Willoughby-Parker, Sharon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY279037 Inspection date 18 January 2006 Inspector Angela Howard

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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 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 2004. She lives with her partner and 6 year old daughter in a suburb of Doncaster. The whole of the premises with exception of the main bedroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She currently has children under 7 years on roll. The childminder walks to and from the local school to collect children and she provides overnight care.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. Her partner is also registered as a childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. There are exceptionally robust procedures and practices in place for the promotion of children's good health. The childminder uses disposable gloves and aprons when changing nappies, feeding equipment and baby toys are regularly sterilised and excellent procedures are in place for the storage and preparation of food. The highly effective procedures help children to gain an excellent understanding of good hygiene practices which are incorporated into daily routines. Highly effective measures are in place to prevent cross infection as children use anti-bacterial liquid soap and have their own hand towels which are changed daily. Children relish in a highly imaginative and creative range of activities that contributes to keeping them healthy. They are able to access a wealth of physical activities, which develop their physical skills on a daily basis. Children use the outdoor play

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Helping children to be healthy

equipment with a great deal of enthusiasm and have excellent control of their bodies when, skipping, jumping, hopping and running. They go on regular walks to the local school, local park and go on an excellent range of planned outings encouraging them to walk and enjoy the environment. For example, they jump in puddles, run in the wind and make foot prints in the snow. Indoors children are provided with an abundance of opportunities for physical activity like dancing to music or playing games which require good body control. For babies there is a superb range of every day objects to be sucked, pulled, squeezed and held to encourage exploration and development of physical skills. Children are provided with a highly nutritious and excellent balanced range of snack and drinks. They are provided with an extensive range of fruit and vegetables on a daily basis to ensure they have the required five portions a day. For example, any

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Helping children to be healthy

soft fruit in season, pod peas, cucumber, carrot and more unusual fruits like kiwi are offered. Children are actively involved in the preparation of snacks and meals as they prepare and chop fruit and vegetables. Comprehensive records show that children's dietary requirements and parent's wishes are adhered to. This results in children being extremely well nourished as they develop an excellent understanding of the importance of healthy eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has extensive systems in place to ensure children access a safe and secure environment. She has significantly enhanced the safety of the home with the rigorous safety assessments completed on a weekly basis. Highly comprehensive risk assessment documentation is maintained and the childminder is very

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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 knowledgeable about health and safety legislation. If a hazard is identified she makes detail records and then steps are taken to remove the hazard. For example, a cupboard is removed to another area of the home or corner cushion protectors attached. This ensures children can move around freely and safely. This results in children being given the opportunities to practice what they can do in extremely safe surroundings. Excellent quality resources are easily accessed allowing children to make choices in a safe manner. Children's toys and equipment are meticulously monitored to make sure they remain safe, clean and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children are extremely well protected as the childminder has an excellent awareness of her role and responsibilities with regards to child protection matters. She ensures

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

that her practice is underpinned by first class up-to-date knowledge of the possible signs of abuse and the procedures to follow. She has an excellent written child protection statement which is discussed with parents before children attend. Her attention to detail in the recording of existing injuries ensures that the safety of children in her care is always a priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. An excellent range of activities are offered, which helps children to extend their knowledge and development in varied, creative and exiting ways. For example, children have free access to an excellent range of craft materials. This allows them to select materials, build or design what they want giving them freedom to express themselves and learn through hands on experience. Therefore children are enthusiastic about exploring and investigating the wealth of equipment and materials on offer. Excellent daily opportunities are provided for children to access a rich, age-appropriate and innovative range of activities which promotes children's all round development. Such as, lots of games and activities linked to numeracy and language and structured activities like baking, arts and crafts; music and singing are offered on a daily basis. Children begin to make a dynamic sense of the world as they join in a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

diverse range of exploratory and sensory experiences. For example, babies sit on textured rugs, bang on tambourines and have toys with music and bright lights to stimulate all their senses. Children settle exceptionally well at the childminders. They are eager to attend and relish the time at the childminder's. Close and caring relationships have successfully enhanced children's sense of trust and helped them to develop an extremely strong sense of self to enable them to build meaningful relationships. The childminder has utmost interest in what children say; she talks and listens to them and asks questions that extend their experiences and learning. Such as, how can you, what will happen if, can you remember. The excellent communication with each other ensures children enjoy and achieve to their full potential. The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the foundation stage. This far exceeds our expectations for a childminder who does not receive

