Clarke, Paula Margaret (Mrs)

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 154254 Inspection date 07 October 2005 Inspector Bridget Copson

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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 was registered in July 2001. She lives with her husband and 4 children under 15 years in the town of Sturminster Newton. Minded children have access to the dedicated playroom, sitting room with dining area and the kitchen. The toilet is situated off the play room. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the property. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. Her husband is registered as her assistant. She currently cares for seven children under eight-years and one child over eight years, all of whom attend on a part time

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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 basis. The family keep three rabbits in the garden and fish indoors. The childminder holds the Certificate in Childminding Practice. She has attended a wealth of training courses and workshops relating to the care and education of young children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children learn about keeping fit and healthy through an excellent range of physical play provision and activities to support the developmental needs of all age groups. For example, children play with a broad range of physical play provision in the garden, enjoy dancing and action songs indoors and walk locally. In addition they experience different physical play environments, for example, visiting the 'Cool Play' activity centre. Children learn about healthy eating habits through an extensive range of planned activities and good practice. This promotes their excellent understanding of healthy living and how to look after their bodies. For example, children find out about healthy foods and make a chart to show their findings, they enjoy nutritious snacks and additive-free home cooked lunches. Children's interest and enthusiasm for good food is promoted very well through on-going activities, such as visits to the supermarket

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Helping children to be healthy

and discussion. This is apparent from children's spontaneous comments at meal times. For example, children state 'peas have fibre' and 'water is good for you'. Children are cared for within a very clean and well-maintained environment where the childminder maintains consistently high standards of hygiene to prevent the spread of infection. For example, frequent hand washing, thorough cleaning and disinfecting routines and using disposable gloves for all nappy changing. In addition all children use individual linens, crockery and face and hand towels. Children are learning to manage personal hygiene extremely well. For example, they know when to wash their hands and faces and find their own place mats for meal and snack times. Children's individual needs are met with care by the childminder who keeps written records of all children's dietary, health and medication requirements. She provides parents with written details of all her policies and keeps written records of any

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Helping children to be healthy

accidents, incidents and medication administered for parents to note for consistency of care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's safety is of paramount importance to the childminder. Children are kept safe and secure by the consistently high standards of safety within her home, garden and on outings. She conducts daily risk assessments of all areas to ensure the many safety measures are in place to protect children. For example, external door locks,

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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 plug sockets, safety glass and film, fire guard, safety gates and secure garden boundaries. She supervises children closely at all times and has a CCTV camera installed to ensure she can see and hear children when she is in the kitchen. Children are kept safe on outings through use of appropriate equipment, additional support from her assistant and educating children on safety rules. Children are kept safe whilst sleeping through frequent checking and the use of a breathing mat and sound monitor. Children learn about road safety on walks and how to use tools, such as scissors, safely. They learn how to care for themselves indoors, such as not running and will warn others appropriately. Children learn about fire safety through weekly drills and discuss the role of firemen. This all shows they are developing an

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

excellent understanding of safety and how to look after themselves. Children enjoy an extensive range of good quality play provision suitable for their stage of development. The childminder organises toys with great care to ensure children do not have access to anything not suitable for them. She keeps such toys out of reach but within the sight of older children to allow them the opportunity to request them to play with under close supervision. Children are well-protected by the childminder who has effective systems in place to safe guard their welfare at all times. For example, she has a good understanding of child protection issues and procedures and supervises children closely at all times. She has an assistant whom the children know well and who is available to help in the event of an emergency. Parents are provided with details of her policies and working practices to promote continuity of care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy an extensive range of play provision and well-planned activities to support their learning and development in all areas. They choose freely and independently from easily accessible toys. They learn about aspects of their own lives and environment through activities linked to themes. For example, through the current health theme children explore healthy foods, learn about the dentist and hospitals, grow seeds and shop for healthy foods. The childminder uses plans linked to the Foundation Stage curriculum to support learning and development for all children, regardless of their age. She does, however, adapt activities to ensure children are provided with appropriate challenges. Children are happy and very settled. They access toys with excitement and focus well on their play for long periods. They are proud to show their work and designs and to find and show their favourite toys. This all demonstrates children have a good

