Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY357810 Unique Reference Number 23 July 2008 Inspection date Helen Penticost 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 daughter aged three years of age in Crawley, West Sussex. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children and is currently caring for five children all on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have cat and gold fish. The childminder is a member of a local childminder support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is very well promoted by the childminder's high standards of hygiene which she introduces to children. They learn to wash their hands and the childminder has recently changed the tap on the cloakroom sink to a lever tap, to ensure that children can washing their hands independently. Children have colour coded flannels, hand towels, blankets, sheets and cups to ensure that risks of cross infection are minimized. Children have access to an

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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 immaculately clean and hygienic environment which promotes their wellbeing at all times. The childminder requests information regarding children's health and medical needs, to ensure that appropriate care can be given. This is recorded thoroughly using national childminding association forms and record books. A comprehensive written sickness policy which is shared with parents and carers, ensures that all children are cared for within a very safe environment, which is free from infection. Children stay safe in the sun, as the childminder uses a sun cream chart, to enable her to know if all of the children have had sun cream applied.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and receive a range of very healthy and nutritious snacks and drinks throughout their minded day. The childminder provides a varied and nutritionally balanced diet and she cooks using fresh ingredients. Children sit together round the dining table which enables the children to share conversations with the childminder and each other. The childminder liaises closely with parents and carers regarding meal provision, allergies and preferences. During the inspection children enjoyed a snack of fresh fruit and water. Children enjoy meal and snack times that are well conducted, sociable and offer the children healthy choices.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical wellbeing is highly promoted, through either planned or spontaneous activities. These activities include trips to local parks where they practise climbing and balancing skills. This enables them to develop their large muscle movement and as a result children develop a positive attitude to physical exercise. Children develop a range of small muscle skills as they competently use a variety of construction equipment, for example, as they use crayons, pencils and other creative materials during craft activities. This promotes hand and eye co-ordination and finger control. Children are able to rest and sleep as they require.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Safe and secure premises are provided that are extremely suitable for caring for children. They have more than adequate space to move around freely and a good emphasis is given to ensuring the environment is welcoming for children, to aid their development. The childminder completes regular written risk assessments, identifying possible risks or hazards, and actively takes action with utmost importance. The outdoor play space is child friendly and very safe. The ground floor of the property is well set out to ensure that children can play, rest or have quiet times as they require. The use of suitable safety equipment prevents accidents, which ensures children's safety and wellbeing at all times. High priority is given to close supervision at all times and particularly when away from the childminding setting. A well thought through and practised fire evacuation procedure, gives the children a clear understanding of the importance of staying

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All children have access to a superb range of quality toys and resources which are suitable for their ages and stages of development. Resources have been carefully chosen to support children's play and are regularly checked for safety and hygiene. All children readily help themselves from the well organised selection of play equipment so they can follow their own interests.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All required documents and procedures are in place and consistently maintained to safeguard children's welfare. Children are very well protected as the childminder has an extremely clear understanding of child protection and has attended training to update and compound her knowledge and inform her practice. Parents and carers are made aware that the childminder's ultimate responsibility is the safety and welfare of the children she cares for.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children play extremely creatively and happily, with an excellent range of play materials and learning resources and the childminder utilises all play opportunities to extend children's learning and development. She constantly talks to the children, asking them questions, extending their language and guiding their play to further their development. Children share and co-operate extremely well, they take turns and enjoy playing alongside one another. The children undertake planting activities and have recently planted tomatoes and cucumber and they recycle any unused drinking water to water them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have regular outings; they visit the park, visit the library and regularly attend local toddler groups. This broadens children's experiences and enables them to socialise with other children on a frequent basis. Activities for children at home include art and craft, garden play, imaginative play, small world play, games, construction and sensory activities. There is a wealth of children's work on display, showing that they participate in an excellent range of activities. Activities that are undertaken mostly stem from children's interests. For example, a recycling topic developed from a child’s curiosity. The childminder encourages the children to help her in the daily recycling and they are aware of what can be recycled. She takes them to the recycling plant to enable children to see where their bottles and papers go. She then buys plastic bags that are made from recycled materials to show the children what can be produced.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show interest and curiosity in their surroundings, they thoroughly enjoy playing with the water play activity and squeal with delight when they splash in the water. This activity was very quickly planned, as at snack time one child was trying to pour his drink from one beaker to another. So after snack the childminder got out the water play to enable the child to pour and play in the water. Children receive extremely high levels of affection and they appear extremely happy, very relaxed and totally 'at home' in the childminder’s. She successfully shares her attention between all children and is extremely knowledgeable about all children in her care. There is a very comfortable book corner which is stocked with an abundance of age appropriate books and also comfy pillows for the children to sit on. The children regularly visit the library and the older children help the younger children choose suitable books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's sense of belonging is fully fostered through the warm, welcoming and homely atmosphere and the childminder's overwhelming dedication to their care. The children have extensive opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through outings to local parks and toddler groups. Children are exposed to different cultures, through planned activities, and to different languages, therefore increasing their knowledge and understanding of the wider world. For example, children learn basic phrases in Japanese. The childminder has experience of caring for children with additional needs. She ensures that all children's individual needs are clearly highlighted and met, enabling the planning and adaptation of care as required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well as they begin to learn right from wrong through the realistic boundaries set by the childminder. The childminder has a positive, clear and consistent approach to behaviour management, which means children know what is expected of them and they feel secure. Children play very happily together in the childminder's care, they learn to share and

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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 take turns as the childminder uses her effective skills to encourage and help them develop their relationships with one another.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's continuity of care is significantly promoted through the childminder's valued relationship with the parents and carers. Children's needs are effectively met because the childminder values each child, makes them feel important and threats them as an individual. Children's individual needs and requirements are discussed carefully and in detail with parents and carers prior to placement and on an on-going basis as they develop new skills and achieve milestones in their development. There is a verbal daily communication system and the childminder also uses contact books to communicate. She also uses "Ask me about" sheets for the older children to enable parents to discuss the activities that their child has undertaken on that day. Parents and carers have access to information on what the childminder has to offer, information about Ofsted and records.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is extremely well qualified and experienced to provide good quality care for children. She is a qualified Nursery Nurse and is pro-active in undertaking further training, such as first aid to update her existing knowledge. Children benefit from an exceptionally well organised routine and stimulating programme of activities. They are very happy, comfortable and settled in a warm and caring environment, where their individual needs are met. Indoors, the dedicated play room is set out with areas for play and the equipment is accessible to all children. The children spend their time purposefully and all activities are planned to maximise play, learning and development opportunities for the children, taking into account each child's individual needs.

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Organisation

Excellent and comprehensively written policies and procedures are in place, which are individual to the setting. All documentation which is regularly reviewed and updated is shared with parents to keep them well informed about the service. The childminder is very aware of her role in delivering a professional service that enables children to make good progress. She ensures that the children have a range of different experiences and has a very good knowledge and understanding of the Birth to three matters framework. Children benefit from the care of a childminder, who is highly motivated. She liaises with other childminders to discuss current childminding issues and provide a support system. 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. 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 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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