Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY272131 Unique Reference Number 03 December 2007 Inspection date Andrea Ewer 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 satisfactory. the time of the inspection there were no children in receipt of nursery education. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide nursery education.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2003 and is registered to care for a total of three children up to eight years. She is currently caring for four children for various hours and days.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and three daughters aged six, three and two years old. They live in a house in Corby, Northamptonshire. Care is provided mainly on the ground floor of the house. Children share access to the fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives funding to provide nursery education. She regularly attends the local childminder support group.

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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 are cared for in clean and tidy premises, where positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection. They start to learn the importance of good hygiene practices during everyday routines such as washing their hands before eating and after visiting the toilet. The childminder maintains hygiene standards throughout the day and nappy changing routines effectively prevent the spread of infection. Records that support the childminder to promote children's good health are well maintained including written consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, medicine and accident records. The childminder holds an up-to-date first aid qualification and a well stocked first aid kit which is readily available. This ensures children receive appropriate care in the event of minor accidents or illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to develop their physical skills. Young children gain control of their bodies as they crawl and gain confidence to walk in the safe and suitable environment. Children build on skills they already have during outdoor play in the garden, regular visits to various parks and the gymnastics sessions. They push and ride wheeled toys and move with increasing confidence which helps them gain control of their bodies and develop their large muscles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's start to understand the benefits of healthy eating. They enjoy nutritious meals and snacks that take account of their medical, religious or cultural requirements as well as any personal likes and dislikes. The childminder further ensures children have sufficient quantities of their packed lunch to eat and that children have regular drinks throughout the day. As a result children's dietary needs are met well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play safely in the well organised home where active steps are taken to prevent accidents. Suitable safety equipment is fitted around the home and the childminder carries out daily risk assessments to maintain children's safety. For example, safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs prevent children gaining unsupervised access to them and harmful cleaning materials are out of children's reach. The fire blanket is checked regularly. Children gain an excellent understanding of how to stay safe during outings. The childminder ensures very young children are strapped safely into age-appropriate car or booster seats when being transported in the car. Children understand the clear rules for staying safe during walks and enjoy pressing the button at pedestrian crossings. This information is reinforced as children play computer games that helps them to understand what each colour on the traffic lights mean and where to cross

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

roads safely. Children's safety is further promoted because the childminder has clear arrangements with another registered childminder that ensures they are cared for appropriately in an emergency. The range of good quality furniture, toys and equipment are suitable for their purpose and provides a stimulating environment for the children being cared for.

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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 well protected from harm or neglect. The childminder has sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and implements procedures correctly if she has concerns about children. She has an up-to-date copy of local guidelines that includes relevant telephone numbers and systems are in place to record any existing injuries children arrive with. This ensures their welfare is effectively safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children feel at home in the childminding environment where they share warm, friendly relationships with the childminder and their peers. They approach the childminder with confidence and respond well to lots of cuddles which helps them feel secure. Children participate enthusiastically in a wide range of stimulating activities that meets their play and development needs well. The childminder plans effectively using the 'Birth to three matters' framework as guidance, and records children's achievements to show their progress. Children happily choose which activity to join from the wide range of activities available. They giggle excitedly during games of 'peepo' and carefully build towers with stacking cups, eagerly anticipating knocking them down. Children enjoy visits to toddler groups where they develop their social skills as they learn to mix within larger groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrated well during discussion that older children who attend after school benefit from a relaxed environment which helps them unwind. They contribute to planning by suggesting activities they would like to do and as a result enjoy their time with her. Children participate in simple cooking activities each week where they choose what to make, have fun playing ball games outdoors and learn to share and take turns playing board games.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are no minded children receiving funding for nursery education on roll, however the childminder does provide nursery education to her own child and evidence suggests that the quality of teaching and learning would be satisfactory. During discussion the childminder demonstrated a clear understanding of the Foundation Stage and how children learn. Plans show children would benefit from a broad range of stimulating activities and play experiences, based on their personal interests that would help them make progress towards the early learning goals. Records of children's achievement show clearly what children can do and relate well to the stepping stones. Children's record's, however, do not show the next steps for children's learning and subsequently this information is not used as a basis for planning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Evidence suggests that children would develop a positive attitude to learning. The childminder demonstrated that she would take time to get to know children well and provide activities that build on their interests. For example, three year old children learn to recognise numbers as they find the number three during everyday activities such as in the supermarket and on car registration plates. The childminder demonstrated clearly that children's learning would be extend by helping them to recognise other numbers around them. Children concentrate well whilst completing puzzles of various sizes and feel proud of their achievements. Photographs

