Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY264916 Unique Reference Number 12 October 2007 Inspection date Kay Williams 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 three children aged 17, 14 and 11. They live in Hendon, located within the London borough of Barnet. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time when working alone and up to 12 children when working with an assistant. She is currently minding 11 children and employs an assistant.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the library and the park. The family have two pet rabbits and a cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is also a member of the local 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 outstanding. Children thrive because their health and wellbeing is effectively promoted to a very high standard. They are offered an appetising variety of nutritional food for their after school snack. The childminder holds very good knowledge regarding the importance of healthy eating and this is reflected in the food that she offers to the children in her care. They relish their food as they choose from a selection of vegetable sticks and chapattis, followed by wholesome home made cake and a variety of fresh fruit. Children are able to help themselves to a drink of water from the jug or choose milk or juice from the fridge whenever they feel thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children clearly understand the importance of good personal hygiene. They articulate the importance of washing their hands after they have fed the pet rabbits, acknowledging that 'although the rabbit is soft he still has germs'. Children are less likely to be exposed to infection as the childminder has comprehensive procedures in place to reduce this risk of cross infection. For example, children use disposable paper towels to dry their hands on and children who stay overnight have their own separate bed linen. Children's good health is further assured as the childminder maintains a current first aid qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered extensive opportunities to strengthen and develop their muscles as they play in the fresh air. All children walk the mile long journey from school every day. As they journey across the park, they enjoy the opportunities to play on the swings, climbing frame and other large apparatus. Once the children arrive home they can choose to play in or outdoors. The garden offers children fantastic opportunities to engage in robust physical play, from climbing into the tree house to swinging on the tyre swing or enjoying some gardening.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children feel extremely comfortable in the warm, welcoming environment that the childminder has created for them. Her home has been transformed into an exciting child centred environment. Posters, art work and beautifully presented play materials inspire children as soon as they arrive, consequently, they settle immediately to an activity of their choice. They have a strong sense of belonging as they know where everything is and they have a 'special' bench where they can store their own personal belongings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy using an enormous variety of high quality resources. Storage baskets, cupboards and open plan shelving contain a stimulating range of age appropriate resources which children can freely access. For example they can choose to play on the computers in the play room, read a book on the sofa in the lounge or take a basket of dressing up clothes out into the garden to extend their role play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to move safely and easily around the home as the childminder is vigilant in her risk assessment procedures which ensure children's safety at all times. For example, children are able to enjoy observing the wildlife in the garden pond as the bridge and perimeter fence are quite secure. Children are also taught the importance of personal safety regarding water. Emergency evacuation procedures are practiced regularly and subsequently recorded. Furthermore there is a bag sited on a hook by the exit which the childminder 'grabs' as they evacuate. This contains a register of the children present and their contact details, along with

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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 a mobile phone, to further assure children's safety once they have left the premises. Children are very well protected as the childminder holds a very good understanding of child protection procedure and has clear systems in place to safeguard their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have a thoroughly good time in the childminders care. Their learning is greatly enhanced by the extensive range of activities that they are offered. Activities are planned in advance and centre around the children's interests. For example, the leaves that the children collected on their way home from school yesterday will be turned into place mats today. The childminder has a comprehensive understanding of the Curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage and with permission from the parents she tracks children's progress and provides learning opportunities to move their development forward. For example, as younger children demonstrate competency in their number recognition skills the childminder plans for their next steps by introducing number games which consider simple techniques for adding and subtracting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder and the assistants who work with her make excellent play partners for the children. They skilfully question children's play in order to support and extend their learning. Children are confident, articulate communicators who delight in sharing their experiences. As they sit together they pass around the 'talking stick' and the child who is holding the stick tells the others some of their news that they wish to share. Children recall past events in their lives as they look through the numerous home made books which illustrate experiences they have enjoyed. They enthuse as they describe the day they were taken to London, in a limousine, to see the Christmas lights. Yesterday children photographed the 'farmers' in the local field as they cut the hay. Today they are going to watch hay being bailed by the combine harvester. Younger children are taught the letters of the alphabet and the corresponding sounds that

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

they make. They have fun as they 'pass the parcel', unwrapping objects that the older children have collected which relate to the letter of the week which they are working on at school. Children have easy access to a whole wealth of writing and drawing material and the magnetic letters and words which decorate the fridge provide children with additional opportunities to spontaneously create written text. Children have superb opportunities to engage in meaningful role play which they can extend to the outdoor play area. They love to dress up and use other props as they make up stories as they set up 'dens' in the bushes in the garden. Children delight in the unique opportunities which they have to interact and observe nature and living livings. They wonder at the tadpoles and newts in the pond and take great care of the pet rabbits which they talk about with real concern.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are beautifully behaved. The childminder creates a good sense of fun and the children respond very well to this. The behaviour management policy is consistently implemented and the children are very clear of their 'boundaries'. Consequently they can take turns with maturity and ease as they play a board game together. They thrive on the responsibility they are offered, for example, showing visitors around the house and describing the things they like doing best while they are at the childminder's home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are valued as individuals and the childminder knows them very well. This knowledge is greatly enhanced as she tracks and records their developmental progress. Children are

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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 extremely well placed to learn about their own culture and those of others. They acknowledge a range of different festivals and cultural events throughout the year, including the Japanese star festival 'Tanabata' and 'British food week'. The resources, displays and artifacts around the home are culturally and socially diverse, portraying positive images of gender, culture, language and ability. Children have excellent opportunities to learn about their local and wider community. They often visit the local fire station and have recently participated in a sponsored silence in order to raise money for the 'Children in Need' charity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties are extremely well supported. The childminder works effectively with parent to ensure that children receive the best possible care and are supported to join in with all of the activities, with relevant modifications being made accordingly. All children enjoy the unique experience of being taught to use sign language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed excellent partnerships with parents. Children benefit enormously from the information which is readily exchanged as this results in outstanding continuity of their care. Parents are given regular news letters to keep them informed about how their children spend their time and they are very well informed of their children's progress through regular discussion and annual written reports.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The children are very well cared for in a highly organised environment. Children thrive as they are offered inspiring daily routines. Written policies and procedures underpin existing good practice and often exceed the National Standards. The childminder is exceptionally well organised. Regular meetings between herself and her assistants mean that practice is consistent. Together they plan effectively and everyone is clear about their role and responsibilities.

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Organisation

The childminder is constantly updating and self-evaluating her practice. She attends a wide variety of training, is a member of the local authority Childminding Network and acts as a mentor for newly registered childminders. Record keeping is meticulous.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to obtain written permission from parents regarding administering medication and seeking emergency medical treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children now benefit as written permission is now recorded.

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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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