Hayes Rachel Linda

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 252059 Inspection date 29 November 2005 Inspector Sheena Gibson

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been a registered since 2000. She lives with her family, on the Ashfield Park development, on the outskirts of Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. Her home is close to the M1 motorway and the A38. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor, with toilet and sleeping facilities in this area. There is also access to a large, secure garden to the rear of the house for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children under the age of 8 years at any one time. When working with an assistant she may care for 6 children under 5 years. Currently there are 4 children on roll. The childminder regularly takes children to toddler groups. She has achieved the NVQ level 3 in Early Years

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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 Education and Childcare. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy as they are cared for in a warm, clean environment. They are beginning to understand the importance of washing their hands before eating, after visiting the toilet, and after touching animals. They enjoy brushing their teeth after meals, which contributes to keeping themselves healthy. However, there are minor gaps in practice, for example, toothbrushes being kept together, where germs may be passed from one child to the other. Children are suitably protected from the spread of illness and infection. A detailed sick child policy is in place and a copy given to parents to ensure consistency. Children are well cared for if they are unwell. They are cared for in a quiet environment and offered drinks and cuddles whilst waiting for their parents to collect them. The childminder and her assistant have a current first aid certificate and are therefore able to effectively deal with any minor

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Helping children to be healthy

accidents. Children are well nourished. A written record of their dietary requirements, likes and dislikes ensures that their needs are well met. They learn about the importance of healthy eating, through discussions with the childminder who sensitively encourages them to eat fruit and vegetables. They help to prepare sandwiches and snacks, supporting them to eat well. Children benefit from opportunities to take part in ample physical activities that promote their health. They play on bikes and with balls in the garden. They bounce and jump in soft play and use large scale equipment to challenge their climbing and balancing skills when at the park. Children's emotional well-being is fostered through the warm relationship they have with the childminder and her assistant.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very welcoming, secure and well maintained environment, where risks are identified and minimised. Their work is displayed in the play room, promoting a sense of belonging. Children are always within sight or hearing of the childminder. This means they are able to move around safely and independently, which increases their confidence. Security is effective, with external doors always being locked. This ensures that children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised and unwanted visitors cannot get in. Children enjoy accessing a room specifically set out to meet their needs. It contains comfortable furniture of a suitable size, and a variety of different types of storage, enabling children to access resources that are appropriate for their age. For example, young children cannot access toys with very small pieces. Children learn to keep themselves safe through the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder effectively reinforcing safe practices. For example, she gently reminds a young child not to put a crayon in his mouth. They also learn about safely crossing the road, they take part in regular fire evacuation drills and learn about keeping the playroom tidy to avoid tripping over toys. They benefit from the very good ratios, as

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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 the childminder works with an assistant. This ensures that children are very well supervised and supported at all times. Their welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities towards child protection, which has been raised through appropriate training. She has a good understanding of the appropriate action to take if she was concerned about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children settle quickly at the childminder's home, extremely eager to access the wide range of well presented, age appropriate resources. They have a warm and friendly relationship with the childminder and each other. The vibrant play room is equipped with a huge amount of resources to effectively support all areas of children's learning. They are confident in initiating their own play and are interested and excited by the activities. Daily routines are planned to meet children's needs and offer times to be active, to play closely with the childminder and also times to follow their own initiative. This ensures that children are making progress in their learning and developing increasing independence. Children's development is supported exceptionally well, as the childminder has an appropriate childcare qualification and is very skilled at encouraging children to learn through play. Their learning is extremely well promoted

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

as the childminder plans and provides activities and opportunities that are in line with the Foundation Stage early learning goals and 'Birth to three matters'. Children have excellent opportunities to be independent. They manage their own personal needs and put their own coats and shoes on. They help to make meals, select activities and make decisions about what to play with. They access some superb resources that support each area of learning. For example, they access a huge selection of books for all ages, abilities and tastes. They enthusiastically take part in story time, joining in through using soft toy characters. The childminder's excellent ability to promote language, through, for example, questioning, promotes the development of a broad and varied vocabulary. Children thoroughly enjoy dancing and other terrific opportunities to develop their imagination, such as dressing up, small world farm and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

dolls house; demonstrating fascination when playing with a very exciting 'kitchen', that has light and sound effects. They also use technology such as phones and the computer. They have fun learning to count and use mathematical language when playing a matching game. They create some great pictures and models during craft activities, when they independently use scissors and assembling materials. Wonderful activities, such as growing and eating herbs and vegetables, studying mini-beasts and visiting the nature reserve help them to learn about the natural world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and treated equally. Their individual needs are well met because the childminder has taken many positive steps to ensure she is well informed about their particular needs and having thorough settling-in periods. Children therefore benefit from an environment where they are stimulated and having fun. They have a sense of belonging as they access toys and books freely; they also choose which of

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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 their art to display and what to take home. They feel valued as the childminder listens carefully to what they have to say and is interested in what they do. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of how everyone positively contributes in society. Resources and activities, which promote and represent the wider community, are evident and well used. Children with special needs are well cared for as the childminder works closely with parents to ensure that their needs are well met. Children benefit from the childminder's awareness of creating a positive environment. The atmosphere in the setting is relaxed and happy. Both the childminder and her assistant have very positive dispositions. As a result children behave very well. A behaviour management policy is in place which is shared with parents ensuring

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Helping children make a positive contribution

consistency. The older children have been involved in devising the 'playroom code', a list of rules that they follow to ensure they respect each other. This promotes and supports children's well-being and self-esteem. Children benefit from a very good working relationship that the childminder has with their parents. Clear written records are maintained regarding children's needs. Parents are given a handbook, which details her policies and procedures supporting the continuity and consistency of care for children.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from being cared for by practitioners who are very well qualified, have good experience and are suitably checked. Their learning and development are exceptionally well promoted, as the childminder is knowledgeable and skilled. Children benefit from the childminder's positive attitude to improve her own practice through training and ensuring that she is up-to-date with practice issues. They benefit hugely from the way in which the childminder and assistant work together, who have an excellent relationship and support each other very well. Ratios are kept low and therefore both are able to offer first class, one-to-one care at times, enabling them to focus on specific areas of support and development for children. Space and resources are used very effectively. The playroom is vibrant and child based. Children are extremely enthusiastic about going to play in it and they make choices

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Organisation

from a rich and varied range of toys, all of which are in 'tip-top' condition. Excellent information is received from parents to ensure consistency of care. Superb written information, in the form of a handbook, is given to parents. It contains a huge amount of policies and procedures that ensure children's care is consistent and in line with parent's wishes and regulations. Regulatory records, policies and procedures are in place, extremely well organised and available for inspection. As a result, the provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a recommendation was given about continuing to develop the already good range of toys and equipment which reflect positive images of race, gender and religion. This has been well addressed through the purchase and development of a wide range of resources and activities.

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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

There have been no complaints reported to Ofsted since the 1st April 2004.

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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): • continue to review hygiene procedures to ensure that children are not at risk from cross infection.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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