Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY269039 Unique Reference Number 05 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 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 2000. She lives with her two children aged 11 and eight years in Nettleham, near Lincoln. The whole house is registered for childminding, although most activities take place on the ground 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 one child part time. The childminder walks to local schools and playgroup to take and collect children, she also takes children on outings to the park, shops and library. The family has a cat and two fish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children enjoy playing outside where they access a generally good range of resources to promote their physical skills. For example, children have fun playing on the slide, tractors and playing with

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Helping children to be healthy

balls. Indoor resources are often taken outside for children to play with, which enables children to play in the fresh air, effectively promoting their well-being. Walks and bike rides to the school and park provide children with regular exercise, further developing their well-being. Children's health is maintained when playing outside because the childminder protects their skin from the sun by applying sun cream and ensuring hats are worn.

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Helping children to be healthy

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. For example, the childminder encourages good hand washing routines with the children and she maintains a clean environment by continually cleaning surfaces down after use. Children's health is appropriately maintained through the provision of suitable meals, regular drinks and fruit offered as pudding. However, a nutritious range of snacks is not always provided to fully promote children's well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment, where they have space to play, eat and rest safely. They enjoy playing with well-maintained toys and they access a good range of equipment to meet their needs. Children remain safe on outings and within the home because of the effective procedures the childminder implements. For example, children are supervised well at all times, steps have been taken to minimise potential hazards, the childminder discusses the importance of road safety when crossing the road with children and the home and garden are maintained securely. Children's safety is further ensured because a good range of safety equipment is in place, like smoke detectors, a first aid box and a fire blanket. Their welfare is fully safeguarded at all times because the childminder has a clear understanding of the procedure to follow should she have child protection concerns. Parents are made aware of the childminder's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

responsibility to protect children because she has a child protection policy in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and are eager to play. They enjoy playing with a good range of resources both inside and outside as the childminder regularly takes toys into the garden for children to use in the fresh air. Children enthusiastically join in and enjoy activities such as colouring, reading books, playing with the toys, playing in the garden and doing arts and crafts activities. This results in their physical, imaginative, social and creative development being effectively promoted. Children are fully occupied and stimulated because the childminder plans a good

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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 range of structured and free play activities for them to do. The childminder skilfully asks children questions during play, which helps to promote their thinking skills and develop their knowledge. For example, the childminder asks children questions about what colours they are playing with, what they are doing or what they would like to do.

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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 and because she listens and values what they are saying. Children further benefit as the childminder spontaneously seizes opportunities providing them with good first hand experiences, which allows them to build on their natural curiosity as learners. For example, when it begins raining the childminder discusses the rain with children as they stand looking out of the door. They are encouraged to put their arms out in to the rain to see how the rain drops feel. The children are excited and once they have dried their arms they eagerly want to do it again.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel a sense of belonging as the childminder understands their differing needs because she spends time getting to know them. They are valued and respected as individuals and the childminder has a suitable understanding of the information to gather concerning children's special needs to ensure appropriate care is provided for them. Children's behaviour is generally good and they respond well to the childminder as she praises and encourages them. However, some strategies to manage children's inappropriate behaviour do not fully promote their welfare and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works generally well with parents to meet children's needs. Parents receive relevant information in a portfolio on the childminder's care practices, including information relating to some policies and procedures. The childminder develops good communication channels with parents when children arrive, which helps them to settle and feel welcome. Parents are kept informed of how their children have been through daily informal chats with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are relaxed and happy in the childminder’s care as her friendly nature helps to create a welcoming environment. Children's needs are met well because of the good use of space. They access a wide range of toys and resources, which are regularly changed to provide children with even more variety. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibility to remain in sole charge of the children whilst they are in her care, to ensure their safety is maintained. Children receive a generally good standard of care because the childminder has completed all required training courses. Their welfare, development, care and learning are adequately promoted because an appropriate range of policies and procedures are in place. The majority of records are completed with relevant information and they are stored with regard to maintaining confidentiality, helping to ensure children's well-being. Children benefit because the childminder

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Organisation

has formed a generally good partnership with parents. 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 obtain written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. This permission has not been obtained, therefore children's well-being is not effectively maintained.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There has been one complaint made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. A concern was raised with Ofsted regarding the suitability of persons living or working on the premises. This relates to National Standard 1 Suitable person. Ofsted conducted an unannounced visit and found no evidence to suggest a breach of the National Standards. No further action was taken. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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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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): • ensure children have a suitable range of healthy, nutritious snacks • obtain written permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice • ensure strategies to manage children's behaviour fully promote their welfare and development and make sure parents are made aware of these strategies.

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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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