Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY363020 Unique Reference Number 17 April 2008 Inspection date Margaret Coyne 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 one child aged three years, in Luton, Bedfordshire. The whole of the premises are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available 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 under eight years at any one time and is currently caring for one child under five years all day and one child over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends a local toddler group and childminding support group.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and well-maintained home. The childminder has established daily routines and children have gained a successful understanding about 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 importance of washing hands to help maintain good health. For example, after using the toilet, playing outside and before meals and snacks. Children receive consistent support from the childminder and happily talk about why they wash their hands to get rid of germs, demonstrating this as they talk. The childminder uses positive strategies to develop children's understanding of self-care and is an excellent role model. The childminder gives children clear reasons and explanations why personal hygiene is important. She supervises hand washing and children have separate coloured towels. The home, toys and equipment are kept meticulously clean, a sick child policy is in place and infection control procedures are shared with parents. Through these good procedures children's health is maintained and cross-infection is minimised. Children

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Helping children to be healthy

enjoy a home-from-home environment where they help to make things clean and tidy. They clear toys away after play and sweep play dough off the floor.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has concise recordings in the accident book and clear procedures for administering medication which are shared with parents. She takes positive action to ensure that children's health and welfare is safeguarded. The childminder is trained in first aid and has booked on another course to renew her certificate. This ensures that children receive prompt treatment for any accidents. The childminder is confident in the care she provides to prevent children becoming distressed. Full information is obtained from parents about their child's health, immunisations and doctors' details. Consent is gained to administer medication and seek emergency treatment or advice. Food storage is managed appropriately and the fridge temperature is checked each day as part of her risk assessment. There is a poster displayed of notifiable infectious diseases and this information is shared with parents to support them. This

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Helping children to be healthy

ensures children's welfare is maintained at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from healthy snacks, meals and drinks. The childminder plans her meals over a three week period. This ensures that children have a wholesome, balanced and nutritious diet that complies with dietary requirements and the children's preferences. For example, information is gained from parents to ensure that children's individual dietary needs are catered for. Home cooked meals are provided which include food items from across the five food groups including meat, chicken, fish, vegetables and fruit. The childminder is keen to introduce new tastes and experiences for the children including meals developed from different cultures such as lasagne, chicken curry and pasta dishes. Children learn about healthy foods through the discussions they take part in. They help to decide what they would like to eat and are fully involved in food preparation at meal and snack times. Children are observed cutting their own bananas, apples,

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Helping children to be healthy

oranges and strawberries for their snack. They make tuna chunks, chicken bobs, kebabs and tuna patties, enjoying the cooking experiences offered. Meal times are a social occasion where the children sit at the table together and enjoy each other's company. Children are offered regular drinks throughout the day to ensure they remain hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a stimulating range of equipment to promote a healthy lifestyle and their physical development. They practise and develop skills through well-planned activities both indoors and outdoors. The garden is used by the children to get fresh air and take part in physical activities. They are encouraged to use their bodies in a variety of ways to stay fit and healthy. There is an abundance of well-maintained outdoor equipment such as a trampoline with a safety net, a wooden house on stilts with a swing and slide. There are various sit and ride cars, bikes and scooters and children also enjoy sack races and playing with balls and bean bags. They demonstrate their new skills to me as they do handstands and roly-polys. They have learnt how to swing and control their bodies well as they do so. They have access to a range of outings which further develops and promotes physical skills. They go for walks, visit parks and

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Helping children to be healthy

playgrounds and enjoy trips to the farm. Children's dexterity is developed as they use a range of equipment. For example, they build with construction bricks and manipulate small figures

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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 and one handed tools. They manipulate various musical instruments and toys. The children enjoy dancing when a music disc is played and move their bodies with pleasure jumping and balancing on one leg. Children are able to rest or sleep according to their needs and separate bedding is available to ensure hygiene is maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a stimulating, bright child-orientated environment with a very good range of high quality equipment. This is appropriate to their age and stage of development. They have excellent access to play equipment that is safe and well maintained giving them opportunities for free choice. Toys are rotated to provide children with different experiences. Play materials are challenging, exciting and stimulating and give children opportunities to extend their learning through both adult-led and child-initiated play. For example, activities are available which cover all elements of children's play and learning such as imaginative play, constructive play, creative activities and learning games and resources. The garden is fully enclosed and provides children with a safe area to access. There is an abundance of high quality outdoor equipment for children to access and this is well-maintained to ensure children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm because they are cared for in a secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. For example, the home is on one level so the childminder can supervise the children closely in the house. Resources are very well organised to allow children to move around safely and independently whilst they play. The childminder helps children understand how to stay safe through sensitive reminders and regular routines. For example, not climbing on the furniture, not running inside the home and following rules when using the outdoor equipment such as zipping up the safety net on the trampoline. Children regularly practise an evacuation procedure taking different routes to ensure they can leave the home safely in any situation. They join in discussions and practise safety measures such as talking about people who help us, car safety and road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues and the signs and symptoms to look for. A range of procedures and documents are in place to ensure that children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She is fully aware of documenting and reporting any concerns and keeps all records up to date. This provides effective evidence of her practice in order to ensure children remain protected. All required literature has been obtained such as the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures to support her practice and ensures she can follow current policies to keep children safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have wonderful opportunities to play with stimulating and imaginative activities. They take part in activities in an environment that is centred on interesting, challenging and exciting activities both in and out of the home. Well-planned visits enrich children's understanding of the local area as they visit the local library, museum and farm. They also have ample opportunity to socialise with other children through the toddler groups, music group and gymnastic club they attend. Their natural curiosity to learn is developed through exciting play as they have opportunity to be creative, play with construction and spend time in the garden. They interact together as they use a wide range of play dough tools creating ice cream, boats and bugs with

