Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY259828 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2008 Inspection date Ingrid Pine 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 was registered in 2003 to care for six children under eight years of age. There a currently six children on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives in a three storey home with her husband and son. The ground and first floor are used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed area suitable for outdoor play. It is within walking distance of schools, parks, childcare groups and local amenities. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is qualified to level 3 in childcare and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children stay very healthy because the childminder follows effective procedures and practices which meet the children's physical, nutritional and health needs very well. Children clearly

p.2

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 understand the need to be vigilant regarding their own personal routines. Appropriate posters detail the correct way of washing hands, in pictures as well as words, and all children have their own towels and toilet bag which also includes a toothbrush and toothpaste. There are effective procedures in place for ensuring the risk of cross infection is minimised when changing young babies and toddlers nappies. Each child has their own changing mat and cream, and the childminder uses gloves, an apron and appropriate wipes. The home is maintained to a very high standard and children are encouraged to learn about the importance of keeping a home clean and tidy. Older children help with tasks such as wiping down the tables before meals, and toddlers thoroughly enjoy helping the childminder with small routine tasks such as dusting and

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an up to date first aid certificate and all medication and accident records are completed well. She has a comprehensive range of policies, procedures and additional information relating to health and hygiene. Parents and carers are given copies of these, and they fully understand the childminder's methods of preventing cross infection. For example, they know to keep their children at home when they are ill.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well nourished and their understanding of eating healthily is very well promoted. Children help to bake nutritious food, such as wholemeal bread, and go shopping to the local fruit and vegetable shop to choose their own ingredients for home-made soups and broths. The childminder ensures that children have at least five different fruits or vegetables each day and drinks are readily available at all times. Children help to plant their own salad leaves and herbs in tubs and the childminder has plans to use a relative's allotment to further encourage children's interest in gardening and growing their own fresh produce.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

All children have regular opportunities for vigorous physical play. They visit the local park and play gym where they thoroughly enjoy climbing, balancing and swinging on various large play apparatus. They are provided with appropriate challenges and given support and encouragement. This promotes their physical development, confidence and self-esteem.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Young children's emotional needs are extremely well promoted. The childminder's support for both the children and their families is excellent. Young toddlers are confident and happy. They sleep and rest according to their own individual needs, as discussed with parents. The childminder encourages them to recognise their own family and their peers through regular discussion and observation of a range of very well displayed photographs and pictures of their siblings, parents and grand-parents.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe environment where they have enough space to play comfortably. A range of resources are set out within the play area for children to safely and freely access. Other toys and equipment are, at present, stored separately and brought out periodically by the childminder to extend play or to replace others that the children have lost interest in.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a system of continual assessment and promotes children's safety well. Risk of accidental injury to children is minimised as there are many safety features in place, for example, electrical smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and security gates. The childminder has looked critically at the new outdoor area and pinpointed areas that need attention. For example, she intends to cover the paving stones with soft underlay until children have learned

