Moorhouse Karen Lesley

Inspection report for early years provision

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252265 Unique Reference Number 28 July 2006 Inspection date Melanie Arnold 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 was registered in approximately 1992. She lives with her partner and one child aged four, in East Markham, near Newark. The whole house is used for childminding, although most activities take place on the ground floor, with bathroom and sleeping facilities located on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding six children for various sessions each week. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She also takes and collects children from nursery. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a clean home where they are beginning to learn about the importance of good hygiene through the daily routine, with good procedures in place to help prevent cross-infection. For example, children are reminded to wash their hands appropriately, tissues are easily accessible to children and the childminder uses antibacterial sprays to clean all surfaces. Children enjoy playing outside in the fresh air where they access a good range of resources to promote their physical skills. For example, children have fun playing with bikes, cars, tractors, bats, balls, a trampoline and a climbing frame with slide. Regular walks and trips to indoor activity areas during school holidays provide children with further opportunities for exercise, ensuring their well-being is effectively promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished because the childminder promotes healthy eating by providing them with freshly prepared meals, which children often help to make. They enjoy healthy options at snack times, including an assortment of different fruits, which helps to ensure their health is well promoted. Children have independent access to their drinks at all times, effectively meeting their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit due to the effective use of space, with areas for them to play, eat, rest and sleep safely. They enjoy playing with a good range of developmentally appropriate toys and resources, which are stored well to provide them with independent access. Toys and resources are regularly checked to ensure they are fully safe for children to use. Children's individual needs are well catered for because they have access to a good range of equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe and well protected within the childminder’s home and when they are on any outings because of the effective procedures the childminder has in place. For example, the setting is maintained securely, smoke detectors are checked each month to ensure they are working, dangerous chemicals are stored in secure cupboards, children are fully supervised at all times and their emergency contact information is taken on all outings. Children's welfare is fully safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of the procedure to follow should she have child protection concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children arrive happily and are eager to play. They enjoy their time with the childminder where they access a wide range of resources to meet their individual needs and are provided with good opportunities to learn through play. Children are able to move freely between the ground floor rooms and outside, providing them with the freedom to complete activities as they wish. Toys and resources are stored well, which allows children to initiate their own play. They have free access to a good range of craft activities, including, drawing, sticking, painting and

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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 stencilling, which the childminder sets up each morning and afternoon. Therefore, children's physical, imaginative, social and creative development is effectively promoted

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond well to the childminder as she engages in play with them. They feel valued because the childminder listens to them. Children of differing ages have fun as they play together, forming good relationships. Younger children look up to their older peers, who act as positive role models. Older children take an active role in leading activities as they create fun experiences for younger children as they play. Although the childminder is aware of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework, she is not referring to it when she provides care and learning activities and opportunities for children under three years. Therefore, although provision is good for young children, their experiences and learning are not always fully developed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children respond well to the childminder and they are settled in her care. Their individual needs are effectively catered for because the childminder gets to know children well. All children are valued and respected as individuals and the childminder has a clear understanding of the information to gather concerning children's special needs to ensure appropriate care is provided for them. Children have equal access to all resources regardless of gender.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s self-esteem is promoted through the effective use of praise, rewards and encouragement, with appropriate strategies in place to deal with any unwanted behaviour in line with the child’s age and level of understanding. The childminder works well with parents and carers, which contributes to children’s well-being. She provides parents with good information through informal discussions when parents first visit the setting and then through an informative written contract, which parents complete when they choose the childminder to care for their children. However, systems to record complaints are not in place for parents future information. Parents comment positively about the childminder and they are more than happy with the service provided. They are kept informed of their child's daily activities as good information is passed onto them through discussions and written diaries for younger children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are relaxed and confident in the childminder’s care as her friendly nature helps to create a welcoming environment. Their needs are met well due to space being used effectively, with resources stored at child height enabling children to gain easy access to them. Children's welfare is fully safeguarded because the childminder maintains public liability insurance and holds a current first aid certificate. The childminder works closely with all parents to ensure she can meet the needs of each child in her care. Children’s welfare, development, care and learning are promoted well because informative contracts and all necessary records are in place. These are completed accurately and held securely to ensure children's well-being is maintained. Overall, children's needs are met.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to develop her knowledge of child protection, secure the climbing frame and develop procedures for parents information. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and the climbing frame has been erected at a lower level to suit the age of the children being cared for. Therefore, ensuring children's safety.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has informative written contracts in place to keep parents fully informed of the service she provides, including the policies and procedures she has in place. This contributes to the childminder's effective partnership with parents and carers.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration the 1 April 2004.

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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): • improve activities for younger children in line with practice set out in the 'Birth to three matters' framework • develop systems to keep a record of complaints relating to the National Standards and any action taken.

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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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