Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY331300 Unique Reference Number 08 May 2008 Inspection date Lisa Paisley 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 2006. She lives with her husband and one child aged five years in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. All areas of the childminder’s house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and when working with another minder, she is registered to care for a maximum of six children at anyone time. The childminder is currently minding five children under five all day and part-time; five children over five after school and occasionally the school holidays. She walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a cat and rabbit as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are exceptionally well protected from the spread of infection as the childminder applies excellent standards of hygiene to ensure their good health. The home is exceptionally clean and well-maintained. Proactive steps are taken to protect the children's health, for example, they are gently reminded to wash their hands after playing in the garden and before mealtimes. Visual notices and pictures remind children to wash their hands. Children have access to warm running water, liquid soap and individual hand towels minimising the risk of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has excellent procedures and policies in place to record accidents, medication administered and for the treatment of emergency and medical advice. This means that parents are kept informed and their wishes are acknowledged and adhered to. The childminder is able to provide appropriate treatment in the event of children having an accident, because she has undertaken relevant first aid training.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thrive in the healthy environment where they frequently enjoy fresh air and exercise. They enjoy an excellent range of physical activities which helps keep them healthy such as walks to the local park, beach and woods. There are also regular planned outings further a field, for example, Hadleigh castle, Hyde Hall and Marsh Farm. All children have access to physical play through the range of resources the childminder provides, which are mainly outside. Children have very good opportunities to rest and be active, according to their individual needs, in the home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of healthy meals, which are provided by the childminder, including breakfast, snacks, lunches and teas. There is a vegetable patch in the garden where children become actively involved in growing foods such as carrots and potatoes that they will eventually eat. Meals consider individual children’s needs, with older children involved in the choice and planning of meals. These are served to children in a well organised social setting, where children develop a excellent range of social skills. For example, older children are involved in setting the table, helping younger children and all children take part in discussions about the day's events. Drinks are freely available, ensuring children remain hydrated during the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Exceptional safety precautions have been taken to minimise accidents. For example, all low-level electrical sockets are protected, all cleaning materials and sharp knives are inaccessible to the children and the garden is safe and secure ensuring children cannot leave unsupervised. There is a detailed emergency evacuation plan in place and this is regularly practised with all children and the outcome recorded. The childminder carries out a wide range of checks on the house to ensure the environment is safe for children and these are recorded in the detailed risk assessment. The risk of accidents outside the home is reduced, because the childminder is conscientious about ensuring children are safe whilst on outings. For example, all children are safely restrained in the car, as she is aware of changes to legislation. The childminder ensures children are supervised at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Space is exceptionally well organised and enables children to freely explore and take risks while being protected from harm. Children's artwork is displayed valuing their achievements. Attractive

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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 child-sized furniture is provided for children to sit and play together and a settee is available for relaxation. Children access an extensive and outstanding range of good quality, safe and suitable toys and resources that are creatively displayed for independent choice. Children know how to keep themselves safe in the home as they tidy away toys after use and they know not to enter the kitchen. Children practise regular fire drills with the childminder, ensuring that they know how to evacuate the home in the event of an emergency or an incident.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully safeguarded. The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the different types and possible signs of abuse. She knows the procedure to be followed if she has a concern about a child, including contact details of social services and the police. There is a comprehensive written child protection policy in place, which informs parents of her role and responsibilities; this is discussed in detail with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children play and learn in a creative, calm and secure environment. They enjoy effective and purposeful interaction with the childminder who sits with the children and is interested and actively involved in their play, for example, sharing stories and completing puzzles. Children confidently choose toys and the childminder varies their play through a range of different activities and resources. Activity plans covers the six areas of learning and include evaluations of activities and children's comments and views of activities provided. Consequently, children's comments inform future activity plans and activities closely match children's interests and abilities. The childminder has obtained a copy of the Early Years Foundation Stage and she is beginning to develop her understanding of the topics through both reading and training. As a result, the childminder is beginning to implement these within her care of young children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children are provided with an extensive range of activities such as painting, role play, construction, books, puzzles, sand and board games. During the warmer weather children have free-flow indoor and outdoor play. Children are able to use their own ideas to further develop their imaginations and self-expression. Photographs are taken of activities, trips out and artwork; these are shared with both the children and parents. As a result, children have access to an excellent range of play activities and experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children enjoy their time at the childminder's home, as they are able to make choices with regard to their own play activities, they have opportunities to relax, complete their homework and spend time interacting with the younger children. The childminder ensures that older children are excellent role models for the younger children. All children are able to distinguish between right and wrong as the childminder uses a range of appropriate and sensitive strategies for managing children's behaviour. They develop confidence and self-esteem as the childminder encourages children to try new tasks, providing appropriate support, patience, sensitivity and praise, always supporting the child's strengths. Children learn about the world and their environment through regular local outings to the park, library and woods. They learn to socialise with others and receive an excellent balance of home-based play opportunities with

