Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY281219 Unique Reference Number 19 March 2008 Inspection date Jill Milton 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 registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and three children in the village of Quainton in Buckinghamshire. The home is within easy travelling distance of the local schools and pre-schools. The whole of the house is registered for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have one rabbit. The childminder may care for up to five children under eight years at any one time and she currently cares for four children at various times during the week. The childminder has a diploma in pre-school practice.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a spotlessly clean home and the childminder has very thorough procedures in place to protect their health. Risk of cross infection between younger children is minimised since the childminder provides them with individual cots, high chairs and changing mats. Bedding is colour-coded and regularly laundered to ensure cleanliness. Children learn to wash their hands before eating and they use their own towel for hand drying. The childminder is vigilant

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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 in recording occasional accidents and when she administers medicines so that she keeps parents fully informed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy snacks and regular drinks during the day. The childminder works closely with parents so that she is aware of any food intolerances and she records what the children eat in the day. She also records the temperature of her refrigerator so that she stores any foods for the children at suitable temperatures to maintain good health. The children take part in weekly cooking activities so that they are learning where foods come from and how they come together. There are excellent opportunities for children to enjoy fresh air and exercise in the spacious garden. Children of different ages benefit from equipment that is very well matched to their growing physical abilities and there is challenge for the more able and adventurous children. The childminder demonstrates an excellent attitude to promoting active play by providing children with walks in the countryside setting and trips to leisure facilities like the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a very welcoming family environment where they have space to move and play independently. Rooms downstairs are warm and comfortable and children can access resources easily for themselves from open storage boxes. The childminder adds to her extensive range of equipment ensuring she chooses new items that meet the developmental needs of the children she currently minds. She has a particularly good range of equipment to care for children under three years and she rotates toys to provide fresh interest for all age groups. The children play comfortably since the childminder thinks of ideas such as using a gazebo in the garden to protect them from strong summer sun. Children play with clean toys benefiting from the childminder's routines of using sterilising solutions and antibacterial sprays. Children who require daytime sleep can relax in the clean, quiet surroundings upstairs and the childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

monitors each child individually with the use of baby alarms whilst they are resting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play very safely since the childminder is vigilant in identifying potential hazards and taking steps to protect children. She introduces toddlers to safety awareness by talking to them about picking up toys from the floor or by not walking around with toys in mouths. Children are included in the fire evacuation practise from the home and they are aware of safety issues like only using the trampoline with the childminder's close supervision. The childminder has a thorough understanding of the area of child protection. She ensures that parents are aware of her role and responsibilities in this important area and she sensibly updates her written policies to keep them in-line with the latest guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are able to flourish in the attentive care of the childminder. She has an excellent understanding of child development and she uses this knowledge to plan a stimulating range of activities for children. The children build up secure relationships with the childminder and they enjoy interacting through shared games and songs. There is comprehensive support to children's language and literacy development, from repeating of early rhymes through to the sounds of letters. Older children receive support to their schoolwork when the childminder helps with their reading development. The childminder has a thorough understanding of the

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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 Birth to three matters framework in how to support children under three years. She ensures young children enjoy their time playing with the colourful and stimulating resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have plenty of opportunities to enjoy and learn about nature, with walks to the nearby lambing shed and milking parlour. Their week includes outings into the community to toddler groups or the library to help develop their social skills and their knowledge of the world around them. A delightful selection of artwork demonstrates the children's creativity with pictures made from materials like chalk, collage and paint. Each child has an individual educational plan that the childminder uses to highlight some targets to help children progress with their development. This information is very helpfully shared with parents so that all the adults are working together to help children achieve and enjoy their learning through play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children receive lots of reassurance and warm care from the childminder and this helps to build up their self-esteem. Children are confident and have an unmistakably secure relationship with the childminder. Children's knowledge of the world around them benefits from the high quality resources available, for example different cooking utensils and dressing-up clothes for imaginative play. Books present children with positive images of different cultures and beliefs too so that they learn to respect differences. The childminder plans activities to celebrate festivals during the year from a wide range of backgrounds and photographs demonstrate the children's obvious enjoyment of these occasions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive consistent messages about how to behave well from the childminder. When it is appropriate, the children collect stickers towards treats when they need some help with promoting their good behaviour. The childminder shares her well-worded written behaviour policy with families so that everyone is clear about her common sense approach. The childminder builds up successful partnerships with parents. She provides excellent written information for new families using her care and parents can take home a welcome pack to read at their leisure. Once children are in the care of the childminder, there is a two-way flow of information using written diaries for each child. The detail provided by the childminder allows comprehensive sharing of information about the child's day and their development. Parents are very willing to express their satisfaction with the childminder in written references and many refer to her

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Helping children make a positive contribution

excellent support to children's learning as well as their care.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is thoroughly dedicated to her work and she demonstrates this through her organisational skills and interactions with the children in her care. The use of space in her home and the planning of weekly activities contribute extremely well to the children's good health, safety and well-being. The childminder has many years of experience of working with young children and she is eager to pursue studies in childcare to increase her own knowledge and skills. She is thorough in the way she organises her documentation and takes extra steps to review her policies and procedures. She is not content to coast along but is proactive in seeking ways to improve. Paperwork is neatly arranged and securely stored in the home to maintain confidentiality. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to address two recommendations and in both cases there has been very good progress. The childminder now accurately records the times in the day that she is caring for children, helping to safeguard them. Children now play with a more extensive range of good quality resources that develop their understanding of the wider world. This contributes to the outstanding outcome for children's positive contribution.

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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, 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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