Elliman, Helen Elizabeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY312658 Inspection date 06 July 2006 Inspector Carys Millican

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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 satisfactory. 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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged 20 months and 3 years old in Harraby, Carlisle. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. The bathroom and two bedrooms are used on the first floor. The master bedroom is excluded. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The front garden is used for access only. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child aged under five, and one child aged over five. Children attend for a variety of sessions during the week. The childminder also looks

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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 after children aged over eight years. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school. There are shops, pre-school groups and parks within walking distance. The childminder has use of a car to take children on outings. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, warm and welcoming environment. They begin to learn the importance of appropriate hygiene methods and personal care following the role model set by the childminder. However, children's basic hygiene practices are not consistently followed. For example, children do not have their hands washed before eating their breakfast. Children are generally protected from the potential risk of infection and illness as the childminder follows her sick children policy. Documentation is in place. Medication and accident records are maintained and written parental permission is in place to seek necessary emergency medical advice or treatment. Children enjoy an appropriate range of activities which contribute to their good health. Children enjoy daily walks in the fresh air as they go out with the childminder to the local school and for walks around the estate to the playground. Indoors, young

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Helping children to be healthy

children access plenty of floor space to develop their walking skills. Children’s emotional well-being is promoted through the caring relationships developing, and the attachment formed with their childminder. Children are nourished and their individual needs met. Their dietary needs and preferences are obtained from parents and routines are followed. Children benefit from the range of homemade meals and healthy snacks provided. Children access a variety of drinks, such as milk, water or fruit drinks. They are able to decide what they would like for breakfast, and help themselves to the hot buttered toast before setting off for school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a well organised and well maintained environment. The childminder makes sure all areas used by the children are safe and secure for them. Children are cared for in a safe environment where hazards and risks are identified and minimised. Appropriate safety equipment is in place. The fire evacuation procedure is in place and the childminder is clear on what she would do in an emergency; however, she has not practised it when caring for children. Children are provided with a suitable range of age appropriate and stimulating resources within a safe and secure environment. The childminder carefully selects

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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 resources for children, which meet safety standards. Toys are regularly checked for small, broken or loose parts. Children benefit from a good selection of age related toys and resources, which are carefully supervised and monitored to ensure younger children’s safety. Children are kept safe and their welfare safeguarded by the childminder maintaining the required documents and procedures. Children are kept safe on outings and when travelling in the car as written parental permission is obtained and the correct documentation is in place to ensure their safety. The first aid box is complete and accessible for use in an emergency. The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues; she has obtained the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines and record keeping is in place to record concerns and existing injuries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children confidently engage in suitable activities and play happily, making themselves at home. They make positive relationships with adults and other children. Children are able to make choices in their play and help themselves to a suitable range of age appropriate resources. The childminder provides activities which take into account their individual needs and offers sensory experiences. Older children enjoy playing with the younger ones as they complete a jigsaw together. The childminder encourages conversation and children interact well with her and her family. Children develop good self-esteem as the childminder listens to and values what they say and do, and constantly praises their efforts and achievement. Children remain interested and motivated, and their all round development is promoted by the childminder as she sits with them asking questions and talking about what they plan

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to do at school that day. Children follow flexible routines that flow with their needs. Routines are discussed with parents to ensure continuity of care. Children are provided with opportunities during the day to socialise with others and play outdoors in the local play-park. Children are provided with appropriate activities in which they can all take part. They access a wide range of resources and bring their own toys if they wish. Children enjoy their time at the childminders and confidently say so. Children are happy and contented; they settle well and play confidently by themselves or with the support of the childminder and her family. Children’s artwork is displayed in the kitchen dining area. Children begin to distinguish between right and wrong, and the childminder is on hand to explain and support. Children learn to become confident and competent language users. Young children’s language and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

communication skills are encouraged and developed by the close interaction with the childminder. The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of child development and provides interesting and stimulating activities. The childminder has not yet obtained the Birth to three matters pack. However, children are provided with appropriate activities to help with their individual needs and development. Weekly play plans are in place to ensure children are provided with a full range of activities.

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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 The provision is good. Children are made to feel very welcome and settle easily. The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities. An all inclusive environment is created. Children are provided with activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children are treated with equal concern and their individual needs are met. They develop a sense of belonging and self-assurance since they form familiar, trusting, safe and secure relationships with the childminder and her family. Children are valued, comforted well and thrive on the positive interaction they receive. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their individual needs are very well met as children follow their normal routine as discussed with their parents, for

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Helping children make a positive contribution

example, through activities, snacks and drinks. Children form warm and trusting relationships with the childminder. They make choices and decisions as they choose what to play with next or what to eat for breakfast. Children develop self-esteem and confidence as they receive positive praise for their actions. Children benefit from the positive relationships developed with parents. Their general welfare is promoted since the childminder collects detailed information from parents to ensure individual care is consistently followed. Children are looked after according to parents' wishes as individual and daily routines are followed. Information is shared daily, both verbal and written in a daily diary; this enables the childminder to meet children's individual needs and provide continuity of care. Written agreements are maintained with parents, who are provided with an extremely detailed parent pack. Although written policies and procedures are maintained to ensure the health, safety,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and welfare of children, the complaints register is not yet in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by an experienced practitioner who values, understands, supports and encourages children. Children's care, learning and play is fully supported by the childminder, as she gives them individual attention. Children feel at home and at ease in the homely environment. They move around freely and confidently and initiate and extend their own play and learning. Children gain independence through the childminder's encouragement and support. Children's health, safety and welfare is well promoted by the childminder keeping all of the required documentation and procedures in place. Children learn to take responsibility for keeping themselves safe, as the childminder explains simple safety practices to them and encourages independence. Children’s individual needs are recorded and the childminder shares information daily with parents to keep them informed about their child's activities and progress. This

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Organisation

contributes to continuity in the children’s care. The childminder provides a good selection of toys and activities for the children she cares for and they benefit from daily physical exercise and activities outdoors.

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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 Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. 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): • make sure children follow basic hygiene practices in daily routines • make sure the fire evacuation procedure is practised regularly with the children • obtain the Birth to three matters pack.

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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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