Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 208637 Inspection date 04 October 2005 Inspector Tessa Margaret Betts

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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 registered in 1999 and lives with her husband and two children aged eight years and four and a half years in a three bedroomed house, on the outskirts of a market town south west of Norwich. All areas of the house downstairs are used for childminding, this includes a living room, dining room, large hallway, kitchen and toilet facilities. One bedroom upstairs is identified for children resting. There is a large enclosed back garden suitable for outdoor play.

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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 registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, although only one child was present during this inspection. Overnight care is not provided and the family have two guinea pigs which are kept in a hutch in the back garden. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a warm and comfortable home where all areas are clean and well maintained. Children learn about good hygiene practices through discussion and the high standards adopted by the childminder. Clear, informative posters displayed in the home, act as a gentle reminder to children about the importance of hand washing to prevent the spread of infection. Minor accidents are dealt with effectively, and recent training attended by the childminder on meeting children's medical needs, improves her knowledge and skills in responding appropriately to children's specific health issues. Children benefit from a range of healthy meals and snacks offered by the childminder. Children's awareness of the importance of healthy eating is promoted through activities such as playing healthy food lotto games, recording what healthy foods they have eaten on a chart and by comparing what they are eating with those

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Helping children to be healthy

on colourful wall posters. The contents of children's lunch boxes are monitored and challenged by the childminder, to ensure that children are given a balanced diet to promote their growth and development. Children are able to access regular drinks for themselves, allowing them to take some responsibility in responding to what their bodies need. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their physical good health. Through discussion and activities planned by the childminder, children become familiar with the different forms of exercise and learn that this is important to remain healthy. Daily opportunities are made to enjoy playing outdoors with a range of appropriate equipment both in the back garden, and on the way to collect children from school in the local park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is actively promoted through the childminder's awareness of potential risks within her home. Positive steps taken to minimise these, such as using a throw over a hot radiator in the hallway, enables children to use all available space safely, and independently. Sufficient space and equipment upstairs allows children to rest quietly, whilst remaining within earshot of the childminder through an intercom system. High quality equipment and play resources are regularly checked to ensure they are clean, well maintained and continue to be safe for children to use.

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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 The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe by agreeing simple house rules with them. Younger children are shown by example, so that they learn to put toys away and push chairs under the table to maintain a safe environment in which to play. A well planned storage system allows children to have direct access to age appropriate resources, which are either stored on low level shelves or in boxes kept at floor level. Regular fire drills are held and information clearly recorded, to ensure children are familiar with the procedure in the event of an emergency. Whilst a risk assessment has been carried out when children are using the large trampoline in the back garden, parents have not given their specific consent allowing their children to use it, and the childminder's insurance

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

cover has not be checked to ensure the appropriate cover is in place, making the current system not sufficiently robust to minimise any risk of injury. Children are protected from risk of further harm by the childminder's awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She keeps her child protection guidance and contact details to hand, so that she is able to act quickly if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have good relationships with the childminder, and as a consequence they are settled and happy in the friendly atmosphere created in the childminder's home. Children are confident to play and discover as they are gently encouraged by the childminder with praise, for example the child persevering with simple jigsaw pieces into the correct position on the board, receives the appropriate verbal reward. Children have their individual needs met as the childminder establishes daily routines around these, so that when the child is tired as rest if offered appropriately. Children benefit from an excellent range of available activities offered daily, which are varied to sustain their interest and provide appropriate challenge. The childminder uses her knowledge of child development to recognise and respond to when a child needs support, and when it is appropriate to watch as she develops skills for herself.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This allows the child the opportunity to build on her own ideas, as she carefully prepare cooking ingredients to use in the play cooker. Careful planning by the childminder enables the children to build on the skills they have learnt through the play activities provided. A written record is kept of the younger children's daily activities, which is shared with parents to keep them fully informed. This is then used to ensure each child has a balance of different activities both in the home and outside to broaden their range of first hand experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals and benefit from the childminder knowing them well and responding to their personal needs and character. They are learning to

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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 respect their own culture, and those of the wider world, through the childminder's positive attitude towards people from all walks of life. Excellent resources provided, such as informative posters displayed in the dining room help children to recognise different greetings from around the world. Through strong relationships built with the children, care is taken to ensure all children are welcomed and included according to their age and stage of development. Children are learning to manage their own behaviour through the good examples displayed, and the high expectations of the childminder. Consistent strategies used by the childminder, and age appropriate explanations help children to understand right from wrong. Children respond well to the praise and encouragement given and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

as a result their behaviour is good. Simple house rules shared with the older children promotes positive behaviour, and helps to create harmony within the household. Children benefit from the good relationships built with parents and information is freely shared between both parties. Clear, well presented written information, both in the form of written policies and information displayed in the dining room ensures parents are kept fully informed of what their child has been doing. Past parents comment favourably on the care their children have received, and the childminder's understanding of the new complaints procedure ensures that any issues raised would be dealt with appropriately.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's safety and welfare is actively promoted by the childminder having a clear understanding of the National Standards. Satisfactory checks have been completed on all persons in regular contact with children, and good supervision at all times by the childminder ensures children's safety. Training attended in the last year, such as completing a food hygiene certificate contributes to improving her practice. Children use the space within the home well and with confidence. Good organisation and planning of activities prior to children arriving ensures their environment is ready and welcoming. This contributes to children adjusting positively to a different setting quickly, and eases the separation from parents at the start of the day. Children are safeguarded by sound written policies and information provided by the childminder, who ensures all information held on the children is regularly updated in

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Organisation

line with parents' wishes. Overall, the needs of the children attending are well met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure all checks were completed on household members over the age of 16 years, to ensure persons in regular contact with children are suitable. This has now been completed.

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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 There are no complaints to report.

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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): • improve the risk assessment, with reference to the trampoline in the back garden

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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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