Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY257547 Unique Reference Number 20 February 2008 Inspection date Melissa Turner 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and four in New Addington, Surrey. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and 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 two children aged three and seven on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are developing an excellent understanding of keeping themselves healthy. They independently help themselves to the box of tissues set up at their level, and the childminder

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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 reminds them to wash their hands afterwards. Children know when they need to wash their hands and the childminder supports them with this. They have their own hand towels and use antibacterial liquid soap. Posters in their playroom and the bathroom promote good hand washing. The childminder maintains a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene in her home and has completed an infection control course to support her. These aspects help prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a very good awareness of healthy eating. The childminder provides nutritious snacks such as banana, apple, grapes and strawberry pieces. Children enjoy the snack and help to set the table first with their choice of colour cup and plate, and table mats they have made and have been laminated by the childminder. The menu planner is updated daily and displayed on the board to ensure parents are able to view the meals on offer that day. An extremely healthy, varied and nutritious diet is provided for all children. Children are often involved in preparing healthy snacks or meals such as home made pizzas or fruit kebabs. Children stay hydrated because they can access their cups of water or juice set up within reach to help themselves, when they wish.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a very good range of physical activity. They thoroughly enjoy the outdoor play, despite the colder weather and frost, the childminder organises and sets up a range of activities and resources before children's arrival. They delight as they choose ride on cars, scooters, playing at the sandpit, the slide and a basketball game. Children benefit from regular outdoor play in all weathers, enabling them to help keep healthy and benefit from fresh air and outdoor activity. In addition they walk to and from school, go on regular walks, trips to the park and outings such as trips to the farm and woods. They also enjoy indoor physical activity such as a game called 'Hullabaloo'. As a result, they are developing an excellent sense of enjoyment of physical play. All relevant medical and health documentation is in place and well organised and the childminder has a valid first aid certificate. These aspects ensure she is

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Helping children to be healthy

well equipped to deal with accidents, emergencies or illnesses.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an extremely welcoming environment which is totally dedicated to meeting their needs. The childminder has organised her home around the children. For example, the conservatory has been set up as a children's playroom, organised in to different areas such as a book corner, home/ role play corner and arts and crafts. An excellent range of toys and resources, all of which are good quality are stored accessibly for children to help themselves. Bright welcoming posters, photographs and pictures of children's work are displayed to make the area inviting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is extremely aware of promoting children's safety, and provides a very safe home environment. Children are kept safe in the event of a fire because they practise monthly fire evacuations; these are recorded and evaluated by the childminder and escape plans are on display. Children are supervised well and their safety is promoted in practice. For example, the childminder discourages young children from standing on chairs and talks to them about why they must not do this. The home has all required safety fixtures such as stair gates, socket covers and well maintained security. As a result, children are developing an awareness of keeping themselves safe and they are well safeguarded in the childminder's care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings, and when playing in the garden, through the childminder's clear procedures and supervision levels. For example, the childminder closely supervises children's

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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 play when outdoors and they all go out or come in together. When going on outings the childminder uses identification wrist bands and offers children close supervision, she can also use her husband for additional support who is registered as her assistant. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow should she develop concerns, and has completed a three part training course in this area. As a result, children's welfare and well-being is considered a high priority and is promoted by the childminder at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are deeply immersed in activities of their choice in a bright, child orientated playroom, organised solely to meet their needs and create a welcoming environment. They delight as they choose from the extensive range of toys and resources, moving with confidence to the different areas such as the role play area to pretend they are builders, 'drilling' and 'fixing' things. Children become completely absorbed and engrossed in their activities, delighted and encouraged to be involved. The childminder supports children closely; they flourish in the childminder's care as she offers purposeful and challenging activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are involved in a good range of play opportunities which extend and promote their learning. For example they enjoy doing a jigsaw puzzle which they are able to leave and come back to as they wish; knowing they will show parents the completed version at the end of the day. They enjoy colouring and arts and crafts activities, including designing and constructing paper aeroplanes, with the childminder's help. They talk about the list they have helped put together with the childminder, showing things they would like to do during the half term holidays, of their choice. This includes walks in the wood, painting and a trip to the library. A range of photographs show a wealth of activities are planned and provided for children which are fun, varied and stimulating.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder cares for children to an extremely high standard. She sits and supports them at their level, interacting with them and offering excellent levels of encouragement. She promotes learning through play and offers children great levels of warmth and comfort, responding to their needs instinctively. The childminder is skilled at engaging children's interest; she makes good eye contact, smiling and chatting to children constantly, ensuring they feel highly valued and secure whilst in her care. She is very aware of children's individual needs and requirements and incorporates these in to planned and spontaneous activities. For example, she recognises that a game the children enjoy playing ('Don't wake Dad') helps with children's colour recognition, numbers, turn taking and the understanding of rules, all areas she has identified she wants to support and promote. The childminder works to the Birth to three