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

sense of well-being and belonging. Children use their imaginations very well. For example, they role play with a superb choice of dressing up clothes and resources and use different materials to create in craft activities. Children are developing a good understanding of maths. For example, they count spontaneously in play, weigh foods and measure capacity using cups and jugs with sand and water. They use their knowledge of shape and size to complete puzzles and jigsaws. Children's language and communication skills are developing well. They talk freely about the past 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 present, listen well to the childminder and learn new words regularly through themed activities. Children learn about their environment and the wider world through an excellent range of resources and activities. For example, local walks, exploring nature, watching the seasons change, studying mini beasts and meeting members of the community. Children's progress is monitored well by the childminder through observing them during play and recording their progress linked to the Foundation Stage curriculum. She skilfully adapts activities according to children's interests to help them learn. For example, she uses a child's interests in fire engines to explore colour and shape.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all treated equally and fairly by the childminder who has good systems in place to meet their individual needs and routines well. For example, she discusses and agrees care with parents, keeps written records and dedicates her time to interacting with the children to promote their learning and development. Children learn about diversity through an extensive range of activities and resources. For example, they explore festivals, such as Divali. They play with musical instruments from around the world, dolls and figures reflecting different disabilities, role play resources, books and games. Children behave very well. They have a good understanding of what is expected of them and how to play positively around others. Children demonstrate this through sharing well together, saying 'please' and 'thank-you' and correcting others appropriately. They respond well to the childminders instruction when corrected. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder creates a very positive environment within which children are happy, settled and receive lots of encouragement and praise. She manages any inappropriate behaviour in partnership with parents to ensure issues are addressed quickly and consistently. The childminder has developed good partnership with parents to ensure children are cared for consistently and according to their wishes. She supports this through discussing care required, completing contracts with parents and providing written policies and procedures for most aspects of the care she provides. She does not, however, provide parents with details of her complaints procedure. Parents are kept well-informed of their child's progress and well-being through the childminders thorough systems. For example, she displays a wealth of informative notices in the entrance hall and play room and completes home books each day for all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

These systems ensure good communication is maintained and children are cared for consistently.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to updating her knowledge and skills to continually

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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 improve the quality of care for children. For example, she attends many courses and workshops relating to the care of young children. She liaises with the Local Authority regarding any further development opportunities. She is proactive in assessing her practice to the benefit of all children through completing a written self assessment and responding positively to all external recommendations. Children are well-cared for as a result of the childminder's good organisational skills. For example, she prepares all areas of her home to ensure it is warm and welcoming and safe for children to play freely and unhindered. She makes good use of her time to ensure activities are well-prepared and to allow her to meet children's needs and routines efficiently. She is very well-supported by her assistant who knows the

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Organisation

children well. This allows her time to interact on a one to one basis regularly with the children and offer them greater support. The childminder organises her day according to a structured routine to allow children time for all areas of play as well as time to rest and unwind. Children's care is enhanced by the good standards of care given by the childminder. She keeps well-organised documentation which is easily accessible to her. She does not, however, regularly update all documentation to ensure she continues to care for children according to parents' wishes and to ensure they are well-informed of all areas of her practice. For example, updating contracts and developing a complaints procedure. She maintains confidentiality well through keeping all information regarding children's care in separate folders and keeps all records locked securely in a file. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection recommended the childminder ensure sufficient support & supervision is maintained at all times in play and care activities. It recommended she ensure that all aspects of care promote equality of opportunity and play provision promoting equality of opportunity is used more effectively in play. Also to stimulate all areas of children's development through play activities provided. The childminder organises herself and her home well to provide children with high levels of support in their play and routines. She promotes equality of opportunity well in all areas of her practice and children learn about diversity through enjoying an excellent range of activities and resources. She provides children with interesting, well-planned activities to promote all areas of their learning and development.

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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

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 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): • update all documentation more regularly to ensure children continue to be cared for according to parents wishes

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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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