Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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209006 Unique Reference Number 07 June 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 15 in North Hykeham, Lincoln. The ground floor rooms, except the office and lounge, are used for childminding purposes. These include a kitchen/dining area, playroom and toilet. The bathroom is situated on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden at the side of the house which is used for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children during the day and nine children for various sessions before and after school. The childminder takes children to and from school and nursery. She also attends parent/toddler groups and takes children on outings to the park and indoor activity areas. The family has a pet dog and a caged bird. The dog and the bird live in the house but are kept away from areas where children play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and local childminding 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 effective procedures in place to help prevent cross infection. Their health is further protected because the childminder does not care for children when they are ill, which helps to maintain a healthy environment. Children's dietary requirements, likes and dislikes are fully met as parents provide the majority of meals for their children. The childminder promotes healthy eating by encouraging children to eat their savoury food before their sweeter options. Children access their drinks at all times, promoting their self-care skills and effectively meeting their needs. They experience a good range of vigorous activities that contributes to their good health. Visits to indoor activity areas and different local parks enable the children to access a wide range of varied play equipment such as swings, slides,

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Helping children to be healthy

climbing frames and balancing equipment. This helps children to develop their physical skills and body control. Children also benefit from daily exercise and fresh air as they walk to and from school. The childminder has good procedures in place to help protect children's skin from the sun when they play outside, maintaining their health well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and well protected within the childminder’s care due to the effective procedures she implements. For example, the home and garden are fully secure, dangerous chemicals are stored in cupboards with locks on and younger children are not allowed to sit on the high chairs at the breakfast bar. Children's safety is further protected because a good range of safety equipment is in place, like smoke detectors, a first aid box and a fire blanket. To help ensure children's well-being the childminder maintains records relating to accidents and holds a current first aid certificate. Children's welfare is fully safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of possible indicators of abuse and she is well aware of the procedure to follow should she have child protection concerns. Children are settled and relaxed in the childminder's care because her friendly nature helps to create a warm and welcoming environment, where

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

space is used well to meet their needs. Children enjoy playing with good quality toys and resources, which are regularly checked to ensure their safety. Their individual needs are well catered for because they have access to a good range of equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care because she listens and values what they are saying. They access a good range of toys and resources to meet their needs and they enjoy and benefit from taking part in varied play experiences which interest and stimulate them. Children's development is promoted in all areas because the childminder is skilful in her approach. For example, the childminder asks children good opened ended questions to develop their thinking skills and she incorporates language like numbers and colours into their everyday play

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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 activities, which helps to develop their skills in this area. Children's language skills are continually developed through the childminder holding conversations with the children and discussing things with them. Children are fully involved in making decisions about what they would like to do because the childminder completes activities with them in line with their interests and requests. Older children are stimulated because they are provided with responsibilities for designing special occasions cards, like Fathers Day, which maintains their interest and develops their learning in a fun way. The childminder is beginning to use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to observe and chart younger children's progress to ensure they are making progress and are fully challenged.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. 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 and the childminder actively challenges anti-discriminatory issues to ensure this is maintained for all children. Their behaviour is good because the childminder implements her informative behaviour management policy well. Children respond well to the effective use of praise and encouragement, which encourages their good behaviour and develops their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder effectively meets children's needs because she works in partnership with parents. She provides parents with good information on her policies and procedures through an informative portfolio. Parents are kept updated and well informed of relevant information

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Helping children make a positive contribution

through newsletters and they learn what their children do each day through daily exchanges of information.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are relaxed and settled in the childminder’s care as her friendly nature helps to create a welcoming environment. Their needs are met because space is used well and they have access to a good range of developmentally appropriate toys and resources, ensuring they are fully stimulated. Children benefit greatly because the childminder has formed a good partnership with parents enabling her to effectively cater for children’s needs. The childminder is committed to providing children with a good standard of care through updating her knowledge by regularly attending training courses to ensure she is fully aware of current childcare practices. Children’s welfare, development, care and learning are promoted well because informative policies and procedures are in place. Records are stored confidentially and completed with relevant information, helping to ensure children's well-being, with the exception of the child record

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Organisation

form, which currently lacks information for some children. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to work on several recommendations, including improving her outings procedures to ensure children's safety, obtaining resources reflecting diversity, updating her medication policy to include time of previous dose and to ensure all

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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 existing injuries are recorded in her accident book. The childminder has put new procedures in place for outings to help keep children safe. She now records any existing injuries to children and she has developed her medication records to show the time of the previous dose, however, to fully ensure children's well-being further development of this record is still required. The childminder has attended training courses to help develop her knowledge of equal opportunities issues and children's understanding of the wider world is promoted well because they now have access to a suitable range of resources which reflect positive images of society. The childminder has made improvements in all areas, which contributes to the good standard of care she provides for children.

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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 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): • update the medicine records to include the time the medicine was administered and ensure parent/carer signatures are obtained • update all children's records to show parents/carers work contact details and obtain information relating to people who are authorised to collect the children.

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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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