Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY357400 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 daughter, who is also a registered childminder, and son aged 14. The whole of the ground floor, larger front bedroom and bathroom upstairs in the childminder's house 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 drives or 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 who holds an early years childcare qualification 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 is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is currently undertaking a City and Guilds 3160 Early Years Foundation Stage Practice 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 outstanding. Children’s health and safety is admirably promoted. They learn about personal hygiene through daily routines and are made aware why they wash hands so there are no germs on them. All use individual towels, flannels and toothbrushes stored in their own toilet bags. Antibacterial gel is also used in the playrooms by the children after they have wiped their own noses, without reminders from the childminder. This prevents the risk of cross-infection very effectively. If children are ill or infectious a comprehensive written policy regarding exclusion is implemented. The childminder consistently follows procedures when dealing with accidents and medication. Accident and existing injuries records contain detail which safeguard children. A first aid box is available and contents are suitable to effectively meet the needs of the children. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. Written consent to seek emergency medical

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Helping children to be healthy

advice and treatment is in place to ensure children's needs are met if a more serious injury occurs. This is also taken on outings in the 'red bag' which also contains a travel first aid kit.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s dietary needs are exceptionally well met and healthy eating is promoted. Individual needs are discussed with parents and recorded. Food handling procedures are exemplary as the childminder holds a food hygiene certificate and has extensive knowledge of potential hazards. Disposable gloves are worn to prevent contamination when preparing and serving food. Drinks are readily available and children ask or help themselves from the jug on the dining room table. Snacks provided are very healthy and nutritious as children enjoy snacks of fruit, such as mango, or fresh fruit salad. For lunch they have a hot meal, such as chicken and salad, or sweetcorn if salad is not a favourite. Fruit or yoghurts are provided for dessert. Babies' individual routines are appropriately followed and detail of bottles and solid intake is shared with parents in a written diary to confirm needs are met.

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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. Indoors they have a range of puzzles and shape sorters to assist in development of fine motor skills. Older children are very dexterous as they dress dolls and mark-make when painting with increasing skill. Children have a 'fitness mat' and a range of music and resources to use as they dance and do yoga exercises. Wheeled toys to ride or push, balls to throw and kick and proper stilts to balance on ensure an extended range of skills are successfully developed when playing outdoors. Swing ball, balancing on the see-saw and sliding or climbing on the larger equipment are activities enthusiastically accessed by the children and they laugh out loudly with the childminder as they all enjoy their games. They go to a range of local parks in

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Helping children to be healthy

the school holidays and as they walk to school most days develop stamina on the journey. Rest periods in age-appropriate equipment, generally in an upstairs bedroom, effectively meet children's individual needs. Consequently, children are able to develop a very healthy lifestyle.

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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 ample space indoors to play and learn comfortably. The walls of each room are decorated with information and children's craft work, such as pictures of vegetables and writing about healthy eating. Their individual skills develop competently with the exemplary range of age-appropriate resources. Children independently select activities from the range of high

