Stephens, Caroline Rachel

Inspection report for early years provision

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159261 Unique Reference Number 10 January 2008 Inspection date Beverley Blackburn 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 became registered in May 2001. She has since completed the Developing Childminding Practice (DCP) course and Extending Childminding Practice (ECP) course. She is a member of the South Gloucestershire childminding network and the National Childminding Association. She childminds with her husband, who is also a registered childminder. They live with their two children, aged 11 and 17 years, in a house in the Warmley area of South Gloucestershire. Childminding takes place on the ground floor, with access to the first floor bathroom and bedrooms for resting minded children. An enclosed rear garden is available for outdoor play. The family has a cat. The childminder is involved in running local toddlers group at Longwell Green and Oldland Common. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding 11 children on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a warm clean and very well maintained premise. Children thrive because the childminder has thorough procedures and documents in place to ensure that all the children‘s

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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 individual needs are very well met. Children are encouraged to be independent in their self-care skills and have a good understanding of good hygiene practices. This is reinforced by the childminder setting a good example by ensuring her hands are washed when it is appropriate, and using gloves when changing young children. This helps to reduce the risk of cross infection. Children are able to consistently learn about personal care through an extremely well-planned daily routine.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop very good physical skills; they regularly take part in a wide range of vigorous physical activities on a daily basis. They are able to make full use of the garden; take regular walks to feed the ducks or to see the goats, or to play football in the fields. Children are able to enjoy and participate in activities such as sports day where they can have fun in taking part in activities such as sack race. Younger children are able to enjoy playing in the ball pool. Involvement in these activities contributes to their good health and helps in their physical development. Children are able to rest and play according to their own needs. The facilities available to them for resting are bright and airy. The childminder does all activities with her husband.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well nourished, they are provided with healthy well balanced and nutritious meals. Parents are provided with a copy of a well planned menu so that they are aware of what their children are eating. The childminder ensures very young children are held when being fed. Toddlers are helped with their meals and are encouraged to eat. Children are provided with regular drinks throughout the day. They are helped to become aware of good foods as the childminder discusses healthy eating and selects nutritious and healthy options with them, for example they visit the shops with the childminder to selects their snacks. Meal time is a social occasion as all children sit together and enjoy their meals. Children have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works with the parents; she takes account of their wishes and children’s choices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure, bright, relaxed and stimulating child-centred environment. Children's safety is very well fostered both around the house and when on outings. The childminder ensures all areas of the premises are safe by carrying out risk assessments, being vigilant and supervising the children well. High priority is given to helping children to keep themselves safe when outside of the home, especially on outings; the childminder ensures children are securely strapped into the car and seated in the appropriate age related car seats. She discusses all aspects of road safety with the children; children are sensitively made aware of stranger danger through books and the childminder's clear and careful explanation. The childminder gives high priority to fire safety and evacuation procedures. She ensures the children have a good understanding by carrying out regular fire drills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All children have access to a superb range of good quality toys and resources, which are appropriate for their ages and stage of development. Toys are made easily accessible and are arranged at the children’s level so that they can independently select resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected because the childminder is knowledgeable about child protection issues and understands her role and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. She has written policies in place to ensure the children’s welfare is safeguarded.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an excellent setting where they are encouraged to enjoy themselves and achieve. They are provided with excellent care, in a warm, secure and stimulating environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children thrive on the wealth of play equipment and activities provided by the childminder. They are able to make choices from the extensive, well organised and easily accessible resources, promoting their independent learning. The childminder involves herself in children's play, listens carefully to their ideas and provides thoughtful support and encouragement in order that the children achieve. She uses good questioning techniques to develop children's ability to recall events and to communicate their ideas. The childminder carefully plans a broad range of interesting activities, such as sand paper colouring; cooking; model making. The children enjoy dressing up, painting, listening to stories or participating in their favourite activities such as puzzles. The children benefit from the interaction with each other which helps to build their confidence and increase their ability to communicate with others effectively. Children are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

confident and are able to relate well to adults. They interact well with the childminder. The childminder carries out all activities with her husband.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Planned activities include a wide range of experiences, for example, visits to the library and to the local zoo to see the animals, to Avon Valley farm or walks to collect twigs and leaves. Children are able to enjoy planting and digging in the garden, they are provided with their own child-size tools; they are able to water and care for plants as they watch them grow, fostering their understanding of nature. The extensive range of resources provides inviting opportunities for pretend play, such as the home corner resources, dressing up clothes or dolls house. Younger children enjoy playing with the items in the treasure box and listen attentively to the different sounds they make. Children are inspired by the craft resources available and show interest and enjoyment in making their models, painting or gluing. Children enjoy playing outside where they can climb, play games, for example, football or take part in sports day.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's learning is enhanced because the childminder has a very good understanding of child development and enables children to explore and learn at their own pace. Activities are balanced to include active play and time to rest. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and has incorporated some of the play and practical support ideas into the activities she provides for younger children. Children are making very good progress in all areas of their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder carries out all activities with her husband. Children feel at home in a welcoming and secure environment, where children are valued as individuals, and their individuality is respected by the childminder. Children are happy, relaxed and contented and feel a sense of belonging, enabling them to confidently initiate their own play. They have regular opportunities to explore the environment, for example, walks or visiting the local toddler's group, where the children have the opportunity to interact with other children and make friends. The childminder has an awareness of children with learning difficulties/physical disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to develop a positive attitude towards others and gain good understanding of the wider world and community through access to a very good range of play resources, which

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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 increases their awareness of cultural diversity. Children’s behaviour is excellent. The childminder is a positive role model; she is calm and consistent in her approach. This enables children to know what is expected of them and they feel secure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's very good relationship with the parents which involves sharing information and regular feedback about their child's day. Any sensitive issues are discussed in private and confidentiality maintained. Parents are kept up to date about the progress their children are making; scrapbooks containing examples of work and photos of the children at play, and observation of the children's progress is shared with the parents, this contributes significantly to the children's care and well-being.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children’s care is greatly enriched by the childminder's highly effective organisation of space and resources. Children feel at home and at ease in a homely and relaxed environment. They are extremely confident in initiating and extending their own play and learning. The childminder is well qualified and experienced and is committed to training, she is working towards a diploma in Childcare which will further enhance her knowledge and understanding of child development. The childminder has a high regard to the well-being of the children and her aim is to provide good quality care for them. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the children's health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and the ability to make a positive contribution. Information is regularly shared with parents to keep them well informed about their children’s day and their activities. The quality of the provision is high. The childminder meets the needs

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Organisation

of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to further develop the organisation of toys and equipment, to extend independent access and choice by children. Because storage is limited inside the house the childminder has made a catalogue of toys available to the children from which they can self select, this helps to extend their independence of choice.

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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 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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