Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY233869 Unique Reference Number 10 March 2008 Inspection date Elaine Douglas Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband, two grown up sons, daughter, son-in-law and grandson aged 23 months. They live in a detached house in Ivybridge. The whole of the ground floor, including a playroom, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day, and four children over five part time before and after school. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school. The childminder's daughter is also a registered childminder.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of Ivybridge childminding group. The childminder holds a level 4 qualification in early years and is working towards the Early Years Foundation Degree.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is given high priority by the childminder, who ensures they play in a clean environment. Very good procedures protect younger children from cross contamination. For example, when having their nappy changed the childminder uses disposable gloves and cleans the mat with antibacterial spray, and children who need a sleep have their own bedding. The childminder holds a current first aid qualification and has an excellent system for checking it remains well stocked and within expiry dates. A separate supply is maintained for outings. Any accidents are extremely well recorded including body maps. Extensive procedures are shared with parents to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children develop an excellent awareness of healthy practices through their daily routines. Tissues and wipes are available and even the youngest children attempt blowing their nose. Younger children have their own towels and older children use paper towels. They wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating and after having their nappy changed. Children take part in discussions during activities, for example, making fruit salad, to develop an understanding of healthy eating. All children have free access to fresh drinking water and have their own drinks in their own cups. Parents provide nutritional packed lunches and children have a variety of healthy snacks. Children have daily opportunities to be outside. They walk to school, visit the donkey sanctuary and use the local park to develop spatial awareness, climbing and balancing skills.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are kept safe through vigilant supervision and security. Excellent risk assessments clearly identify any potential risks with timescales to complete any actions to keep children safe at all times. Any necessary equipment is in place to protect children from harm while allowing them to develop independence. For example, a fire guard prevents access to the fire and stair-gates prevent younger children from accessing the stairs. Older children can safely access the toilet and babies sleep in travel cots under the direct supervision of the childminder. Stickers are on the glass doors to make them more visible to children. The emergency evacuation procedures are displayed and all children take part in regularly practising them so that they gain an awareness of helping with their own safety. Smoke alarms are very well maintained and a fire blanket is accessibly wall mounted in the kitchen. Very good systems ensure children only

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

leave the premises with an appropriate adult.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have excellent space to play with a wide range of toys and resources which are well organised and appropriate to their stages of development. The childminder ensures children's safety is also given utmost priority when off the premises. Parental consent is sought to transport children and well maintained appropriate car seats are used.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's very good knowledge of child protection issues. Excellent records are kept of any existing injuries and the childminder regularly updates her knowledge by attending training. Extensive documentation and written procedures provide further guidance and contact details for reporting concerns.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children explore a range of interesting activities and resources which are carefully organised to meet the needs of the various ages and abilities of the children attending. Priority is given to the children developing the breadth of their skills through the childminder encouraging them to express themselves. She asks them good open ended questions, gives them instructions and encourages them to explore. She demonstrates how to use equipment and allows the children time to use it in their own way.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children confidently select from the resources and have excellent opportunities to engage in free play. The childminder provides enthusiastic interaction which the children respond well to. For example, one child builds the train track into an intricate design working out where they need curves and crossroads. The childminder extends their play by asking what they might see from the train. The child then sets up trees, animals and houses. The younger children join in with the game and enjoy looking at books about trains which are also available. Children enjoy creative activities, such as making cress egg heads, dressing up, painting and cooking.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit greatly from the childminder's very good knowledge and experience of using the Foundation Stage curriculum, schemas and the Birth to three matters framework. This knowledge enables her to understand how children learn through their play and provide appropriate resources and activities. She uses her observations of the children to monitor their achievements and plan to support their future development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely confident in the childminder's home because she gets to know the children and their families well. All parents receive the extensive documented policies and procedures, which include clear procedures to follow should they have a concern or complaint. Parents are kept well informed of any changes to practice and have the choice of written and/or verbal feedback on their child's routines and development. The excellent behaviour management policy details strategies to encourage children to develop self-discipline and build self-esteem, it highlights the importance of working with parents and of the childminder providing a good role model, consequently, children's behaviour is exemplary. They are kind to each other and understand the high expectations the childminder has of their behaviour.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are extremely well supported. The childminder works closely with parents and outside agencies to ensure they can all work together to meet the needs of all children. The childminder has attended relevant training, and has started using sign language to ensure all children are included and learn different forms of communication. Children learn about people's differences by accessing a good range of positive images and they help to raise money for those less well off than themselves. Children's individual needs are discussed with parents and recorded to enable the childminder to provide consistently high quality care.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from being cared for by a qualified and experienced person who is committed to attending training and continuing to update her knowledge. Recent training has included

p.4

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 behaviour management, equal opportunities, observation and curriculum planning, and the Birth to three matters framework. She regularly meets with the childminders' network to discuss practice and is already aware of the changes which will take place when the Early Years Foundation Stage is introduced.

p.4

Organisation

Children's care and welfare is extremely well promoted by the excellent organisation of the childminder's premises, time and documentation. She works very effectively with her co-minder to provide a flexible service which meets every child's needs. Accurate records are maintained of children's attendance and shows clearly who is responsible for them at any time. Very good systems ensure that the childminder and her co-minder keep each other informed while maintaining confidentiality. All documentation relating to the children is extremely well-organised in individual files. The childminder has many written policies and procedures which guide her and her co-minder in their daily practice and ensures consistency. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure the procedures for allegations of abuse include informing Ofsted, to increase activities and resources which promote awareness of people's differences, to increase the range of snacks and to obtain consent to seek emergency advice or treatment.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Since that inspection the childminder has included informing Ofsted in the child protection policy, which ensures Ofsted can investigate any allegations of abuse to protect children's welfare. Children's awareness of people's differences has been increased by the childminder purchasing more resources which provide positive images and using the local library to extend the range of books which promote discussions. Children now have a choice of snacks which include, soup, toast, fresh fruits and raw vegetables. This helps children to make healthy choices and gain an awareness of healthy eating. Parental consent is now sought for the childminder to seek emergency advice or treatment to help protect children's health.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6