving and the progress they are making.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The exceptionally well-organised environment to maximise play opportunities and good daily routines ensure that all children are extremely happy and self-assured. Excellent opportunities are made for all children to be involved in free play, social interaction, eating, resting, physical activity and outings. This means that children are extremely confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Outings are organised extremely well; for example, children wear identity tabs, risk assessments are completed, and they take account of the interests of children and provide optimal learning experiences for all children.

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Organisation

The childminder is highly motivated towards training and organises attendance on courses exceedingly well to maximise training opportunities. Children benefit from her commitment to continuous improvement and development. She is committed, enthusiastic and highly motivated, and continually evaluates her practice which enhances the care and development of all children.

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Organisation

An extensive range of comprehensive policies and procedures are in place. They are implemented effectively to promote the care, welfare and learning of children, and underpin the good quality childcare. All documentation is effectively organised and maintains confidentiality. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements 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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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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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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