Montrose

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

131296 Unique Reference Number 26 May 2006 Inspection date Wendy, Elizabeth Lightfoot Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1975. She lives in a house in the St. Denys area of Southampton. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and babies may sleep upstairs. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for six children under eight years and currently cares for six children on a part-time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes the children to the local park and on shopping expeditions.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with physical impairments and children with English as an additional language.

p.2

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 has no pets.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a clean and child-friendly setting, where hygiene routines are thorough. Children learn personal hygiene routines, such as washing their hands after toileting and before snacks, and gain an understanding of why this is important. Children are protected from cross-infection as the childminder shares clear procedures with parents for excluding children who have an infectious illness.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's medical health is effectively maintained, as the childminder has a clear understanding of each child's medical needs and undertakes additional training, by medical personnel, if children's conditions mean they may need emergency intervention.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children receive prompt support in an emergency as the childminder maintains a current first aid qualification and maintains well-stocked first aid kits, for use in the setting and when on outings. She obtains advance parental consent in writing to seek emergency medical advice, or treatment, for the children.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy diet which takes account of their individual dietary needs, respects their likes and dislikes and reflects their parents wishes. Children learn what foods are good for them, such as that it is good to eat fresh fruit at snack time, but that chips are best kept for an occasional treat. The three week menu covers all food groups and includes fresh fruit and vegetables. The menu is available for parents to monitor what their children are eating and the childminder gives verbal feedback, daily, on children's food intake. Children have regular drinks to maintain healthy fluid levels.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Babies' emotional health is well-supported at the childminding setting. They are happy and relaxed and follow their own routines, so they feel secure. Babies engage well with the childminder, making good eye contact as she feeds them, on her lap. She smiles at them and talks quietly to them, acknowledging what they are doing and they gurgle in response. Babies well-being is monitored effectively while they sleep, via baby monitors and through frequent visual checks.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are helped to develop good physical fitness and control of their bodies through regular physical exercise, indoors and outdoors. They learn exercises to music in the playroom and swing, rock, ride, slide and bounce in the garden, using a range of stage appropriate equipment. Children learn to control bats and balls. They develop hand-eye coordination through using crayons, pens, glue spreaders, positioning fuzzy felt pieces and construction items.

p.3

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

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a light, comfortable and very well-organised family home, where they have ample space to be active or rest comfortably. Pre-school children move comfortably between the lounge, kitchen and playroom for a variety of activities and school age children enjoy their own space in the conservatory, where they access a good range of games and other stage appropriate resources. Children have their own downstairs toilet and hand-washing facilities, which effectively supports their increasing awareness of personal hygiene routines and facilitates potty training.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Babies sleep peacefully upstairs, in cots with clean bedding. An excellent range of good quality baby equipment is provided to meet all their needs, including cots, a doughnut support, a range of bouncing cradles, pushchairs, and car seats. Their play resources include sensory toys for stimulation and cuddly toys for comfort. A stimulating range of toys and resources promote pre-school children's development in all areas. These are well-organised to give children easy access, so they develop good independence skills.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe because the childminder has carried out a detailed risk assessment and put thorough measures in place to reduce potential hazards for children, in all areas used for their care. Children learn rules for their own safety, understanding that they tidy toys away after playing with them so they will not fall over them. Children's safety is supported by the childminder's excellent understanding of children's stages of development and the possible risks associated with increasing independence.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is helped by the childminder's clear understanding of child protection issues and procedures to follow if concerned about a child.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are confident and articulate, making very good progress in language development. Pre-school children recognise many letters of the alphabet and suggest words that start with those letters, finding it stimulating to concentrate and achieve. Their motivation to learn is strong, as the childminder smiles broadly at their successes and encourages children to give themselves a clap. When constructing and playing with the railway track, children share their ideas and listen well to each other. They develop knowledge of how things work when they consider the bridge section and what holds it up. They gain general knowledge of trains like "the Flying Scotsman" and use a broad vocabulary, describing how the diesel engines are pulling petrol tankers and that there are no carriages, because it is not a passenger train.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to learn self-discipline, using a hand-clapping routine to help them focus on quietening down. They take responsibility for their safety and the good condition of their toys by putting them away, when they have finished with them. Children develop good social skills learning good manners at mealtimes, as they wait until everyone has their food before starting to eat their own. They learn to be considerate of others, as they are reminded to play quietly while babies sleep. Children are encouraged to develop independence through

