Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY355840 Unique Reference Number 07 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 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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and child aged 12 years. The whole of the ground floor, bathroom, rear bedroom and larger front bedroom upstairs in the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog, a cat and indoor and outdoor fish.

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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 10 children; six under five, all day; one over five, after school; and three over eight, after school or during school holidays. The childminder works with a co-childminder who holds an early years childcare qualification and when working together they may care for a total of no more than eight children under eight years at any one time

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds an early years childcare qualification. She is currently undertaking a childcare related degree and a City and Guilds 3160 Early Years Foundation Stage Practice qualification. The childminder has experience of supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. The childminder 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 satisfactory. The childminder does not consistently follow procedures when dealing with accidents as records contain insufficient detail of the size of injuries, which does not fully 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 not routinely available on daily school runs or walks locally to ensure children's medical needs are met if a more serious injury occurs. Medication records are confidentially maintained.

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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 so there are no germs on them. All use individual flannels as towels and place used ones in the bin without reminders. After using tissues children spontaneously use antiseptic lotion to wipe their hands. This prevents the risk of cross infection very effectively. Wipes are used after meals and snacks and when playing in the sand outdoors. If children are ill or infectious a comprehensive written policy regarding exclusion is implemented.

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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 three-weekly menu has been drawn up and changed after a period of months. Snacks provided are very healthy and nutritious and children enjoy apple, grapes and raisins. For lunches they have a hot meal, such as a roast dinner, fish or shepherds pie. They enjoy a wide range of vegetables and likes and dislikes are accommodated as the children choose cheese or sauce to go on top of pasta. For tea they often request something on toast. Drinks are readily available and children ask or help themselves to water from the jug and use their own labelled beakers. At meal time children drink milk. Older children have their needs met by drinking sugar free

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Helping children to be healthy

juice to ensure they do not dehydrate, if they dislike water. Babies individual routines are appropriately followed and intake is shared with parents to confirm needs are met, on a daily information sheet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical development is considerably 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 are swapped to provide variety and develop new skills. Different shaped balls to throw and kick, and imaginary play resources as well as sand play are enthusiastically accessed by the children. A slide helps children learn to climb and take turns. They go to the park and local library, 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 in development of fine motor skills. Older children are very dexterous as they line up cars on the garage, before carefully pushing one at a time down the ramp. They mark-make with increasing skill. Physical Exercise, which the children eagerly refer to as 'PE' is enthusiastically enjoyed

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Helping children to be healthy

each morning. Rest periods on age-appropriate equipment are provided to effectively meet children's individual needs. Consequently, children are able to develop a very healthy lifestyle.

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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 good. 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 individual skills develop rapidly with the extensive range of age-appropriate resources. Resources are stored in the shed, under the stairs and in a range of cupboards in the designated play areas. Children independently select activities from the range of high quality toys and equipment presented each day, or request items, age appropriately. Older children engage in worthwhile activities in the front lounge or at the dining table to ensure they do not present hazards to younger children. Children show respect for property as they help pack away at 'tidy-up time' 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, including travelling on public transport. An awareness of safety during a fire is promoted exceptionally well as the children regularly leave the premises under controlled evacuations. Their knowledge was extended when firefighters visited premise in the road and the children went on the appliance and tried on helmets. Children are also developing an awareness of personal safety as they respond suitably to the childminder's expectations when they are on school journeys and outings, such as to the library, 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. A range of training has been attended during her childcare career and information regarding Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures incorporated into the substantial written policy. Information of her duty to protect children is shared with each parent in the 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 the 'Birth to three matters' framework pack, has attended training, is exceptionally well aware of the terminology and follows an approach in line with the framework. Children under three are progressing rapidly through the purposeful activities provided. Older children flourish as the childminder uses the 'Curriculum Guidance to the Early Learning Goals' as a basis for their play and her previous expertise to plan 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 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 the 'golden rules' and extends children's knowledge about the activities as they play. Dressing up is a particular favourite activity and fairy dresses or materials used as saris are worn. The children use their imagination in the role play area when it is a 'doctors' or a bedroom.

