Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY291420 Unique Reference Number 14 January 2008 Inspection date Lynne Elizabeth Lewington 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 in a house in Fleet. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there is a park nearby.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and currently has nine children on roll. She is registered to care for two children under eight years overnight. Occasionally she cares for older children. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor of the property. Sleeping facilities are available on the first floor and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local carer and toddler group. She holds a National Nursery Examination Board certificate (NNEB) and National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 in childcare and education.

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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 develop an excellent awareness of good hygiene routines as they undertake their everyday activities. For example, a child washes her hands carefully with soap and water before starting to make her sandwich. Conversations between the child and childminder increase the child's understanding of the importance of this task. Each child has their own clean towel preventing cross infection. Detailed information provided by parents ensures that children's individual health and dietary needs are fully understood and met appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an excellent diet of freshly prepared nutritious food; the daily menu ensures they have the opportunity to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. Children participate enthusiastically in the preparation of their food, for example, by making a sandwich under the close supervision of the childminder. This simple activity encourages the child's awareness of hygiene, develops fine physical skills and awareness of healthy foods. Children also have meals prepared at home if parents wish and these are stored appropriately to ensure they remain fresh.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their physical skills well through excellent opportunities both indoors and out. They use the garden and local parks developing their balance and co-ordination as they use play equipment. They use the trikes, footballs and balancing bar with increasing skill. Indoor activities, such as playing with dolls, puzzles, construction toys and making a sandwich enable finer hand and eye co-ordination to develop.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's safety is promoted exceptionally well in the childminders care. A high level of care has been taken to ensure the environment is safe for the children's use. For example, toys are stored enabling young children to have access to them easily. Items suitable for older children are stored higher ensuring small children cannot access the small parts. Children develop their awareness of safety through conversations and activities. For example, making a sandwich the child learns to use the utensils with care, on walks they learn road safety and on visits to the park they learn about safe use of the equipment and who to talk to if they get lost. The childminder provides the children with fluorescent jackets to increase their visibility on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The well maintained spacious environment provides the children with suitable play space on the ground floor of the property with easy access to a secure outdoor play environment. Appropriate provision is made for sleeping children ensuring they can rest quietly and still be monitored effectively. A wide range of good quality toys and equipment enable the childminder to provide interesting worthwhile activities for the children throughout the time in her care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is further safeguarded by the childminders clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the actions she would take if she were concerned. A clear policy supports the childminder and informs parents of her important role in protecting children.

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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 excellent opportunities to develop well in the childminders care. Each child's individual needs are considered and activities and opportunities offered to encourage their development. The childminders clear understanding of child development enables her to offer activities to each child at a level suitable to their requirements. This helps to build children's skills and self esteem as they feel a sense of achievement in the tasks they undertake. For example, the child asks for help to dress a doll, the childminder encourages and helps but does not take over the task completely enabling the child to learn from the assistance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn about the world around them as they grow items, such as cress, undertake simple experiments with ice and collect leaves. Counting, comparing and sorting are part of their conversation throughout activities. For example, leaves collected on an outing are counted and compared for size and colour. Books and opportunities to listen to stories are part of the daily routine and the childminder confidently encourages children to develop an awareness of phonics. Regular outings in the local community enable the children to meet with other adults and children and develop their social skills well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children have excellent opportunities to develop an awareness of our diverse society. They meet many people on their outings in the community from young to old. They learn about their own cultural traditions and those of other cultures enabling them to learn to accept and respect people’s differences. For example, they learn about Chinese New Year. The childminder asks parents to share their knowledge of cultural events, and to share key words and songs in the child's native tongue. This enables the children to feel included and shows respect for their culture and background. Children's individual needs are respected and sensitively met by the childminder, who demonstrates a clear understanding of the need to adapt to individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop their awareness of the effect of their actions on others through effective behaviour management. They are praised and receive reward stickers for their efforts. Frequent verbal praise and a clear description of what the child has done well reinforce their positive behaviour and informs others of what is acceptable. Clear and consistent boundaries enable the children to feel secure and understand what is expected of them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Excellent relationships develop with parents through good communication. Daily diaries in addition to face to face discussion ensure parents are aware of what younger children have been doing and have eaten. Clear policies enable parents to understand the childminders role in the care of their child. Clearly displayed certificates inform parents of the childminders suitability for her role.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. This well qualified childminder clearly enjoys her role with the children. She is well organised and provides the children with stimulating activities and outings enabling them to enjoy their time in her care. Excellent use is made of the space and resources available and very good care is taken to ensure children play in a healthy and safe environment where they develop their awareness of health and safety routines. The childminders commitment and understanding of

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 her role enables her to provide excellent care for young children and ensure that parents are kept fully informed of their child's daily activity and progress.

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Organisation

The childminder continues to develop her skills through training opportunities and maintains all the required documentation to meet the requirements of her registration. 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 inspection two recommendations were made. The first to ensure child protection procedures were available and the second to extend resources reflecting positive images of disability. Clear information is now available regarding child protection which helps to inform and therefore safeguard children's welfare. Books and small world resources reflect a diverse society including disabilities.

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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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