Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY355741 Unique Reference Number 07 May 2008 Inspection date Alison Margaret Walker 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 two children aged four years and 18 months, in Harrogate in North Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childcare purposes, along with a first floor bathroom and toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for three children aged two, three and six years on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school and pre-school to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The childminder promotes excellent hygiene routines with all the children throughout the day, giving constant reminders. Older children very clearly understand why they need to wash their hands after toileting and before eating and do this independently and enthusiastically. For

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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 example, they wash their hands before helping the childminder to make their snack and they explain this is to wash away all those germs. Effective arrangements are in place for first aid and administering medication. Very effective routines to prevent infection are in place, for example, regular cleaning of toys and equipment, such as cleaning the balls in the ball pool and sieving the play sand.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a valid first aid certificate which she always keeps up to date. There is a fully stocked first aid kit available in the kitchen and also one for outings along with antibacterial gel and wipes to ensure any infection is prevented. The childminder has completed a health and safety course for early years settings which has complimented her already very good practice. A concise written sickness policy is in place and this is clearly explained to the parents at the time of placement. They are all asked to sign to say they have read and understood it and are given a copy. The childminder has a detailed section in her parents' file relating to health. This includes: information on the exclusion periods for infectious diseases; procedures if their child becomes ill; sample menus; and the provision of sun and nappy creams. Also included are photographs of children involved in healthy activities, such as exercise and eating

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Helping children to be healthy

healthy food. This shows the childminder's commitment to promoting health and hygiene in all areas with the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are extremely well nourished. They receive very healthy well-balanced meals, snacks, drinks, such as dried fruit, fresh fruit, bread sticks, yogurts, cereals, fresh meat, vegetables, pasta and rice. The childminder's written food and drinks policy clearly explains to parents what is provided and why. For example, that the childminder encourages the children to try different food to use their senses and try different produce throughout the seasons. Children confidently try different food and express their likes and dislikes, such as liking oranges and shepherd's pie but not mushrooms. The children are able to freely access drinks at all times which consist of water and juice. The childminder encourages the children to drink plenty, particularly when it is warm and after exercise. The childminder has a 'five a day' chart which the children enjoy completing to show how many pieces of fruit and vegetables they have had through the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are regularly involved in helping to prepare their own meals, such as fruit kebabs and pizzas. This contributes to their understanding and interest in healthy eating as the childminder explains about which food is good for them. All food and drink is provided in full agreement with the parents. All information on each child's individual dietary needs, likes and dislikes are recorded accurately by the childminder before the child starts attending and these are regularly updated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thoroughly enjoy an extensive range of activities which contribute to their good health and physical well-being. They play in the garden on a wide variety of high quality small and large physical equipment, enjoy walks to local places of interest and visit the local parks and soft play centres on a regular basis. The childminder makes walking fun as they look and talk about what they see as they go along. She organised a sponsored toddle walk with her minded children and their parents. This was very successful raising money for charity. Children begin to understand that they are raising money for children not as fortunate as themselves whilst taking part in an enjoyable walk. Parent are impressed on how much their children enjoy walking since going to the childminder. Children are able to sleep according to their needs and parents' wishes. Some sleep in travel cots in the lounge, others may sleep in their pushchair and others

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Helping children to be healthy

may rest on the settee. All children are closely supervised by the childminder and she also uses a baby monitor.

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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

