Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY275800 Unique Reference Number 25 October 2007 Inspection date Anne-Marie Moyse Inspector

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Integrated 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since December 2003. She lives with her husband and three children of school age. The family live in a rural location with shops, schools and playgroups accessible by car. The lounge and kitchen are the main rooms used for childminding. Toilet and washing facilities are located on the first floor, and a bedroom is available for children to rest and sleep if required. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently cares for five children aged from seven months to five years, at different times. The childminder is eligible to provide nursery education and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She is also a member of the Bodmin Childminding Group, and the Cornwall Childminding Network.

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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 good. Children's good health is well promoted by the care and attention the childminder gives. She provides a good role model and promotes high standards. The childminder's home is clean, tidy and well organised to ensure that children are cared for in hygienic and comfortable surroundings. Children are encouraged to wash their hands and faces regularly, using individual clothes, although at times children share hand washing water, which increases the risk of cross infection. Babies nappies are changed to meet their individual needs with good procedures, to ensure that they are comfortable and well cared for. The childminder has the required documentation in place to ensure that all accidents and medication is correctly recorded and acknowledged by parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder gives high priority to establish good eating habits and routines with the children. She ensures that meal times are a relaxed and social occasion where children can eat and talk with the childminder, learning about the foods that they eat and what is nutritious and healthy. Children are offered a range of wholesome home cooked meals, which include fresh fruits and vegetables. She encourages children to extend their tastes through providing new foods, such as pumpkin seeds, for them to try. Foods provided by parents are stored effectively to ensure they remain wholesome, and are served attractively. Children's dietary needs and routines are well known and respected. The childminder encourages children to drink frequently to keep them well hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have excellent opportunities to be active and rest according to their needs. The childminder regularly takes children on walks to the woods and around the local rural area. Children dress appropriately for the weather conditions, enabling them to receive plenty of fresh air and be active even in inclement weather. They are able to use the wide range of toys and climbing resources in the garden to develop their strength, balance and co-ordination. The childminder uses the outside area as a valuable learning resource as children explore and discover how plants, such as the pumpkins, grow and develop throughout the season. Children are very active and benefit from visiting the surrounding area, meeting and learning how to care for the farm animals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a sensible approach to maintaining a safe and secure environment for children. She has a sound understanding of assessing and minimising all risks in the home and in the garden. This allows children to move around the home safely and with growing independence. The premises are secure and the childminder has systems to ensure that children are safe when on outings, obtaining appropriate written consent from parents to take children on outings and travel in the car. Children are regularly involved in fire drills so they are familiar with the procedure in the event of an emergency.

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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 Children are able to access a wide range of safe and suitable toys and resources to promote their development. Resources are stored safely and accessibly, allowing older children to self-select from the range on offer. All equipment is regularly checked to make sure it is safe and clean for children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures, including her duty and responsibility to help keep children safe from harm and neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy an excellent range of activities which stimulates all aspects of their development and learning. The childminder regularly organises messy play activities encouraging children to use paint or dough which is linked to a theme or special occasion. Younger children are fascinated when painting a pumpkin mask, exploring the properties of the paint and brushes. Children are developing confidence to explore the range of resources readily available, choosing to play with the small world toys or the role play equipment. The childminder stimulates the children's inquisitiveness and curiosity as they explore the garden, picking runner beans and finding out what is inside. Children are amazed at finding bright pink, glossy seeds inside, which they count. The childminder encourages children to feel and describe the seeds appearance, extending their vocabulary. Children's learning is further developed as they plant the seeds to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes children out on visits to local groups so they have opportunity to socialise and mix with other children of similar age. The children have a good balance between active and quiet times when they can sit and read books or make a puzzle, developing their manipulative skills with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an excellent relationship with the children, as she makes conversation with them to encourage their language development. She is very attentive and knows the children well. She has a warm and caring nature which children respond positively too. This helps children feel valued, settled and enjoy their time with the minder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. Children are making rapid progress along the stepping stones towards the early learning goals in all areas. The childminder plans and provides an excellent programme of learning opportunities which is appealing and fun. She has a very clear understanding of how children learn through play. Children benefit from the low numbers of children attending, allowing the childminder to concentrate intensively in delivering education programme. The childminder knows the children well and uses this information to ensure that their learning is continually extended, and well documented.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are provided with a good balance of planned activities and free play including frequent use of the outdoor area to continue their learning. Children are encouraged to recognise their own name and are developing an understanding that print carries meaning. Books are used exceptionally well at the setting, fostering children's love of both story and reference books.

