Childminder in Torbay

Inspection report for early years provision

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506170 Unique Reference Number 24 October 2007 Inspection date Juliet Eileen Hartridge 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 1997 and lives with her friend in Paignton within walking distance of schools and various local amenities. Children play downstairs but not in in the garden. The childminder is registered to care for six children under the age of eight years. The registration does not include overnight care. She is currently minding five children on a part-time basis and is an member of the local childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The children thrive and their good health is very well supported because the childminder carefully follows excellent practice. Children's independence is encouraged when they wash their hands in their separate hand washing bowls in the kitchen before eating or after toileting. The hazards of cross infection are minimised due to the meticulous nappy changing routine in place and the childminder sets a good example to children when she washes her hands after nappy changing and disposal of nappies. Parents and carers are well informed about the childminder's policy regarding sick children, which is recorded in the childminder's policy pack.

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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 Carefully maintained documentation further supports children's good health; this includes fully recorded medication administration records and accident books, which are always countersigned by parents and carers, and this ensures they are always fully informed about their children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have excellent opportunities to develop healthy, outdoor life styles. Interesting and exciting outings are a particularly enjoyable feature of the children's routine, and provide children with opportunities to run and climb in the park or visit a wide variety of outdoor attractions. The childminder has attended Safer Food training and the knowledge she has acquired further protects the good health of children. Parents and carers are reminded of the importance of providing ice packs in the packed lunch boxes, and news letters further support the healthy eating policy in place. This helps to ensure children have a healthy and balanced diet of food which is safely and appropriately stored.

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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 most welcoming and secure environment, where they can enjoy playing with a wide range of good quality, and well maintained toys and resources, many of which are made of wood. Low tables and chairs are inviting and ensure that young children can safely play, enjoy creative activities and comfortably eat their meals. Children are extremely well protected from the hazards of fire as there is a carefully logged fire evacuation plan and record of practises, and the home is suitably equipped with smoke detectors and fire blanket. Children learn about fire safety and have excellent opportunities to familiarise themselves with fire fighting equipment when they visit the fire station.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Detailed recorded risk assessments are effectively used to monitor children's safety, these also include most detailed assessments of all the venues used on outings. Children's safety on outings is further supported due to the childminder's most responsible attitude. She carries a very well equipped safety bag with her at all times, which means that she can swiftly deal with all eventualities. Children are safely transported in the car as the seat belts have been checked and appropriate motor insurance, as well as public liability insurance are in place. Children are learning about safety and appropriate routines when they are out and about. They are encouraged to understand the importance of walking safely, and they carefully hold the buggy. They are aware of the importance of remaining close to the childminder at all times. Children are well protected from harm due to the childminder's secure knowledge of child protection

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

issues. She has attended training, and has a clear written policy, which is given to all parents and carers. She is very clear and confident regarding her responsibility to safeguard children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and very well settled. The childminder has a warm and affectionate approach, with regular cuddles and quiet, gentle chats with children about what they are doing, whilst encouraging their vocabulary development. Planning is flexible and based on the interests and stages of development of the children, this ensures that they make appropriate progress. The childminder is also aware of what the children do in other settings they attend, ands this ensures that children have a balanced and interesting day, according to their individual needs. Children's spontaneous creativity is extremely well promoted, and the experiences they have encountered during outings are regularly followed up at home. Following a recent zoo visit they are currently looking at the differences between the big cats. Children have tremendous

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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 fun painting or sticking stripes and gluing lion-coloured wool on their paintings. Large model animals and displays are close to hand for children to compare, whilst they freely create their own interpretations of these animals. The childminder has a most relaxed and calm approach and this encourages children to develop and extend their play, and their imaginations. For example washing up their play dough cutters in their child sized sinks in the kitchen, soon evolved into exuberant bubble and water play. Children are absorbed in role play when they are encouraged to change their dolls nappy at nappy changing time, or choose other play activities from the wide range of resources which are invitingly set out in the playroom.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have excellent opportunities to regularly socialise with other childminders and their children during the daily planned outings to a wide range of interesting venues including the aquarium, zoo, adventure parks, farm, beaches and parks. This helps to develop children's confidence when encountering new situations, and provides excellent opportunities to widen their experience and knowledge. Children thoroughly enjoy their visit to the fire station when they confidently climb into the fire appliance, or wonder at the pressure of the water when they hold the hose.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are very warmly welcomed, valued and included in a child friendly environment, where their self esteem is well promoted, for example when they can see their art work displayed in the play room or the childminder praises their achievements. Displays, books and other resources and activities encourage children's awareness of cultural diversity. The individual needs and interests of the children are carefully considered and acknowledged by the childminder who has interesting photographic records of their progress which is shared with their parents and carers. Each child has a professionally printed passport which is then regularly updated by the childminder, which is a humorous and most informative and illuminating record of the child's week. This ensures that parents and carers are fully informed about their children's outings and play, therefore, fully involved in the care of their children. The childminder also uses regular

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Helping children make a positive contribution

newsletters as well as contracts and meetings to further support good communication with parents and carers. There is also a most detailed pack which is given to each parent, containing her policies as well as other helpful information, which further insures that parents and carers feel included in the arrangements in place for their children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved and well occupied. They concentrate on their play and are learning to share when the childminder carefully explains the expectations, or praises them when they have done well. Positive strategies are used, as well as time out, to encourage children to quietly reflect on any behaviour issues arising. Any concerns are always shared with parents and carers, and this is beneficial as it successfully promotes consistency of approach for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The care of the children is enhanced by the childminder's careful organisation of her outings as well as indoor play. Children benefit from playing in a child friendly environment where appropriate supervision is given. This includes the arrangements in place which enable children to enjoy creative or role play in the large family kitchen where small tables and chairs, and a kitchen role play area are set up. The large, well equipped playroom is also available, where

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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 there is a comfortable sofa where children can rest or look at books. All documentation including registers, children's information records and parental consents are meticulously maintained in individual, confidential files, and her certificate and the Ofsted information poster are prominently displayed.

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Organisation

The childminder has a very strong commitment to ongoing training. She has attended at least five training events during the past two years, has a current first aid qualification and is currently enrolled on Open University childhood studies training. She regularly evaluates her own practice when she makes very detailed records regarding how she promotes outcomes for children, including any areas she has identified which require development. She is a member of the local childminding network and the regular monitoring visits she receives also provides helpful evaluation and support. This most professional, dedicated and enthusiastic approach significantly enhances the quality of care provided for children in her care. 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 previous inspection the childminder was asked to improve risk assessments in order to minimise risks for children in the home and garden. The childminder has recorded detailed risk assessment of the home and garden and has decided that children will not use the outdoor areas. This has resulted in an improvement of safety for children.

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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 and carers, 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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