Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY234468 Unique Reference Number 09 January 2006 Inspection date Charlotte Jenkin 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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1997. She is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children, and currently cares for 25 children part-time. She accepts funding for 3 and 4-year-olds, and one funded 4-year-old currently attends.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband and three children, a daughter aged 16 and two sons aged 14 and 10 years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The house is in a quiet hamlet in Hodson, near to Swindon. There are a few local shops, a school and pre-school a short drive away in Chiseldon. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

It is a non-smoking household. The family have a rabbit, fish and some African land snails.

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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. The childminder takes the children to the local pre-school and school and attends the toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Trio Child care Network. The childminder is accredited and accepts funding for 3 and 4-year-olds.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in warm, clean premises. They learn about the importance of good hygiene routines. For example, hand washing, and after drying know to put the towels in the laundry bin. This means they are not at risk from cross infection. Children's welfare in the event of an accident or when taking medication is fully safeguarded. This is due to the as the childminder's detailed records of accidents and medication administered, she also has an up to date first aid certificate. The childminder gains consent for seeking emergency treatment, ensuring children are safe and well cared for in the event of an accident. Children are not exposed to illness as the sickness policy is formally shared with parents. Their health is protected when the childminder prepares food, as she has a current food hygiene certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children generally bring their own lunches to the childminder's house and these are stored appropriately in the fridge to protect their health. Lunches contain a good balance of foods, for example wholemeal bread, fruit and yoghurts. The childminder provides nutritious snacks for the children which encourage a positive attitude towards healthy eating. For example, fruit, cereal, crackers, cheese and raw vegetables. The childminder writes what the children will be having for snack on a black board daily, so the older children know after school. The younger children are also aware of this and often ask the childminder to read it to them. Children learn about the kinds of foods that are good for them and their bodies, with children saying ' I like raisins, they make me big and strong'. They have access to drinks at all times and older children help themselves from a jug in the kitchen. The childminder gains information regarding children's

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Helping children to be healthy

dietary needs which are well respected and catered for, including specific mealtimes and allergies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to engage in physical activity. They go for walks in the local environment to explore the outdoors, visit the park and soft play areas. Children have access to a good range of physical equipment in the garden, including football, swings, climbing frame, slide, and sand and water play. Children, therefore, move with confidence and show a good awareness of space. They move in various ways, and travel over, under and through equipment. They move their bodies to music and enjoy singing and dancing activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in well organised premises, with a well laid out playroom that meets the needs of the children. There are areas for relaxing and eating, with plenty of floor space for play and child size furniture to engage in quiet activities, for example drawing and play dough. There are pegs for the children's belongings, notice boards for them and their parents and they are comfortable and at ease, knowing where to freely access the toys. This enables the children to develop a sense of belonging in the childminder's house. The childminder has an excellent

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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. range of toys and equipment that engage the children's interests, are safe and stimulating and help them make progress in all areas of development. These are stored well in low level, labelled boxes and shelves. Therefore, children confidently select these and initiate their own play and learning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in safe premises, free from harm, as the childminder has ensured her home is free from hazards and is secure. Children are therefore able to move around the premises freely and play in safety. Children are safe on outings as the childminder uses suitable equipment, for example reins and car seats to protect them. The fire drill is practised and recorded at regular intervals, however the effectiveness of this is not monitored as greatly as is possible. This is because no evacuation time is recorded, which does not fully protect children's safety in the event of a fire. Children are well protected in the event of an emergency as the childminder has a clear plan in place for if this should occur. Sleeping children are monitored regularly, which ensures they are safe and well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is highly likely to be safeguarded. This is due to the childminder's thorough knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow in the event of concerns. She shares her duties formally with parents, keeps accurate records of children's injuries and continues to develop her knowledge in this subject through attending training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enter the childminder's house confidently and are eager to engage in play and explore the toys and activities on offer, for example role play with the dolls and a buggy. They form positive relationships with the childminder and readily approach her to request toys or for assistance. The childminder engages the children in high levels of conversation, showing great interest in what they have to say, for example when talking about the star on one child's top. The children display a positive attitude towards participating in new activities, for example vets role play, where they spend long periods engaged in play, with the childminder supporting them and sustaining their interests. The children play well together, using their imagination as they pretend to cook with the play dough and involving the childminder in their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children benefit from the childminder's thorough knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework and have access to a stimulating range of activities that help promote their development in all aspects of this. They develop good communication skills and use both verbal and non-verbal gestures to communicate their needs, which she responds well to. They readily explore the toys and begin to make connections. For example, using play knives to cut dough when pretend cooking, and using a bus under a crocodile to make it move around. The children are well supported by the childminder who offers ideas for how they can achieve this, for example attaching the bus with an elastic band.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is good. Children benefit from the childminder's sound knowledge of the early learning goals and stepping stones. She plans a very good range of activities that engage the children's interests, and help them make good progress towards all