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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 playing with cars, lining them up, counting and discussing colours and what type they are. The children are self-motivated, request to play outdoors and eagerly create a range of shapes with damp sand, showing they know a wide range of geometric words. Creative play opportunities are well planned, for example to make cards for celebrations, or are spontaneous when making sounds in the park as crisp leaves are squashed beneath the children's feet. Hole punching, use of scissors and gluing all effectively contribute to developing children's skills and knowledge of utensils. The children look forward to reading books and know they can reach them from the shelf in the cupboard. Children's individual needs are met and promoted through the childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Outings are planned to include visits to two libraries for story times, one of which requires a bus journey, to widen the children's life experiences. Photographs of activities and events are displayed, as well as stored on the computer, and children are elated as they share information about who was involved. Older children want to relax after school and in school holidays. Some do homework, read, use the wide variety of electronic games or join in with the craft activities, which ensures individual needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a superior understanding of equality of opportunity issues, therefore children are fully supported to develop a strong awareness of self and the world around them. She encourages all children to access age-appropriate activities and develop life skills. Through 'PE' sessions the children learn to undress and dress themselves. Children play with an inspiring range of resources and activities promoting positive images and diversity within society. Information provided by parents on the children's documents generally assists in enabling the childminder to meet children's individual needs effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and a comprehensive understanding of potential needs. She is aware of the need to adapt activities to ensure inclusion and has a positive attitude to caring for children who have temporary difficulties, adapting menus to support parents and the child. Children’s needs are effectively met through discussion with parents and the childminder has a clear understanding of how to work with outside agencies if necessary.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A substantial range of policies have been produced and are evaluated on a programmed basis. Behaviour management is effectively implemented as the childminder cares for a wide age range of children. Children behave appropriately as they respond to boundaries set, and as they are always purposefully occupied, issues are few. They spontaneously use good manners at meal times and when asking for resources. Consistent appropriate management helps children feel secure knowing what they can and cannot do. Good use of praise and encouragement helps to build development of children's self-esteem and older children have created their own rules, 'consequences' if not followed and have included 'reflection time' in the expectations. Younger children are well aware of their 'golden rules' and why they must share and have quiet voices.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive relationships with parents and a proactive approach to work in partnership with them to meet children's individual needs ensures the childminder is able to meet children's emotional and physical needs very effectively. Children are settled and very happy. Parents are updated on their children's well-being and development through a daily diary sheet if they wish. The childminder ensures parents are fully aware of her policies and procedures and how 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 will be cared for during discussion at initial visits. They sign to say the documents have been read. Parents are aware of the complaints process as the childminder has a comprehensive policy and the complaints log is included. The childminder ensures confidentiality of all information and this is only shared on a need to know basis. Whilst the childminder has a professional relationship with parents this is expanded to include parents, and children, in social events to celebrate Christmas or go on outings together, such as to the farm.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder generally maintains children's personal records to promote the welfare of the children. However, information is not always readily available to meet children's needs and detail of children who have left is not all retained for the required period. The children's needs are, however met by the childminder to a high standard. She provides a service way above the required standards with regard to the policies she has produced for parents and the worthwhile activities she provides for children. These successfully promote the welfare, care and learning of the children.

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Organisation

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 expertise gained as an early years qualified practitioner in group daycare has been converted expertly to providing a dynamic childminding service. The childminder is committed to improving her knowledge as she undertakes her degree. Children are supported skilfully 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, as she works with a qualified co-minder. The childminder is caring and attentive to children's needs. There is plenty of space and a considerable range of resources to stimulate the children. They enjoy the exciting range of play opportunities, becoming absorbed in their 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 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): • ensure all children's records are collated and easily accessible for the efficient and safe management of the provision and written parental permission to seek treatment in an emergency is consistently available to assist in safeguarding children • ensure sufficient detail is recorded in accident records.

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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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