Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY284371 Unique Reference Number 12 November 2007 Inspection date Amanda May 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and four, in a house in Woking. The home is located within easy reach of shops, schools, pre-schools and the park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. A bedroom on the first floor provides sleeping facilities for children, if required. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have three pet cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently caring for three children and is registered for four in total.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has excellent procedures in place to help children to learn about the importance of keeping active and being healthy. Children take care of themselves as they independently wash their hands and dry them after finding their own labelled towel hanging on a low level

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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 hook. Babies and toddlers wash their hands along with the childminder after having their nappy changed. This ensures the spread of illness and infection is minimised. Children sleep and rest in line with their individual needs and parents wishes. The childminder provides a travel cot in an upstairs bedroom where children snuggle down to sleep listening to nursery rhymes. They each bring in a favourite soft toy from home to cuddle, ensuring they feel secure and cosy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children gain an exceptional understanding of good health through a ready access to drinks and nutritious foods which take account of known allergies. The childminder provides home-cooked meals which children enjoy eating, as they develop their social skills at the table. Parents are provided with a selection of menus in their welcome packs, detailing the types of meals which the childminder provides. These include chicken casserole and vegetarian spaghetti bolognaise.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder manages accidents and the administering of medication effectively and shares records with parents immediately. Emergency medical consent forms are also in place to ensure the childminder can support children's medical needs. Children benefit from an innovative range of outdoor activities which encourage children to be fit and active. Children enjoy visiting local parks and making use of the large garden. The childminder and children also go to a local nature reserve where they have different adventures together in the outdoors such as teddy bear picnics and nature trails. This contributes highly to their health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children learn how to be safe when they go out into the local community. The childminder makes very good use of opportunities to talk about safety with children when they are crossing the road and when playing together in the park. Children have an exceptional awareness of road safety as they cross together and then extend their understanding as they play games on child-centred websites, ensuring their hedgehog crosses the road safely. The childminder has secure methods in place to ensure children are kept safe when using the computer. The childminder supervises children at all times, and has relevant parental blocks in order to ensure children access only sites which are safe, secure and appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates an accurate awareness of how to ensure children are kept safe, and ensures a first aid kit is carried at all times when on outings and trips. The childminder also ensures she takes her mobile phone which contains emergency contact telephone numbers of each child's parents and general practitioner. Children develop their own awareness of safety issues, as they learn how to take care of themselves in an emergency. Children practise fire drills with the childminder, and older children are keen to demonstrate how they should crawl on the floor in a smoke-filled room. The childminder is innovative in encouraging children to think about safety issues through role-play; as a result children have lots of fun, whilst learning how they can protect themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm through the childminder's thorough and accurate understanding of issues surrounding safeguarding children. Relevant documentation is in place for the childminder to refer to if she is concerned about a child's welfare. The childminder would share her concerns about children's well-being with parents if appropriate. The childminder has extended her knowledge through accessing relevant training, which ensures her knowledge and responsibilities are clear. A record is also kept of any existing injuries children may have when attending the setting, which is discussed and shared with parents. This ensures children's safety is monitored and recorded at all times.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children experience a vibrant and varied range of stimulating activities which contribute highly to their development inside and outside the home. Children lead their play with confidence as they choose their toys and resources from storage which is inviting and easy to reach. The childminder supports children effectively in their play, and encourages children to make choices and initiate their own learning. Children enjoy varied and refreshing resources which the childminder gathers depending on children's interests and relevant themes such as 'Autumn Watch'. Children's interests are stimulated and catered for fully as they make a large tree collage as a group, then look out for all the different animals they can see as they walk in the woods. Children also benefit from learning about lifecycles as they watch caterpillars change into butterflies before releasing them into the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children gain exceptional levels of confidence and self-esteem through consistent praise and encouragement. Children's work is displayed throughout the setting at a level which is easy for them to see and to look at. The childminder encourages children to put their own work up on the wall, choosing where they would like to display it to their friends. The childminder uses children's work as well as observations to record their development whilst in her care. Records are very well maintained and examples are recorded of when children reach specific achievements. These are shared with parents to ensure consistency of care and learning is both discussed and achieved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children who attend the setting gain an exceptional awareness of social diversity as they make lanterns and tea-light holders to celebrate festivals from different cultures such as Chinese New Year. Children dress up in traditional costumes and enjoy finding the different countries on a world map that they have visited on holiday, or where they have friends or family. Children gain an exceptional awareness of different traditions and cultures through accessing books as well as attending their friend's Diwali celebrations. Children develop their understanding of other people's needs as they talk about differences and join in with activities adapted to support specific children who might attend the setting. The childminder has a thorough understanding of methods she can best employ to support different children's individual needs, and knows that some children may develop learning difficulties and disabilities. The childminder has an

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Helping children make a positive contribution

excellent relationship with parents. Children are effectively supported in their care, learning and play and consistency of care is extended from home to the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from settling in visits to the setting, and parents are given the opportunity to discuss routines and individual requirements. This ensures that children feel secure and settled as they start at the provision. The childminder ensures parents are actively involved in the care she provides as she completes daily diaries for each child, and spends time sharing experiences and activities with parents when they collect their child at the end of each session. Parents are presented with copies of the childminder's policies and procedures when they first attend the setting, ensuring that parents feel secure and have a thorough understanding of the standards of service the childminder provides.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour at the setting is very good. Children get on well together and work as a group for activities such as mapping their journeys and when making their tree collage. The childminder provides a wide range of activities which are suitable and stimulating for the children who

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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 attend. As a result, children remain motivated and eager to explore the activities and resources which are available to them. Secure procedures are in place for the childminder to follow to promote good behaviour as well as deal with inappropriate behaviour as it arises. Children take an active role in determining how they behave at the setting, as they work together to devise house rules which they all agree with. These are also displayed in the setting so children have a clear understanding of boundaries, whilst learning about the difference between right and wrong.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder provides children with excellent resources and stimulating activities in a vibrant and bright environment. Children enjoy making use of the play-room as well as the living room. A large garden is also available for outside play. The childminder encourages children to use different areas of the home for their play, ensuring they are able to spread out and enjoy a variety of experiences.

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Organisation

The childminder enjoys actively extending her service and knowledge as she accesses a wide variety of training and workshops in order to ensure her service evolves to cater for the children in her care. She also benefits from meeting up with other childminders for activities with the children, who enjoy meeting new friends, and developing their social skills and confidence around other children and adults alike.

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Organisation

The childminder has a thorough working knowledge of the National Standards, and is aware of any relevant changes and requirements to these at all time. This ensures children flourish in her care whilst making very rapid progress in their development and learning. Documentation is kept secure, and confidentiality is maintained at all times. The childminder is highly skilled and dedicated to providing children with experiences which are both inspiring and fun. 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 Children Act inspection, the provider was recommended to develop a complaints procedure for parents, to include Ofsted's telephone number. The childminder has now fully implemented this previous recommendation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A thorough and detailed complaints procedure is in place, a copy of which is given to parents when they first attend the setting. This provides details of the action the childminder would take if any concerns were raised about her service, along with how parents can contact Ofsted if they wish.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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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