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

first-hand, practical experiences and outside play activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder provides an extensive range of toys and resources, which reflect the diversity of society. These are extended through the childminder's practical knowledge and experience

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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 of other cultures such as Indian and Japanese cultures. Her positive approach to equality is reflected in her comprehensive written equal opportunities policy. A range of fun and exciting activities encourage children to develop an understanding of all aspects of society and thus supplement their learning. She talks with children and explains to them how to value and respect differences, extending and developing children's understanding and respect each child's individuality. They show care, concern and respect for each other and talk about valuing differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has a very positive approach to this subject and an excellent understanding of how she would adapt her practice to be fully inclusive. She develops children's understanding of disabilities through a wide range of toys, resources, discussions, debates and through reading books together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is exceptionally well managed in a calm, quiet manner. Children are very well behaved, polite and considerate towards one another as the childminder promotes a calm, quiet environment valuing respect for one another. Children are co-operative, they are able to share and co-operate in their play and follow requests from the childminder, for example, washing hands before snacks. The childminder manages the children's behaviour exceptionally well, as she uses positive praise and encouragement to reinforce good behaviour. This develops children's understanding of right and wrong and to begin to understand the consequences of their behaviour. Exemplary attention is given to promoting positive behaviour with all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very professional, positive and friendly approach towards her working relationship with parents. Ensuring successful relationships have been developed with parents to ensure that the childminder has an exceptional working knowledge and understanding of the needs of individual children. Daily verbal information is shared very effectively and the childminder ensures parents are aware of all aspects of their child's care throughout the day such as the provision for meals and activities they have undertaken. Parents with younger children receive daily written feedback and regular written observations and photographs of daily activities. She ensures parents read and understand her policies and procedures, as she provides them with a copy, encouraging parents to take these home to read further. The childminder makes time to discuss these and all other issues with them, including her

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Helping children make a positive contribution

compliments and complaints book, which they are able to freely access. This provides a firm basis for partnership working, which has a very positive impact on the care on the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are empowered in the well-organised, child-centred environment in which they come first. Play experiences and activities are exceptionally organised to accommodate children's individual needs, supporting their individual progress. Children are supervised effectively at all times and daily routines are planned to incorporate school collections and individual time with younger children.

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Organisation

Children are cared for in an environment where all adults have been vetted and systems are in place to ensure their safety. An excellent range of policies and procedures, which are comprehensive, clearly formatted and accessible, are in place. Documentation is used to further promote the care and welfare of children. Records are continually updated enabling the childminder to spend her working day with the children.

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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 The childminder has completed the Introduction to Childminding Practice (ICP) and first aid training. She also identifies areas for personal development and she ensures that she is up-to-date and knowledgeable of current issues through attending training such as Safeguarding Children, Elklan Learning Initiatives and the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has recently become part of the local childminding network. As a result children benefit from the outstanding quality care.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed: to develop further resources with regard to diversity and ensure that written parental permission is in place regarding, outings, transport, photographs, sun cream, emergency treatment and emergency care. Resources have been further developed to ensure children develop a greater understanding of the wider society and written parental permission has been obtained with regard to outings, transporting children in a vehicle, photographs, sun cream, emergency treatment and care, ensuring parents have a very good understanding with regards to their child's overall care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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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