Parkhouse Education

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

134497 Unique Reference Number 22 October 2007 Inspection date Gill Ogden 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 outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1996. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12, 11 and five, on the southern outskirts of Lincoln city. All areas of the home are available for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Local facilities include primary and secondary schools, nurseries, playgroups, toddler groups, shops, a library, parks and a soft play area. The family keeps a dog and rabbit as pets.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. Children currently on roll include those with learning difficulties/disabilities. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, holds a relevant early years qualification and is actively involved in the local childminding group and the county childminding association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's good health is given the highest priority. Cleaning routines take place out of childminding hours to ensure that the home is hygienic and welcoming for children and parents.

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 Children have excellent opportunities to learn about keeping themselves healthy. Every child has their own face cloth and towel for their personal use in the bathroom and they use gel to keep their hands clean as well. Tissues are placed where children can easily get them whenever they need, for example, to wipe their nose and they know where to dispose of them. Parents receive well-reasoned information about the importance of keeping their children at home when they are ill which further helps to minimise opportunities for cross-infection.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children spend quality time outdoors each day. They go to a play park and country park each week and also have regular trips to the seaside so they get plenty of fresh air and outdoor exercise. They also play in the garden and take the dog for walks. Their outdoor play opportunities are significantly enhanced by the fixed equipment in the garden such as an adventure climbing frame and play house on stilts with a garage underneath. For younger children there is an excellent combination swing.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a superb variety of choices for all meals and which ensure they get a fully balanced diet. On offer is cereal, eggs and toast with fruit juice or milk for breakfast, a cooked or cold lunch and dinners such as beef stroganoff, pasta bakes and roasts with milk puddings or fruit. Children learn about healthy eating through cookery activities. Very close attention is paid to any special dietary needs children may have and if parents wish to provide packed meals for their children then these are stored as required in the fridge. Drinking water is available for children at any time during the day and they can help themselves from the chilled water system in the fridge.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are looked after in a safe, warm and welcoming child-friendly environment. Children's safety is regarded as paramount and every effort is made to eliminate hazards. All the necessary safety equipment is in place and weekly checks on its functioning are recorded. Children learn to keep themselves safe through exceptional learning opportunities. For example, they visit the police station to talk about 'stranger danger' and go to the fire station around Bonfire Night to learn about the dangers of fireworks. Road safety is well understood by them because, for example, they make a road layout in the garden with signs and traffic lights to practise using the green cross code and then make traffic light biscuits to reinforce their learning. They know why it is important to wear a helmet when cycling and take part in monthly fire drills so they can evacuate the house quickly in an emergency. All the toys and play equipment are

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

inviting and suitable for their purpose.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further safeguarded because the childminder has an excellent understanding of her child protection responsibilities and the local authority systems. She has experience of establishing very effective working relationships with other professionals and parents.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and settled with the childminder because she provides them with a stimulating yet homely environment where they take a full part in choosing and planning their activities. Children know from the first visit to the childminder's that they can e-mail her whenever they wish if there is anything they are concerned about because they are introduced to her website. A varied and wide range of stimulating activities along with a wealth of resources

p.3

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 to support them provides children with every opportunity to follow their own interests and learn through high quality play.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children of all ages have warm and caring relationships with each other. Older children help and encourage the younger ones because the childminder views all the children as an extended family. Activities such as singing 'Five speckled frogs' involve all the children with the older ones singing the words and helping the younger ones use their 'frogs' to do the actions and all of them playing instruments such as clickers, bells, drum and shakers. A song sheet is used so the pre-school age children begin to understand about reading and written language in a natural way. Children thoroughly enjoy learning about and preparing for Hallow'een by making pumpkin shaped biscuits and masks, all chatting together whilst they are doing so and helping each other out. Each child has their own portfolio into which they put whatever they wish such as photographs, art work and any writing they may have done and which they proudly take

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

home at the end of each term. This ensures that all the children's self-esteem is boosted very well and results in them being highly motivated and confident. The children discuss together with the childminder what they will do the following week so that all the necessary resources are available. A wall chart reminds the children of the key activities they have chosen to do each day.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's achievements are recorded in line with the development and learning expectations of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The childminder takes full account of what the children have been doing during the time they are not in her care to ensure their experiences and activities are consistently balanced. She thoroughly evaluates all activities to ensure they have met children's needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are made welcome in the childminder's home and their individual needs and home backgrounds are fully noted, valued and respected. Because they are so well occupied and interested in what they are doing and the childminder provides them with an excellent role model they behave very well. The childminder has high expectations of all the children no matter what their experiences or abilities are. Children have extensive opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through spending lots of time in the local and wider community and visiting places of interest. They are introduced to the world at large and differing cultures through relevant play activities and discussions.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive superb information about the service offered by the childminder. On entering the house they can see for themselves how well everything is set up to meet children's needs. The written information they receive is very readable with lots of pictures and drawings included and they have every opportunity to chat and share information on a daily basis with the childminder. Parents comment extremely positively on the care their children receive.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is experienced and fully committed to providing a consistently high service for children and their families. To this end she undertakes ongoing training and has completed her qualification course in record time. She is held in high esteem by colleagues and other professionals. In order to pass on her commitment and passion to others she has undertaken adult teaching training and has plans to become more involved in training and supporting

p.4

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 others. None of this interferes with her day-to-day work as a childminder and, in fact, positively enhances it because she uses her acquired knowledge and skills in the best interests of the children she cares for. All the childminder's family play a full part in the care she provides for children. Some children are cared for way beyond the expectations of the childminding contract because the whole family are committed to improving children's life experiences.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder is extremely organised both in herself and her home. Children are totally comfortable in the environment because the home is clearly set out so they know what they can do where. All records and documents are kept to a high standard, stored exceptionally well so that they are secure yet easily accessible and reviewed regularly. Overall, children's needs are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of the recommendation made at the last inspection all accident records are now signed by the childminder and written permission from parents is in place to allow the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. This ensures that a fully robust framework is in place for children's care.

p.5

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.5

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.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

p.5

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.5

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.5