Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY253362 Unique Reference Number 13 November 2007 Inspection date Lynne Stephanie Bowden 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two primary school-age children, in a semi-detached house in Boslowick, an area of the seaside town of Falmouth, in Cornwall. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding five children under eight on a part-time basis. She cares for two children before or after school and three children under five, on different days throughout the week. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children to the local toy library, parks and gardens.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Cornwall Childminding Association and National Childminding Association. She is an associate member of the Truro Nursery Childminding Network.

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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 good. The childminder follows effective procedures to protected children from risk of infection. She uses disposable gloves and quickly disposes of soiled nappies, when changing babies. Children also learn good hygiene procedures. They are learning appropriate times to wash their hands and confidently identify and use their own hand towels, provided by the childminder to minimise risk of cross infection. Toddlers confidently ask to go to the toilet, sensitively supported by the childminder until they are able to use the toilet independently. Toddlers proudly help themselves to tissues, as they recognise when they need to wipe their noses, before throwing tissues away in the bin. The childminder praises and supports their awareness and independence.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy lifestyles and diets, through their access to child targeted books on the subjects and posters promoting healthy eating. The childminder stores and prepares children's meals appropriately, keeping daily records of her fridge and freezer temperatures to ensure that foods are stored safely. The childminder encourages children to drink plenty of water to quench their thirst throughout the day and children enjoy nutritious snacks and meals, such as cereal and toast for breakfast, yoghurt or raisins for snack and soup, yoghurt and fruit for lunch.

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Helping children to be healthy

Records show that children receive appropriate first aid and medical treatment. However, the childminder is unable to promptly meet all children’s needs by seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, because she has not requested written parental permission to do so, from all parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy being able to move freely between the playroom and lounge, because the childminder has taken highly effective steps to make the environment safe and child friendly. She meticulously carries out very effective risk assessments, addressing any safety issues and adapting her practice, to ensure that children are safe. Children are very well protected from risk of fire by the childminder providing and maintaining appropriate equipment and carrying out regular fire drills, so children become confident and familiar with the procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from being able to access and use the wide range of high quality toys and resources, which are all in very good condition. Storage is well organised, so that children can easily select appropriate toys and activities and help tidy them away. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's secure knowledge and awareness of child protection issues and her following a clear effective policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder uses her observations of children extremely well, to establish their interests and levels of development. She uses this information highly effectively to plan and provide activities that engage their interests and encourage the development of their skills. Babies happily enjoy crawling around and exploring the environment and toys; they enthusiastically explore their sound and textures. The childminder interacts very well with them, demonstrating

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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 animal sounds for babies as they find relevant pictures. She encourages them to explore a variety of toys and materials, including wood and plastics. Babies watch the childminder and older children with fascination. Toddlers confidently play with interactive toys, posting balls and enjoying watching them roll down the slide. The childminder gently encourages babies to participate and attempt this, involving older children in encouraging them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Toddlers enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles with suitable support and encouragement from the childminder, who skilfully sustains their interest and encourages their involvement by explaining the subjects of the puzzles and asking for their help in finding pieces. Children happily, listen and concentrate as the childminder sits comfortably with them to read story books. They confidently and enthusiastically carry out actions for familiar action songs and listen carefully as the childminder introduces them to an additional verse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses first hand experiences, such as gardening and outings to the beach and woods to build children’s natural curiosity. Children proudly show off pumpkins that they have grown in the garden and sorted into shape order. They make collages and prints with leaves that they collect on outings. Older children enjoy creating buildings with construction toys, imaginative play and dressing up.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children learn to respect and value diversity and difference through their daily access to and handling of the excellent range of multi-cultural resources. The childminder ensures that all feel valued and included, when she searches out good quality books and resources that reflect and celebrate their cultural backgrounds. Though the childminder has limited experience of working with children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, she has actively increased her knowledge and understanding of this subject, through her use of the internet and attending training. She introduces children to sign language, through rhymes and action songs to develop communication.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well because the childminder instinctively manages their behaviour very well. She ensures that they are all happily and constructively occupied with suitable activities, explaining clearly how she expects them to behave. The childminder is a good role model, calm and consistent in her approach and focuses on positive behaviour, praising their achievements and considerate behaviour to each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to share, tidy away, help each other and show care and concern for others. As a result children grow in self-esteem, self discipline and develop an understanding of responsible behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has excellent systems in place to promote positive relationships and communication with parents. Parents value the detail and individual information that the childminder includes in their daily diaries This enables parents to feel involved and informed about their children's time with the childminder and ensures that all can provide consistent care. She provides parents with detailed information about her practice, through her highly professional and comprehensive prospectus and regular newsletters.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are able to play in a safe and comfortable environment, where the very well organised childminder provides activities and resources that interest them. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides, adapting her routines to meet their individual needs. She is highly committed to improving her practice through training and most necessary documents are in place.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop her knowledge of the Code of Practice for the identification and assessment of Special Educational Needs, having done so the childminder is better able to meet children's needs.

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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 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): • request written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for their children.

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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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