Deincourt Support Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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112491 Unique Reference Number 18 October 2005 Inspection date Lynne Elizabeth Lewington Inspector

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Integrated Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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.

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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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are outstanding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and four children in a five bedroom house in Tadley, near Basingstoke. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a secure enclosed garden for outside play. Local shops, parks and schools are within easy walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for 4 children under the age of 8 years at any one time. There are currently 3 children on roll. Nursery education funding is received for 2 children. The childminder attends local toddler groups and soft play areas. The family have a pet rabbit, which lives outside in the rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with special educational needs. She is a member of an approved childminding network and is currently in receipt of funding for nursery education for

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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. 3 and 4 year olds. The childminder holds a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), level 3, in Childcare and Education.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are developing an excellent awareness of health and hygiene. The childminder actively encourages the children to clean their hands after feeding the rabbit and before food, explaining to them appropriately why they need to clean their hands. The children enter into conversation and include their knowledge in their play as they clean the kitchen play area. Good hygiene practices ensure the environment is clean and pleasant for the children's play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's understanding of healthy eating is encouraged very well by the childminders knowledge of healthy eating and the diet she provides for the children. She talks to the children about why foods are good for them and gently coaxes them to try a little bit of everything to encourage their developing tastes. The childminder takes into account parental wishes and dietary requirements and shares a planned menu with the parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's need for sufficient rest, nourishment and stimulation is recognised in the routine the children follow each day. They have excellent opportunities each day for outdoor physical activity in the garden or park, in bad weather they visit soft play areas where they can continue to expand their energies and develop large physical movements. Indoors the space is organised well to enable the children to move freely, they learn to control their movements as they move around furniture and use toys and activities that help them to develop good hand and eye co-ordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children’s welfare is a very high priority to the childminder. She has a significant understanding of child protection procedures and ensures that parents are aware of her responsibilities to report concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is safe, secure and well resourced with good quality age appropriate toys and equipment. The childminder devotes her time and attention to the children's care and learning and ensures this is possible in a safe and secure pleasant homely environment. Suitable fire safety measures are in place to ensure the children's safety at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children actively begin to learn how to keep themselves safe, as they learn to tidy the toys away to prevent tripping, learn the importance of crossing the road safely. The childminder ensures the children have excellent opportunities to develop their understanding as she makes use of local resources; for example, meeting with the local police lady to learn about what to do if they get lost.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children relate extremely well to each other and to the childminder. They are very settled and at 'home' in the childminders home where they are developing their confidence and self-esteem as they undertake a variety of worthwhile activities and outings. Children are becoming increasingly independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities. Children listen and respond to stories, music and participate in creative and physical activities with enthusiasm and pleasure. The childminder recognises the importance of rest, stimulation and exercise in the child's routine and provides quiet and active times throughout the day to meet the children's needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. The childminder has substantial knowledge of the Foundation Stage and of how children need to experience activities to encourage them to learn effectively. She plans interesting activities which she adapts to meet the individual children's needs and interests.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children use their imagination very well and act out life experiences as they play. Children are encouraged to express their feelings; books and resources are used to help children become more self aware. Children are confident speakers and good listeners. Creative development is encouraged extremely well through planned activities including listening to classical music, dancing, using musical instruments and art and craft activities. Children remind each other of how to behave and ask each other for help.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is innovative and includes number, shape, position and counting into everyday routine activities which helps to consolidate the children's learning. Children are developing a good understanding of how to use their mathematical knowledge to solve problems in daily routines.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make good use of the wide range of attractively displayed books, independently looking at them and asking the childminder to read them. They listen attentively as the childminder reads and talks to the children enthusiastically about what they can see in the book. Children use a range of tools to make marks and develop early writing skills. Their knowledge and understanding of the world is developing as they experience outings, look after the pet rabbit and learn about the community in which they live.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make outstanding progress in all areas of learning. This is recorded in written observations which are linked to the stepping stones and inform of children's individual plans.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder provides an excellent range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, children learn to use sign language to assist communication, they learn

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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. about cultural celebrations and play with resources that reflect differing cultures and abilities. Individual special needs are discussed with parents and plans reflect the individual child's learning needs. Partnership with parents is outstanding. Clear information about the service offered, clear reports about the child's progress and sharing of relevant information on a daily basis promotes a positive beneficial relationship.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about their local community when they visit local groups, parks and library. They develop respect for their environment and others as they pick up their litter and learn how to behave appropriately on outings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children show care and concern for each other, and play harmoniously. Consistent behaviour management enables the children to be confident and feel secure in the environment, consequently they behave very well. The childminder has an excellent understanding of child development and the effect on behaviour enabling behaviour, to be managed appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children respond well to the opportunities they experience which are developing their abilities to communicate and use their senses. The provision fosters children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development well.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is well qualified, and she continues to improve her knowledge and understanding of young children by attending short courses. She enjoys her work with the children, devoting her time to ensuring they have a stimulating day in a caring environment. She is competent and confident in her role, planning learning experiences for the children and seizing spontaneous opportunities to develop children's interests.

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Organisation

Excellent policies, procedures, plans and records are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. They are shared with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities and development. Children are confident and at ease, enabling them to initiate and extend their play and learning in this homely environment.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection improvements were necessary to the fire warning system. This has now been improved satisfactorily by the installation of a smoke detector on the ground floor.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

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.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are outstanding.

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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 nursery education

recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of nursery education are outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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 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.

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