Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 208929 Inspection date 21 April 2005 Inspector Gill Ogden

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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 has been registered since 1997. She lives with her husband and two sons aged 12 and 14 years in a dormer bungalow in Nettleham, Lincolnshire. All areas of the property can be used for childminding but the ground floor playroom, kitchen and toilet are used regularly. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play which has both paved and grassed areas. The local shops, a park, school and pre-school are all within walking distance and the childminder uses her car to take children to activities out of the village. It is a non-smoking household. The family has a pet dog.

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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 a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and currently looks after twelve children all on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy regular opportunities to play outdoors all year round either in the garden or at the park so they get lots of fresh air and exercise. In the better weather children spend most of their time outside. Children are learning about their bodies, they know that they need to take some clothes off when they get hot and young ones ask the childminder for help to do this. Children are looked after in a warm, clean home and the childminder encourages them to develop good hygiene habits. They are learning to use wipes to clean their hands after eating and activities, and wash them properly with soap and water after going to the toilet and playing outdoors or stroking the dog. Children receive prompt attention when they are ill through the childminder quickly recognising symptoms and informing parents immediately. Children bring their own packed meals from home but have snacks and drinks

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Helping children to be healthy

provided for them by the childminder. Younger children enjoy fruit regularly but children who come after school usually prefer a chocolate biscuit.

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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 home that has been well risk assessed for childminding. The playroom is set out so that children can move around safely and they know that they cannot use the garden whilst building work is being done there. They know that they can only go into the kitchen when accompanied by the childminder. All the toys and equipment are safe and clean and children are supervised closely whilst they are playing. If the children want to use toys that are not suitable for them but they have seen older children playing with them, then the childminder demonstrates their use for them. Babies are easily heard when they wake as the travel cot is placed in the room next to the playroom. Children are looked after in an environment where their safety is given a high priority as a result of the childminder holding a current first aid certificate, practising emergency evacuation procedures and having completed child protection training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

She is keen to keep up-to-date with good practice by attending a fire safety workshop.

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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 are very happy in the childminder's home and have fun when they are with her. Young children shriek with delight whilst playing and get excited when they see photographs of themselves and other children. They respond well to the childminder's prompts about the activities they were involved in, such as farm visits. They enjoy squeezing and poking play dough, sticking shapes on paper and exploring glue sticks and are developing effective communication skills. Children's interests are supported through the childminder observing and talking to the children. For example, she has created a laminated collage of all types of balls so that a child who is very keen on balls can look at it and talk about it when he wants. The children are able to extend and reinforce their learning because the childminder is flexible about planning. For example, she responds to the children's experience of being out

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

in the rain by following it up with a craft activity about umbrellas. Young children are well-provided for as a result of the childminder comparing her activities with the Birth to Three Matters framework to ensure good practice. She makes sure school age children can enjoy relaxing by, for example, playing outdoors or with computer games. They enjoy going on outings and doing craft activities in school holidays. The pre-school age children she cares for attend playgroup for their nursery education so the childminder has not yet looked at the Foundation Stage curriculum guidance to support her practice with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enjoy regular community activities such as attending toddler group, visiting the park and toy library as well as meeting visitors to the childminder's home. They are learning to socialise well and develop an understanding of the local area and people. They are beginning to learn about the wider world by the childminder providing activities related to differing festivals such as Chinese New Year. All children are valued and included and the childminder has good relationships with parents which enable her to speak frankly with them to ensure their children's needs are met properly. She ensures parents are kept informed about their children's activities and routines each day, especially acting as a link between school and home, and is considerate of individual family circumstances. Children behave well and respond to both praise from the childminder and her prompts to remind them about appropriate behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are at home in the comfortable play room and know where toys are kept so that they can get them themselves or ask the childminder. Children feel secure in the

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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 childminder's care through regular routines being established. All the required records are in order which provide a strong framework for children's care. Children benefit from the childminder being aware of the available opportunities to increase her skills and knowledge through talking regularly to colleagues locally. Children's needs are being met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder develop a portfolio so that parents received better quality information about the service offered when their child first starts. She has made a good start on developing a portfolio. It currently includes photographs of her family and information about daily routines and activities. she also now has a 'scrapbook' for each child that has photographs of them involved in activities and some examples of their 'work'. This helps to consolidate discussions with parents when they visit.

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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): • develop strategies to increase older children's interest in choosing healthy snack options more often • increase knowledge of the national guidance that is available to support the care and learning of children aged between three and five years.

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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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