Childminder in North East Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 205606 Inspection date 12 April 2006 Inspector Margaret Bryant

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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 1988. She lives with her partner and adult son in Grimsby. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time with currently six on roll, five of whom are under eight years. She takes children to the local library, on walks to the local duck pond and on walks to and from school. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 are cared for in a very clean home where all toys and resources are also clean. All furnishings and floor coverings are in a suitable state of repair and decoration. Careful measures are in place by the childminder to help protect children from the risk of infection. For example, she is careful to ensure work surfaces are properly wiped down before preparing food, as well as educating children about their own personal hygiene. Children understand the importance of washing their hands properly, washing off the germs to prevent them getting poorly. They also understand about using tissues just the once to wipe their noses, before disposal of these into the bin. Children have their own individual flannels of different colours which are kept in the bathroom for their use. Nappy changing procedures take care to respect children's privacy and dignity. They are disposed of hygienically into nappy sacs and

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Helping children to be healthy

then placed outside in the dustbin. She then washes her own hands and also cleans the hands of the babies. The childminder has completed relevant first aid training which she feels is very necessary. She realises the importance of continually updating her first aid knowledge. She feels confident to deal with any emergency situation that may arise, to safeguard the children and get any necessary help for them. There are good measures in place if a child becomes ill with contingency arrangements in place shared with parents. She obtains written permission from them to seek medical help in case of emergency. Children receive a healthy and nutritious meal at lunchtime which includes fresh vegetables. Children are consulted about what they like to eat with the addition by the childminder of fresh vegetables. For example, they choose scrambled egg which they enjoy with jacket potato and cheese topping, diced ham and broccoli. Children

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Helping children to be healthy

are encouraged to eat and enjoy fresh vegetables and to try different foods including exotic fruits. Desserts at lunchtime always include a piece of fresh fruit as well as fresh fruit available at snack times. Drinks are readily available for children at all times, including water. All children sit and eat together, the youngest of children having highchairs which fit right up to the table. Children are encouraged with their manners and to use appropriate cutlery when eating their meal. Children begin to understand about the importance of fresh air, rest and exercise and enjoying the outdoors regardless of the weather. For example, they talk about playing in the snow and about running in the park. They also know they need to wind down and take time to rest. There is comfortable areas for them to do this in safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and comfortable home where effective measures are in place to protect them from possible harm. For example, there are locks on

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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 cupboards where medicines and toxic substances are housed, as well as a safety gate to deny access to the first floor of the home. There is a fire blanket in place, smoke alarms and a clear procedure of how to evacuate the premises in case of emergency. Children are beginning to understand about the procedure and about where the exit routes out of the home are. They know they need to get out quickly in order to keep safe. However, locked final exit doors do not comply with Humberside fire officer regulations. Children's toys, resources and all equipment both indoors and outdoors is safe and in good condition. The childminder ensures resources are placed appropriately for safe access, including access to outdoor toys and equipment. For example, the toy shed is exclusively for children's toys thereby allowing children to self select what they

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

wish to play with, without risk to their safety. Children's safety outside of the home is taken careful account of by the childminder. She has written permission from parents to allow her to take children on outings, which allows them to agree to the outings she plans. Children know about wearing seat belts when in the car and holding hands when out walking to keep them safe. There are restraints on pushchairs and reins available which help keep younger children safe. Safety in terms of collection of children is discussed with parents as well as the childminder's policy on sickness and illness. The childminder understands her role in child protection and is confident to inform parents of concerns with request for explanation. She has attended training in child protection and shares with parents her written procedure on this.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment where there is lots of opportunities for them to extend their learning. The extensive variety of readily accessible and available resources, ensures children's play is largely spontaneous. This helps them be independent in an environment which is home from home for them. They are extremely settled and happy in the care of the childminder and particularly enjoy indulging in imaginative play. For example, they create their own café from the home corner with their own compiled menu, with prices included. They decide to put on entertainment in their café and together work out a dance routine to entertain their customer, the childminder. The childminder actively encourages children's use of language, asking questions to make them think, such as asking about the money owing and the change they require to give to customers. Children thoroughly enjoy

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

playing together and are very happy and relaxed in the care of the childminder, saying they love being with her. Some activities require forward planning and the childminder involves children in this. For example, planning for Easter involves children thinking of design ideas for the craft work they do. Children proudly show their efforts, much of their work either on display or contained in photographs. Children speak enthusiastically about their Easter craftwork, the eggs they paint and the Easter baskets they take home. They happily recall events through seeing themselves in photographs including enjoying

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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 baking, playing with play dough and flying the kites they help to make. Young children and babies are spoken to all of the time, to help develop their language. They enjoy the interaction by the childminder who repeats the sounds they make. They smile in recognition that she understands their effort to communicate with her, helping them to settle in her care. All children learn self help skills, according to age. For example, they learn about how to put on their coats, hats and shoes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who gives children individual attention with respect and care for their feelings. This helps them to feel included and valued. She also ensures children's individual needs are catered for in line with their individual requirements and parents wishes. She introduces children to the wider world through the celebration of festivals such as Chinese New Year. She also shows them the location of countries. For example, children happily share the map of the world on display which shows animals and the countries in which they live. They enjoy looking at the map and learning about the different places. The childminder has resources which not only reflect race but also disability and differences in people. She is tactful in her handling of explanation of individual's additional needs with due regard shown for children's feelings. For example, a recent topic about the wearing of glasses,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

helps children to understand the importance of these and the help they provide people with seeing. Also she ensures children realise that despite people having differences, everyone is equally important and special. Children are listened to attentively by the childminder which helps them know that what they say is important to her. She gives them praise and encouragement which in turn makes them feel good about themselves. Children get along very well together and share and take turns. The childminder shows affection to the children and is patient and calm, reassuring children and making them feel very comfortable in her care. Close and professional relationships are in place with parents. They say they are very happy with the care their children receive, both through verbal comments and through written letter of support. They receive daily verbal information about what their child does and what they achieve whilst with her. She complies with their wishes

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and has appropriate written permissions in place from parents about the care of their children, including the taking of photographs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home where they have the opportunity to move independently between all areas on the whole ground floor of the home. They enjoy the freedom and independence this gives them, in a setting which is very much home

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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 from home. They obviously feel they belong and as a consequence feel extremely settled. The childminder shows a commitment to further her knowledge through attending relevant training in relation to caring for children. Certificates are shared with parents. This reassures them their children are cared for by someone who keeps abreast of relevant matters in relation to childcare. She informs parents daily about the care their children receive and what they achieve. Her certificate of registration is on display reassuring parents of her suitability. It allows them to know the conditions under which she operates. Records as required by regulation are available. However, accident and medication records are not readily obtainable in permanent form and kept in one place. Records are securely stored

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Organisation

away when not in use, maintaining confidentiality of information. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The following recommendation was made at the time of the last inspection: 'provide children with a varied selection of equipment that reflects disabilities and varying needs'. Since the last inspection the childminder has obtained resources which reflect disability and varying needs. She also ensures children are aware of diversity through discussion with them about the differences in people and the additional and special needs that people have.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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

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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that both medication and accident recording is contained in the one place, for easier accessibility and inspection, whilst continuing to maintain confidentiality of information • ensure local fire regulations are complied with, in relation to exit doors, at all times.

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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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