Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY365012 Unique Reference Number 23 June 2008 Inspection date Lynn Clements 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 young daughters aged four and eight years in a residential area of Bishops Stortford. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time. She is currently minding one child under one year on a full-time basis. The downstairs only of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder organises her day around school runs. The childminder attends local parent/carer & toddler groups. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. All children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene, through the clear and regular daily routines. Hand washing is encouraged after using the toilet, playing outside, following messy activities and before eating; hand towels are changed daily to minimise the risk of cross-contamination. With older children, the childminder discusses the proper way to wash their hands, using soap and water to prevent sore ‘tummies’. With babies, she uses wipes,

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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 helping them to feel and become accustomed to cleaning their hands. A very clear sick child policy is in place and shared with parents, procedures are implemented to protect children and prevent the spread of infection. All health related documentation is in place and regularly maintained. This ensures that the childminder always has up-to-date records in place to make sure children’s changing individual needs are met; this in turn ensures they remain fit and healthy in her care. The childminder obtains clear written instructions and permission from parents about the administration of any medication. She is also careful to record and inform parents once medicine has been administered. This ensures that children are protected from accidental overdose on their return home. The childminder has completed relevant paediatric

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Helping children to be healthy

first aid training; this enables her to confidently provide a swift response and appropriate care if an accident occurs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder's excellent knowledge and understanding of childhood nutrition. They enjoy healthy home cooked meals and snacks, with fresh fruit and vegetables every day. The childminder works closely with parents of babies. She is supportive through the weaning process. The childminder is dedicated to healthy eating. In addition to home cooked meals for older children she provides a service whereby she makes home prepared baby foods. This provides all concerned with peace of mind as they know exactly what ingredients are used to ensure babies have well-balanced nutritious meals. Older children learn about healthy eating through meaningful experiences, such as joining in cooking activities and meal time discussions. The wide variety of foods offered provide opportunities for children of all ages to explore their personal likes and dislikes. Children know that vegetables and fruit are good for you. Through

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Helping children to be healthy

games, the childminder encourages them to learn about the five a day rule and children make personal charts as they think about and record how many portions of fruit or vegetables they have eaten each day. Children learn to lead a healthy lifestyle, taking part in regular exercise, such as playing in the garden, walking to school, running around the park or making visits out and about. Babies and toddlers also have plenty of exercise during toddler groups, walks and music and movement sessions held at the local library. They enjoy outings to local zoos and farms, all of which provides them with plenty of fresh air and exercise.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a very clear knowledge and understanding of the needs of babies and children under three years. She supports them as they develop new physical skills according to their age and stage of development, using the wealth of suitable toys and resources she has to hand. Toddlers are able to move around freely and safely making their own choices and extending their play and learning. The childminder has previous childcare training and experience. She is exceptionally secure in her knowledge with regard to the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework which she uses to support her high quality practice with younger children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder ensures that all hazards both inside and outside are clearly identified and made safe. Written checks are carried out and these are monitored and updated as required. This ensures that as children grow and develop the childminder is thinking about her setting and how it needs to be adapted to meet their changing needs. The childminder provides a very safe and secure environment in which children can explore independently. All furniture and equipment is properly maintained and kept in excellent condition for the children to use. The childminder has clearly thought through and planned the space to encourage free flow play and investigation. There is a very good range of child-height and adult adapted furniture, for example booster seats, to provide comfort and safety for the children when sitting at the dining room table.