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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 Story times are delightful, with the childminder and children sitting together reading and discussing the books, ensuring that they fully comprehend the tale. The childminder skilfully continues children's learning as reference books are equally well used. For example, the childminder reads the story of 'Pumpkin soup', and then extends children's learning about how pumpkins are grown and harvested in other countries. Children then look at a real pumpkin in the garden and remark on how it is changing colour and growing in size.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children use counting and mathematical language throughout their time with the childminder, spontaneously cutting counting out enough pieces of play dough pie for everyone. They recognise shapes and patterns made in the dough, comparing the size of their finger prints. Children's creative development is fostered through a wide variety of activities, such as craft, or making a car out of a large cardboard box. Children's imagination is stimulated through activities such as acting out the 'Gruffalo Story' by taking various props into the nearby woods, making the story come alive.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that she has good information about children's needs, routines and parental wishes, which contributes to providing consistent care for children. Children are valued and respected as individuals, and the childminder ensures that any special care children require is provided sensitively. Good information is exchanged with parents on the child's day and their wellbeing. Young babies have a written daily record of their personal routines and the activities they have been involved with during the day. This keeps parents well informed and confident about the care provided for their children. This is supported by the written reports made by parents, which are very positive and complimentary.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved and are developing a good understanding of right and wrong. Children respond well to the childminders calm and consistent manner. The childminder frequently praises and encourages children to be independent and responsible, helping to boost their self-esteem and confidence. For example, children are keen to lend a hand when asked to help clear and lay the table for lunch. They are willing to help each other independently as they put on their aprons and share the paint pots.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have very good opportunities to access resources and activities which help them to have a positive view of the wider world. Children are involved in celebrating their own local customs and festivals as well as learning about the lifestyles of other children. They enjoy visits around their local rural environment, visiting the farm animals or a trip to the local church. Through books and resources children are learning about others with different needs, skin tones and home environments. Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers for nursery education is good. The childminder verbally discusses with parents children's different interests and preferences, so she has an insight into the way children learn. Parents have some information on the activities that children will be involved with, but this is inconsistent and does not encouraged parents to be fully involved in children's learning, or extend the learning between the home and the setting. However, the

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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 childminder has formed a good relationship with the parents so that they receive regular verbal feedback on their child's progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home and time effectively, to ensure children receive very good standards of care and attention. Children clearly feel at home and are comfortable as they move confidently around the environment, choosing where to play. Good systems are in place to share information with parents, who receive written copies of the childminders policies and procedures for children's care.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended all the required training, including first aid and a level three qualification in childcare, and has continued to further develop her knowledge and skills by attending additional training events and workshops. This benefits both children's care and education as the childminder constantly reviews and improves her provision. The childminder clearly demonstrates her relaxed, confident ability to care for children. This results in children feeling secure, settled and comfortable in her company. All documentation is well organised, effectively maintained and stored appropriately. Although, occasionally incident and accident records are not accurately recorded to ensure that confidentiality is fully maintained. The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

The organisation of the nursery education is good. The childminder ensures that she has clear plans and direction for the children receiving funded sessions. All activities are well researched and organised to ensure that children are able to make very good progress in their learning. The childminder is confident as she adapts activities to meet children's differing needs and interests. The childminder has support from a network co-ordinator who makes regular visits.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to improve her knowledge of child protection procedures by obtaining the guidance document 'What To Do If You Are Worried a Child Is Being Abused'. The childminder has a copy of this document for reference and has attended in depth training to ensure that she is fully aware of all aspects of how to contribute to keeping children safe from harm and promote their welfare.

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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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that all existing injuries and incidents are recorded appropriately and maintains confidentiality

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that parents have good information about the activities and the education programme on offer, and how they can contribute to, and extend the child's learning at home

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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 nursery education

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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