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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 the various tools and cutters. Children share beautifully together and help each other carry the play dough bug into the kitchen to keep it safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children thoroughly enjoy their free-play time and independently choose from the wide range of resources. Each activity is enriched with the discussions that take place between them as they share their knowledge together and ask questions. The childminder is adept at letting children lead an activity ensuring they can take risks in a safe environment. The children suggest that they would like to paint and create some colourful pictures for their art gallery. Each piece of work is individual and the children show great pride in their creations. The childminder knows the children very well and is able to help them develop their concentration during an activity. The children decide on a game of shapes. They each have a shape board and play a matching game. They demonstrate their understanding of the different shapes such as diamonds, rectangle, squares and semi circles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans activities that are of a consistently high standard. She has a very good understanding of how children play and learn and is highly effective and skilled at using varied and exciting methods to meet each child's individual needs. The childminder praises and values the children which in turn raises their self-esteem and confidence. She talks to them with great respect and discusses many different topics and issues which increases their vocabulary and communication skills. Each activity is well presented and fun to take part in. A box of musical instruments is brought out and the children move to music, using the drums as they march around the room. Children flourish in the care of the childminder because she is consistent, kind and caring about their individual needs. They climb on her lap for cuddles and the affection between them is obvious. Younger children's independence is very well fostered because the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder knows when to step back and let a child lead.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond positively to the consistent praise and encouragement from the childminder. They are proud of their achievements and develop high levels of self-esteem because the childminder makes their play fun and exciting. Children are able to absorb the learning potential from each activity because it is presented in a fun and natural way. A positive, happy and relaxed environment has been created which helps children feel secure and content helping them thrive within this vibrant home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a positive attitude and this helps provide children with a well-balanced view of the world around them. They are able to develop a sensitive awareness of diversity and an understanding of the needs of others. This is achieved through the extensive range of activities and resources which promotes a positive outlook of the wider world. For example, as they play with dolls, look at books together, dress up and take part in food tasting from different cultures. Children accept each other as individuals with the childminder setting an excellent example by valuing and respecting each child. Children's needs are met in a highly effective manner through her open, honest communication with parents and children. Children can express their individualism through activities and the childminder confidently adapts her care to take account of different abilities and personalities. The childminder knows the children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

extremely well and is highly responsive to their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are happy and secure and feel a sense of belonging within the childminder's home. They are made to feel welcome and spend good quality time building trusting relationships while learning what is expected of them. The children know and accept the realistic boundaries

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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 in place and this impacts positively on their behaviour. They respond well to the skilfully planned routines and play an active role in managing their own behaviour. Children show great care and concern for others and share and play together in an enthusiastic and happy way. Children thrive with positive discipline techniques that encourage good behaviour and self-esteem. Well-managed strategies help children learn to manage and control their own behaviour from a young age. They cope with their emotions and are learning right from wrong, how to share and play nicely together. When asking a child to respond the childminder always gives a reason and explanation for her request. This again helps children feel valued and respected. The children clearly enjoy being with the childminder who supports their behaviour with positive

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Secure, friendly and professional relationships are fostered with parents. This ensures that the individual needs of the children are met effectively and helps children feel safe and secure. Parents are involved in the time their child spends in the setting by receiving excellent verbal feedback and sharing in their child's day through the home link books the childminder produces. These help establish a good working partnership and give parents opportunity to be involved in their child's day. They are provided with purposeful written information about the childminder's practice. For example, a comprehensive professional portfolio containing items such as the childminder's training certificates, her personal information, public liability insurance, sample menus, routines and activity lists and information on how they can raise any concerns. This is an ongoing working folder which is continually updated with relevant information. Many

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Helping children make a positive contribution

brief policies have been produced to share information with parents about her procedures. A notice board provides additional information for parents about the childminder's practice and a wipe board details the daily and weekly activities they children take part in. Some of the children's work is also displayed to help them share special things with their parents and develop a sense of pride in their own achievements. For example, their spring display. The good partnership that has been created impacts on the trust, security and confidence of the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and secure playing in an exceptionally well-organised environment. Space and resources are realistically planned around the family home while still maintaining a homely environment and atmosphere. Resources are stored and presented to ensure maximum play space is available to the children and help them become self-reliant and independent. Children are confident when initiating their own activities and when playing with others in this vibrant, safe setting. Well-organised activities provide stimulating and challenging experiences for children of all ages within a fun and supportive environment.

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Organisation

The childminder has a highly professional, yet caring and sensitive approach to her practice. Her organisational skills are effective and this benefits both children and parents. High regard to the organisation of records and documentation impacts on each child's care. separate files are used for individual children to ensure confidentiality is maintained. The childminder has developed some policies and procedures which are clearly reflected in her practice. Ratios are met at all times and the childminder has an excellent awareness of the impact these have on the children's health, safety, socialisation and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to extending her knowledge and has completed some additional training courses to compliment and enhance her practice. She is keen to access additional training to raise her knowledge and understanding while presenting herself as a professional child carer. She has given utmost priority to ensuring all aspects of her care is organised to a

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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 high standard and has taken effective steps to ensure she can provide this high level of care through her planning and professional approach. However, she does not yet fully identify ways in which records can be further enhanced to ensure the continued welfare, care and learning of children. For example, through an individual self-evaluation process. 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 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): • identify ways in which records can be further enhanced to ensure the continued welfare, care and learning of children. For example, through self-evaluation.

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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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