Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY362578 Unique Reference Number 21 July 2008 Inspection date Lynda, Margaret Ronan 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 three children, twins aged ten years and a six year old. The family have two cats. They live in a house in Sale close to shops, parks, schools and pre-schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, this includes the lounge, dining area, kitchen and downstairs toilet. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time. Currently there is one child on roll. The childminder attends toddler groups on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are secure and well settled, they demonstrate a trusting relationship with the childminder, giving and receiving cuddles and seeking reassurance from her. Children thrive as they follow their individual sleeping and eating patterns.

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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 Children are encouraged to take good care of their bodies and are given good examples to follow. They have healthy snacks of fruit and learn the importance of good hygiene, for example, babies are supported to wash their hands before food and after toileting which helps them gain independence and to follow good routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children grow strong as they play vigorously each day, in the garden in the morning and by going for a walk each afternoon. Regular visits to the park support children's acquisition of skills, such as climbing and balancing. The childminder has a very good understanding of the necessity of fresh air and exercise in promoting children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides sample menus for parents which demonstrate a very good understanding of nutrition. Foods are stored appropriately and the fridge temperature regularly taken. Currently, parents provide main meals for all children attending, this is parental choice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well cared for should they have an accident or become unwell in the childminder's care as she has a current first aid qualification and keeps meticulous records of children's health, accidents and medication administered.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe and well protected as the childminder pays very good attention to safety. She very closely supervises children, keeping them with her at all times. She risk assesses her home and makes good use of precautionary equipment, such as stair gates, chair harnesses, film to cover low glass and carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to protect children from harm. She has given careful thought to an evacuation plan for an emergency situation to further protect children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The good selection of toys are thoughtfully chosen to meet the needs of the children present. The resources challenge children to progress further, consequently children are interested and absorbed, giving prolonged attention to toys and activities. Some resources are made from natural materials, such as wood and metal. Toys are easily accessible to children allowing them to choose what they play with and to develop their independence. Children have excellent space in the through lounge to move and play independently and toddlers have good space to practise pulling to standing and walking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected as the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues and procedures and has a clear written procedure which she shares with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder knows the children in her care very well and is very able to describe their characters and preferred learning styles. She takes her lead from children and learns alongside them, effectively supporting their learning. For example, when a baby points at a picture of a baby and says 'bbbbb', she responds 'Yes baby'. The childminder is alert to babies and responds immediately to their prompts indicating they are interested or tired.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a good range of activities, they play actively crawling through tunnels and imaginatively at shop and in the play house. Their dexterity is challenged and improved as they thread beads along a wire and place bricks into a container. Their social skills are extended as

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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 they attend toddler group and rhythm and rhyme sessions at the library and learn to share and take turns. Children do not frequently experience planned opportunities to use senses, such as smell, or to play in different media, such as water or gloop.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder records her useful observations of children and uses these observations very well to plan children's next steps in learning, linking them to the Early Years Foundation Stage. She shares information with parents about the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder works closely with parents and has a clear understanding of their role as primary carers. She takes care to communicate effectively with them and to follow their wishes, for example by adhering to the same sleeping and eating routines as at home. Parents describe her as competent, attentive and composed and state their children have developed well in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Excellent written communication, in the form of policies and procedures, daily diaries and a portfolio of information, gives parents a very clear picture of the care their child receives. The positive relationships developed by the childminder with parents successfully support children's wellbeing through consistent care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved as they are constantly rewarded with praise and encouragement which boosts their self-esteem and confidence. To ensure children receive consistent messages the childminder agrees a written behaviour management strategy with individual parents which both she and the parents sign.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated as individuals and through books and puzzles that represent different cultures and abilities are helped to appreciate and value differences.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in an environment that is well organised to meet their needs, providing them with opportunities to explore, move freely and to rest. Children play with good quality toys that have been selected to meet their individual needs.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to providing children with good quality care. She regularly attends relevant training and implements what she has learnt which benefits the children in her care.

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Organisation

The childminder prominently displays her registration certificate. There are clear well written policies and procedures in place which are followed in practice. All required documentation is in place and is reviewed to ensure it is current and this enables the childminder to meet the needs of children and parents very well.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children attending.

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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 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): • plan to provide experiences for babies and toddlers that help them to explore using all their senses and especially that of smell.

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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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