Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY253418 Unique Reference Number 27 November 2007 Inspection date Linda Dawe 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her two daughters in a semi-detached house which is situated on the outskirts of Buckfastleigh. The children are able to use the whole property, although most activities take place in the kitchen. The garden is currently unsuitable for use by minded children and is out of bounds.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently has 10 children on her register, six of whom are aged under eight-years-old. The childminder offers specific art and craft activities to school-aged children only, after school and in the school holidays. The family have a German Shepherd dog that can be excluded from children if necessary and who is always muzzled when they are present and rabbits that are kept in hutches in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is promoted as a result of the proactive steps the childminder takes to doing so. Children eat a range of healthy snacks that they take part in preparing for themselves if

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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 able. Food preparation fully complies with the recommendations of the environmental health department and healthy eating is fully endorsed. For example, the childminder makes her own bread and ensures that any spreads used are low in salt and no artificial sweeteners or colours are offered to children. A full record is kept of all the foods offered including where they were purchased in case of any problem with the suppliers. A detailed list of children's allergies and food preferences enables the childminder to fully meet their dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are taught how to wash their own hands thoroughly before eating, after using the toilet and after taking part in any activity. Individual towels and liquid hand soap reduces any risk of cross infection. Children are cared for in a thoroughly clean and safe home. Parents are made fully aware of the childminder's sick children policy to make sure that an infectious disease is not passed on to other children. Accident and medication records are in place to enable individual children's health needs to be fully met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's safety and well being is an extremely high priority in this setting. Children are taught to have a very high regard to safety as they use a variety of tools and materials to create their artwork. They are closely supervised at all times. Children can play safely within the childminder's home. She has taken positive steps to minimise any risks, for example, by keeping her dog muzzled at all times although she is good natured and by removing locks from the bathroom door so that children can't lock themselves in. However, although the door cannot be locked the childminder has devised a simple but effective way of ensuring their privacy. Regularly practiced fire drills make sure children can be evacuated quickly and safely in the event of an emergency and the drill is clearly displayed for children to see.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is extremely conscientious in making sure children are safe when they travel in her car. Children sit on appropriate car booster seats and the childminder has gained advice about when children can sit legally and safely in the front and whether air bags can be used. Should their be any sort of emergency there are very effective procedures in place to care for the children. The childminder carries a list of emergency contact numbers with her at all times, both in her mobile phone and in a book in her handbag. Children could be given emergency first aid as the childminder has updated her knowledge in this area by renewing her certificate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children welfare is further safeguarded as the childminder is very clear about her responsibility to get them support and protection if needed. She has undertaken child protection training and has clear procedures for reporting any concerns she may have that are fully shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have a fantastic time with this childminder. They undertake a huge range of craft and art activities with lots of enthusiasm, inspired by the childminder. Examples of their work are displayed throughout her house and include, batik, collage, sewing, pottery, paper marking and silk painting. Activities are meticulously prepared, often before the children arrive to maximise the use of their limited time in the setting and so develop their creativity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

As well as the art work children enjoy playing with a selection of games and toys. During the school holidays children are taken on a range of outings and trips according to their ages and

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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 abilities. For example, swimming or to the zoo. A selection of photographs provide evidence of children having a wonderful time at the zoo. They then return home to draw, paint or make collages of what they have seen using a range of mediums.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident, self assured and extremely well cared for. Children are enabled to develop their own areas of interest. For example, a child with a particular interest in creating models was taken to the local scrapstore to choose materials that he wanted to work with.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are taught to be independent and self sufficient as they help prepare their own snack and clear away their own dishes when they have finished. This is a task that they say they particularly enjoy. Children are constantly praised and the childminder proudly shows off their work. The house is a gallery of children's work, which they are delighted to talk about to visitors. As a result children feel valued and have very high self esteem. The childminder is very sensitive to children's individual needs. For example, when new children start with her she gets all the children to undertake a joint craft activity where there is no competition and the children quickly make friends. Detailed information is sought about children's specific needs to make sure that activities can be totally inclusive to all. Children explore different cultures and festivals through their artwork. Children are enabled to care for others less fortunate than themselves

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Helping children make a positive contribution

as they make Christmas cards and bookmarks to sell at local fairs to raise money for charity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed extremely well. There are some very important 'rules' that the children must adhere to when working with the different materials and tools. Any lapses in behaviour are dealt with quickly and sensitively by the childminder. A sand filled timer is available to give children some time out to think about their actions before returning to the group. Children said that they were disappointed that they have never had to use it. When minor squabbles arise between the children, the childminder talks to them in a non patronising way to solve the problem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the excellent relationships that the childminder shares with their parents. She provides parents with clear and detailed information about the care that she provides. All consent forms are in place and records kept to fully involve parents in all aspects of their children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are cared for by an extremely conscientious and dedicated childminder who puts their needs first at all times. She is enthusiastic and presents activities in a positive and exciting way to children, which means they thoroughly enjoy their time with her. The childminder organises her time very well, planning and preparing activities and undertaking any household tasks when children are not present meaning that they have her undivided attention when they are in her care. The childminder constantly reviews and evaluates her practice taking positive steps to improve, such as by attending relevant training or seeking information from a variety of sources.

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Organisation

All required and regulatory documentation is in place and underpins the excellent care that the children receive. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection the childminder was asked to develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She has fully required with this request by attending a specific child protection course. This has enabled her to devise procedures to follow should she have any concerns about children's welfare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was also asked to make sure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. She has done this by skilfully incorporating different festivals and cultures into children's artwork and by adapting her practice if needed to meet the individual needs of the children she cares for.

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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

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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