Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY355193 Unique Reference Number 10 April 2008 Inspection date Suman Willis 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 good. 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 May 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and two years in Royston, close to shops and schools. The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding and two rooms on the first floor are used for sleeping. There is a fully-enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding two children on a part-time basis. The childminder has experience of supporting children with learning difficulties and physical disabilities. The childminder walks to and from school and takes children to the park. Children are regularly taken to the local toddler group and the childminding group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is an active member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds a NNEB qualification.

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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 enjoy daily play in the garden and participate in a variety of free-choice and organised activities. For example, they are keen to develop their pedalling skills as they ride wheeled toys. They are developing a good understanding of space as they learn to manoeuvre wheeled toys around the garden. Children are delighted as they extend their ball skills and roll the ball to each other in a circle as the childminder sings 'roll the ball'. They walk to and from school and visit the park regularly. Children rest and sleep according to their individual routines and needs. Consequently, they stay healthy as they have regular fresh air and exercise and feel rested, this enables them to participate fully in all activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Most policies and procedures are effectively used to promote children's health and these are well utilised to keep parents informed. Although the childminder has up to date knowledge and understanding of first aid and would be able to act quickly should the need arise, she does not have permission from parents to administer emergency aid which may compromise children's health and safety. Children are beginning to understand simple good health and hygiene practices. For example, children's hands are cleaned with hand-cleaning gel after nappy changing and before meals. The childminder maintains a clean home and uses disinfectant spray to wipe down tables and high chairs before and after use.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the social occasion of sitting together at meal times and happily tuck into fresh fruit for snacks. Their individual needs are very well met because parents provide valuable information about their specific dietary needs. Parents are offered the option of providing packed lunches and receive valuable information from the childminder about healthy meals and snacks. Children have independent access to fresh drinking water, thus developing a good understanding of their own needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very warm and welcoming environment. Information of how the childminder works is clearly and attractively displayed for parents in the entrance hall. The areas are well organised to enable children to participate in a variety of activities with ease. Children are able to make independent choices as they freely choose from the ample range of interesting, safe and age-appropriate play materials.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is generally well-promoted and daily risk assessments are carried out. Most fire safety procedures are effectively implemented. For example, the emergency evacuation procedure is clearly displayed for everyone to see. This is practised regularly and evaluated appropriately. However, the fire blanket is stored in the hall and is therefore not easily accessed to protect children from fire hazards in the kitchen. Resources to promote children's safety, such as stair gates are appropriately used between the kitchen and lounge and on the stairs. Children develop a very good understanding of staying safe because the childminder reinforces safety boundaries, such as the dangers of throwing sand or sitting on stacked chairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected by the childminder because she has a good understanding of child abuse and has a clear policy and procedure in place which is in line with the Local Safeguarding

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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 Board. This is effectively shared with the parents to ensure that children stay safe at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy to arrive and settle enthusiastically into their play. They gain confidence and self-esteem as the childminder joins in their play and consistently offers praise for their achievements. For example, children ask the childminder for her help with pressing buttons and she gives clear and simple guidance enabling them to manage it for themselves. They feel pride as they are rewarded with praise. Children are fully engrossed in their role play and are excited as they make tea and pretend to wash up. They concentrate extremely well as they complete electronic jigsaw puzzles and join in with familiar rhymes, such as 'Twinkle, Twinkle'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are involved in an excellent range of activities, such as making spiders and spouts which they use as they sing 'Incey, wincey spider'. All activities are planned effectively to ensure that all children can participate at their own level. Regular observations of the children's abilities ensure that the childminder is able to fully challenge the children. The childminder uses every opportunity, such as snack time to build on what children know. For example, they enjoy being challenged and eagerly and correctly count nine orange segments and are developing their adding skills as they are given more and asked 'how many now?'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children have developed a very good relationship with each other and the childminder and love being cuddled as they share 'Peppa's Garden' book. Children are beginning to distinguish between right and wrong as they tidy away toys without being asked and feel proud as they are thanked and praised. Consequently, children make excellent progress in their development and are eager to learn.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children feel a strong sense of belonging because they are warmly greeted upon arrival and cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. Excellent settling-in procedures which are effectively shared with parents help to build children's confidence and self-esteem. Children are encouraged to be independent and make individual choices as they engage enthusiastically in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children become fully aware of their community as they go for daily walks and visit the different toddler groups. Children's understanding of the wider world is fully challenged as they use a variety of resources, such as play people, books and kitchen utensils. They learn about different cultures as they celebrate the Chinese 'Year of the Rat'. The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of working with children with learning difficulties and/or physical disabilities and with children who have English as an additional language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing an excellent understanding of behaving responsibly because the childminder provides a calm and caring environment. They feel valued as the childminder consistently sets age-appropriate boundaries. Children respond very well to being distracted and offered alternatives. Children warmly greet their friends on arrival and they all play very well together. They are learning to share because the childminder sits with them calmly reinforcing turn-taking as they share a box of crayons. Children are respectful of others as they

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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 learn to say 'please' and 'thank you'. They confidently approach the childminder for support knowing that this will be responded to enthusiastically.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the exceptional relationship developed between the childminder and the parents. Parents receive in-depth information about their children's development and a daily diary is used effectively to share information about the children's day. Information for parents is clearly and attractively displayed in the entrance area together with the complaints procedure.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very well protected and their needs are highly regarded by a childminder who constantly reviews her training and updates her knowledge and skills in child development, thus promoting children's care, learning and play. The childminder is very well organised to ensure that she works within her ratio. She maintains a clear routine but is flexible to the needs of the children, this enables her to meet children's individual needs effectively while helping them to feel secure. Policies and procedures are generally well-implemented and most documents work in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. These are effectively shared with parents

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the registration 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

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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop procedures to ensure that permission from parents is obtained for administering emergency aid • develop fire safety procedures to ensure that the fire blanket is appropriately stored.

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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 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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