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 how to negotiate the low rise steps up to the lawned area and install a closed circuit television monitor so that she can see any visitors approaching the house. Small tables and chairs are in place and these help to promote children's independence and self-confidence. Children are beginning to learn about their own personal safety by practising the newly established fire drill regularly with the childminder, talking about road safety when on outings and learning their new address.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy playing with high quality, appropriate resources which are well presented. They are kept in pristine condition and are entirely suitable for the age and stage of development of the children.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted well by the childminder who has a clear understanding of child protection procedures. She is fully aware of the correct procedures to follow if she has any concerns. Her written policy is shared with parents and carers to ensure they understand the childminder's responsibility in protecting their children.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder offers children an excellent range of resources and play opportunities that cover all areas of their learning. They are happy and play with purpose. Toys are organised to enable young children to make their own choices and the childminder supports them very well, extending their play and learning through skilful questioning, support and encouragement. For example, the childminder spends quiet time in the book corner, sharing colourful, appropriate books. She makes a game of encouraging the children to recognise different colours, shapes and sounds. They thoroughly enjoy lifting up different flaps, chuckling with glee at what they find.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has in-depth knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is very aware of young children's individual needs. For example, she recognises when children are becoming tired. She cuddles them until they are settled and then carefully transfers them into a comfortable pram for their afternoon sleep, in line with home routines. Toys and equipment are located at the children's own level. For example, a chalk board is attached to the bottom of a door in reach of very small children. This encourages their independence and self-confidence. Young children stay close to the childminder, but with support and encouragement from her, eventually come round to confidently showing the inspector photographs of their own family and sharing their picture books.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses a wealth of photographs, pictures and posters to create a stimulating, interesting environment. Children help to create these displays which depict all the happy and interesting activities that they access. Children's self-esteem and confidence is effectively promoted as they recall previous experiences and share memories of their activities both at home with their own family and at the childminder's home.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children are encouraged to help in planning their own activities. For example, one day they went on an outing around their own local environment looking at different types of houses. This prompted them to find out about different homes around the world. As their topic grew they planned a visit to Abbey House museum and then created imaginary homes for the future. They saved all their work and made it into a scrap book so that they can re-visit and reflect on their enjoyment and learning.

p.4

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 The childminder evaluates children's activities and achievements well. This helps her to plan and provide further appropriate learning experiences which effectively develop children's skills and abilities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well cared for in a loving, family environment. The childminder treats all children with equal concern and gives them equal attention. As a result, they feel very secure and confident with the childminder who provides them with high quality interactions, significantly enhancing their development. Very good resources support the children's understanding of similarities, differences and the world about them. Children enjoy activities which help them to develop their sense of care and sharing, such as collecting resources and raising money for charities that support others who are less fortunate, both at home and in the wider world.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Provision for children with additional needs is very good. The childminder provides an inclusive environment where all children feel loved and cared for. She is aware of different agencies that are able to give support and advice and parents praise her efforts to make their children feel included and their individuality respected.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is excellent and there is a comprehensive, detailed policy in place. Children are encouraged to be involved in making decisions about their rights and responsibilities and contribute their own ideas and rules. High expectations ensure that children behave appropriately and respect their peers. They learn to care for each other, for example, older children help younger ones to put on their shoes and coats. The childminder supports children's understanding of sharing and taking turns by playing appropriate games and empowering children to take responsibility for their own tasks and personal routines. Behaviour management is clearly understood by the childminder. This helps children learn right from wrong in a secure and loving environment.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed excellent well-presented written information for the parents and carers, including policies and procedures relating to the National Standards. A supportive, friendly partnership with parents and carers is in place and both written and verbal information is readily exchanged about the children, ensuring they are kept fully informed about their child's day. The childminder is respectful of parents' wishes and actively seeks out their views on her provision through questionnaires. These, together with letters from parents, show that parents and carers have an exceptionally high opinion of the childminder and the service and care she offers.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to providing the best possible environment where children learn and develop. She is keen to access a programme of training that enhances her experience and expands her knowledge of childcare and education.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder uses the space within her home to create a very comfortable, child-friendly and well supervised environment where children are able to move freely and mostly choose their own activities. The childminder has recently moved house and is in the process of assessing the best way to offer children unlimited free choice and access to resources and equipment.

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 A range of comprehensive written policies and procedures mostly underpin her working practice and sufficiently supports the efficient and safe management of the provision. She is systematically working through these policies and procedures, ensuring safety of the children is paramount. However, some details within the policies and procedures do not at present reflect and relate to her new premises.

p.5

Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve the recording of children's attendance and that of incidents.

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

Since that inspection the safety and welfare of children has been improved as the childminder now ensures that children's arrival and departure times are recorded and any incidents involving minded children are detailed correctly.

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 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): • update existing policies and procedures to ensure they are relevant to the setting.

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