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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 able and actively encouraged to make their own choices from the excellent range of child accessible toys and equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An exceptionally good range of safety equipment is in place, such as finger guards, socket covers, door slams, stair gates and smoke alarms all of which ensure children are kept safe from harm. Older children learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, they practise road safety while out and about and learn about the importance of getting out of the house in an emergency. The childminder has implemented an extensive range of written policies and procedures in her practice aimed at keeping children safe. For instance, there is a clear child collection procedure which includes a password system to ensure children only leave the setting with adults authorised by the parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has completed relevant child protection training. She has very clear systems in place to ensure children's welfare remains paramount. The childminder has an exceptionally good understanding about the signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect and knows how to make a referral if she has a concern; this ensures children are safeguarded from harm at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely confident and secure in the childminder's home. They independently explore activities and the excellent use of child-accessible storage enables them to make their own choices. Children have very good opportunities to investigate and develop their skills in all areas of learning. They concentrate as they share stories with the childminder, sitting on her lap and helping to hold the book and turn the pages. Babies explore activity books with the childminder as she uses intonation and facial gestures to encourage their interaction and participation. Babies thoroughly enjoy using their senses to touch and feel the book. They delight in the noise the book makes and the colours they see. The childminder actively encourages and praises children, helping to raise their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder listens carefully to children, giving them time to share their thoughts and ideas. With babies and younger children the childminder is skilled at interpreting their needs very effectively. She has high expectations of what all children can achieve and ensures she provides them with exciting, stimulating activities which capture their interest. Regular trips to the local library and toddler groups enables children to increase their confidence to socialise with others and learn about the wider world in which they live.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children are developing their independence physically and emotionally. They are increasingly independent, acquiring control over their bodies as they reach out for objects or roll over onto their front. The childminder ensures that planning is in place for the very youngest children. She ensures that they have time each day for sitting up unaided, stretching out and for using all of their senses to explore toys and their immediate environment. The childminder encourages them to become vocal, for example, through imitation, gestures and the use of appropriate language to communicate their needs. The childminder has an extremely good understanding of the needs of the younger children and provides exciting activities and resources to support their physical and emotional development.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder takes opportunities to introduce children to people in their community. Trips out and about to parks, the local library and toddler groups provide the ideal opportunity for children to develop social interaction with others. The childminder ensures that children have plenty of resources and activities which build on their curiosity as learners as they explore their environment and the wider world. Children have opportunities to learn about a diverse range of customs and festivals during topics, stories, creative activities and discussions. The childminder ensures there is no bias in her practice in relation to gender, race or disability. All children are treated as individuals and adaptation in activities enables all children to take part at a pace and level which suits them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are very clear and effective procedures in place to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She clearly knows how to seek support and work with other professionals in the best interests of the child. Prior to placement, the childminder discusses any specific needs children may have. She works as a team with the parents or carers to ensure their child makes very good progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships are exceptionally good at all levels. Children are valued as individuals and this enables them to develop positive attitudes towards others. They are fully encouraged to respect each other and share resources. Children benefit from the high quality activities, consistent routines and a secure approach to their care. For example, babies are extremely confident, happy and content in the presence of the childminder. Plenty of praise and encouragement is used and the childminder believes that by providing this attention and time, it enables them to feel safe, secure and relaxed and helps to prevent children from using challenging behaviour to gain her attention.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are strong. Clear and open communications both written and verbal take place regularly to support the children. The childminder completes exceptionally well written, informative, two-way daily diaries. These include relevant information for parents and carers about the foods, nappy changes and sleep the children have had whilst in her care. In addition it is also used to provide clear insight for parents into their child’s experiences and the activities their child has participated in. Time spent completing these records are very much appreciated by the parents, as it gives them clear observations of the progress their child is making. It also enables them to share information from home which in turn enables the childminder to continue to meet the child’s individual needs exceptionally well. Children’s needs are being met exceptionally well because the childminder works closely with their parents and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

carers. This partnership provides continuity between home and the setting. Prior placement information is sought from parents and carers enabling the childminder to plan for each child’s individual needs. Information about the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and the Foundation Stage is shared with parents and made available through the well-presented information folders the childminder has compiled. This exchange of information and caring approach enables all concerned to share in the children’s learning experiences and development.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The exceptionally good organisation of records, information sharing and daily childminding routines promotes very positive outcomes for the children. Children benefit from the childminder’s excellent knowledge and understanding of child development. She has accessed

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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 relevant training and also has previous experience in childcare. Her attention to continuing her professional development enables her to provide high quality learning care and experiences for children. There is plenty of space for them to play indoors and outside. Children are supported to make choices for themselves from the wide range of attractive resources that are provided by the childminder. Toys and equipment are extremely well organised and stored at child-height, enabling them to extend their own play and learning at their own pace.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures ratios are correctly met at all times and understands the importance of criminal record bureau checks to protect children from harm. All records are securely stored and confidentiality is respected. The childminder ensures that all documentation required by legislation is in place and accurately maintained. She has complied clear policies and procedures which are shared with parents and implemented in her daily practice to ensure the safe management of her setting. She helps children to make progress and have lots of fun in her care. 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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