Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY102235 Unique Reference Number 26 April 2006 Inspection date Christine Coram Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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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

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 2002. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 10 and 6 years in a house in a residential area of Ferndown, Dorset. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care of a maximum of 5 children at any one time and is currently minding 13 children under 8 years. Some older children also attend. All the children attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends childminder groups, takes children to the local library and to the parks, health and woodland. During school holidays, children are taken on a variety of other outings. The family have a pet rabbit.

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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 Dorset and Poole Childminding Association, Children Come First Childminding Network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's hygiene is promoted excellently through procedures such as very vigilant hand washing before meals, after use of the garden and after toileting. The childminder knows that one child frequently sucks their fingers and so wipes are always to hand in garden for use if this child strokes the rabbit. Children's health is protected particularly well through a very detailed health questionnaire, which she has introduced. The questions include health issues such as convulsions and heart complaints so that she has a full picture of the child's health history and can care for them accordingly. All the relevant consents and records are in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's nutritional health is promoted extremely effectively because the childminder has a very good understanding of healthy eating. Some snacks are provided by the childminder and consist of healthy options such as dried fruit, carrot sticks and milk to drink. She is trained in oral health education and is very keen to promote oral health. Children who have breakfast at the childminder's house bring toothbrushes and toothpaste to ensure that their teeth are clean following this meal.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are particularly appropriate for childminding. Children benefit from the safe areas used such as the playroom, living room, extension for messy play and spacious hallway. The garden is a level, safe and secure area which is used well to provide many activities. Children enjoy a very wide range of toys and play equipment both in-doors and out. They can access these easily from the open shelving. The equipment is particularly clean and safe for them to use because the childminder uses the dishwasher to clean toys very regularly and replaces toys that become worn so that all is of very good quality. There are toys and games suitable for all ages.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from possible abuse or harm because the childminder is clear about the issues of child protection. However, she is not clear about some of the procedures. Children are protected well from possible accidents because the childminder is very safety conscious. In addition to the safety equipment she has put in place, she instinctively protects them. For example, she shields children who are standing outside the playhouse when another child is about to push the door open. She sees and eliminates hazards quickly and has clear procedures for different activities such as the use of the steps in the playhouse and for outings.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happily occupied throughout the day. They are excited at the prospect of each activity offered. Children are involved in many different activities, including candle making, riding on a bus, feeding the ducks, visits to a nearby model village and growing vegetables in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children gain huge benefit from the garden. Many play and learning opportunities are provided. For example, children are encouraged to explore and experiment with the resources and the sand.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder supports and extends all activities so that children gain the most from them. For example, she uses a wide vocabulary in context to encourage learning. Children grow in self-esteem and confidence as she follows their suggestions and imagination in play. Children of different abilities are all supported very well. For example, a less able child is given more help and suggestions with his picture whilst the more able and confident children use their own creativity. All children are equally encouraged and praised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn as they play because the childminder has a very good understanding of how children learn and develop. For example, she encourages the use of positional language on bus journeys, talking about the car in front or behind. She helps children to learn skills such as sequencing using the traffic lights. Older children benefit from detailed and exciting projects such as creating a model desert with pyramids and cacti selected by the children on an outing to the garden centre. They follow this learning through using reference books. All children benefit from activities that are suitable for their age and encourage development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder involves children in activities that increase their understanding of the world and their community. Children's individual needs are met because the childminder is very clear about the interests, abilities and developmental stage of each child and plans accordingly.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with special needs benefit from very good liaison between the childminder and the parents and schools. The childminder is very keen to work with parents to support the families. Children have consistent care through the close and frequent communication.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well, responding to the childminder's positive encouragement. Because of suitable stimulation, children have no need to seek attention. They are well occupied and interested in what they are doing. Unwanted behaviour is averted because the childminder makes sure that the children's attention is on suitable activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children and their families are supported extremely well as the childminder makes home visits to the family prior the start of care for the child to discuss arrangements and written agreements. Individual diaries are written each day and sent home with the children. These contain plenty of detailed information about the child's day, activities, what they learned as well as practical

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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 details and messages. These are a very effective means of communication. Parents are able to contact the childminder at any time through a dedicated mobile telephone for childminding. Parents expressed their unqualified support for the childminder and are very satisfied with care offered

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's clear commitment to the development of her practice. She continues her learning through attending training courses and workshops, as she is able. However, she is not clear about child protection arrangements. Children thrive in a very well organised setting. The childminder plans and prepares activities for each day and all the materials are to hand. The activities are based on the Birth to three matters framework due to ages of children currently attending.

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Organisation

The record of attendance gives precise times of arrival and departure of the children. It is up to date and clear. All other records are well ordered and clear. They are stored confidentially and out of sight of other people. Documents are very comprehensive with information files and policy folders easily accessed by the childminder.

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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 her last inspection, the childminder was asked to develop written policies to ensure that parents are familiar with the childminder's practices. She now provides as good range of written information and policies for parents. They are now fully aware of the childminder's practices.

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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

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 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): • obtain accurate information about who to contact should child protection concerns arise

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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

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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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