Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY363291 Unique Reference Number 15 July 2008 Inspection date Dawn Biggers Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and children aged 11 and 13 years in Redland/Westbury Park, Bristol. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and an upstairs bedroom for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding 11 children under eight all of who attend on a part-time basis. The home is within walking distance of the local school, park and shops. The family have a pet rabbit and guinea pig who live in the garden.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She has gained the Montessori International Diploma in early childhood.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and children for whom English is an additional language.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children begin to learn about good hygiene routines and practices. Younger children are supported well whilst developing independence, for example, washing their hands after using the toilet and before snack time, using a low level sink. The childminder acts as a good role model, therefore hygiene procedures are a high priority. Toys are regularly cleaned and the play areas are well maintained and ventilated. Good procedures for children who are unwell and effective hand washing facilities sustain high levels of hygiene and prevent the spread of infection, for example, children use individual flannels. Effective nappy changing procedures also minimise this, for example, the childminder uses a mat and washes her hands. There are procedures in place for administering medication and recording accidents. However, the medication records lack some detail and permission has not be obtained to seek any necessary

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

emergency medical treatment. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. She shares her health policy, providing good information about her practises and procedures for parents. Good procedures for the care of animals are maintained to safeguard children, for example, the rabbit and guinea pig are cleaned regularly, children wash their hands after contact and the garden is checked daily for any animal faeces.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to develop awareness of healthy foods, as the childminder provides a good range of nutritious snacks and light meals, for example, fresh fruit, sandwiches, soup and omelette. Children participate in food preparation and enjoy eating vegetables they have grown from the garden. The childminder liaises very closely with parents ensuring children's dietary needs are met well, for instance, they discuss food allergies and information is clearly obtained about what they can eat and parents also provide meals as discussed. Drinks are regularly provided and young children start to develop awareness of their own fluid, for instance, they access their own drink at snack time and a younger child is bottle fed, as their liquid intake is closely monitored and recorded.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to learn the importance of physical activity in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They participate in a good range of activities, for example, they develop control of their body and coordination using the tricycles, soft balls and manoeuvring the buggy and push along toys. They receive fresh air and daily exercise in all weather, when walking, using the garden and visiting the park. They enjoy quieter activities, for example, looking at the books and young children rest according to their routine.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children thoroughly enjoy their play in a clean, secure and well maintained environment. This is welcoming with photographs displayed on each child's coat peg and pictures displayed at a low level on the wall. Children move very confidently whilst developing their large muscle skills, for instance they crawl and pull themselves to stand. They access a good range of age appropriate toys and equipment, such as sensory materials and a treasure basket displayed on the floor and choose books with music from the low-level shelves. Equipment and resources are maintained to a very high standard and organised well to meet the interests and needs of the children. These are displayed well and also maximise the space and manoeuvrability for a young mobile child. Toys are rotated and take account of the age of the child and safety of the younger peers.

p.3

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 Good priority is given to maintaining children's safety at home as the childminder acts as a good role model. Therefore identified hazards are very promptly acted upon, for instance, a stair gate is closed to safeguard a younger child crawling. Children are safe whilst in the highchair as a harness is used at meal times. Activities encourage children to be aware of younger peer’s safety, for instance they put the cutting activity away on the side out of their reach. Good safety measures are in place; therefore children are protected well from potential hazards. For example, doors are secure with keys accessible but out of the reach of children, safety gates and socket covers are used effectively throughout the home and a baby monitor is used for a resting child. The childminder has an effective devised written evacuation plan, considering

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

how children leave the home safely in an emergency and this is practised occasionally with them. Good fire safety equipment is available, such as a blanket, and smoke alarm checks are completed regularly.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good procedures are in place to safeguard children for outings, as the childminder discusses and uses rules, such as 'look left and right', whilst using the green cross code. She encourages young children's awareness of road safety by acting as a good role model. Therefore children are closely supervised and hold on to the scarf attached to the buggy. The childminder's good practices include carrying emergency contact details and these are easily accessible. She uses good age-appropriate safety equipment, such as pushchair and car seats.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well-being is safeguarded well. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and her role and responsibilities. Most of the referral procedures are available and discussed with parents informing them of her practice. The childminder has previously attended training in supporting her present knowledge and understanding of her procedures.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children flourish as they have many stimulating experiences that promote all aspects of their learning and development. They thoroughly enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They are extremely happy, confident and mostly very settled. They make very positive relationships with the childminder and their peers, for example, snuggling on her lap or sitting very close, whilst listening to a story and enjoy the toys introduced, as well as the many choices they make, such as the cutting and sticking activities. Young children use their large muscles skills and co-ordination well, crawling, pulling themselves to stand and push and pull the cars on the garage. They use many gestures and vocal sounds to communicate, for instance whilst exploring the large, hard sea shells in their mouth from the treasure basket they 'coo' with pleasure and make babbling noises. They are very responsive listening and imitating sounds. Children's

