Lynch, Tina

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY317076 Inspection date 15 May 2006 Inspector Angela Ismond

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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 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 November 2005. She lives with her partner and two children aged six and 12 years. They live in a three bedroom link detached house in the Swallowfields area of Andover. There is a lounge, play area, kitchen and breakfast room which are used for childminding and one of the upstairs bedrooms. There is an outdoor play area which consists of a paved and grassed area. The childminder currently cares for one child aged one year who attends on part time arrangements. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop a good awareness of health and hygiene through established routines such as washing their hands after using the toilet. The childminder acts as a good role model to the children as she practises good hygiene routines. The home is kept very clean with good standards of cleanliness throughout. Effective procedures are followed by the childminder to protect the children from illness and infection. Children enjoy regular opportunities to develop their physical skills and control of their bodies. For example, the children use the garden on a daily basis which gives them access to various apparatus such as a trampoline and games such as running and playing football. The childminder takes account of the needs and wishes of the parents and the children's choices to provide healthy meals and snacks. For example, the children have access to a range of home cooked meals and regular fruit and vegetables.

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Helping children to be healthy

Drinks are readily available at the children's level so that they can have a drink when they choose. Children are very well supported in their play. For example, the childminder assists and supports a young child developing his new walking skills, as she holds her hands near him whilst he negotiates the furniture. She readily provides a good level of physical care as she responds to the children when they need a rest by talking to them softly and rocking them gently until they are pacified. This enables the children to feel secure and confident which is fundamental to the children's emotional well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are kept safe through the childminder's sound understanding of minimising potential hazards, such as installing a lock on the fridge and ensuring that utilities such as gas supplies are checked regularly and records kept of any checks on appliances. The garden is used by the children under close supervision by the childminder. Records of accidents are clearly recorded and the childminder has a valid first aid qualification and would know what to do in the event of an accident. The children begin to understand about their own safety as the childminder talks to them about safety with regard to crossing the road. Procedures are in place regarding the safety and suitability of all activities and the childminder is vigilant in ensuring that the premises are checked daily to ensure that the home is consistently safe. Children's welfare is promoted through the childminder's sound understanding of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

child protection issues and procedures. She has a thorough awareness of the

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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 possible indicators of abuse or neglect and has attended an abuse awareness course. All the relevant documentation is in place and well implemented to ensure that the children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. The children have full access to an extensive range of toys and equipment, conveniently stored at the children's level so that they can select resources for themselves. Toys and equipment conform to relevant safety standards and are kept clean and very well maintained. There is a good level of space for the children to enjoy their play in an environment which is child friendly and where they are made to feel valued and welcomed by the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder is very attentive and the children enjoy being with her. The childminder has good plans of activities for the older children. However, she is not yet fully planning or implementing the Birth to three matters framework for the younger children. Children take part in a very good range of activities and play opportunities. They enjoy learning about seasons and the childminder actively looks at ways of extending the children's learning further. Children enjoy learning about concepts of colour and number and the childminder uses everyday opportunities to further develop the children's skills. Children have good opportunities to develop their creativity and self-expression through regular craft activities. The childminder ensures that the children take part in activities that they particularly enjoy. For example, one of the minded children enjoys playing with the fridge magnets so these are a regular feature when he attends.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make good progress because the childminder supports the children well in their play and they benefit from her close interaction and consistent support. The children enjoy opportunities to socialise with other children as the childminder regularly takes them to a childminding group where they learn to make friends, share and take turns. The childminder knows the children very well and she ensures that activities can be adapted to meet the developmental needs of all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from being in an environment where they are valued, respected and fully supported in their play and learning. The childminder praises the children consistently to develop their confidence and self-esteem and they behave well in her care. A behaviour management policy is in place to ensure that the parents are kept informed of how the childminder manages behaviour in a positive way. Children have access to a good range of resources, such as puzzles and small world figures, which positively represent individuals from the wider community. Through

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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 these resources the children learn to appreciate and value each other's similarities and differences. The childminder fully understands about the issues surrounding the care of children with special needs. Parents are provided with a comprehensive policy and procedure document which details all aspects of the children's care. Children benefit from a friendly relationship the childminder has with the parents and she has received very good feedback, from parents, about her service.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease in the home environment. The childminder organises her time, the activities and space well in order to meet the children's needs. Children benefit from a good selection of organised and free play activities to ensure that they remain occupied and interested. The childminder has a comprehensive range of policies, procedures and records which exceed the minimum standard required. For example, she has a behaviour management policy, a confidentiality policy, and a missing and uncollected child procedure in place. All policies, procedures and records are used effectively to promote the welfare and care of the children. She ensures that she keeps abreast of any developments in child care by attending training courses to keep her up to date. For example, the childminder has attended food hygiene, abuse awareness, dyslexia and equal opportunities training courses.

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Organisation

The childminder is aware of any change in legislation and complies with legal requirements including ensuring that all adults in the household are vetted and that her registration certificate is displayed. Adult to child ratios are maintained which ensures that children are happy and very well supported in their play and learning. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints since registration. 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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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

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 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): • further develop the planning and implementing of the Birth to three matters framework

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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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