Cowell, Nina

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY321390 Inspection date 04 August 2006 Inspector Joan, Patricia Flowers

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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 became registered in March 2006. She lives with her husband and son aged nine months, in a house in a residential area near to Preston in Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home and the kitchen and dining room on the first floor are used for minding purposes. There is a fully enclosed, decked garden for outdoor play. Children are taken on outings within the local area such as to the park and to near by play areas as part of the daily routine. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years of age at any one time. There are currently three children on roll aged four years, two

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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 years, and 23 months. The family do not own any pets. The childminder holds a teaching qualification awarded in Russia and has had nine years experience working in child care settings in England. Support is obtained from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a broad range of physical activities both indoors and outside. They learn to negotiate and use equipment during art and craft activities and when they play in the garden or at the play park. Activities are well planned and made easily available, thus promoting and extending children's developing skills. The childminder is skilful at providing an environment where children can practise using tools, such as the rolling pin to roll out the play dough thinly and shape cutters to press out different shapes successfully. Children's physical health and development is thus promoted very well. Children learn about their own personal hygiene as they wash their hands before snack and meal times, after visiting the bathroom and they brush their teeth after meals. This ensures their good health and promotes their own understanding about personal hygiene habits. As the childminder is efficient at maintaining a clean home

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Helping children to be healthy

environment and toys are cleaned regularly, children’s risk of cross infection and illness are minimised very effectively. This is further aided because children are provided with their own personal hand towel which is laundered every day. Children's understanding of healthy eating is developed effectively by the childminder's keen awareness of providing healthy food options. Children experience a wide range of healthy meals and snacks including a traditional Russian soup made with fresh lamb stock and beetroots as well as food from all the main food groups. They enjoy a variety of freshly prepared meals and snacks each day. The planned menus are balanced and nutritious and take account of children's individual dietary needs extremely well. As a consequence children have plenty of energy to grow and develop and they come to learn about the kinds of food that are good for them. The childminder takes good account of the different dietary requirements of each child,

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Helping children to be healthy

including their likes and dislikes when planning the daily menu, thereby ensuring that children are well nourished and the wishes of parents are followed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe and secure. They access a selection of age appropriate toys and activities in a welcoming home environment. Organised low shelves and boxes placed within easy reach allow them to engage in safe, independent play with toys that meet safety standards. They are confident in their physical abilities as they learn how to maintain their own safety whilst freely exploring their surroundings indoors and in the garden as well as in public places.

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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 They learn effectively from the childminder’s simple explanations about keeping safe when they hold her hand or the pram when going to the park, thereby developing their understanding of personal safety. Children are kept safe and learn about road safety when on outings in the immediate community or further a field, because the childminder is vigilant about their well-being. She sets a good example and provides explanations as situations arise, thereby children develop their growing awareness and understanding about their own safety. The childminder has devised an emergency evacuation procedure which has been practised with the children so their awareness of their own and other people's safety is reinforced. Children’s protection is well addressed because of the childminder’s keen knowledge

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of indicators of abuse and her clear understanding of what to do if she had any concerns. The childminder's written child protection policy is shared with parents, thus ensuring they are informed of her responsibilities. As a result children’s protection is a clear priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children spend their time in meaningful ways which ensures they develop their language, their mathematical thinking and their creativity in a home environment which encourages choice and independence. As a result, they become confident to extend their knowledge and skills as they select their play activities with enthusiastic enjoyment. As the childminder is very skilled at recognising each child's preferences and favourite toys, children's pleasure is enhanced effectively. They play with planned activities, for example, play dough at the small table or they can choose freely from the selection of age appropriate and interesting resources available to them, thereby promoting their development and enjoyment effectively. Children enjoy a very positive caring relationship with the childminder. This increases their sense of well-being and emotional security through the childminder's attentive

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

approach to meeting their individual needs. She is effective in planning a balanced day so that children are stimulated and make good progress in their all round learning and development. Children have opportunities to experience different environments, such as when they attend music sessions or when they visit an indoor activity centre. In such ways children come to appreciate and enjoy community resources. Children's interests are built upon as they acquire new skills during simple art activities, such as chalking at the easel, painting and colouring. Children consequently enjoy success and a sense of achievement when they see their work displayed on the walls and when they share their creations at home with family and friends. Children develop good self-esteem because the childminder listens and values what they say and talks to them about what they are doing during their play. Positive relationships are therefore formed with the childminder who is attentive to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their individual needs, providing good warmth of care and interaction. As a result children are happy and settled.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a welcoming environment that results in children being comfortable and relaxed, thus contributing to their sense of well-being within the childminder's home. Children are treated with respect and are valued as individuals with the childminder acting as a positive role model. She is sensitive to the individual care needs of each child and provides some resources that help raise children's awareness of other people's differences and similarities. Images and resources that depict and represent disability are limited however. Children are taken on regular outings that promote their sense of community. This strengthens the links they make with their own home experiences and provides good opportunities for the childminder to raise children's awareness and answer children's questions about the differences and similarities they see around them. The childminder works closely with parents and observes the children as a way of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

promoting her understanding of their developing needs. Children benefit as she uses this knowledge to adapt activities and her interactions with them to ensure that all children are stimulated and their needs are fully met. The childminder fosters good links with parents because she shares detailed verbal and written information about the children's day. The daily diary used provides a two way exchange of information so that children's care is best met. Children develop good levels of independence as they are encouraged to self select resources throughout the day. The childminder helps children learn about right and wrong by sitting down with them and talking about how they should behave. Children, for example, learn the importance of sharing and being kind towards each other in their play. They learn to take responsibility for their own behaviour by helping to tidy away equipment that they may have used and showing respect for each other and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the behaviour boundaries set. Praise is readily given and as a result children's self- esteem and confidence is boosted.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home and time well which results in children benefiting from a good range of activities to suit their ages and stages of development. Children are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning as they enter the familiar and well organised environment. As a result they are secure about making decisions in their play and their social interaction with other children. The children enjoy the well organised activity programme which is delivered in a flexible manner taking into account factors, such as individual routines and the weather. All necessary policies and procedures are in place and are shared with parents to promote the welfare of the children and ensure continuity of care. The childminder effectively maintains her records which are kept up to date and stored in confidence, thus contributing to the safe and efficient management of the provision for the benefit

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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 of the children. The childminder is open to furthering her knowledge and skills to the benefit of the children she looks after. Her experience and training is reflected in her approach to her job and she is committed to providing a good quality setting in which children can flourish and become successful and confident. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report since registration in March 2006. 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): • continue to develop resources and activities that depict disability.

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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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