Regan, Jean Diane

Inspection report for early years provision

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505178 Unique Reference Number 05 September 2006 Inspection date Kathryn Margaret Clayton 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 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 first registered in 1999. She is registered to provide care for six children and currently four children attend on a part-time basis throughout the week, although none were present at inspection. She lives with her two sons, one a teenager and one an adult. The family home is located in the village of Scawby, North Lincolnshire. Children use the kitchen-diner, hallway and toilet. There is a garden for outdoor play. The family has three dogs and a cat. The childminder takes children to the local toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder understands how to keep children comfortable and settled in her care. They have the opportunity to rest and sleep, according to their individual needs, in a travel cot in

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Helping children to be healthy

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 large hall. The childminder makes sure children enjoy a suitable level of activity. For example, they use the large driveway to play on equipment such as bikes and sit and ride toys. Children start to learn about their own personal hygiene as the childminder teaches them to wash their hands after going to the toilet, for example. She provides separate paper towels for them to use to dry their hands, therefore reducing the risk of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Through discussion, the childminder demonstrates a suitable understanding of how to correctly store packed lunches, and the need to provide children with drinks on a regular basis. She protects children's health by making sure she does not care for children who are sick or infectious. Family pets use the areas of the home where children are cared for and the floors, furniture and children's toys and equipment are not cleaned to the required standard, therefore there may be some risk to their health. The childminder has a sound knowledge of how to administer medicine and maintain medication and accident records correctly, however, she has not completed a current first aid course and therefore her knowledge may not be up-to-date.

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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 homely environment where they have access to good outdoor play space. The kitchen diner is warm and tidy and suitably maintained. The childminder demonstrates an appropriate understanding of how to keep children interested in play, for example, by rotating the toys and equipment they use on a daily basis. The childminder has taken action to ensure that risks in the home have been minimised. There are locks on the kitchen cupboards and the childminder uses a large barrier across two steps in the kitchen until young children learn how to negotiate them safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is secure and the childminder makes sure children only go home with named individuals. Through discussion, the childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of how to keep children safe when going for a walk, for example, by harnessing babies and young children in a pushchair. Through discussion, the childminder demonstrates a suitable understanding of her role with regard to child protection and who to contact if she has any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates, through discussion and documentation, an understanding of how to involve children in a suitable range of activities that support their development and learning. These include singing and dancing, sticking and gluing, playing with play dough and a good range of opportunities to promote imaginative play, such as making a den. The childminder understands the importance of a stable routine which helps children to be happy and settled.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Through discussion, the childminder shows an understanding of the need to allow children to explore their own interests. For example, children who attend during the school holidays like to play games such as football, golf, dominoes and snap. This helps them to learn how to share

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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 and take turns. The childminder understands the importance of maintaining babies' routines in accordance with parental wishes. She helps them learn about the natural world as she involves them in activities such as planting seeds and looking carefully at flowers and birds in the garden. The childminder provides appropriate opportunities for young children to socialise, for example, by attending a local toddler group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder likes to welcome children into her home as part of the family, and many children have attended on a long-term basis. She demonstrates a good understanding of how to treat children as individuals and how to manage children's behaviour appropriately. For example, praise and encouragement is used when the childminder talks to parents about their child's day. She uses distraction and diversion with younger children. Some suitable resources, including play people, books and dolls that help children to develop a positive image of diversity are readily available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of how to develop a close relationship with parents. There are a number of useful written policies available to support the childminding service. However, the childminder has not obtained written permission from parents to take children's photographs. Although parents have been told how they may make a complaint, there is no written complaints procedure in place and no system to record, investigate and report on complaints made by parents relating to the National Standards.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrated a high regard for children's well-being. When childminding she makes sure she uses her time in the best interests of the children. The childminder provides continuity of care for a number of children who have attended for some time. The childminding areas and are well organised and give the childminder a clear overview of all children as they play and access toileting facilities.

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Organisation

Documentation shows that the childminder works within the conditions of her registration at all times. Most of the documentation needed to successfully run the childminding service is suitably organised, for example, the register of children's attendance. However, the childminder has not maintained a current knowledge of first aid procedures and this is not effective in promoting children's health. Overall, evidence suggests that the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to fully record and share accident records with parents and keep an accurate record of children's attendance. She was asked to record any concerns she may have about a child, and to make sure children were comfortable and warm when potty training. The childminder was asked to review the arrangements for pets to ensure that the childminding areas, and the toys and equipment used by children, were clean.

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Improvements 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 Since the last inspection children's safety and welfare has improved because they have a warm and comfortable toilet near to the main play area for potty training, and the childminder is fully aware of recording any concerns she may have about a child. Any accidents that happen are now fully recorded and shared with parents, and the childminder maintains an accurate record of children's attendance. Children enjoy some contact with the family pets, however, the childminding areas and toys and equipment used by children are not cleaned to the required standard and therefore there may be some risk to children's health.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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): • complete a current first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure the areas used by children and the toys and equipment are clean • devise a complaints procedure and a system to record, investigate and report on complaints made by parents relating to the National Standards • obtain written parental permission to take children's photographs.

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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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