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

matters framework and keeps observations of younger children's progress within a book called the child's 'learning story', helping her to identify children's next steps and planning for them accordingly. The childminder follows children's interests and prompts their learning at every opportunity whilst encouraging them to enjoy, achieve and develop to an outstanding level.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder meets children's needs extremely well. She is caring and considerate to children and values and supports them closely. She demonstrates an overwhelming sense of dedication to their care. For example, she gives very good encouragement and support to children as they

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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 play, helping them and promoting their development. Consequently, children feel settled in her care. Children are highly respected as individuals. They quickly settle and have developed positive relationships with the childminder and her family. The childminder strives to obtain as much information about children's individual needs as she can, by completing a detailed 'children's personal record'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is proactive in promoting children's understanding of diversity. She has attended training in this area and has a wide range of good quality resources. The childminder plans cultural activities such as Chinese New Year - beautiful displays and pictures are on show in the conservatory including dressing up clothes, books and other resources to link in with the theme of Chinese New Year. Children talk with pride about how they have been learning about which year they were born in, in terms of the Chinese Zodiac. These help promote and teach children about the diversity of our society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are welcomed and the childminder has attended an extensive range of training courses in aspects such as Aspergers, sight and hearing impairment and language and communication. The childminder is proactive in ensuring all children are valued and welcomed and ensures she has full details regarding all children's needs to enable the appropriate care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's approach to managing children's behaviour is outstanding. She is calm, consistent and positive. She handles any behavioural issues expertly and sensitively, enabling children to feel they can resolve issues themselves and empowers them to help themselves. The childminder presents herself as an extremely positive, supportive role model, thanking children for helping and telling them how well they are doing and how kind they are for sharing. She is very aware of children's developmental needs as she manages any disputes and encourages them to understand consequences, the importance of sharing and being kind to one another. Children have been involved in creating the house rules which are displayed where they can see them at their level. Children respond very well to the methods used, showing they are developing a good sense of self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are successful systems in place to work in partnership with parents. The childminder keeps a written diary for parents detailing their children's care during time spent with her, and spends time feeding back verbally to parents daily. She encourages parental feed back through offering parental evaluation forms every six months. The childminder works extremely closely with parents, supporting them and helping where possible. She has attended a range of courses such as positive parenting and supporting young parents which contributes towards her strong partnership with parents. Parents have access to a detailed file of information and a copy of the policies and procedures. These aspects help ensure children's needs can be met to a high standard and parents are able to receive a full range of information about their children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder's organisation is strong and underpins a very organised approach to promoting good and outstanding outcomes for children. Paperwork is good; it is comprehensive, meticulous, well organised and contains all the required mandatory elements. An extensive additional range is also incorporated, for example, detailed policies and procedures. The childminder currently does not have written evidence of business use insurance for the car, and could further enhance her paperwork by keeping clear records of when her husband, who works as her assistant, has periods of sole charge.

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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 The childminder takes an extremely professional approach to her childminding and is totally dedicated to her role as a childminder and offers a very professional, well-organised childminding service. Children flourish in a setting where there is very good organisation of space and resources to promote their care, learning and development. The childminder is dedicated to providing the highest standards of care at all times. Children use a wonderfully inviting play room that is extremely well-equipped and child friendly.

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Organisation

The childminder's commitment to professional development and improvement underpins the excellent care and support offered to children and consequent strong outcomes for them. The childminder has a strong dedication to improving her standards of care which is a true reflection of her commitment. Through joining a network and helping to support other childminders on this, she is able to continually evaluate her service and enable further development. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection in November 2004 the childminder was asked to complete first aid training. This has now been completed along with annual refresher courses, supporting her should she need to deal with any emergencies or accidents.

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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. 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): • ensure evidence of business use car insurance is available at all times • consider recording in the register times when the assistant has had sole charge of the 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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