Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY357322 Unique Reference Number 16 April 2008 Inspection date Georgina Walker 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 2007. She lives with her mother, who is also a registered childminder, and her brother aged 14. The whole of the ground floor, larger front bedroom and bathroom upstairs in the childminder's home are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She attends the local childminder group and takes children to the library and local parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently jointly minding three children all of whom attend on a part-time basis; one under five all day; and two over eight before or after school and during school holidays. The childminder works with a co-childminder and when working together they may care for a total of no more than 10 children at any one time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds an early years childcare qualification and is currently undertaking a City and Guilds 3160 Early Years Foundation Stage Practice qualification. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 outstanding. Children are able to develop a very healthy lifestyle through the promotion of effective practices by the childminder. Her first aid certificate has been renewed in 2007. She consistently follows procedures when dealing with accidents to assist in safeguarding children. A first aid box is available and contents are suitable to effectively meet the needs of the children if a minor injury occurs. Written consent to seek emergency medical advice and treatment is on permission sheets devised by the childminder for outings. These are routinely available on daily school runs and walks locally to ensure children's medical needs are met if a more serious injury occurs. They are carried in the 'red bag', with a range of other resources to ensure children's needs are met when out of the premises. Medication records are available and confidentially stored, although none have been required to date.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s hygiene awareness is admirably promoted. They learn about personal hygiene through daily routines and are made aware of why they wash hands, especially after using tissues when antibacterial gel is used so there are no germs on them. All use individual flannels, towels and have toothbrushes all stored in their toilet bags. This prevents the risk of cross-infection very effectively. If children are ill or infectious a comprehensive written policy regarding exclusion is implemented. When toileting or changing children the childminder actively promotes good practices as she uses disposable gloves.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s dietary needs are exceptionally well met and healthy eating is promoted. Food handling procedures are exemplary as the childminder holds a food hygiene certificate and has knowledge of potential hazards. Individual needs are discussed with parents and recorded. A menu has been drawn up and is shared with parents to ensure a balanced menu is provided as children have their main meal at home in the evenings. Snacks provided are very healthy and nutritious and children enjoy fruit salad of apple, banana and orange or a whole mango. For lunches they have a hot meal, such as chicken with salad or sweetcorn. They enjoy a wide range of vegetables and likes and dislikes are accommodated as the children choose their favourites. Sandwiches or toast meals are also enjoyed. Drinks are readily available and children ask or help themselves to juice from the jug. Babies individual routines are appropriately followed

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Helping children to be healthy

and intake is shared in a daily diary with parents to confirm needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical development is enthusiastically promoted. Children have extensive opportunities to play outside and have a wide range of activities inside to encourage a positive attitude to healthy exercise. Resources stored in the shed and garage are swapped to provide variety and develop new skills. Different shaped balls to throw and kick, discs to throw and catch in the field to the rear of the premises give substantial opportunities to develop skills. Water play, with a range of boats to blow across the surface using a straw, is eagerly accessed by the children. A slide and see-saw helps children learn to climb and take turns. All activities are enjoyed by the children whose laughter rings out over the garden as they play. They go to the park and local library and walk to school, developing stamina on the journey. Indoors they have a range of furniture to move around, toys to push as they learn to walk and puzzles to assist

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Helping children to be healthy

in the development of fine motor skills. Older children are very dexterous as they dress cardboard dolls with paper clothes. They mark-make with increasing skill. Rest periods in age-appropriate cots or beds are provided to effectively meet children's individual needs.

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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

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in warm and welcoming, safe, secure and suitable premises where there is versatile space indoors to play and learn comfortably. Their craft work linked to themes is displayed as well as 'welcome' posters and other childcare related information. Children's individual skills develop rapidly with the extensive range of age-appropriate resources and innovatively planned activities. Resources are stored outdoors in the garage and shed and indoors on shelves around each designated play area. Children independently select activities or request items, age appropriately. Older children engage in worthwhile activities at the dining table to ensure they do not present hazards to younger children. Children show respect for property as they help pack away before lunch. They are careful and this ensures the toys remain in good condition for use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's safety is fully promoted throughout the premises as the childminder is rigorous in her risk assessments. She has attended a range of training and developed professional documents to check children's safety in a variety of situations. An awareness of safety during a fire is promoted exceptionally well as the children regularly leave the premises under controlled evacuations. Their knowledge is extended during visits to the fire station to the rear of the property. Children are also developing an awareness of personal safety as they respond suitably to the childminder's expectations when they are on school journeys to collect older children or going to feed the ducks, by holding hands and walking carefully.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's well-being is given top priority as the childminder has a thorough understanding of child protection procedures and how to put these into practice. Information of her duty to protect children is in the policy and shared with each parent. A range of training has been attended during her childcare career and information regarding Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Board's procedures incorporated into the substantial written policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. All children experience an extensive range of activities which contributes to their significant development inside and outside the setting. The childminder has previously worked with the 'Birth to three matters' framework pack, has attended training and is exceptionally well aware of the terminology. Children under three are progressing rapidly through the purposeful activities provided and older children flourish as the childminder uses the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance as a basis for all play. Children benefit from her previous expertise which has led to her planning stimulating and exciting activities. Substantial records are maintained of children's achievements, what they actually learnt from activities and what they need to do to progress. These are shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A routine is followed each day to ensure children have a balance of activities. Each area of the space used has designated resources attractively labelled and presented and the children are inspired to join in and learn from their experience. Social skills and language are significantly enhanced as the childminder gently reminds children of her expectations to share and constantly converses with the children extending their knowledge. They are given every opportunity to reply and offer their own thoughts on activities. The children use their imagination in the role play area as they mend things, as if 'Bob the builder', or spend extended periods using the instruments in the doctor's set.

