Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY362946 Unique Reference Number 17 June 2008 Inspection date Sue Anslow 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 one child aged six years, in Northwich. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed paved yard 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 is currently minding two children under five years. The childminder walks to local schools, nurseries and other play facilities during the week.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive because the childminder follows highly effective procedures and practices which meet the children's physical, nutritional and health needs. The childminder's animated and enthusiastic personality ensures children learn about their health and good hygiene practices by talking, explaining and encouraging the children's active involvement. They wear hats and sun screen in hot weather and wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating and after

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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 playing outside. Children have their own brushes and combs and use a clean towel after each hand wash.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children explore, test and develop their physical control through a variety of indoor and outdoor experiences. They walk to local parks to play ball or use the playground equipment and play lots of physical and musical games at home. Younger children proudly show off photographs of their climbing skills in the park and are enthusiastically trying out new skills every day, with the support and supervision of the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eagerly learn about fresh food and where it comes from through the childminder actively involving them in helping to grow vegetables and salad produce in pots in the garden. She talks to them about how good food keeps them healthy and they thoroughly enjoy baking activities where they can see the raw ingredients turn into something they can eat for their tea. A varied menu of meals and snacks keeps children well nourished throughout the day and access to drinks is constant because the children have their own feeder cups with them all the time. The childminder has an excellent understanding of children's individual needs and requirements, gained in consultation with parents, which ensures each child's needs are respected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a wonderfully warm and welcoming environment where easy access to all toys and equipment is given high priority. This allows the children to make their own choices and their independence is significantly enhanced as they move from room to room or outside into the garden. Children's enjoyment and delight in the varied activities they undertake is evident from pictures and photographs displayed on the notice board and in their scrap books. Children use high quality equipment, appropriate to their age and stage of development, which enhances their learning and enjoyment in all areas, and protects their safety. Excellent use is made of natural play materials, such as sand, string, textiles, junk modelling and things they find on their walks which they use to make pictures and collages.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised because the childminder is extremely vigilant, provides close supervision and thoroughly risk assesses all areas to be used by the children. The garden is always checked before children go out to play and a favourite toddler group is one where older children do not rush round barging into the younger children. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. Smaller objects are put at higher levels so children can only access toys and equipment which are safe for their use. Children are kept extremely safe on outings because the childminder has exemplary procedures in place for the children's protection. A bag is kept by the front door containing such things as a first aid kit, notebook with relevant telephone numbers, tissues and baby wipes, all ready to grab as they go out, along with the mobile telephone. Children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

are learning how to keep themselves safe through the regular practising of evacuation procedures and road safety drills. They know they must stop when they get to the 'bumps' in the pavement and then 'wave' to the green man as they cross the road safely. Children are very well protected by the childminder who has clear understanding and sound knowledge of child protection procedures. Ultimate priority is given to the children's welfare and a written policy assures parents of the childminder's responsibilities in this area.

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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 thoroughly enjoy their time spent with the childminder and engage well in a broad range of exciting and stimulating activities which promote their all round development. Teaching and learning are consistently high because the childminder's vibrant and dynamic personality, motivates and excites children to use their imaginations and curiosity. Excellent use is made of relevant guidance to enhance the planning and evaluation of appropriate activities. Children proudly show off their scrapbooks of photographs and art work, with captions describing the different areas of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's needs at various ages are extremely well met with the childminder providing a fun and challenging environment, conducive to effective learning. Young children learn what noise a duck makes and older children learn that the wheels on tanks are called tracks. Children are actively encouraged to try new things, such as planting radish and carrot seeds in the garden and making pictures out of natural things they find in the countryside. Children begin to make sense of the world and express their ideas enthusiastically as they join in a diverse range of exploratory and sensory experiences. They make 'rose water' from fallen petals, bake flapjacks for tea and bandage the dolls' legs and heads like the doctor does.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are extremely confident and self assured because of the close and caring relationship with the childminder. They are supervised, supported and encouraged with animated praise and enthusiasm, making each activity exciting, and stimulating the children's imagination and curiosity. They happily count the stairs as they go up and down to the bathroom and wrap the dolls up warmly in case they are cold. Each small achievement is praised and children are encouraged to be kind to each other. Actively involving children in feeding the ducks or watching insects on the leaves outside, promotes an excellent understanding of occasions when they need to be gentle or quiet and show care and kindness to others.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a clear understanding of each child's individual needs and interests, which ensures the comprehensive range of activities suit their various ages and abilities. Optimal challenges lead to all round progress in children's learning and development and written activity plans are devised each week which are varied and imaginative. Visits to local play facilities with other adults and children and trips to the library to look at books or listen to stories, significantly enhances children's social development, enjoyment and interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are highly valued as individuals. They show a very positive attitude to others and gain a good understanding of the world around them through the variety of activities available and the positive encouragement and sound teaching of the childminder. An excellent range of toys and books with images of people who look different from themselves, ensure children's understanding of diversity and respect for others. They benefit from walks in the community where they meet a wide range of people. Children's welfare is superbly promoted because the childminder consults closely with the parents on any issues of concern or particular requirements. Children's individual needs are met through consultation with parents and close monitoring of their interests and abilities. Potty training is handled sensitively and children are becoming familiar with animals and all aspects of nature through tending young plants and collecting

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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 Children's efforts and achievements are highly valued and rewarded which contributes to their self esteem and self confidence. Behaviour is well promoted through meaningful and enthusiastic praise and positive role modelling by the childminder. Good manners are encouraged and children are thanked for helping others and praised for helping to put the toys away. They proudly show off the 'stars' in their scrap books, for using the potty or eating all their lunch and they love having a 'leaf' put on the 'learning tree' describing their achievements. An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to the children's well being. Parents views about their child's needs and interests are actively sought before the child starts at the childminder's, and on a regular basis throughout their time there. Parents are given full

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Helping children make a positive contribution

information about the service offered and daily reports on how their children are progressing and enjoying themselves. A home diary is used to record the daily routine and any special activities or funny remarks. The childminder works extremely closely with parents to support the child's learning, for example, displaying the week's activity sheet and showing parents what children have been making or doing during the day. Her enthusiasm and dynamic approach towards making each child's day rewarding and fun is appreciated by all the families and the excellent childcare practice is well supported by relevant documentation.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is greatly enhanced by the exceptional quality of organisation and management techniques of the childminder. The home is well organised, bright, warm and inviting for young children, with a wealth of play materials easily accessible to meet all their needs.

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Organisation

The childminder is highly motivated and committed to enhancing her knowledge and skills in child care and has completed several relevant training courses, for the benefit of all the children.

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Organisation

Excellently kept records and relevant documentation is clear, up to date and reviewed regularly. This ensure the children's health, safety and progress is well promoted and managed superbly.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints 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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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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