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are very well cared for in an extremely welcoming, secure and safe environment. There is excellent evidence of children’s play and creative activity. The children enjoy attending very much, settle well and are happy and confident. Space is used constructively and activities are very well organised. There is a play area specifically designated to childminding. There is very suitable low-level storage so children can see what is available and can help themselves. They have access to an extensive selection of age-appropriate toys, furniture and equipment which are very safe and well maintained, ensuring that the needs of all the children attending are fully met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes very thorough steps to ensure the children's safety inside her home and outside her home. All electric sockets are covered, a fire blanket is sited in the kitchen and written risk assessments are done regularly on all areas used. The childminder has a written fire evacuation procedure and it is practised with the children on a monthly basis and recorded. She has taken advice from the fire authority regarding the situation of her smoke alarms.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are protected from persons who have not been vetted as they are closely supervised at all times by the childminder. Documentation to confirm all household members over the age of 16 years have been vetted is readily available for parents to view. The childminder's written policies, procedures and documentation are in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She has completed several training courses and demonstrates a very sound understanding of child protection procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are developing their confidence and self-esteem exceptionally well. They are able to freely select from an extensive range of quality resources and use their initiative very well. The toys are freely accessible to all the children. For example, when playing in the garden the childminder brings a wide selection of play resources outside and organises these creatively to encourage self-selection. These include a low-level ball pool, sand, water, table-top activities, musical instruments, a treasure basket, a chalk board and boxes of toys. The playhouse door is open and children freely help themselves to toys of their choice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very competently acquiring new knowledge and skills on a daily basis. The childminder plans a very rich range of topics and the children have just enjoyed finding out about growing looking at the growth cycle of butterflies, frogs, plants and themselves. This involved various outings, planting activities, looking at books, playing with small world mini beasts, looking at pictures and visiting the garden centre. The children now show a very keen interest in plant and wildlife. When playing they are able to identify a red-eyed tree frog from a picture and explain about bees producing honey.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have become competent in recognising the sound of different letters and linking this to objects through daily activities. The children are currently working through the alphabet looking at a letter a week. The childminder makes this into a really enjoyable activity; for example, when looking at the letter O the children make their own orange juice and print with oranges. They help twisting the orange on the juicer and take delight in the end product and tasting the juice. The childminder takes every opportunity to develop the children's interest,

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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 she explains about whole and half as she cut the orange and the children explore the different textures of the orange, talking about how it feels. Children are learning about recycling by visiting a local site and enjoying putting newspapers into the recycling bin, understanding that they can then be used again. They are beginning to understand how this can help protect the environment. They show a keen interest in numbers, for example, they identify sea creatures and mini beasts by the number of legs they have got. They explain a spider and octopus have eight legs. They compare this with how many legs they have.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are very sociable and have regular opportunities to mix with other children. Children relate extremely well to the childminder and are very relaxed in her care. She maintains eye contact with them and talks to them at their level. The childminder is constantly talking to the children, valuing what they say and do, which significantly enhances their confidence, communication and language skills. The childminder is highly skilled, motivated and dedicated to promoting the highest quality of care and education to all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Partnership with parents is excellent. The childminder offers a very flexible service to fit in with parents' work patterns. She works very closely with all parents to meet children’s individual needs, such as dietary requirements, sleep patterns and administration of medication. Detailed information is collected on the children, such as their families, likes, dislikes, religion and health history. This is regularly updated with parents. Comprehensive information is given to prospective parents in a detailed information pack, which the childminder thoroughly explains to them. There is an attractive weekly noticeboard informing parents of what their child will be doing. Parents are consulted at all times and kept regularly informed of their child's day and achievements, with lots of positive written and photographic evidence. This is given through personal files for each child which they can take home at any time and parents can contribute

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to. The personal files give a very clear reflection of what the children do and enjoy at the childminder's and they are a delight to read.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing a very good understanding of responsible behaviour. They are encouraged to be polite, share and be kind to each other and are praised for doing so. They gain a very well-balanced awareness of their local environment and the diversity of the wider world through an outstanding selection of resources and activities that promote positive images. For example, role play, dressing up, books about different cultures, small world figures depicting disability and dolls with different facial expressions and different skin tones. They regularly enjoy activities about different cultural festivals and celebrations throughout the year. Children are fully included in all activities and receive ongoing support and encouragement from the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The children are extremely happy, comfortable and settled. This is because the childminder ensures the children have consistent routines which meet their individual needs. She uses her time, space and resources appropriately to create a thoroughly stimulating, interesting and very safe environment for the children. The children are closely supervised by the childminder at all times. The childminder is aware of all legal requirements; for example, she knows to notify Ofsted of any changes relating to her childminding and she displays her registration certificate.

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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 She is very committed to extending her knowledge by regularly attending training and reading childcare publications to keep up to date with all new legislation and initiatives. For example, the Early Years Foundation Stage. She embraces any changes with enthusiasm and commitment.

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Organisation

All the required documentation is in place and is stored in a very organised manner to make it easily accessible but still maintaining confidentiality. The excellent organisation contributes to the very effective management of the childminding service she provides. 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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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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