Chappell Deborah

Inspection report for early years provision

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207430 Unique Reference Number 12 March 2008 Inspection date Karen Ann Byfleet 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 has been registered since 1996 and she lives with her family in the village of Hadfield in Derbyshire. The childminder's mother is registered as an assistant and she works with her on a part-time basis. There are four children on roll aged between six months and six years. The childminder and her assistant provide care throughout the year. All local amenities such as shops and parks are within walking distance and the childminder regularly attends local toddler groups with the younger of the children. All of the ground floor is used for childminding, with toilet facilities upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet cat. The childminder attends regular training and receives support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is promoted very well. The childminder implements excellent hygiene procedures which contribute to minimising the risk of the spread of any infection. For example, she has a sound sick children's policy which she shares with parents and she provides all the

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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 children with their own individual hand towels. The childminder is proactive in ensuring all surfaces used for the preparation of snacks are cleaned with anti-bacterial spray. Children's understanding of their own personal hygiene is very good. They use the bathroom independently and know why they need to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Pictorial reminders are posted by the hand wash basin for children to see. The childminder has a family pet cat who is cared for appropriately and she ensures all feeding bowls are placed out of children's reach. The childminder maintains her relevant first aid training, ensuring she is able to meet children's needs in a minor emergency. Documents to record accidents, incidents and significant injuries a child may arrive with are completed and detailed documentation is in place

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Helping children to be healthy

for the safe administration of any medication. Written parental permission for the childminder to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment for the children is in place contributing to children's welfare and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to enjoy a wide range of physical play experiences to grow and develop new skills. They have access to a range of outdoor play equipment. Wheeled toys, various ball games and climbing equipment within the rear garden provide very good opportunities for the children to develop their physical skills. Access to an extensive range of resources and activities indoors helps to develop children's small movement and co-ordination skills and contributes well to their development. For example, children use pencils, paint brushes and cutting tools when undertaking activities such as crafts and baking. Younger children are able to rest and be active according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a menu of healthy, nutritious and varied snacks such as a variety of fresh fruits, bread sticks and toast. The childminder displays the weeks menus of snacks in the kitchen area where all parents are able to see it. All children are offered regular drinks of fresh water throughout the day as required and with their snack and meals. Currently parents supply children with packed lunches which are stored appropriately by the childminder. However, she is willing to supply foods at parents request and she ensures children's individual dietary requirements are catered for very well as information is obtained from parents and recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a secure and well-maintained home which is warm and welcoming and creates a happy, homely environment in which they can freely play and learn. Very good use and organisation of the downstairs areas within the childminder's home ensures children have plenty of space to undertake their chosen activities in comfort. Their individual skills are developing competently as they are able to independently select activities and games from the wide range of toys and equipment. Resources are easily accessed by the children. Access to the enclosed rear outdoor play area enables children to have age-appropriate free access. All toys and play areas are very well maintained as the childminder undertakes regular detailed risk assessments to further ensure children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's safety is fully promoted. The home is kept very secure which ensures children cannot leave unsupervised. For example, the main door to the home is kept locked whilst children are present. The childminder has devised and implemented a detailed emergency escape plan which she regularly practises with the children, helping to raise their awareness of staying safe. The detailed written risk assessments include outside areas and public transport which ensures the childminder has taken precautions to further ensure children's safety when outside the home. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has sound knowledge of child protection. She has attended training in this area in order to confirm her understanding

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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 the procedures to follow if she has any concerns about children's well-being and she keeps up to date with procedures through further training. She is fully aware of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and has informed parents through her comprehensive written policy, of her responsibilities for safeguarding the welfare of the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very settled, happy and enjoy their time in the setting. They are confident, co-operative and naturally approach the childminder for their needs which are met well. The childminder listens and talks to the children and values what they say and do. She develops their self-esteem by the positive use of meaningful praise and encouragement. The childminder supports the children very well to develop skills as she is proactive in planning suitable activities around their interests and skills. Children are able to freely self-select from the toys and games as the childminder ensures they are within easy reach for them. They are able to participate in a full range of age-appropriate activities which include creative, imaginative and physical play. For example, they enjoy painting and craft activities such as baking. A display on the wall of a picture of 'spring in the park' created by a small group of children highlights their love of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

creative and art activities. A quiet area has been included within the dining room where children are able to sit in comfort to look at the very good supply of age-appropriate story books. They have many opportunities to develop their creative and imaginative play through a range of activities. For example, an 18 month old enjoys listening to and joining in with songs and playing a variety of musical instruments and dressing up. Children benefit from a good range of social activities, they go to local toddler groups, to the local shops and for walks to the local park, which also supports their understanding of the community and wider world. Children are able relax or be active according to their needs and interests.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is proactive in ensuring she keeps up to date with practice through regular training and meeting with other childminders. She provides children under three years with a wide range of age-appropriate activities which she thoroughly interacts with. For example, she sings songs and rhymes that are familiar to them and engages with them in activities such as posting boxes, building blocks and boxes and musical toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are highly valued as individuals. They develop a positive attitude to others and gain a good understanding about the wider world and community through the positive opportunities, activities and resources provided by the childminder. Children's individual needs and any special requirements are discussed with parents in detail at the beginning of the placement and throughout the child's time there. The childminder has devised and attractively displayed a 'family tree' on the dining room wall. It shows photographs of her own family and those of the minded children including their pets and grandparents, giving them a sense of belonging. Children's artwork is attractively displayed, helping to raise their self-esteem as they gain pride in what they have achieved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They begin to understand right and wrong because the childminder has a very positive approach to behaviour management. Children benefit from being fully included in the daily family life of the setting. Children are encouraged to show mutual care and respect

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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 for others and enjoy the constant praise given to them as they achieve different tasks. The childminder rewards all children, including the babies, with stickers for their achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed strong, effective partnerships with parents and carers. All relevant written permissions are in place and reviewed regularly to ensure children receive appropriate and consistent care. She is proactive in sharing all information with parents on a daily basis as she completes daily activity books for each individual child and she shares these with the parents. A comprehensive, written complaints policy is in place and shared with parents, helping to ensure children's welfare is promoted. Thank you cards and letters from parents highlight their total satisfaction in the care and individual attention their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The children feel at home and at ease with the well-organised environment. This means they are confident to choose their own activities in order to help them develop their own play and learning. Support from the childminder further develops children's learning and helps them feel secure. She organises space well and is very attentive to the needs of the children in her care. She regularly undertakes training courses through the local authority in order to keep her knowledge and skills updated and this contributes fully to the quality of care she provides and she has plans to undertake a formal qualification in childcare in the near future. All relevant documentation is in place and written permissions from parents are obtained to ensure children are cared for in line with parental wishes. Registers of children's attendance, with their times of arrival and departure, are completed daily which ensures ratios are maintained. All information

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Organisation

for children is kept and stored confidentiality and is easily available for inspection. Overall children's needs are met

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: increase resources which reflect positive images of diversity, complete a first aid course that includes first aid training for babies and young children and to ensure parents are provided with Ofsted contact details. She has purchased a number of resources including books, dressing up clothes and jigsaws. This is an ongoing area that the childminder is proactive in establishing further. Full first aid training for babies and young children has been completed and ensures she is able to meet children's needs in a minor emergency. All parents have been issued with Ofsted contact details and the childminder has also ensured these have been added to her complaints policy and procedure.

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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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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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