Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY271168 Unique Reference Number 04 May 2006 Inspection date Sarah Gilpin 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 has been registered since October 2003. She lives in a small village near Scunthorpe with her husband and daughter aged 9 years. She is registered to care for 6 children under 8 years when working alone and a maximum of 8 children under 8 years when working with another registered childminder. They are currently caring for 17 children, who attend on a part- time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used by the children; they also have access to a bedroom and a play room on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder collects children from the local schools and shops, parks and other amenities are within a short distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Overnight care is offered for 3 children under 8 years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She 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 satisfactory. The children are cared for in a clean and well maintained environment. The childminder implements good hygiene practices, such as ensuring that food preparation and bathroom areas are suitably clean. Children's good health is promoted because they follow daily routines, including washing hands before meals to remove germs. A detailed policy to exclude children when they are unwell means that the risk of cross-infection is successfully minimised. Appropriate systems are in place to record accidents involving the children in the provision; however, the recording does not always promote confidentiality. The childminder has an effective system for obtaining consent from parents for giving medication and for her to seek emergency treatment, which ensures that she promotes the children's well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

A varied range of snacks and biscuits are provided for the children to enjoy; they eat these as they play. The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet the children's individual dietary needs and parents provide their children with packed meals, which are appropriately stored.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children's health is successfully promoted; they enjoy regular exercise and frequent opportunities to play in the fresh air. They use age appropriate resources and equipment, such as a sand pit and ride on toys and are developing their small and large motor skills. The children rest and sleep according to their needs and the childminder provides appropriate cots and beds, according to the children's age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe environment. Space is organised well to allow toys and activities to be set out and easily accessible to the children. In addition, the garden is used well to extend the available play space. The childminder carefully considers the children's safety and has taken steps to minimise hazards to children. For example, the garden is secure and safety gates are used to limit access to the stairs. The children are beginning to learn about how to keep themselves safe because the childminder talks to them as they play, reminding them to be careful as they climb in and out of the patio doors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A varied range of equipment and resources are easily and safely accessed by the children. Toys are kept at their level to allow them free choice; all stored items are in good condition and conform to the required safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection. She knows the common signs and symptoms displayed by children suffering abuse, how to record concerns and who to report them to. The childminder is able to act in the best interests of the children in her care, as a result of this practise.

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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 good. Children thoroughly enjoy their time in the care of the childminder. She plans her routine to ensure that children's days are varied and fun. For example, there are routine visits to the local soft play area and park, as well as, home based play. The children's learning is promoted effectively because the childminder has a good understanding of child development. However, she has a limited awareness of how the elements in the Birth to three matters framework can influence the provision for children under 3 years. The childminder ensures that children's thinking and learning is extended as they enjoy watching themselves on the television as they play an interactive game. The childminder understands the importance of communication and encourages the young children to babble and attempt words.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children have warm and affectionate relationships with the childminder. Cuddles and reassurance are a regular feature; subsequently, the children are very happy and well settled. Children especially enjoy pottering around the garden, where the sand pit is a favourite. There is a varied range of resources and toys, which are carefully stored to ensure that the children can make independent choices. In addition, planned creative activities are enjoyed and the children's creations are displayed around the house to ensure they celebrate their achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children's individual needs are met by the childminder who takes effective steps to get to know them. For example, she obtains relevant information from parents prior to offering care and encourages a settling in period. She provides resources and equipment that are age-appropriate, such as toddler toys and role play equipment. There are appropriate books and resources, which actively promote the children's awareness of the world around them and other people, especially other cultures and disability. Children with special needs are cared for effectively because the provision is easily accessible, and the adult to child ratio is high when she works with another registered childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The warm and affectionate relationships between the children and the childminder ensure that the children are happy and well settled. They behave well and the childminder makes effective use of positive reinforcement to deal with challenging behaviour. Praise is offered freely and a sticker chart is used sensitively to deal with children's challenging behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a successful partnership with parents and they receive a good range of information about the childcare service, including policies and procedures, to ensure that they know about the provision for their children. Their views are routinely sought and their written comments give an honest account of their opinions on the quality of the service. The easy going verbal exchanges as the children arrive and depart, along with written daily diaries, mean that the parents know about their children's achievements and ensures children's needs are met effectively.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children enjoy being in a home that is well organised to meet their needs. The childminder plans her time effectively to make sure that the children enjoy social experiences and home-based play activities. The childminder gives careful consideration to the numbers and ages of the children in her care and works successfully with another childminder to care for the children in the provision. The childminder accesses training on a regular basis to improve her knowledge of childcare and child development. As a result, the children are well supported by the childminder who contributes successfully to their good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement.

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Organisation

The majority of the required documentation is in place and the childminder has devised clear policies and procedures, which she effectively implements to promote the well being of the children. These practises include a child protection policy, emergency procedures and detailed records of information relating to each child. However, she has not implemented a complaints record to ensure that parents are fully informed about the provision.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the childminder was required to increase the range of resources, which promote positive images of culture, gender and disability. There is now a suitable range of resources and toys to promote children's awareness of the wider world and other people.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since April 2004.

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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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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): • consider what information should be recorded in the accident record

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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 • develop your provision for babies and young children by using the Birth to Three Matters framework • devise and implement a complaints record.

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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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