Inspection report for early years provision Unique Reference Number - removed for security reasons Inspection date 14 August 2007 Inspector Ingrid Pine Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding 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. 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. THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection: The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT? The childminder has been registered since August 2001. She lives with her family in the village of East Ardsley on the outskirts of Wakefield. There are local amenities close by, such as schools, shops and a library and the main motorway network is a short drive away. The childminder uses the whole of her ground floor for childminding and two upstairs bedrooms, and there is an enclosed garden in which children can play. The childminder has an National Vocational Qualification Level 4 in early years and is a member of the National Childminding Association. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION Helping children to be healthy The provision is outstanding. Children effectively learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well-planned and supported daily routines. They know, for example, that washing hands prevents illness. Excellent procedures, such as wearing disposable gloves and aprons for nappy changing sustain high levels of hygiene and help prevent the spread of infection. Parents and carers are made aware of the need to keep their child excluded if they are ill through good, easy to follow information in a comprehensive pack. Children benefit from a very healthy diet. Children are able to access their own drinks from a dispenser and all are given gentle reminders to drink plenty of water throughout the day. All children are involved in preparing their own food. For example, they make pizzas and fresh fruit salad for their lunch and snack. They use fresh ingredients and discuss the various exotic fruits they are chopping. They understand very well that eating fresh fruit and vegetables keeps them healthy and are willing to try a wide range of different options. Older children are well aware of the importance of physical activity in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Vigorous indoor and outdoor play is a regular feature of the provision and encourages a very positive attitude towards exercise and music and movement. The childminder uses the 'Birth to three matters' guidance exceptionally well to ensure that young babies' emotional needs are fully met. She has an excellent understanding of how young children and babies develop and of their requirements for sleep, rest and play and adult interaction. They are effectively cared for in a warm, safe and loving environment and form close attachments with the childminder. Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a very well maintained, secure and safe environment. The childminder uses assessments to ensure risk of accidental injury is minimised in a setting which has very good safety and security precautions. All professional visitors to the household are checked before being allowed entry and records are kept of their stay. The garden is very well fenced and gated and parents and carers are effectively made aware of the high standards of security procedures in place to keep their children safe. Children have access to a varied range of high quality, developmentally appropriate resources. They are well organised and easily and freely accessible to children. The childminder skillfully explains safe practices, such as why older children should keep small items away from the younger ones. She gives them autonomy and allows some controlled risks so that children learn to take responsibility for keeping themselves safe. Children are very well protected. The childminder is very knowledgeable regarding child protection issues and keeps her awareness of legislation and procedures up to date through regular training. Parents and carers are made fully aware of her responsibility in ensuring that children's welfare is paramount. Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do The provision is outstanding. Children experience a wealth of fun and enjoyment in a relaxed but very stimulating environment. The childminder plans an abundance of exciting activities that help children to learn through purposeful play. They are confident and knowledgeable. Supportive resources and visits to special places enhance their activities and opportunities for informal learning. For example, children learn about healthy eating through preparing their own dishes, listening and participating in related stories, such as 'the hungry caterpillar' and joining in with appropriate fitness videos. Children relish kneading dough and choosing their own toppings. They chop exotic fruits with expertise, discussing their preferences, but willing to try different tastes and textures with encouragement from the childminder. Children's knowledge and understanding of the world is enhanced through well planned activities that make them very aware of their environment, for example, recycling cartons and containers to make useful and decorative items. They learn about how people in other parts of the world live and take part in activities that support local and national charities. Children play happily together and interaction between them and the childminder is excellent. She shows a strong and secure understanding of both the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the Foundation Stage guidance and uses this to assess children's achievements. Resources are rotated on a regular basis ensuring children have many opportunities to experience a very wide range of resources covering all areas of development and learning. Comprehensive records of children's activities monitor their achievements and these are shared with parents and carers. Helping children make a positive contribution The provision is good. All children are made welcome and cared for in a loving, family environment. Children's behaviour is very good because the childminder has high expectations and consistent rules and boundaries. Children have very good opportunities to learn about their own environment and the wider world. They are involved in the life of the community and use amenities, such as local shops, library and the park. They learn about people who are less fortunate than themselves through raising money for charity and completing topics about children from the third world. Their understanding of environmental issues is fostered as they talk about waste and make models, such as castles and vases from recycled materials. A very good partnership with parents contributes significantly to children's well-being. There are effective communications systems in place and parents and carers are kept well informed of their children's development and achievements. There is a wealth of photographic evidence to show how all children enjoy their time within the setting and young children and babies have informative daily progress diaries. The childminder is beginning to encourage parents and carers of young children and babies to contribute to this record. Organisation The organisation is good. The childminder is fully committed to developing her knowledge and understanding of how children learn. Children benefit greatly from her utmost dedication to improving her skills and accessing a programme of continuous training. For example, she is studying for a degree in Early Years with the Open University and attends many short courses that are relevant to her childcare provision. The setting is well organised. Children choose freely from a range of easily accessible toys and equipment. Three rooms are used downstairs and all children are allowed to choose and manage their own play. The childminder organises many additional interesting activities. However, this occasionally impacts on the direct supervision of the children. A comprehensive range of documentation is very professionally maintained. This ensures the efficient and safe management of the setting and supports the welfare, care and learning of children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides. Improvements since the last inspection At the last inspection the childminder was asked to demonstrate fire safety precautions by recording fire drills practised with children. This is now in place, ensuring that children are kept safe. Complaints since the last inspection Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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. THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection: The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT? 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 systems for encouraging parents and carers to contribute to their children's progress records * develop organisation of preparation time and activities to ensure it does not impact on the direct supervision of the children. Any complaints about the inspection or the report should be made following the procedures 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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