Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY365308 Unique Reference Number 16 April 2008 Inspection date Susan Marriott 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 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and seven years, in their house in Deanshanger, Northamptonshire. The whole of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for one child on a full-time basis and another child under five for three days per week. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a pet rabbit. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The childminder works to detailed, written, purposeful policies and procedures which she has devised in relation to health, hygiene, medication and illness. The childminder ensures children are extremely well cared for if they have an accident or become ill. Any injured or sick children are given plenty of reassurance and any first aid treatment that is required. She ensures that

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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 the children are warm and comfortable and are given some quiet time. The childminder rigorously maintains an accident, incident and medication folder, which details all accidents and incidents that happen and records any medication that is given to children. Children receive appropriate first aid because the childminder holds and regularly updates a suitable first aid qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in an exceptionally clean and welcoming home where they learn the importance of high levels of hygiene and personal care. Exemplary practices are strongly encouraged. The childminder helps children to gain an excellent understanding of hygiene and a real desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care. Children use separate towels and flannels in the cloakroom. Children are encouraged and reminded to wash their hands after going to the toilet, after playing outside and before eating. Children's clear understanding of why they must wash their hands after using the toilet and before handling food substantially reduces the risk of cross-contamination. The childminder has clear procedures for the use of disposable gloves when dealing with bodily fluids, to prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical activity specifically according to their individual needs and capabilities. Children visit the local parks on a regular basis where they have the opportunity to climb, run, slide and swing. On most days the children spend time outside in the open air, either walking to and from the various groups they visit with their childminder or enjoying planned physical activities at the playgroups. Indoor activities include dance, marching with musical instruments, action songs and fun exercise.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with nutritious, balanced meals and snacks appropriate to their individual needs. The childminder works exceptionally hard to promote healthy, sensible eating in accordance with parental wishes. The childminder has a food and drink policy which is discussed with parents. Children have their cups of water beside them so that they can drink as needed. The childminder supports parents and carers with advice on weaning and nutrition. She takes account of parental preferences and keeps a daily log of what food has been offered to the children with a note of what the children have enjoyed and not enjoyed. Water is served with meals. Meals are home-made and well balanced, each containing a portion of protein, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well protected from harm and neglect in this vibrant and safe setting. They are cared for by a highly committed childminder who is suitably vetted and has highly relevant experience, knowledge and skills. Children are really well cared for in an exceptionally welcoming, safe and secure home environment. The childminder uses the available space in her home to provide a flexible domestic environment which serves their particular needs. She makes appropriate provision for children to play outdoors when they cannot use the garden due to it being waterlogged in the winter months.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can readily access equipment, toys and resources independently and safely from baskets and boxes brought into the living room. Toys and equipment are safe, suitable, stimulating and challenging. The childminder checks the toys on a regular basis and any damaged toys are removed from use immediately for disposal or repair. Children are only given toys to play with that are suitable for their age. Toys for older children are kept up high out of the reach of the younger children.

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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 to move around and play safely, freely and independently because the childminder has identified and minimised all risks, expertly balancing freedom for the children and setting safe limits. Access to the property is via the front door which is always kept locked. All domestic safety measures are in place, including electrical socket covers, a fire blanket in the kitchen, and smoke alarms. Safety gates control access to the staircase and other areas of the house depending upon the age of children being cared for. The childminder safeguards children's welfare and has all of the required policies and documents in place. The childminder carries comprehensive contact details on her person at all times. Excellent practices actively contribute to the safety of children such as, thorough informal risk assessments, extensive and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

detailed emergency evacuation procedures and frequently practised fire drills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children actively learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder has clear rules and routines in order to maintain their safety inside and outside the home. For example, children learn how to handle scissors safely, and when out for a walk the children hold their childminder's hand or hold onto the buggy. She talks them through the Green Cross Code each time they cross the road, always using a pedestrian crossing when available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very safe with the childminder, who has an exceptionally robust knowledge and understanding of child protection in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She has attended an appropriate training course and keeps informative documentation to which she can refer for guidance at any time.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive here and settle rapidly in the friendly, relaxed family atmosphere where the childminder purposefully puts her life experience to good use. The childminder has an exceptionally competent understanding of child development rooted in expert knowledge of child development gained from her own career and maternal experience. The childminder implements her 'settling-in' policy, talking to parents about their child’s routine, likes and dislikes, and favourite toys, making the transition from home to her care as stress-free as possible.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are engrossed in a broad range of planned activities and spontaneous events, which enrich their development and overall learning. The childminder earnestly plans activities prior to the children’s arrival but these remain flexible according to the children's needs. If children then show an interest in something else, she follows the children's lead to further develop their interest. The childminder provides exceptional support for children's play and learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy an interesting and stimulating environment which enables them to appreciate and value diversity. Resources reflect the wider world in which we live and the childminder promotes respect by opening up discussion about any issue which arises. A range of books show how children in other countries live and play, explaining about their cultures and traditions. These include 'lift the flap' for the younger children to reference-style books and stories for older children. The children learn about their local community because their childminder makes good use of the locally available resources. For example, they attend story time at the library, visit the park and regularly go to local playgroups. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities. Consequently, she is unreservedly confident

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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 to judge how well individual children's needs can be met within existing routines. She provides individually tailored support to meet the needs of children and their families.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave exceptionally well in response to the clear boundaries set by the childminder. Her daily routine and forward planning mean that children are well occupied and there are few squabbles. The children play well together and learn to share toys. Where appropriate to their age, children are encouraged to contribute towards keeping the setting tidy, safe and hygienic by putting away toys that they have finished playing with, and by helping to clear up any spills they make. They are rewarded with substantial praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are fully supported through a genuine partnership with parents and carers. The childminder implements her 'working with parents' policy, taking the time to chat to the parents when they drop off and collect their children. Through discussion, she informs them of any observations she has made about their children. The childminder instigates a daily diary for younger children, in which she details care needs, food and activities that have been done each day. Parents are invited to make their own comments in the diary. The childminder actively seeks out the views of parents and carers about her childcare practices. The childminder has devised a complaints record in line with new requirements and meets the needs of the children through the daily routine as discussed with their parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. This newly established childminder strives for and achieves, the best possible standards in practical childcare. She adopts a highly committed and conscientious approach to every aspect of her childminding. The childminder demonstrates a clear commitment to continuous improvement through increasingly reflective practice. She reviews daily activities undertaken and evaluates some, looking at what went well, what did not go well and what might be done differently next time. She is constantly seeking ways to improve her skills and is happy to incorporate any suggestions which might further enhance her provision for children and their parents.

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Organisation

The childminder uses her maternal experience and her effective organisation to promote highly positive outcomes for children. Children feel very much at home and are comfortable in the well-organised, suitably prepared and inviting family environment. The childminder enriches children's care, learning and play through her constant enthusiasm, interaction and inventiveness. Children confidently choose activities and participate with eager relish. Children extend their own play and learning in a natural and imaginative way, strongly encouraged by the childminder's expert practice. Her clear use of comprehensive, written procedures and routines which cover all aspects of the National Standards effectively supports children's welfare, care and learning and underpins her professional practice. All written parental permissions are in place and documentation is reviewed periodically and changes implemented where appropriate to comply

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Organisation

with current guidance. The childminder gives utmost priority to meeting the particular needs of the children in her care. The provision meets the needs of all the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements 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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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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