Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY270341 Unique Reference Number 14 January 2008 Inspection date Felicity Gaff 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 husband and three school-aged children in a village near Haywards Heath, West Sussex. Most activities take place in the playroom, which is an annexe to the house with its own toilet and kitchen and a separate area for sleeping. A secure, designated area of the garden is available for supervised activities. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding 11 children all of whom attend part-time. The family keeps chickens, rabbits, cats and a dog, to which children only have supervised access. The childminder takes and collects children from school by car. She takes children to the library and also attends carer and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is promoted very well and they flourish in her care. They are effectively protected from illness and infection because the childminder maintains high standards of cleanliness and teaches very good personal hygiene routines. Children take pride in their developing self-care skills and begin to understand the reasons for them. There are excellent

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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 arrangements for active physical play every day, indoors and out, and the childminder has developed the outdoor area to improve the opportunities for children to develop their physical skills. The childminder maintains all the required documentation to support children's welfare and liaises closely with parents to ensure she fully understands their wishes for their children's care. There are very good arrangements to enable the childminder to take prompt and effective action to manage accidents or emergencies on outings. She understands how to support children with additional health needs to ensure they receive appropriate care. She plans ahead to provide a healthy diet, ensuring individual dietary requirements are fully met, and children thrive on the well-balanced and attractively presented, home-cooked meals. Mealtimes are very well

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Helping children to be healthy

managed as social occasions, and the childminder offers skilful support to help children learn to eat independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. There are excellent arrangements to help children learn how to keep themselves safe within a secure, child-friendly environment. The childminder ensures parents are fully informed about the arrangements for ensuring their children's safety when using large, outdoor play equipment. Children begin to understand how to keep themselves safe and to consider the needs of others because the childminder explains clearly why safety precautions are needed. There is a very attractive range of high-quality toys and play resources, which are maintained in very good condition. They are very well organised to allow all children, including babies, to develop their confidence and independence by selecting their own play materials safely. The childminder has developed effective routines to keep children safe on outings. The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection issues, and is proactive in ensuring the information she holds

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

is up-to-date. She plans ahead to ensure all members of her household undergo appropriate vetting procedures. This enhances her ability to safeguard children from harm or abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder supports children very well and provides a rich, stimulating play environment that promotes all areas of their development. She makes very good use of everyday opportunities to help children learn. For example, they develop their mathematical skills as they sort play dough by colour when tidying up and count the containers they have filled. They use mathematical language confidently as they decide where their work will be displayed. Children form very close relationships with the childminder and with each other. They enjoy plenty of cuddles, spontaneous songs and affection. The childminder intervenes effectively to ensure toys are arranged to allow all the children to take part in activities and to minimise the risk of disagreements. As a result, children play harmoniously alongside each other for extended periods of time. Children persevere at self-chosen activities, and reflect the nurturing care they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

receive in their gentle play with dolls. They become engrossed as they experiment with interesting play materials such as musical instruments, listening intently to the sounds they make. Children make good progress in developing their self-care skills under the childminder's skilful encouragement.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder ensures that all children, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, are fully included. She treats each child with respect and sensitivity. She liaises closely with parents to ensure she understands children's individual needs and works cooperatively with them to ensure they are met. Toys and books offer many positive images of the cultural and ethnic diversity of modern Britain and of disability. They are used well to help children begin to learn to respect difference. The childminder makes very good use of detailed daily dairies to keep parents fully informed about their children's progress and the care they receive. She ensures children have access to realistic small world figures representing positive images of different ethnic groups and provides attractively displayed dressing-up clothes that are likely to appeal to both boys and girls. The childminder forges very strong,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

long-term relationships with children and their families. Parents appreciate the very high quality care their children receive. Children are polite and exceptionally well-behaved. They behave well because they feel secure and valued and have a wide range of absorbing activities to occupy them. They treat play materials with care, help with everyday tasks such as tidying up, and spontaneously use courtesies such as please and thank you.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She has a thorough understanding of the National Standards, which enables her to provide well-organised, professional care. She fully understands the conditions of her registration and ensures she complies with them at all times. She applies for any variations in good time to enable her to provide continuity of care. She is undertaking training for a professional qualification in home-based childcare to further enhance the service she offers. All the required documentation to support children's welfare is maintained to a high standard, and is stored discreetly to protect confidentiality. The excellent organisation of the childminding service provided allows children to thrive at the setting.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to increase the available resources and to improve the medication records. There are now a suitable range of resources reflecting positive images of ethnic and cultural diversity and of disability to help children develop a respect for difference. The childminder promotes children's welfare by maintaining clear medication records and seeks written parental authorisation for emergency medical advice or treatment to enable her to meet children's needs in an emergency.

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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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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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