Stephens, Paul David

Inspection report for early years provision

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405520 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. He is a member of the South Gloucestershire childminding network and the National Childminding Association. He childminds with his wife, 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 toddler's groups at Longwell Green and Oldland Common.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four 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 welcoming and very well maintained home. Children are able to consistently learn about personal care through an extremely well-planned daily routine. They are independent

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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 in their self-care skills and have a good understanding of good hygiene practices. Children know to wash their hands after visiting the toilet, before eating and after touching the animals. This is reinforced by the childminder setting a good example by ensuring his hands are washed when it is appropriate, and using gloves when changing young children. This helps to reduce the risk of cross infection. Children flourish because the childminder has thorough procedures and documentation in place which ensure that all the children's individual needs are very well met.

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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 take regular walks to feed the ducks or to see the goats; play football in the fields and are able to make full use of the garden. Children are able to enjoy and participate in activities such as sports day where they can have fun in taking part in activities. Younger children are able to enjoy playing in the ball pool. Participating in these activities contributes to their good health and helps in their physical development. Children are able to rest and play in a bright airy environment and rest according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with healthy well balanced and nutritious meals which ensure they are very well nourished. The childminder uses very good practices, such as, ensuring very young children are held when being fed. Toddlers are assisted with their meals and are encouraged to eat. All children are provided with regular drinks throughout the day. Children are helped to become aware of good foods as the childminder discusses healthy eating and selects nutritious and healthy options with them. Meal times are 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; he takes account of their wishes and children’s choices. Parents are provided with a copy of a well planned menu so that they are aware of what their children are eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's safety is very well fostered both around the house and when on outings. They are cared for in a welcoming, secure, bright, relaxed and stimulating child-centred environment. The childminder ensures all areas of the premises are safe by carrying out risk assessments; being vigilant and supervising the children well. Great 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. He discusses all aspects of road safety with the children. Children are allowed to take safe risks such as young children are helped and encouraged to walk up and down the stairs safely. The childminder gives high priority to fire safety and evacuation procedures and ensures the children have a good understanding by carrying out regular fire drills. The childminder is very aware of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the importance of accurate documentation of any accident/incident that may occur while the children are in his care and that the children's safety is paramount.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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

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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 his role. He is aware when to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary. There are 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 exceptional setting where they are encouraged to enjoy themselves and achieve. They are provided with outstanding care, in a warm, secure and stimulating environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are provided with a very large range of play equipment and activities by the childminder. Children's independent learning is promoted by the choice of extensive, well organised and easily accessible resources. The childminder involves himself in children's play, listens carefully to their ideas and provides thoughtful support and encouragement in order that the children achieve. He 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 their favourite activities, such as puzzles. The children benefit from the interaction with each others which helps to build their confidence and increase their ability to communicate with others effectively. Children are confident and are able to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

relate well to adults. They interact well with the childminder.

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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 the 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. There are a very wide range of craft resources available which motivates children's interest and enjoyment in making their models, painting or gluing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities are balanced to include active play and time to rest. Children's learning is boosted because the childminder has an excellent understanding of child development and enables children to explore and learn at their own pace. The childminder has a very good understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and has incorporated some of the play and practical support ideas into the activities he 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. Children are happy, relaxed and contented and feel a sense of belonging, enabling them to confidently initiate their own play. They are able to feel at home in a welcoming and secure environment, where children are valued as individuals, and their individuality is respected by the childminder. 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’s behaviour is excellent. The childminder is a positive role model; he is calm and consistent in his approach. This enables children to know what is expected of them and they feel secure. Children are able to develop a positive attitude towards others and gain good

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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 understanding of the wider world and community through access to a very good range of play resources, which increases their awareness of cultural diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children gain from the childminder's very good relationship with the parents. This involves sharing information such as scrapbooks containing examples of work and photos of the children at play and observations. This ensures regular feedback about their child's day and progress and contributes significantly to the children's care and well-being. Any sensitive issues are discussed in private and confidentiality maintained.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom he provides. Children’s care is greatly enhanced by the childminder's highly effective organisation of space and resources. Children are extremely confident in initiating and extending their own play and learning. They feel at home and at ease in a very comfortable and relaxed environment. The childminder is committed to training and is qualified and experienced which benefits the children in their development and well-being. Documentation in the form of policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the children's health, safety, enjoyment and achievement. Sharing information regularly with parents is a priority which keeps them up to date about their children’s day and their activities. The quality of the provision is high.

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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. As storage is limited inside the house the childminder has made a catalogue of toys available to the children from which they can self select and this helps to broaden 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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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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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