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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 quality toys and equipment. Resources are stored on shelves in both of the rooms used as playrooms during the day. Children eagerly help themselves, after asking 'please may I have...?' if what they require is not presented. They can request activities from the extensive variety indoors or stored outdoors in the shed or garage. Older children play with smaller resources at the dining table and engage in worthwhile activities without presenting hazards to younger children. They show respect for property as they help tidy up and as they are careful 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 diligent in her risk assessments. She has attended comprehensive training and rigorously completes a checklist each day. An awareness of safety during a fire is promoted exceptionally well and children have visited the fire station to develop their awareness of potential hazards and learn who helps in emergencies. Children are also developing an awareness of personal safety as they respond suitably to the childminder's expectations when they are walking on school journeys and outings. They occasionally travel in the seven-seater vehicle if going further, such as to Shipley Park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's well-being is consistently given priority as the childminder has a substantial understanding of child protection procedures and how to put these into practice. Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Board's procedures have been received and two training sessions since registration have been attended to update knowledge. Information of her duty to protect children is shared with each parent in the considerable policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. All children flourish in the setting as the childminder uses the 'Early Years Foundation Stage' guidance as a basis for their play to plan substantial and interesting activities. Comprehensive records are maintained of children's achievements, what they actually learnt from activities and the next steps required to progress are shared with parents. Photographs of activities and events are displayed. Whilst the childminder does not have a 'Birth to three matters' framework pack she has attended training and is exceptionally well aware of how children learn. Children under three are progressing rapidly through the purposeful activities provided.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are inspired to join in and learn from their experiences as 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. Themes such as 'spring', 'transport' and 'numbers, colours and letters' are enthusiastically planned and the children's work displayed is confidently discussed to show what they learnt during the activities. Language is significantly enhanced as the childminder extends children's knowledge about the activities as they play and children make animal sounds and sing newly learnt songs as they play with battery operated animal games. Labels are prominent to show what is on each shelf, in the box or what an item is and helps children recognise words as they play. Dressing up and imaginary play as a doctor is an activity in which children become engrossed for long periods as they learn what each of the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Creative play opportunities are well planned, for example to make cards for celebrations, or are spontaneous when a painting activity is set up on the dining table. The use of scissors and gluing all effectively contribute to developing children's skills and knowledge of utensils. The children spontaneously use books and know they can reach them from the shelves in both

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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 rooms. Children's individual needs are met and promoted through the childminder providing extensive support, praise and encouragement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are self-motivated, request to play outdoors and eagerly share with visitors information about planting seeds or demonstrate how to use the hula hoops. They do exercise each day, often before school which gives older children the opportunity to relax later after they have read or done their homework. Outings are planned, mostly for school holidays, to widen the children's life experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are fully supported to develop a strong awareness of self and the world around them. This includes doing charitable work for children less fortunate than themselves in the form of a 'Toddle Waddle'. The childminder has a commendable understanding of equality of opportunity issues and meeting individual needs effectively. She encourages all children to access age-appropriate activities and develop life skills. Children play with an impressive range of accessible resources, especially books, promoting positive images of diversity within society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has no experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, however she has a solid understanding of potential need as she has attended a number of training sessions since registration to develop awareness. She is aware to adapt activities to ensure inclusion and has a positive attitude to caring for children who have temporary difficulties. 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.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An exemplary range of policies have been produced for parents which include good behaviour management through a list of rules. Effectively implemented the childminder manages a wide range of children’s behaviour. 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 a 'praise chart' has been devised to show all children when someone has been particularly helpful. 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.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive relationships with parents and a desire 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. The childminder ensures parents are fully aware of her policies and procedures by providing a 'welcome pack' and portfolio of the certificates of training attended which are shown at initial visits. Parents are aware of the complaints process as the childminder has a comprehensive policy and the complaints log is included. A 'comments book' shows how parents appreciate the settling in sessions before their child officially starts the placement. The childminder ensures confidentiality of all information and this is only shared on a need to know basis. Parents are updated on their children's well-being and development through a placement diary and progress records.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The children's needs are consistently met by the childminder to an exceptionally high standard. She maintains the regulatory records effectively and provides a professional service way above the required standards with regard to the policies she has produced for parents and the worthwhile activities she provides for children. All successfully promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. The childminder meets the qualification criteria as she has a required current first aid certificate and has attended the childminder's training course. The childminder is committed to improving her knowledge as she is undertaking the City and Guilds Early Years Foundation Stage Practice qualification and has attended an extensive variety of training since registration.

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Organisation

Children are supported skilfully by the childminder as they are under her direct supervision to ensure their time with her is enjoyable. She is exceptionally well-organised to meet the wide age range of children's needs. Children are settled and very happy as they engage in fun-filled activities. There is adequate space and an interesting range of resources to stimulate the children. The childminder is caring and attentive to children's needs. 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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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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