Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY292577 Unique Reference Number 23 January 2008 Inspection date Jane Pamela Berry 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 partner and son in the Langley area of Middleton.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The lounge-dining room and conservatory are used and a bedroom is used for children resting. Bathroom facilities are located on the first floor and there is a rear, enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for four children and she currently has two children on roll. She is situated within close proximity to local shops, schools and a park. The childminder is currently undertaking further studies in childcare and links are established with the advisory team in the local authority.

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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 thrive in a clean and healthy environment that meets their needs. They enjoy wonderful opportunities to learn about their body and how to look after themselves. For example, they play doctors and nurses, listen to one another's heartbeat and show curiosity regarding how they grow and develop from babyhood to pre-schoolers. Children measure their height on the wall chart to see who has grown and compare how small, and how tall they are. This is supported by photographs and discussion to help them to understand, in an age appropriate manner, what growing and developing means to children at this age.

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Helping children to be healthy

On arrival the children are engrossed in outdoor activities involving large physical skills, such as filling containers and pouring water onto plants, despite the cold weather in the month of January. They are wrapped up warm and understand that they need to be appropriately dressed in a raincoat and wellington boots. In this way they are learning that providing they wear suitable clothing, to keep out the icy cold wind, they can participate in all kinds of all weather activities and sports. The excitement builds as they discover a worm in the soil and one child is a little frightened, as she believes it to be a snake. The childminder offers reassurance by explaining to her that worms are garden creatures and will do her no harm and places it out of sight. The children are learning about outdoor life and a love of exploration is well fostered. The children have excellent opportunities to walk in the community and parks, often pushing

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from excellent provision for meals as they often help in the preparation of home made soups and stews. They enjoy pasta meals and yoghurts with fresh fruit in abundance. The children have ready access to fresh drinking water in their own sports bottles at all times and at meals they have the choice of water or milk to drink. This ensures they remain well hydrated throughout the day and encourages their independence and self-help skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder diligently maintains a thoroughly hygienic environment and ensures pets are well supervised and are housed in separate areas to those used by children. Pets are vaccinated and any risks are eliminated through robust procedures to fully support children's health and well-being. Their emotional welfare is of paramount importance as routines are interactive well defined opportunities for effective relationship building.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children learn about safety through well planned activities and routines that teach them how to keep themselves safe from harm. For example, they wear reflective jackets out in the community to ensure they can be seen easily. They learn about road safety and practice their skills in looking and listening for traffic during well planned activities. The children are aware of danger including fire safety, as they listen to stories, such as 'The Firefly', which helps them to understand and avoid taking risks. However, although the fire evacuation procedure is displayed and shared with older children, the younger children currently placed with the childminder have not practised getting out safely in an emergency. This means that they lack direct experience of what to do in case of fire. There are many exits and these are assessed and free from any obstructions. In addition the childminder has all the children's requisites, including

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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 their emergency contact details and her mobile phone readily accessible in order to respond quickly in an emergency situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are fully protected by the childminder attending relevant training and understanding the Local Safeguarding Children Board's procedures. However, this is not comprehensive regarding the process for dealing with any allegations in relation to household members. Advice is sought regarding these matters from relevant agencies and the procedures are followed should a concern arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children relish an environment which is highly stimulating and conducive to their developmental needs. They enjoy exciting activities and visit to places of interest, such as the Museum of Science and Industry where they conduct experiments and investigate natural materials from an early age. The childminder uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework, to excellent effect, as she links her observations of children and plans to meet their developing interests and individual needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children use their imagination and growing curiosity as they learn to play together. For example, they each take their babies for a stroll indoors and outside, with handbags and nappies for changing the dolls. They pretend the baby is poorly and one of the children pretends to administer treatment from the doctors bag to make the baby well again. They listen to the babies, their own and the childminder's heart rates through the stethoscope with interest. As they play the childminder comments on what is happening to reinforce their knowledge and understanding. This helps children to be enthusiastic learners and as a result they are rapidly developing their personal interests and achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children's days are filled from beginning to end with fun and enjoyment, and the delight and utter satisfaction shows on their faces. Children get very excited as they relive their most memorable times together. They often reflect on their experiences as they look through an abundance of photographs showing the numerous activities that they have been involved in. These albums show children having a brilliant time, including playing with natural, sensory play materials, such as messy play with soil, sand and water. All of which are high quality and age appropriate learning experiences where children cannot help but succeed. They talk and laugh together as they enjoy the happy and social atmosphere created by the childminder and look back fondly at the great times they have had together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Parents benefit from the close partnerships that exist between them, the childminder and the children. From the beginning sensitive, planned introductions help children to form confident relationships and a close bond develops between them and the childminder. This is supported by the detailed information collected from parents and the open and friendly dialogue at the beginning and the end of the day. Parents are well informed of their rights including the complaints procedure. There are also written policies reflecting any procedures and keeping parents well informed of any changes or developments.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Inclusion is well supported through quality resources being readily accessible. This includes everyone being included and no gender stereotyped images. Children participate in activities

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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 that support their awareness of different lifestyles, including food tasting sessions and a varied range of celebrations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Information on children's specific individual needs and preferences are obtained to ensure their needs are fully met. For children with a disability the appropriate support is accessible with a firm commitment to working with other agencies. This helps to prepare children for any transitions. This enables children to have continuity of care and quality early experiences that build their inner confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children help to make the rules and subsequently they are extremely well behaved. This is a particular achievement as they are all relatively close in age and are going through the challenges that two year olds face as they develop an awareness of being unique and separate from others. The childminder manages their behaviour positively and constructively teaching them turn-taking and to consider the needs of others. They respond well as they are beginning to develop care and concern for others.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home within the extremely well organised environment. They are valued because the childminder has thought about how children can be fully involved in activities. In addition, they have very good access to resources and their efforts are valued as their work is displayed. The equipment is age and stage appropriate offering suitable challenges to the children. As a result, children play very well both together and independently.

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Organisation

Children have plenty of effective adult support during their play, care and routines. This ensures they feel completely confident and secure. They benefit from the thought given to the organisation of paperwork and record keeping. Their care and all aspects of the childminder's practice is detailed methodically in her written policies and procedures. All household members are suitable and the required records are well documented and accessible. Overall, the provision 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 develop play materials for older children to develop their emotional, intellectual, social and creative skills. Since that time the childminder has increased her resources reflecting children's interests and needs. This ensures that they are well stimulated and interested in the activities available.

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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): • practise evacuating the premises with all children to aid their understanding of what to do in the event of a fire • develop understanding of the procedure for allegations against self or others.

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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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