Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY366119 Unique Reference Number 29 April 2008 Inspection date Ferroza Saiyed 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 child aged 13 months. They live in the village of Poulton-le-Fylde in Lancashire.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family pets are two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding two children under the age of five. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Arrangements for pets successfully promote high levels of hygiene. The childminder ensures they do not pose a health risk to children. The cats are regularly wormed and vaccinated at the vets and are clearly well looked after. Children are exceedingly well protected from infection

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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 promptly taken care of if they have an accident or become ill. The childminder rigorously follows current environmental health and hygiene guidelines. Comprehensive policies are in place including medication, accident and existing injury records. These are systematically countersigned by parents to promote children’s continuing care. Children have exceptionally good knowledge and understanding of good personal care routines, such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before a cooking activity. They spontaneously use the antibacterial pump soap and their individual towels in the bathroom. There are excellent nappy changing and toilet training facilities and procedures; children's privacy and dignity is always maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and subsequently children develop their physical and emotional well-being in a extensive range of stimulating indoor and outdoor activities. They are able to gain lots of exercise and fresh air from supervised outdoor play in the garden, the park and other local outings. They also have opportunities to socialise with other children and adults as they attend children’s activity play settings. These activities contribute effectively towards a healthy lifestyle and help children to develop control of their bodies. Children delight in playing football in the hall using a soft ball, this enables them to develop muscle tone and coordination. They have great fun in the park, climbing and sliding down, and enjoy themselves at the activity centre.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have learnt the importance of eating healthily. The childminder continually reinforces this by regularly providing a balanced range of nutritional food and drinks. As a result, children’s daily nutritional requirements are extremely well met. In addition, food preparation procedures are consistently good. There are visual reminders in the dining area promoting fruit and vegetables. The childminder encourages children to eat five portions a day. Children help to make pizza for their lunch, and childminder talks to them about where pizza comes from as they choose the vegetables to put on their pizza. Mealtime is treated as a social occasion. Self-help skills are significantly developed such as serving and selecting. This inspires children to respond well to mealtime routines. The above measures significantly enhance children’s physical and emotional health and well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are very welcoming, comfortable, clean and extremely well organised for children to use safely. Children benefit very well from being able to access the areas with close supervision and support from the childminder. The childminder encourages children to be aware of safety, both in and outside the home and in daily routines and activities. She ensures the premises are safe and secure for children, for example, comprehensive risk assessments are in place for inside and outside the home to reduce any potential hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Opportunities are provided for children to learn about fire safety through practising the emergency evacuation procedure. In addition, appropriate care is taken when children are out of the home environment and in the community. For example, they are helped to understand about road safety and being aware of traffic through activities and topics. Children’s welfare is ensured by the childminder having relevant documentation in place in relation to safety, for example, current public liability insurance and consent for taking children on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is easy child access to an excellent range of good quality equipment and resources so they can play in safety. Children are protected as the childminder ensures that the toys, equipment and furniture are in a safe and clean condition by checking items regularly. She

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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 ensures the toys and play resources are appropriate for the age and stage of development of each child.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are professionally safeguarded because the childminder has secure knowledge and understanding of her role in child protection. She knows the appropriate procedures to follow should a concern arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have an extremely positive relationship with the childminder. They engage the childminder in their activities, laughing and making gestures with her, which develops their self-esteem and gives them a sense of belonging. They are provided with a broad range of resources from which they can self-select and make decisions about their play. Children are independent as they choose from a variety of stimulating and exciting toys, books and activities. For example, children play with the train and cars, and take pleasure from musical instruments. However, there are few natural resources for children to choose from. The childminder is enthusiastic and plans a very good range of opportunities and activities which are organised around particular themes of interest. However, the activities are not always evaluated, which means the childminder can not assess the benefit to children's development and learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from adult-directed activities, such as making, baking and cooking. Children help to bake buns and ice them with various coloured toppings. This promotes their creativity, development and enjoyment. As a result they become confident to extend their knowledge in a creative and meaningful way.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing meaningful social relationships when they play with other children at the setting. They develop their language through the use of books and communication skills; they actively contribute and take part, expressing their own ideas and thoughts. The indoor space, garden, visits to community groups and trips to places of interest all allow children to discover new environments and promote highly stimulating experiences. This provides them with inspiring and challenging opportunities to develop social and intellectual skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern and are fully included and involved. They are developing an awareness of diversity in the wider community, such as gender, ethnicity and disability, through relevant activities and resources. The childminder effectively promotes anti-discriminatory practice. There are good systems in place to provide for children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are courteous and behave well. The childminder demonstrated through discussion how minor differences are effectively managed and older children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own actions. Their good behaviour is consistently encouraged through positive role modelling, meaningful praise and valuing cooperative behaviour. As a result, children are learning to share, take turns and be kind during their play. This helps children to develop their self-esteem and respect for others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive relationships are fostered well and she ensures parents are fully informed of her care practice. Children are well looked after according to parents' wishes. Written parental consent

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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 is obtained for various childcare practices, such as transport and outings. The childminder respects confidentiality and shares relevant information with parents. Should the need arise there is a complaints procedure for parents to follow.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is competent and confident. She has developed an exceptionally clear vision and sense of purpose for the first-class service she provides. She demonstrates natural ability to transfer knowledge into positive action for children and this is clearly evident in the consistently good outcomes for children. Exemplary child care practices are highlighted in outstanding outcomes for children in Being Healthy and Organisation. She continually strives to enhance the quality of care by evaluating the service in partnership with children and parents. The childminder has interpreted the National Standards in a dynamic way and in the best interests of children.

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Organisation

Appropriate adult to child ratios are consistently maintained to provide exceedingly good quality care for children. There are clearly defined areas for different activities, which are professionally supported. Daily and weekly routines are established. As a result children feel secure in a predictable environment. This is evident in the positive outcomes for children.

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Organisation

All the required documentation is in place and most is meticulously maintained to promote children’s care, welfare and learning. Important notices are displayed for parents to view. Records are stored securely and maintained in an orderly way for easy access. Clearly written policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and countersigned by parents to keep them fully informed about the provision and their child's welfare.

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Organisation

The childminder places strong emphasis on confidentiality and shares relevant information with parents and nurseries. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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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Complaints 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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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): • consider the introduction of natural materials into play provision and further develop planning to include how the activities will be evaluated.

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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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