Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY350863 Unique Reference Number 02 July 2008 Inspection date Michelle W. Smith 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 husband and two children aged 14 and three years in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. All areas of 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 is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding two children who attend full and part-time. The childminder drives to the local schools and nurseries to take and collect children. The family has one dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children gain a superb understanding about the benefits of healthy living. They follow personal care routines with high levels of independence, commenting that they need to 'wash their hands' after completing an art activity and eating fruit. Hygiene routines are lively as the

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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 childminder uses words such as 'rub-a-dub-dub' and talks to children in a very positive voice tone about how germs spread. The risk of illnesses and infections is significantly reduced through the successful implementation of multiple preventative strategies. For example, children have individual hand towels which are colour coded to prevent confusion and comprehensive written information is shared with parents about the care of children who are unwell. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and keeps a detailed log of any accidents that occur, including a body diagram which details the location of the potential injury. As a result, children's good health is continually safeguarded.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat very healthily and adopt an extremely positive attitude towards food. The childminder uses information which she gains from sources such as the internet to provide children with a 'balanced plate' of food. Children keenly sit at the kitchen table with the childminder to eat a wealth of nutritious foods including strawberries, kiwi and rice cakes. The menu is planned in advance and is readily displayed to parents, so helping to promote nutritional variety for each child throughout their whole day. Children are fully involved in the selection of foods and on occasions, help to shop and prepare the food they eat. For example, they help to make their own sandwiches and bake cakes, later commenting that they could 'take a cake' as they make a list of food to take on their picnic. All children have excellent access to fresh drinking water and additional drinks. They pour their own drinks either directly from the fridge

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Helping children to be healthy

or from attractively presented jugs on a low-level table in the kitchen into their personal drinking bottle. The childminder gains a detailed list of their food likes and dislikes, so helping her to tailor the menu plans to their individual needs. Meal and snack times are extremely sociable, relaxed and enjoyable.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have marvellous unrushed opportunities to explore, test and develop their physical skills. Although the childminder uses her car to take and collect them from school she tries to park further away than necessary from the school which enables them to walk a greater distance. In addition, they go to the local park regularly where they further their balance and coordination skills through using large fixed play equipment. They make obstacle courses using cones whilst dressed in safety clothing and play with many resources such as a toy kitchen, water and boats whilst in the garden. Once a week children go swimming at the local pool and attend a gym class where they receive guided supervision in physical exercises as they work towards achievement badges. This holistic approach towards physical play helps children to reap the benefits of fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are developing a considerable understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They learn about safety within many meaningful situations, for example, they discuss with the childminder how to use sharp tools such as scissors safely and the potential consequences of unsafe behaviour. As a result, they begin to respect the tools they work with. Comprehensive written risk assessments are embedded successfully into working practice. Therefore children relax and enjoy their play as the risk of accidents is significantly reduced. Rigorous safe care systems help to ensure children's safety is the highest priority when on trips and outings. The childminder completes a risk assessment of all outdoor areas before the children visit them and often goes to familiar places. In addition, she has very clear rules such as children not going into bushes. If any child chooses not to follow the agreed boundary she asks them to sit with

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

her for a moment to discuss the potential dangers such as broken glass. This helps them to develop self-discipline and to begin to take stage appropriate responsibility for their own safety.