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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 Children engage for long periods of time with something they enjoy, for example painting at the table or when learning about Easter and the religious significance. Older children proudly read the information they have written on an Easter egg shaped card which is displayed. Children's individual needs are met and promoted through the childminder providing extensive support when doing homework with a wide range of 'key stage' related books being available. The children look forward to reading books and help themselves from the shelves. Before lunch older children are eager to share their skills as they read to younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Themes, such as 'transport', are devised with relevant resources presented and displays created by the children are used to refer to and confirm the newly learnt knowledge. The children are self-motivated, request to play outdoors and eagerly learn new skills or about nature as they plant bulbs and seeds. Name labels on the pots remind them of what is planted. Use of scissors and gluing, painting and digging all effectively contribute to developing children's skills and knowledge of utensils. Outings are planned to include visits to the library, shops or to feed the ducks to widen the children's life experiences. Photographs of activities and events are displayed, as well as presented in folders to show the interesting range of activities children engage in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has a thorough understanding of equality of opportunity issues and meeting individual needs effectively. She encourages all children to access age-appropriate activities and develop life skills. They play with an impressive range of resources of positive images promoting diversity within society which are always accessible. All children are fully supported to develop a strong awareness of self and the world around them as they use the resources and celebrate festivals, for example Chinese New Year. They do charitable work for children less fortunate than themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s needs are effectively met through discussion with parents and the childminder has a clear understanding of how to work with parents and outside agencies if necessary. The childminder has no experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, however she has a sound understanding of potential need. She has attended training sessions since registration to increase awareness initially developed when she gained her childcare qualification. She is aware to adapt activities to ensure inclusion and has a positive attitude to caring for all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages a wide range of children’s behaviour as she effectively implements a comprehensive range of rules devised to ensure children's well-being in the setting. The behaviour management policy has been produced for children and parents showing the expectations of the childminder. Children behave appropriately as they respond to boundaries set and are always purposefully occupied, therefore issues are few. They spontaneously use good manners when asking for resources, to go out to play and at meal times. Consistent appropriate management helps children feel secure knowing what they can and cannot do. Older children have designated tasks, such as helping to set the table for lunch and willingly do so, eager to help and take on even more responsibility. A 'praise chart' has been devised to show all children when someone has been particularly helpful. Good use of praise and encouragement helps to build development of children's self-esteem and a sense of belonging

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures parents are fully aware of her policies and procedures and how children will be cared for during discussion at initial visits. A 'welcome pack' and portfolio of the

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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 certificates of qualification and training attended is shown at this time. Parents are aware of the complaints process as the childminder has a comprehensive policy and the details of how to contact the regulator are displayed. The childminder ensures confidentiality of all information, which is stored in locked cupboards, and this is only shared on a need to know basis. Parents are updated on their children's well-being and development through a diary and progress records. All unquestionably contributes to the positive relationships with parents and the partnership with them to meet children's emotional and physical needs very effectively.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meets the qualification criteria as she has updated her first aid certificate in November 2007 and has attended the childminder's training course. The experiences gained as an early years qualified practitioner in group day care has been converted expertly to provide a dynamic childminding service. The childminder is committed to improving her knowledge as she undertakes a wide variety of training and the City and Guilds Early Years Foundation Stage Practice qualification.

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Organisation

The children's needs are met by the childminder to a high standard. She provides a superior service way beyond the required standards with regard to the policies she has produced for parents and the imaginative activities she provides for children. These unmistakably promote the welfare, care and learning of the children who are significantly supported by the childminder. She is exceptionally well organised to meet the wide age range of children's needs and provides a flexible service to parents. The childminder is caring and attentive to children's needs and ensures they have fun in her care. There is a considerable range of resources to stimulate the children. They enjoy the exciting range of play opportunities, becoming absorbed in activities and laugh with delight as they play. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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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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

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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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