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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. areas of the early learning goals. The childminder allows the children to initiate their own play and facilitates this well, providing the resources children need. She questions them during their play to extend their thinking and further their learning opportunities. For example, during role play, the childminder was encouraging maths skills, counting out dog biscuits for the children to give the soft toy dogs and developing simple problem solving through this. The children appear motivated and are keen to try out new experiences, which the childminder supports well. Activity plans are clear, but do not have clear learning outcomes for children, linked to the stepping stones.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good knowledge of the individual children's progress towards the early learning goals. This is currently monitored through highlighting the children's achievements in the building blocks assessments. Although these are supported with some observations, they are not clear in detailing what the children know, understand and can do. They are used to inform future planning and move them on to the next stage in their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children confidently explore the toys and activities on offer and spend long periods engaged in these. They play well with the other children and are proud of their achievements, being keen to share these with others.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children talk with confidence and initiate conversations, developing good listening skills. They show interest in books and select them to look at, requesting the childminder to read with them. The children freely make marks and give meaning to them. They show interest in numbers and counting, and solve simple number problems. Children use language to describe shape, size and position in their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children explore textures and use their senses well, describing what they see and feel. They talk about past experiences and develop confidence using the computer. Children engage in role play and recreate personal experiences. They freely paint and draw, mix colours and enjoy exploring the musical instruments, changing the sounds they can make.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individuality is well respected by the childminder, as she knows them very well and meets their needs effectively, for example, supporting a child with a new baby in the family. This promotes their self-esteem very well. Therefore, the children develop a sense of belonging in her care, forming a strong bond with her and appearing at ease in her home. The children also form good relationships with others and play co-operatively together, for example when playing with the dough. Children develop high levels of independence through choosing toys and materials and initiating their own play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. They have regular opportunities to explore the local environment. For example, nature walks and visits to toddler and childminding groups, which offer them frequent opportunities to socialise with other children. Children have access to a good range of toys that promote positive images of diversity. They also engage in activities that help them learn about the lives of others and respect the differing cultures of others, for example, Diwali.

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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. Children's behaviour is very good due to the childminders clear expectations for them. Older children contribute to 'house rules', which enables them to become responsible for their actions, understand the consequences and to know right from wrong. The childminder is an excellent role model for the children as she is respectful to them and is calm and consistent in her manner. She works closely with parents to ensure children receive consistent messages. They are seen to share, take turns and play nicely together, with gentle support from the childminder when needed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. Children benefit from the solid partnership with parents as the childminder gains detailed information regarding their care needs and routines, she respects these fully, offering the children continuity of care. Parents are extremely pleased with the care their children receive from the childminder. Parents receive detailed information regarding the childminder's policies, procedures and the curriculum implemented. They are kept up to date with the activities their children will be involved in through newsletters, which detail the current theme for learning. Parents are able to view their child's records and discuss their progress at any time. However, they do not contribute to assessments, which means the children's individual areas for development are not fully supported. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their child's learning and bring in items linked to this for activities the childminder

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a well qualified and experienced childminder. They benefit from her commitment to training, where she updates her knowledge and skills in the early years, which in turn enhances the children's care and learning opportunities. Younger children benefit from good adult support as the childminder is able to spend long periods engaged in play, supporting their development. The children are extremely confident, relaxed and at ease in the childminder's well organised home, where they freely select toys and demonstrate a strong bond with her.

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Organisation

The childminder implements her policies and procedures consistently which supports the children's welfare, care and learning successfully. All consents have been gained from parents regarding routine activities and all required documentation is kept, further safeguarding children's welfare.

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Organisation

Leadership and management is good. The childminder has regular visits from the Early years support worker. This enables her to reflect on her practice and make any changes to improve the education offered to the children. She is committed to training and brings new ideas into her home to extend the play and learning opportunities offered to the children.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to carry out a risk assessment upstairs to identify actions to be taken to minimise risks to children's safety and to keep a sufficiently detailed record of significant incidents and share this with parents.

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Improvements 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. The childminder has completed a risk assessment of the upstairs of her home and this is now safe for children to access and play in. Incidents are recorded and shared with parents.

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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. There are no complaints to report.

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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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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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): • further develop the fire evacuation plan, by monitoring it's effectiveness to ensure children's safety in the event of a fire

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop activity plans to ensure they have clear learning outcomes for children, and use these to observe children at play and assess their progress in relation to the stepping stones in each of the six areas of learning • encourage parents to contribute to assessments of their children's progress, so individual areas for development are fully supported

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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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