Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY362924 Unique Reference Number 02 May 2008 Inspection date Rachel Edwards 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 two children aged six and 10 years in Devizes. The house is within walking distance of schools, parks and shops. Only the ground floor is registered for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family do not have any pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for no more than five minded children under eight years at any one time. She currently looks after five children, who attend part-time. She is not registered to care for children overnight. The childminder is a member of the local childminding group and the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children lead very healthy lives whilst with the childminder. They are cared for in a clean home and use and play with clean toys and equipment. Children are taught the importance of good personal hygiene and young children quickly learn to manage this for themselves, for example,

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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 as they wash their hands before eating and help rinse fruit before eating it. Each child is given their own tooth brush and they enjoy cleaning their teeth after meals. Parents are informed that the childminder cannot care for children whilst they are unwell. These very hygienic procedures help protect children from illness and cross infection. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and well stocked first aid kit, so that she can deal appropriately with any accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a very good understanding of children's dietary needs. She provides a range of healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. Children love to help in the preparation of these, for example, making vegetable soup for lunch. They sit together for meals and are given plenty of time to chat and enjoy their food, which encourages them to eat well. Children are able to help themselves to drinks throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and physical play each day. They walk to and from school each day and often stop off at the park, where there is a good range of large equipment to climb and balance on. In the holidays, the older children enjoy taking balls and bikes to the park and with parents permission, several attend swimming courses. They make good use of the garden for a variety of activities, such as sand play, gardening and 'camping' in the tent.

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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 bright, welcoming and generally safe environment whilst they are with the childminder. She takes every opportunity to help children learn to keep themselves safe, for example, they practise leaving the house in an emergency, talk about fire safety and reinforce their learning through visiting the fire station and role play. Whilst out and about they learn about road safety and the childminder gradually allows them more freedom as they become more responsible. The childminder has taken steps to make her home safe for children, for example, the house and garden are secure so they cannot wander off and visitors cannot enter uninvited. Chemicals and sharp objects are safely out of children's reach, however, not all low level electrical sockets are covered is a danger to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection issues and her role in safeguarding children's welfare. She would be able to act in a child's best interests if she had concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children love the time they spend with the childminder. She provides a wide range of activities that all children enjoy and help them develop their social, emotional, physical and intellectual skills very well. Children are very happy and settled and become very confident with growing independence. They demonstrate a strong sense of belonging as they move around the house choosing toys they need and seeking help and comfort from the childminder when needed. The childminder shows children a great deal of warmth and affection and she continually praises children's efforts so that children feel good about themselves. Excellent relationships between her and the children are evident.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children thoroughly enjoy the wide range of practical activities provided by the childminder. She follows children's interests and explores topics thoroughly with them, adapting activities well so that all ages and abilities can join in. For example, they visited the local museum and

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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 became interested in fossils and old coins found in the area. Following this, even the very young children enjoyed hunting for fossils and finding interesting stones on walks. They regularly use the internet, television and books to find out more. A very popular activity with all the children is a weekly music session, playing instruments, recording their voices and singing into the Karaoke machine. The younger children especially enjoy the messy activities she provides, such as cooking, painting or playing in garden compost.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to explore and develop their natural curiosity, for example, in a storm they collected hail stones and compared them with ice cubes, discovering as they melted that both were made from water. The childminder tries to instil a love of books in the children. They regularly visit the library and choose books to bring home. She reads stories to children of all ages and the youngest enjoy snuggling up on the sofa to look at the pictures. If parents wish and children are willing, she supports them with their homework, for example, they all learn their weekly spellings together. The childminder is constantly looking for ways to excite and engage children's interest. For example, after they had enjoyed a television programme on fish, they went pond dipping to see what they could find.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are warmly welcomed by the childminder and her family. She treats all children as individuals and recognises and caters for their differing needs and preferences. The childminder is trilingual and her family have lived in several different European countries and she shares her knowledge of these different languages and cultures with the children. She regularly invites friends from different backgrounds to share their culture with the children, for example, by cooking pasta together and this helps the children appreciate how people and families differ. Children with additional needs are well supported so that they can enjoy participating in all activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children generally behave very well. The childminder clearly explains the boundaries for acceptable behaviour so that children know and respect the house rules. She works closely with parents so that children receive consistent messages. Young children are effectively supported as they learn to share and take turns and they learn to be aware of others' needs and feelings, for example, by reminding a child that the baby may be frightened of a mask.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive good information through discussion and detailed written policies which outline the service provided. They are very well informed about their child's day through daily discussions and diaries used for each child to exchange information. The childminder takes lots of photographs which further reassure parents that their children are enjoying their time with her. It is clearly explained to parents how to make a complaint and how to contact the regulator, Ofsted, should they wish to do so.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's health, safety and welfare all benefit from the very good organisation of the childminder. She is committed to providing good quality care and constantly reflects on her practice to seek further improvement. She regularly attends relevant training and enjoys meeting with other childminders to share aspects of good practice. She is a member of the National Childminding Association which helps her keep up to date with child care issues. She organises

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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 her home well for childminding purposes and plans her daily routine well to meet the various needs of all the children.

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Organisation

All the legally required records, register and parental agreements are in place. The paperwork is well organised and stored securely. Parents are well informed about the service provided. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she 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 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): • ensure that all electrical sockets accessible to children are covered

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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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