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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 are extremely settled as they play happily in the secure environment. Their artwork is displayed around the setting together with low-level children's posters. As they complete their creative pictures children ask if they can put them on the wall immediately. The childminder values their initiative as they choose where they would like their picture to be displayed. This creates a personable space, so helping them to develop a deep rooted sense of belonging. All toys such as books and musical instruments, are age and stage appropriate, which means they can use equipment imaginatively and follow their natural curiosity as learners.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is extremely knowledgeable about child protection issues and procedures. She has attended basic child protection training and has detailed written information about what to do if she has any concerns about a child's care at her fingertips. Parents are given a copy of the written safeguarding policy which includes contact numbers for local support and referral agencies. This significantly enhances children's safe care as all parties are working together to prioritise their well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive in this lively, child-orientated setting and make superb developmental progress. They sit on the childminder's lap to enjoy stories, discussing what they see as they as they leaf through the books whilst linking their personal experiences. Using pretend hammers as a prop they knock the pages to represent the story line and count the number of firemen, successfully bringing the story to life. The childminder talks very enthusiastically to them about a vast array of subject areas, often asking them open-ended questions such as 'why' and 'how' which challenge their thinking. Consequently, children develop high levels of confidence in their early communication skills as they keenly listen and respond. They express their unique creative ideas using glue and pictures of clothes they have cut out, stating that their picture looks like a 'clown' and naming the colour 'red' as they discuss the clown's nose.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop a passion for learning in this setting which enables them to try out new ideas and to enjoy fresh experiences. They readily access sticky tape, focusing as they try to find the end of the tape. When offered help they display incredible perseverance as they comment 'don't worry I have found it'. They make many decisions about where and what they wish to play with. The childminder is exceptionally skilled at building on children's ideas, for example, when they choose to play with a large drum she encourages them to explore many different sounds. As a result, they experiment freely, using their fingertips, fist and feet to create a diverse range of noises which range from quiet to very loud. This makes learning tremendously enjoyable and ensures their lively interest in all activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take time to rest and relax as they play with dough. The childminder cherishes children as unique individuals. She interacts with warmth and light-hearted humour, for example, she mentions to children about getting glitter on her nose as they glide their fingers through glitter glue. With parental consent, she is trialling different methods of observing children's progress demonstrating reflective practice and a dedicated commitment to supporting children to achieve their full potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children play and learn in a fully inclusive environment which truly inspires them to respect and value their own needs and the differing needs of others. The childminder has marvellous

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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 knowledge and in-depth experience of working with children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She maximises local facilities and professional support mechanisms to ensure all children receive highly personalised care. Many of the children visit a local community facility where teachers for the deaf are based. They join in with activities as they learn sign language and make superb use of facilities such as a sensory room. Throughout the childminder's daily routines they use basic signs for frequently used words such as 'please' and 'thank you'. The childminder builds strong and trusting relationships with parents and other health care professionals such as local inclusion workers to ensure that she is fully aware of every child's unique needs, so helping to ensure any specialised care needs are successfully met. All children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and parents have 'taster sessions' which helps to limit the risk of upset and confusion to children as they gradually ease into the childminder's care routines.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children take part in excellent play opportunities and activities which help them to learn about their local community and the wider world. They often talk about traditional dress and flags around the world, visit Asian clothes shops and purchase Asian sweets. In addition, they use multi-cultural resources such as steel drums and look at the photographs of people and events which reflect very positive images of culture, gender and disability. Children require minimal behaviour management as they are calm, stimulated and play happily in a positive learning environment. Their self-esteem and confidence are boosted throughout the day as good behaviour is rewarded with lots of praise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from exceptionally strong relationships between the childminder, parents and carers. Each parent receives comprehensive written information about the care their child receives. This includes a regular newsletter which outlines key events such as celebrations children will be participating in. Every new parent has a full set of policies and receives amendments as policies are altered. A highly informative display of key documents, for example, the emergency escape plan, certificate of registration and certificate of public liability insurance reassures parents about their child's safety. The childminder has an open door policy where parents are encouraged to express their thoughts and a complaints policy is in place with complies with current regulations. Parents receive a written daily diary which successfully informs them about their child's day. This praiseworthy approach to working with parents helps

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children to thrive as all carers are working cooperatively to support their rapid progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children flourish as they are cared for by an exceptionally organised, committed childminder who is dedicated to providing care of the highest quality. The childminder has attended a diverse range of training courses such as 'Working with Children with Communication Difficulties' and 'Understanding the Early Years Foundation Stage'. In addition, she furthers her professional development through accessing information off the internet and deeply understands the benefits of working cooperatively with external professionals. Children are always in the care of the childminder. There are contingency plans in place for them to be cared for by other vetted and known persons in the event of an emergency occurring. Consequently, they continually receive highly individualised, care which is delivered with warmth and understanding. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Organisation

Children display high levels of confidence in the childminder's care as time, space and resources are used with great success. They move freely around the home, suggesting what they would like to do, for example, they request a short period of time to watch the television, which the childminder respects. They thoroughly enjoy plenty of individual attention, so helping them

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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 to feel valued and special. All of the legally required documents are in place and are impeccably maintained. In addition, a wealth of additional policies and procedures enhance the incredibly smooth running of the setting. The childminder continually strives for further improvement through self-evaluation and reflecting on her practice, so helping every child to achieve their full potential.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable. This is the first inspection since registration.

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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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