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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 show children start to show care and concern for each other as they help younger children feed the guinea pigs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Evidence shows children would make progress in communication, language and literacy development. Children have regular access to a wide selection of books, visit the library for story sessions and participate in activities such as the 'Big Wild Read' which would support them to develop their early reading skills. The childminder talks about developing children's language through reading stories and involving them by asking questions about the story. Plans show they have many opportunities for mark-making and records show they start to give meaning to marks. For example, children identify parts of the body on pictures of their family and show they understand text carries meaning as they write out orders for lunch. This indicates that they would make progress in their emerging communication, language and literacy skills. Children count confidently up to seven and start to solve problems as part of everyday activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They fit the pieces of the puzzle together by matching colours and patterns and turn the pieces until they fit. Records show children use mathematical language confidently as they sort the bricks by colour, shape and size and talk about the big, bigger and biggest bricks and go on to identify which child is big, medium and the smallest. Colourful displays show children are able to repeat patterns such as stripes and records show they recognise circles and squares.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder explains how she plans regular outings that help children gain a good understanding of their own and the wider community. Photographs and records show they visit places of interest where they observe nature in the woodland park and go to the supermarket, library and adventure playgrounds. Evidence suggests children have many opportunities to learn how things work and explore information technology. Records show they use the computer independently and are gaining confidence in operating simple programmes with the mouse. Plans show children would gain an understanding of the culture and beliefs of others as they make cards and Diva lights for Diwali and make Jewish food for Hannukha. The childminder explained that children thoroughly enjoy expressing themselves creatively. They enthusiastically participate in many craft activities where they make collages, decorations and cards using

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

recycled materials. They imitate real life as they dress up as their favourite television characters and a fairy which helps them start to make sense of the world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. Children feel highly valued because the childminder sees them as individuals and adapts the care to meet their needs effectively. For example, very young children's home routine is incorporated into the childminding routine which helps them to feel settled and secure. The childminder is currently not caring for any children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is, however, aware of the issues to be considered to ensure all children are fully included and their specific needs met. For example, the childminder understands the importance of working closely with parents and any professionals involved in the child's care to support all children to achieve their potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop a positive self-esteem in the warm and caring environment. They know what is expected of them and feel secure with the regular everyday routines. Very young children

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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 develop their confidence and self-esteem because the childminder gives regular praise, encouragement and support. Older children understand the house rules which the childminder implements consistently which helps them to learn right from wrong. Children have regular access to an interesting range of resources that helps them understand our similarities and differences. They play happily with small world people some of whom have a disability, look at books and enjoy craft activities that help children understand their own and other cultures and beliefs and dolls of various colours. This contributes to all children feeling valued and included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the effective partnership between their parents and the childminder. Daily diaries support the verbal information given about very young children and the childminder keeps parents of older children fully informed about their children. This ensures children receive consistent care both in the childminding environment and at home. Positive written comments show parents value the high standard of care given and the written complaints procedure provides parents with reassurance that children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There were no minded children receiving funding for nursery education on roll at the time of the inspection. However, evidence suggests that partnership with parents and carers would be satisfactory. The childminder explained that she would include parents in children’s learning by explaining the Foundation Stage curriculum and keeping them informed about activities children are involved in to promote each area of learning. Children's records of achievement which would include photographs would be shared with parents regularly showing their progress towards the early learning goals. This would help parents to support their children's learning at home.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare, care and safety are promoted very well because the childminder continues to update her professional skills through attending training workshops that help her to build on her knowledge and understanding of best practice. She has recently attended Nutrition and Health, Record keeping and Introduction to Schemas and is currently working towards a National Vocational Qualification in Care, Learning and Development at Level 3. This supports the childminder to enhance the quality of care provided and meet children's play and development needs more effectively. Although the childminder uses some evaluation, she does not yet use continuous self-assessment to underpin accurate evaluation of her childminding practice.

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Organisation

Records, policies and procedures that support the childminder to promote the outcomes for children are very well maintained. Useful information is obtained from parents at the start of all childminding arrangements and is used by the childminder to plan and provide care that meets children's individual needs.

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Organisation

Evidence of vetting procedures are included in the attractively presented portfolio. This provides reassurance to parents that the childminder and household members are suitable to have regular contact with young children and therefore promotes their safety. Space and resources are well organised and ensures children benefit from a suitable range of activities and play experiences that they enjoy and are interested in. Daily routines meet children's individual needs for meals, sleep, active and quiet play. Overall children's needs are met.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last care inspection recommended that the childminder provide a suitable range of toys and activities that to meet the developmental needs of children over five years old. The play and development needs of children over five years are now better met. They benefit from a stimulating range of activities and resources that they enjoy. Children play boards games, enjoy simple cooking activities and use the computer which all help them learn about rules and taking turns. They regularly participate in craft activities where they express themselves creatively and the childminder responds to their interests by providing resources that captures their interest. For example, children regularly contribute to planning where they suggest activities. The childminder displays a poster showing hieroglyphics and children copy the letters to write their own name. As a result, the childminder reports that older children are happy and enjoy

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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 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 satisfactory. the time of the inspection there were no children in receipt of nursery education. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide nursery education.

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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):

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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): • develop children's records to clearly identify the next steps in children's learning and use the information to inform planning.

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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 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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