Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY266560 Unique Reference Number 13 November 2007 Inspection date Jeannette Waring 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 lives with her husband and three children, aged eight, 10 and 11 years. They live in an extended, five bedroom, end of terrace house which is situated in a residential street close to Bromley town centre. Schools, pre-schools, parks and transport services are all located close by. Children use the ground floor rooms, including a play room, for their play space, together with the enclosed back garden. The family have two cats, a rabbit and some tropical fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been a registered childminder since November 2003. She may care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently seven children on roll, some of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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's health and well-being are exceptionally well promoted by the childminder. Children benefit from being cared for in a clean, well organised and extremely child friendly home. Because the home is so child-friendly children quickly become confident and are able to develop their independence. For example, they are able to move freely between all of the ground floor rooms and can independently take themselves to the toilet and wash their hands in the low level hand basin.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has made sure that she updates her first aid training so that she is able to provide good care for children in the event of an accident, and she makes sure that her first aid box is kept fully stocked. In addition, she ensures children have good continuity of care by keeping clear and detailed accident and medication records which are routinely shared with parents. Children are protected from the risk of the spread of infection because the childminder has a clear policy in place relating to the care of children who are unwell. The good hygiene routines in place within the home further protect children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular access to outdoor play either in the childminder's garden or on outings to local parks and places of interest. They are also able to enjoy some physical activities at weekly outings to a toddler group which the childminder runs in the local area.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the healthy and nutritious meals and snacks provided by the childminder. They relish the opportunity to choose from the range of fresh fruit on offer at snack time. For example, on the day of inspection children chose strawberries, pears, apples, bananas and grapes which the childminder carefully washed and chopped for them. For lunch, children are offered a light meal such as sandwiches or scrambled eggs on toast, and a balanced, home-cooked evening meal is provided for children whose parents want them to eat at the childminder's. The childminder always discusses dietary requirements with parents so that she can plan meals that take account of any cultural or medical restrictions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are safe and secure in the childminder's warm and welcoming home. They are able to move freely between all of the ground floor rooms because the childminder has carried out a thorough risk assessment and effectively minimised any hazards. Children enjoy playing in both the comfortable living room and in the well-organised play room. Both rooms include some low level storage so that even the youngest children can access toys safely. In the living room children have plenty of space for floor play and comfortable sofas where they can snuggle up and listen to stories. An excellent range of carefully chosen, good quality toys and resources are available to children in the play room, with toys for the youngest children stored on the lower shelves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

In the garden children benefit from being able to use the range of large apparatus and garden toys provided. All of the garden apparatus is routinely checked for safety. For example, the childminder's husband regularly checks all the bolts and joints on the large wooden climbing frame to ensure that it is safe for children to use. When taking children out in her car the childminder makes sure children are carried using appropriate seats/restraints. She has a range

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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 of her own car seats but, in order to ensure that parents are happy with her arrangements, her policy makes it clear that parents can provide their own seats/restraints if they prefer.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm or neglect by the childminder who has a good understanding of her responsibility to safeguard children. In order to ensure that she is aware of current best practice and local procedures she has recently attended safeguarding training provided by the local authority and completed an NSPCC course.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and relaxed in the childminder's care. They relate well to her and she is kind and sensitive to their individual needs. She takes time to talk and listen carefully to children and she plans activities which present them with appropriate challenge. As a result children are confident, sociable and friendly and they enjoy taking part in the well planned activities and outings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

During the inspection children enjoyed showing the inspector the individual photo albums that the childminder compiles for each of them. These show that during the past few months children have taken part in a wide range of activities, both in the home and on outings. In the garden they have enjoyed playing in the paddling pool, using the climbing frame and planting seeds. Indoors they have taken part in a variety of art and craft activities and enjoyed doing some simple cooking with the childminder. Visits have included outings to the seaside, to a farm, to local parks and to a river where children had great fun hunting for fish and other creatures by pond-dipping.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's learning and development is very well supported by the childminder who spends time extending their play. For example, when reading stories from books chosen by the children, she encourages them to take an active part in the story. She asks them questions about the story as she reads and they carefully study the pictures to find the answers. They also ask her questions about the story and she skilfully encourages them to think through the answers for themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. There are excellent arrangements in place to ensure effective partnerships with parents. For example, the childminder has contracts and consent forms in place for all arrangements and records are routinely shared with parents. In addition, time is spent each day talking to parents about children's individual needs and their day with her. The use of contact books for children under two years, together with the provision of each child's own photo album further enhances this partnership and helps to ensure children have good continuity of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to value and respect each other because the childminder values each child as an individual. Her good relationship with parents enables her to gain a clear understanding of each child's needs and interests. Children gain a balanced picture of the world as they play with a range of books and toys which reflect the wider community. Children with disabilities and/or learning difficulties are provided with very good support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are extremely well behaved. They are polite, friendly and well mannered and are able to play together well. Even young children are able to share and to take turns and older children

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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 have drawn up some of their own rules. The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour and her calm and patient manner sets children a good example.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children are safe and secure within the childminder's well organised home and she makes sure that they are always under her close personal supervision. She plans her day around the needs of the children in her care, making sure that they have a good balance of indoor and outdoor activities, including quiet times when they can rest, and times when they can be active. She has daily routines in place and serves meals and snacks at regular times, this helps children to feel settled and secure. Her clear and informative policies and procedures provide good information for parents and her careful record keeping effectively supports children's health, safety and well-being.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the provider has made further improvements to the welfare of children by ensuring that she has obtained written consent from parents which allows her to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for children in her care.

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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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