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

exceptional relationships are warm and secure, for instance, they engage with the younger children and include them in their play, for instance, sharing the cars and making room for them.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate exceptionally well to the childminder and thrive through her warm, stimulating conversations, fluent interactions and imaginative ideas. Children are introduced to wonderful sensory experiences, which they fully explore, for example, they touch and feel the play dough and pour with the jugs. Children fully explore using their senses, for example, they put the whisk from the treasure basket to their mouth and fully engage when listening to the sounds of the musical instruments. They close their eyes with pleasure when they snuggle into their rabbit. The childminder's skilful ability to judge when to introduce additional toys like the books and creative materials further encourages their excellent curiosity and concentration. Children

p.4

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 use language exceptionally well sharing with a peer and childminder 'were going to do the world puzzle'. They skilfully use the xylophone making wonderful sounds. Younger children are fully included as they touch and listen to the frog as the childminder clicks this and they hold and shake the bells. Children are very effectively engaged they experiment very freely using the scissors to help them make a model with the play dough. They are extremely interested in the audio song books and concentrate, being very observant to the pictures and eagerly listen. Activities very effectively support their learning, for instance whilst playing with the post van they then cut some letters and later see the post person deliver a parcel.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder shows great sensitively and understanding of children's needs and preferences to ensure activities and routines are fulfilling. For example, they have opportunities to be active, rest and eat at times that suit their needs and their own interests and independence are considered paramount within her flexible planning of activities. Topics very effectively support their learning and within the Montessori approach natural resources are used extremely well to encourage their awareness of sounds, letters, colours, shape and numbers. Excellent systems are implemented to track and monitor children's progress and this includes observation, tracking records and photographs, as well as discussion. Therefore children make rapid progress.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Praise and encouragement acknowledges children's achievements well and this boosts their self-esteem and confidence. Therefore, they practise new learnt skills and persevere, for example, whilst cutting with the scissors. Children begin to show care and concern, for instance including them in their play by sharing the toys. The childminder has a consistent, sensitive approach to behaviour management and acts as a good role model, for instance, she is polite and thanks a child for tidying away. Children effectively engage in the activities and are well behaved and cooperative.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides an inclusive environment, she engages all the children in the activities, such as with the garage and audio story books and musical instruments. She liaises very closely with parents to support children individually, for instance with their language development and particular requirements, ensuring routines and activities are discussed with them to support therefore safety and well-being and overall inclusion.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses topics well, such as the weather and seasons, and activities develop their understanding further, for instance, as they use a daily weather chart. Parents are fully involved as they bring in pictures relevant to the topic and these are used during an activity related to the summer, such as sea pictures. Children develop good awareness of the local community as they go on walks, visit the park, library, bakers and shops. They explore the wider world in the garden as they grow vegetables and plant cress seeds. They show good interest in the local community as they watch the dustcart from the window collecting the rubbish and see the postman delivering a parcel. They feel valued as discussion often relates to their family, for example, whilst using the map of the world puzzle the childminder talks about their daddy visiting Japan. Resources effectively promote a positive view of the wider world, for instance,

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

they access a good range of books, role play such as Chinese tea cups, chop sticks, dressing up clothes and musical instruments. They see positive images and a photo box with pictures of themselves which value them well within the setting. Resources are used well in identifying countries from around the world, for example, they use a globe to see where they live and a map of the world is displayed. Activities include celebrations and music from around the world,

p.5

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 such as, Chinese New Year, Christmas and valentines, where they make craft items such as an advent calendar and try foods from around the world.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Good relationships are established with the parents and feed back provided states how happy they are with care and settling in process. The childminder provides and displays written information about her practice and good range of activities. There are clear agreements and the childminder liaises with them well discussing the children's individual needs, for instance, dietary requirements and routines. The childminder informs parents of their day, through daily discussions, by providing written information about their day in a diary and shares their achievements and progress very effectively through observations, using tracking records and photographs. Therefore, parents feel fully included in their children's experiences and can contribute to the topics by bringing for example, pictures in related to this.

p.6

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are mostly settled and very happy, they are familiar with the home. They enjoy playing with a good variety of resources and organised activities. The childminder has a clear but flexible routine and weekly plan. She uses the play areas well to provide children with a good range of stimulating experiences. She organises her time effectively to give children individual attention. She liaises well with parents and this supports children's care, but also allows flexibility in meeting their individual needs.

p.6

Organisation

The childminder shares her good range of policies and procedures with parents from the start and keeps them well informed about the service and their child's activities. There is a clear procedure in place for complaints and implementing a record from parents. The documentation is organised well and maintains children's confidentiality. Most of the consents are in place to promote children's welfare, care and learning. The childminder has begun to develop her practice by attending and identifying relevant training courses. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.7

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.

p.7

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): • improve procedures for administering medication and request permission from parents to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future.

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7