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Nursery Education funding. She makes comprehensive assessments which inform

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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 her planning so she is able to monitor children's progress and then plans the next steps in their learning. She implements the stepping stones and Birth to three matters framework in a highly effective manner. Therefore children are progressing at a rapid pace. For example, young children are aware that print has meaning as they are encouraged to write the letters of their name on drawings and paintings. They are regularly offered mathematical problems to solve whilst playing games and introduced to shapes in their every day environment. This helps children to make excellent progress in their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are treated with equal concern and their individual needs are met extremely well. This is due to the childminder taking extreme measures to get to know the children. She works in complete partnership with parents to ensure each child's daily routine is followed successfully. Very detailed records are kept which aid the childminder to enhance all aspects of children's care. The childminder is highly committed to inclusion. She attends relevant training, completes research, sometimes of a specific nature, to support a particular child's special need. Therefore, children are able to participate fully because activities are adapted to meet their individual needs. Children are very happy and content and are showing an extremely strong sense of belonging. They are very familiar with daily routines and have formed excellent relationships with each other, the childminder and her family.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This results in children being highly independent and feeling safe and secure, through which they develop a high degree of self confidence, an extremely strong belief in themselves and healthy self-esteem. Children's awareness of the local community is promoted extremely well through regular well planned outings. They go on daily visits to local parks, farms, woods and shops. Children have equal access to all resources and are beginning to learn about the wider world through the use of an extensive range of equipment and activities that positively address diversity and acknowledge cultural differences. They enthusiastically take part in planned activities which increase their knowledge of festivals and celebrations around the world. The childminder has high expectations with regards to children's behaviour. She has a highly effective and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour which ensures behaviour is of a consistently high standard. Children learn right from wrong

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Helping children make a positive contribution

in a very warm and caring environment in a way that is appropriate to the child's age and stage of development. They are given clear explanations when they are asked to conform, or in the case of younger children distraction techniques are used in a highly effective way. The childminder is an excellent role model for children to follow. Her highly effective use of praise and encouragement ensures that the children feel self assured and well supported. She is sensitive to children's feelings and gives praise freely to ensure they understand when they have done well. This enables them to decide for themselves what they can and can't do. Partnerships with parents and carers are excellent which contributes to the children's

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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 overall well being. On going verbal communication and very informative written observations and assessments ensures that parents are kept very well informed and up-to-date about their child's care. Children are clearly benefiting from the extremely positive partnership and are highly motivated and settled in response to this.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The premises are extremely well organised. Space is used in a highly effective manner to maximise play opportunities for children. Children feel very much at home and at ease in their surroundings. As a result children remain settled, feel very secure and are extremely confident in the childminder's care. Documentation is kept in an extremely well organised professional manner and confidentiality is maintained at all times. The highly comprehensive policies and procedures in place, which are reviewed, updated and shared with parents; provide a clear sense of purpose and direction. These documents significantly enhance the care and support of the children and comply with regulations. For example, detailed information includes children's individual needs, their development and their success at meeting significant milestones. This results in the childminder consistently giving

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Organisation

utmost priority to protecting children, promoting their well being and supporting them all to develop to their full potential. The childminder is highly enthusiastic and has an excellent commitment to improving her practice through a programme of excellent quality relevant training. She is currently looking at completing her quality first training and NVQ in child care. Children's experiences are significantly enhanced as the childminder uses training opportunities to provide a high quality standard of care for children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection three recommendations where made. These related to documentation and improving the childminder's knowledge and understanding of the Disability Discrimination Act. All regulatory documentation is now in place and the childminder has become more aware of the areas of Disability Discrimination Act that effects her practice. This ensures that children remain safe on and off the premises and that everyone has equal access to her service.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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

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

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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