Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY359188 Unique Reference Number 15 May 2008 Inspection date Heather Morgan 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 young children in a house in Moorhayes, Tiverton, Devon. They family has two cats and a hamster. Children have use of the whole premises and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any time and is currently minding four, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder drops off and picks up children from the local primary school. She has a level three qualification in childcare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are supported very well in developing a healthy lifestyle. They have regular drinks and meals throughout the day in order to sustain their energy levels so that they can enjoy being active and participating in the many play experiences provided. Their meals are nutritionally balanced and they are sensitively encouraged to try new tastes, such as different types of fresh fruit.

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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 Children's daily routine includes going for a walk in the fresh air or playing in the garden where there are many different pieces of equipment to challenge and support their developing physical skills. Children also enjoy active play indoors as they dance to their favourite music, mimic the actions of rotating lights or chase bubbles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from infection very effectively as the childminder implements a range of procedures to minimise the risks. Parents are given clear information about the importance of keeping sick children at home and about respecting exclusion times following particular infectious illnesses. The childminder observes strict hygiene procedures when changing nappies, including wearing disposable gloves and carefully cleaning the changing mat between each use. Children are supported very well in learning to wash their hands thoroughly before meals and after using the toilet or having their nappy changed. They use liquid soap to clean their hands and they each have their own face cloth and hand towel to minimise the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's continuity of care is promoted extremely effectively because the childminder keeps very clear records regarding injuries and the administration of medicine. These are shared with, and countersigned by parents. The childminder carries a portable, well stocked first aid kit with her so that she can provide consistently good care for children in the event of an accident, whether they are at home or on an outing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are very safe and secure in the childminder's well maintained home. Play areas are attractive and welcoming as the childminder has assessed all areas of the house and taken steps to minimise the risk of accidents wherever potential hazards are identified. For example, there is a fixed fire guard in place and safety gates restrict children's access to different areas of the house. Children are always closely supervised in the kitchen, but additional safety measures are in place such as ensuring sharp knives are stored out of their reach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a wide range of resources which are maintained in immaculate condition. A selection of popular toys is set out each day, so that children can safely and independently choose what they would like to play with. Great care is taken to ensure that each piece of equipment is placed where there is sufficient room for children to play safely. For example, the pop up tunnel is regularly repositioned to ensure that children can safely crawl through it without knocking in to any furniture. Additional resources are well organised and stored in transparent boxes with pictorial labels. Children learn the importance of using resources and equipment safely. For example, they help the childminder to tidy toys away when they are spread across the floor and may pose a tripping hazard. When children blow bubbles they are reminded to use the soapy mixture carefully, ensuring that it does not get into anyone's eyes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is given very high priority. The childminder has a thorough understanding of child protection issues and provides parents with a written policy to ensure they are aware of her responsibilities in safeguarding children. She has a range of documentation in place to support her in recording information and making referrals to relevant agencies in the event of any concerns.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children access many exciting and varied activities each day, participating enthusiastically as they learn to play together and use a range of different resources. The familiar routines of the day provide them with excellent opportunities to initiate their own play. They enjoy choosing from the different toys and equipment available and often like to revisit favourite games. For example, they repeatedly take turns to crawl through a tunnel, they take great delight in constructing their train track and they energetically respond to their favourite music which prompts them to dance and sing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children also approach planned, adult-led activities with similar enthusiasm. They explore the characteristics of different media, such as sand, water and pasta and create imaginative and colourful pictures using different paint techniques or collage materials. They are interested in the world around them and stop what they are doing to watch the refuse collectors at work or to look at large vehicles when they drive up the road. Their daily walks frequently become voyages of discovery as they explore different aspects of nature or take a keen interest in the nearby building site where new houses are being built.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's progress and development is supported very effectively by the childminder, who plans a whole range of activities that reflect children's interests and promote their learning. She makes excellent use of the Birth to three matters framework to structure the play experiences she offers and to monitor children's progress in all areas of their development. Children are supported really well in their play as the childminder skilfully encourages good communication and role models different ways to use resources. For example, she extends their imaginary play by linking small world characters to familiar situations by placing sheep in a field, or encouraging children to think where the characters might be travelling in their car.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual and specific needs are met exceptionally well because the childminder takes great care to gather extensive information about each child when they first register. Sensitive settling in programmes ensure that children are happy in her care and that parents are confident about the service she provides. Great care is taken to reflect children's home routines and support their continuity of care. Children access a range of resources and see many positive images to promote their developing awareness of a diverse society. There are clear procedures in place to support children who use English as an additional language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop firm friendships with each other as they play together and begin to learn the simple rules about sharing resources and taking turns to promote harmonious play. Their play is supported effectively by the childminder, who is calm and consistent in her management of children, helping them find ways to negotiate conflict. For example, when several children want to play with one telephone, she offers additional handsets and suggests they use them to talk to each other. Children respond well to the childminder's positive attitude and excellent role modelling and this is reflected in the way they speak to each other. For example, when one of the children successfully crawls through a tunnel, another applauds him and tells him he is a good boy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are relaxed, confident and happy in the childminder's care because there is an excellent partnership between the childminder and the children's parents. This enables very effective

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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 communication, supports the childminder in meeting children's individual needs very successfully and ensures that children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes. In addition to daily discussions, parents have access to a wide range of informative documentation about the service provided and about their children's care, progress and development. Parents receive daily records relating to their children's care and achievements, and can also access photographic records of activities their children have enjoyed.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. She is extremely well organised and structures each day to meet the individual needs of the children attending. All adult members of the household have been appropriately vetted and the childminder attends regular training to keep her knowledge up to date and complement her childcare qualification. The childminder has a strong commitment to providing very high quality care for children and regularly evaluates her practice in order to identify areas for further improvement.

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Organisation

All regulatory documentation is in place and supported by extensive additional policies and procedures that underpin the childminder's outstanding practice and promote very positive outcomes for children. The documentation is clear, comprehensive and well organised. Policies and procedures are shared with parents and all sensitive or personal information is carefully stored in a locked storage box to ensure that confidentiality is maintained.

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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

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