p.4

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 daily routines, so when they have washed their hands and sat at the kitchen table for snack time, they are supported to use a sharp knife and a chopping board to cut their own slices of banana.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy music and action songs and have a repertoire of favourites, such as "Row, row, row the boat" where they sit on the floor, holding hands and rock each other back and fore. They develop well creatively, as they are encouraged to express their own ideas and imagination when using fuzzy felt, drawing pictures and decorating cookies. Their learning is extended as the childminder is skilled at asking questions to make them think and recognises when to offer additional resources.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop good hand-eye coordination through a range of activities, such as throwing beanbags to each other and catching them. Children follow instructions well, as the childminder has a cheerful, positive voice and explains activities clearly. Children have fun and are engrossed in developing their skills. They enjoy stretching tall and crouching small to music.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's interest and enthusiasm is well-maintained, as their activities are varied and they are given choices of what to do next. The childminder plans activities ahead and children are supported by her excellent knowledge of their current interests, skills and abilities. She understands how far to stretch them and when to consolidate, so children achieve well, while maintaining high self-esteem.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop well mathematically through daily activities. They compare the size of the dogs in a story and discuss interesting ideas such as, although a tree can touch the sky, the children cannot. Children count with confidence and recognise shapes such as a rectangle, triangle and octagon. They learn to estimate how many more slices of banana they can get out of the last section. Children learn to recognise numerals and to count to ten in French. They learn the names of different colours and to match them against their own clothes.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies enjoy a close relationship with the childminder, who makes sure she is well-informed to meet their needs. Babies engage well with the childminder, making good eye contact as she talks gently to them and offers interesting toys for them to explore. She understands their particular needs and thinks ahead to their next steps.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are treated with equal concern at the childminder's and learn to be caring and considerate of others. They are helped to become aware that people have differences and to be comfortable around this diversity. Through interesting and well-illustrated books, children are helped to consider how they may be different from each other and the childminder, and are assured that these differences are alright. They recognise that some people may have physical impairments and are interested to understand what this means.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with physical impairments are well-supported by the childminder. Through good communication with their parents, she gains a clear understanding of children's needs and abilities, then adjusts her care to take account of these and promote children's development.

p.5

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 The childminder anticipates what challenges children will face as they grow and develop and plans her care with that insight in mind.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well in the setting, following the good role model provided by the childminder. Children develop self-discipline and show thoughtfulness and consideration towards others. Good liaison between parents and the childminder ensures a consistent approach to behaviour management, which helps children understand what is wanted of them. Through regular praise, when they are on the right lines, children develop good self esteem.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from seamless care due to a close partnership between the childminder and their parents. Parents have full knowledge of all the childminder's child care practices and procedures, from discussion with the childminder at enrolment and through the reading the information in her parent folder. The childminder is clear thinking and well-organised and very much aware of the information she needs to share, so parents are regularly updated about their children's well-being and progress. This may include a written daily diary for younger babies as well as regular verbal updates on their progress. The information parents share about children's needs, and parents own wishes for their children's care at the childminding setting, are respected and adhered to.

p.6

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are cared for by a highly skilled and experienced childminder. The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of child development and how to support children's progress in all areas. She has a warm personality and a positive disposition, which enables children to feel very secure and confident in her care. The childminder maintains a current first aid qualification and, where needed, undertakes additional training to meet the medical needs of specific children. She is fully vetted.

p.6

Organisation

Children's activities and routines are very well-organised to meet their care and developmental needs. Time, space and resources are used effectively to give children a broad range of stimulating activities which support their learning. The organisation of space takes account of the safety, well-being and interests of the different age-groups for whom care is provided. Children receive a good balance of adult led activities and free play, so they remain involved and relaxed. Children are proud of their achievements and highly motivated to participate in all activities.

p.6

Organisation

The childminder uses documentation efficiently, to support the care of the children, using a comprehensive set of policies and procedures for all circumstances. She maintains an accurate register of children's attendance and keeps all children's records up-to-date. The childminder ensures she has quick access to all important contact details, in case of emergency.

p.6

Organisation

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

p.6

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

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to: ensure that children's times of arrival and departure are recorded in the attendance register; keep a sufficiently detailed record of significant issues and share these with parents; keep a written record signed by parents of medicines given to children and ensure this is countersigned after administration; and make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint.

p.7

Improvements since the last inspection

The attendance register shows when children arrive and depart, with an accuracy of up to five minutes. A record is maintained of any significant issues and these are shared with parents. A written record is kept of parental consent for any medication given to children, doses are recorded and parents countersign the records, so they are able to monitor their children's health. The parent folder and a poster on the playroom wall are used to make available to parents details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint.

p.7

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration/ 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.

p.7

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.7

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.

p.7

The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7