Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY264920 Unique Reference Number 07 November 2007 Inspection date Elizabeth Ellen Mackey 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?

This childminder has been registered since 2003.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband and four children aged one, 11, 12 and 14 years. They live in a four bedroom semi-detached house, within the London Borough of Bromley. The whole of the premises is available for childminding except for the main bedroom, which is inaccessible to minded children. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years. She is currently caring for seven children who all attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have two cats, three chickens and two rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Bromley Mencap 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 are cared for in a warm, clean and well maintained home. Children gain an excellent understanding of good hygiene practices and personal care through practised daily routines. They understand that germs are prevented from spreading by washing their hands before eating, after using the toilet and after contact with the animals. Children have their own flannels and towels which they can readily identify because they are on named pegs, this protects children from cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health needs are respected and concise records are maintained. The childminder holds a first aid certificate and therefore can act appropriately if an accident occurs. Incorporated within the childminder's extensive portfolio are policies and procedures to promote children's good health, for example a hygiene policy and a sickness policy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are respected and met. Children's interest in healthy eating is promoted in a number of ways. They are provided with a wide variety of healthy fresh foods and they are rewarded with a certificate for trying foods that are new to them. Children also learn about the benefits of healthy eating, through themed topics about keeping healthy. They grow their own vegetables in the garden and when they were ready they picked them, prepared them and cooked them for tea. This encourages children's interest in healthy food and teaches them about the food cycle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play and explore in a very safe environment, where risks are substantially minimised due to the diligence of the childminder. Children enjoy an extensive range of good quality toys and equipment that are safe and carefully stored to enable children to access them safely. Areas available to the children are extremely organised and well furnished, which provides the children with a comfortable safe area to play and explore.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Comprehensive and thorough risk assessments are in place for inside and outside the home to reduce any potential hazard and to ensure children are safe at all times. High priority is given to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe, for example the childminder reinforces road safety and stranger danger with the children. Children are aware of what to do in the event of a fire as emergency evacuation procedures are regularly practised. Through excellent observation and effective risk assessment the childminder has achieved an excellent balance between encouraging children's freedom and setting limits to maintain their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has full knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures in line with latest guidance, she demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy their time in the childminder’s home. Young children gain in personal confidence through the high levels of attention they receive and the consistent support given to them. The childminder is extremely focussed on the children at all times and sits on the floor

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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 at their level. This enables children new to the setting to feel secure and make their needs known. It strengthens the interaction and encourages children to communicate. Children have their individual needs met as the childminder establishes daily routines around these, for example, when a child is tired, a rest is offered appropriately.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children achieve extremely well because the childminder is knowledgeable and experienced in early years provision. She uses early years guidance, such as Birth to three matters and the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage, to provide high quality care and education to the children in her care. She offers a planned curriculum and uses observations to inform of children's progress and help to identify children's next steps.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is a qualified childcare practitioner and she demonstrates commitment to maximising children's play and learning opportunities. Activities are adapted to ensure that all the children can participate and they are encouraged to try new experiences. The childminder offers a flexible approach and enables children to follow their interest. For example, when a child is distracted because he is extremely excited to see the cat the childminder helps him in his quest to be able to stroke it. Children learn to care for and be safe around animals because the childminder keeps chickens, rabbits and cats. Children collect the eggs that the chickens have laid and with complete concentration carry them back into the house.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children flourish in the childminder's care as she provides a stimulating environment and offers well planned activities. Older children can choose how they would like to spend their time and activities include painting, cooking and crafts. Children enjoy playing in the garden, where they can dig and plant seeds, climb and run, ride bikes, paint and play with water and sand. Children also enjoy imaginative play, encouraged by the range of resources, for example dressing up clothes and puppets.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder makes excellent observations of children, these are supported by photographs and are linked to the Birth to three matters framework, and Foundation Stage. They evidence effectively how children are enjoying and achieving. For example, the curiosity is clearly evident on a child's face as she explores shredded paper as is the enjoyment on another child's face as she happily plays on the swing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are warmly welcomed into the setting and their needs prioritised. The childminder values and respects children's individuality and successfully enables new children to settle and feel secure. The children have extensive opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through planned themes, such as people, and cultures from around the world. This helps them to value diversity and enhance their awareness of other cultures. Children enjoy local outings to the park, toddler group and baby gym. The childminder is committed to providing an inclusive service and she is a member of the Bromley Mencap Childminding Network.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is excellent due to the clear boundaries and positive role model set by the childminder. Children understand the difference between right and wrong and with younger children this is gently reinforced in a supportive, sensitive matter, which is appropriate for their age. Children are encouraged to resolve any conflict in an amicable way.

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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 Children enjoy long placements and their development is enriched by the childminder's strong partnership with parents. The childminder talks with parents daily and shares their child's achievements with them which includes photographs and written records. A daily contact book is shared between the childminder and parents for children under three years, this is extremely effective in ensuring continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from being in an extremely well organised environment where they are provided with a stimulating programme of activities. Children are secure in the care of the childminder and comfortable and settled in a warm and caring environment where their individual needs are met. The children spend their time purposefully and activities are carefully planned to maximise play, learning and development opportunities for the children.

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Organisation

Children are safeguarded by exemplary written policies and information provided by the childminder, who ensures all information is regularly updated in line with latest guidance and regulation. Comprehensive policies and procedures underpin the childminder's excellent practice.

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Organisation

The childminder further shows her professionalism and commitment as she frequently updates her practice through regular training. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to improve first aid systems by updating her first aid certificate. The childminder has updated her first aid certificate, and is therefore up to date in the event of needing to administer first aid to minded children.

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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 to 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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