Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY276158 Unique Reference Number 29 January 2008 Inspection date Karen Marie Tervit 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 good. 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and three children in Lambton, Washington. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children under eight years and four children over eight years. Children attend for various sessions. The family has a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has excellent hygiene routines in place to protect and promote children's health. The clear and comprehensive policies and procedures in place regarding sick children,

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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 medication and accident recording ensure children's health needs are exceptionally well met. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene from an early age through excellent, well planned daily routines and the use of individual hand towels.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of healthy eating and she works with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met. She ensures children receive a varied and nutritious diet. Meals are home cooked using fresh ingredients. Children have access to drinks throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an extremely varied range of interesting and exciting activities which contributes to their good health; both in the childminder’s home and garden, where there is ample space for them to move around freely and access outdoors independently. They also thoroughly enjoy regular visits to the local amenities, including the woods, the park and the beach. This means they have fresh air and exercise each day and their physical development is promoted. Children are able to rest and be active according to their individual needs and parents' wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well organised, safe environment where they have room to move around freely and safely. Premises are warm and welcoming and are friendly to children and parents. Children have independent access to the extremely wide range of resources because the childminder has carefully organised her storage to promote this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a very good awareness of children's constantly developing abilities and takes appropriate safety measures to ensure that they are safe at all times. For example, when babies are cared for she tends to use the living room more as the surfaces are softer and they have space to crawl and roll safely. The childminder has working smoke alarms in place and has devised and practised a detailed emergency evacuation procedure. However she does not record this. When travelling by car, children use appropriate car seats or restraints. Outings and transportation agreements are fully agreed with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected by the childminder, who has a good understanding of child protection policies and procedures. She has attended training in this area and has a copy of 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused', along with the necessary contact numbers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder and the children share a high quality relationship which means the children are well settled, content and secure in her care. The outstanding adult-child interactions support children's communication skills extremely well and children learn to take turns in conversation, for example, as the childminder talks to the children about their school day and allows them to tell each other what they have been doing. The childminder shows keen interest in what the children have to say and this, along with her celebration of their art and craft work, contributes to their sense of belonging. For example, their artwork is beautifully displayed on the playroom walls, as are their three dimensional models of horses and helicopters. The childminder extends the children's thoughts and ideas through sharing her own experiences, for example after visiting a Sikh temple the childminder developed activities around this so as to share her new

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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 Children are involved in an excellent range of activities and outings that promotes learning in all areas of their development. The childminder very much follows the children’s lead in their play. They took part in an outstanding series of activities as they learnt about the planets and the solar system, where they used books and the internet to develop their knowledge and went on to make their own drawings of planets using chalks. The childminder observes the children and is very aware of their individual progress and achievements. The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of how children learn and makes wonderful use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework in order to provide a range of stimulating and appropriate activities. Photographs are available for parents in beautiful annotated scrapbooks, showing their child

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

playing and what the children are achieving. Children are given wonderful opportunities to develop and practise their newly acquired language skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The consistent gentle support, praise and encouragement given to the children means they learn to be increasingly independent, for example, even very young children are offered choices in their play and confidently decide to do puzzles or sticking pictures. This promotes their confidence and self-esteem extremely well. Children are acquiring new skills and knowledge all the time and respond to challenge with excellent support and attention from the childminder. They learn to turn puzzle shapes to make them fit and are given excellent opportunities to count and learn the names of colours in everyday activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Equality of opportunity is exceptionally well promoted within the setting. The childminder is fully aware of children's individual needs and ensures that all children are fully included in the life of the setting. She delights in promoting individuality and is extremely astute at interpreting children's mannerisms, knowing when they are becoming tired or are ready to move on to the next activity. The childminder has a very good range of resources which reflects diversity; these are constantly used in her play. She also adds to these resources by borrowing items from the local pre-school group, such as wooden puzzles and play figures, so as to be able to extend children's play and knowledge further. Children have made a beautiful noticeboard displaying figures they have made from other cultures in their art and craft sessions. They have access to Braille books as well as other interesting books which promote diversity. Children learn about

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the childminder's visit to a Sikh temple as she explains about their culture in a enthusiastic and respectful way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children behave exceptionally well as a result of the childminder's positive approach. She uses praise, encouragement and diversion to reinforce good behaviour. The children show a sense of belonging and are secure in their knowledge of daily routines. They are growing in independence and self-assurance as they have choices of activities. Older children have helped to devise their own house rules which are clearly displayed and which act as a gentle reminder of the consequences of their actions, for example, do not throw toys because they will break. Even very young children help to tidy up, smiling widely when they are praised for their efforts.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to children's wellbeing in the childminder's care. Parents' views about their children's needs, interests and abilities are actively sought before the child starts, and this continues on a regular basis throughout their time there. Highly comprehensive daily written journals, developmental tracker books, which parents also make comments in, and daily verbal communication shared with parents ensures that they are kept extremely well informed about their children's progress, care and welfare. The childminder ensures that parents are fully informed about all aspects of the childminding

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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 practice by providing them with an extensive information package, which includes details of the childminder and her family and a parents information pack, containing copies of all policies and procedures. Written comments from parents show that they are extremely happy with the care their children are receiving and the progress they are making. Parents are also given fabulous scrapbooks of photographs of their children at play. Older children also share their written comments with the childminder; these are spontaneous and highly complimentary about how they feel about being in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare is promoted in the well organised and safe environment, where children have access to a dedicated playroom as well as other areas of the home. The childminder is an active member of the local childminder group and regularly attends training to update her knowledge and skills, such as anti-bullying, speech and language and promoting play activities. She has successfully completed a National Vocational Qualification level 3 in Childcare course. This commitment to training ensures she continually develops her practice so children benefit from good quality care. Children are comfortable and at ease with the childminder. She organises her day around their needs.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of the National Standards and a commitment to providing better outcomes for children. Policies and procedures ensure that parents are kept very well informed of their children's progress, with each child having their own individual records and lots of useful information available for parents. All of the required records are in place. The childminder's certificate of registration is displayed in the playroom; easily seen by parents and interested parties.

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Organisation

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

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to extend resources to include those which positively promote disability, and to obtain written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has a wide range of resources in place which promotes positive images of disability, including books, puzzles and play figures. She also has the necessary written parental permission in place to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. This safeguards the welfare of children.

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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 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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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

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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 good. 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • record the practises of the emergency evacuation procedures.

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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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