Biggs Paulette

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 219675 Inspection date 05 October 2005 Inspector Paula Jane Hayhow

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 2001. She is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children under 8 years, of whom 3 may be under 5 years, and of these only 1 may be under 12 months of age. The childminder does not provide overnight care. She lives with her husband and four children aged fourteen, twelve, ten and six years of age.

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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 The family lives in a property in the village of Clifton close to Shefford. The shops and schools are within walking distance. The whole house is used for childminding which includes a children's playroom. The garden is fully enclosed and there are two parks close to the family home. The family has guinea pigs. The childminder regularly attends the local parent and toddler group. She currently minds seven children under five on a part-time basis. She also cares for two children over five and under eight years and four children over eight years before and after school. The childminder does care for children during the school holidays.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a comfortable, clean home. They are well nourished and their health is promoted due to the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of healthy eating. They are offered nutritious meals which the childminder prepares using a balanced range of fresh ingredients. The childminder discusses individual dietary requirements with parents and keeps an accurate record of these so that the needs of all children can be met. Parents are asked to provided a list of foods which the children enjoy and the childminder ensures that these are included in her weekly food plan. The childminder promotes sound hygiene procedures to ensure that the children are protected from the spread of infection, such as washing hands before snacks and after using creative mediums, providing separate towels for each child and explaining the reason why this is important. This is encouraging them to take

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Helping children to be healthy

some responsibility for their own health. Children participate in a wide range of physical activities, contributing to their good health. The childminder ensures that there are daily opportunities for outdoor activities, such as walks to school and playing in the well equipped garden or enjoying the park collecting conkers and leaves. This helps children develop control of their bodies and improve their physical skills. The younger children are beginning to understand their own physical needs, for example, they know when they need a drink or a rest. All children are able to fully participate in the activities because the childminder has a good knowledge of child development. She provides appropriate activities and supports the children well so that they have confidence to try out new skills and experiences.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a secure and safe environment. Risks of accidental injury are minimised because the childminder is vigilant and has thought about her work in order to reduce potential hazards. For example, she carries out regular fire drills ensuring that all the children attending have an opportunity to practice this, so that they gain a clear understanding and knowledge of what to do in case of fire. She is

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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 able to promote children's safety and welfare, for example she has made laminated cards containing children's emergency information, and always takes these out with her. However, in the garden area there are some loose fitting lids to the water butts and uncovered drains. Whilst the children have never had any accidents regarding these items the childminder plans to make these areas safe for the children. Children are cared for in a stimulating, welcoming environment. Their work and photos are displayed, helping them to feel valued and at home. They use good quality equipment which is appropriate to their ages and stages of development. The childminder continuously checks that these are safe and clean, ensuring that children are able to make independent choices about their play in the knowledge that they will

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

be safe. Children's welfare is promoted because the childminder is clear that children's needs come first and has a good understanding of child protection issues and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. Their achievements are high because the childminder is skilled, knowledgeable and creative in her work. She has a very good understanding of relevant guidance such as the 'Birth to Three Matters' framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum. She consistently uses this knowledge to provide good quality care and promote children's learning and development in all areas. Children are very well settled. The childminder pays meticulous attention to all details relating to their individual needs. They are enthusiastic, interested and confident in their choice of activities and movement around the home. The childminder demonstrates her completely genuine enjoyment of being with the children and they relate very well to her and to each other. They are given many stimulating opportunities and encouragement to develop their creativity and knowledge. They are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

naturally inquisitive and enjoy experiences such as exploring conkers and leaves collected from their walks and peeling oranges and counting the segments. These activities encourage children to use their initiative and to explore and experiment, and they thrive in an environment where it is safe to try new experiences. The children enjoy an extensive range of activities. These include sand and water play, sports and games, music sessions and visits to the local parks, shops, toddler groups, and the library for story time. Their understanding of how their community is made up and functions is promoted by activities such as these. Children are involved in an imaginative variety of craft activities, for example, where children built a very high tower reaching over six feet from junk boxes and are involved in more sensitive themes and project work such as 'what makes us feel happy or sad'. The childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

is creative in her planning and evaluation of activities. She uses her knowledge to bring all areas of learning into the children's play and routines and to make this fun. Children are able to make regular use of the rear garden and have planted and harvested vegetables from the vegetable plot. The childminder uses her knowledge to adapt activities so that all the children can participate, ensuring that all spend their

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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 time happily and purposefully.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are welcomed and play an active part in the daily routines because the childminder values their individuality. Their behaviour is very good and they are well supported in learning about sharing and turn taking. The childminder has high expectations of the children. They are set realistic, consistent boundaries, helping them learn about negotiating with others and taking responsibility for their behaviour. This is further enhanced by the ground rules they have developed in partnership with the childminder. Children have many opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through planned activities and outings to local places of interest. All children feel valued by the childminder as she encourages them to feel good about themselves through praise and appreciation of their actions. Children benefit from the childminder's excellent partnership with parents. She

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Helping children make a positive contribution

actively seeks parents’ views about their children’s needs and interests before their child starts. New parents are given a welcome letter and procedure folder about how the childminder works, enabling them to view the childminder's practice and operational plans. Parents are kept exceptionally well informed about how their children are progressing and developing. The childminder uses daily diaries for each child and records feeds, sleep and activities. She also works with the children to make scrap books, containing examples of their play and photos of their activities. These are readily available to both children and parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Overall, the needs of all children are met. The children's care is greatly enhanced by the quality of organisation and the childminder's meticulous attention to detail in all areas of work. Children are very confident and can therefore initiate their own play and learning, assured that the childminder will always be available to support them when needed. The children's emotional and physical development are very well promoted through the childminder's attention to detail in planning and organising her daily work. This ensures that children are offered a full range of stimulating activities and opportunities and that all are able to participate. Children's individual needs are consistently and comfortably met because of the childminder's careful and thoughtful organisation of her home. Babies have their own bedroom to sleep in and all upstairs' rooms have been made safe although not

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Organisation

always used. All children have access to a wide range of opportunities and facilities. The childminder has ensured that there is space for quiet and busy play, room to move about and participate in activities, and space to relax, particularly for children who have been at school for the day. Children's welfare is promoted very well, due to the childminder's good knowledge of

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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 child development and her attention to further improvements, such as her commitment to further training. She has completed a Quality First Certificate, and plans to join the Childminding Network which will allow her to provide funded education.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints made to Ofsted 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

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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