Elkins, Clare Marie

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

152475 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2006 Inspection date Penny Wood Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2001. She lives with her two children aged five and two years old in the Muscliff area of Bournemouth. The whole of the home is registered for childminding, including an enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding eight children between the ages of 18 months and 11 years old. The childminder is able to walk and drive to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She takes children on outings to toddler groups, a local play park, shops and the library. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children practice good hygiene procedures, which reduce the spread of germs and infections. During daily routines, children are developing their independence. For example, older children take themselves to the toilet, washing their hands afterwards. The availability of individual hand towels for drying hands, limits the risk of cross infection of germs and illnesses between children. The childminder acts in the best interest of all children by requesting sick children stay at home and by promptly requesting parents of those children who fall ill within her care to take their child home.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy opportunities to be physically active, promoting their good health and physical development. They enjoy an interesting range of toys within the garden, visits to play parks and outings to local areas, such as Moors Valley Country Park. During inclement weather, the childminder ensures children continue to enjoy physical activities within the home by joining in with action videos, such as Tumble Tots. Children are learning to take responsibility for aspects of their self-care, which promotes their good health. For example, before going outside to play, children enjoy applying their own sun creams.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the medical care given by the childminder who is trained in first aid. They receive appropriate care for the minor injuries they sustain, with parental consent in place for the childminder to seek further medical assistance should a major incident occur. The childminder ensures she is fully informed of children’s medical conditions in order to be able to meet their individual needs. All documentation contains the required detail and informs parents of the care their children receive.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of healthy snacks and nutritious meals, encouraging a healthy diet. When requested, the childminder provides home-cooked meals; otherwise, foods provided by parents are stored appropriately to ensure they remain fresh for the children to eat. Drinks are readily available, with older children feeling at ease to ask for more drinks when thirsty. Records of children’s allergies ensure they only receive foods that are suitable for their individual dietary needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy space to play freely within the sitting room, conservatory and garden. The childminder has recently moved into her new home and has taken appropriate steps to ensure children’s safety within most areas of the home. For example, she effectively uses stair gates to deny children unaccompanied access to areas, such as the kitchen or upstairs. However, some doors contain low-level glass panels and the bedroom windows, although fitted with locks, do not have restrictors in place to limit the amount they open if in use. Both areas require addressing to reduce any risk of harm for children.

p.3

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 Children are developing a good understanding of the procedures to follow in emergencies. The childminder ensures children regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedure to ensure they are confident in the action to take.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy an interesting range of age appropriate toys that are in good condition and safe to play with. Regular checks ensure the ongoing suitability of the available toys. Good storage facilities enable children to help themselves to their choice of toy in safety, with older children willing to aid the younger children when required.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from the childminder’s knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures in place to promote their welfare and safety. Information regarding her role is shared with parents to ensure they understand her responsibility towards protecting children from abuse.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy within the childminder’s care. They display high levels of confidence and willingly co-operate with each other within their play, particularly during role-play. Older children enjoy responsibilities and show caring attitudes towards the younger members of the group, for example, by reading stories to the younger children when the childminder is occupied with others. On occasions when children become upset, comfort and reassurance from the childminder quickly settles them back into their play.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy access to a good range of appealing toys, which are easily accessible. The childminder uses a local toy library in order to offer children variety and to maintain their interest in the play opportunities available. During free-play, children enjoy playing with the toys available. The childminder encourages children to celebrate with claps and cheers when others achieve their goals, such as the completion of a jigsaw, resulting in a boost to their confidence and self-esteem.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder’s experience as a child carer, which is evident in her provision and management of activities. The childminder has a flexible approach to her provision of activities, adapting plans when necessary to accommodate children’s interest, likes and dislikes.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are eager to take part in activities, particularly those based around music and singing. The availability of a good range of interesting musical instruments encourages children to experiment with both everyday instruments and those from different parts of the world. The continuation of music playing in the background promotes a calming, child friendly atmosphere for the children, encouraging them to develop a sense of security within the childminder’s home.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children of all ages are developing good language skills during consistent discussions within their play and periods such as snack time. They are confident to initiate conversations with each other and the childminder, who responds positively to all children, encouraging them to communicate.

p.4

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

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of how to meet the needs of different children and manages the age ranges well, ensuring she caters for all children’s needs. Children benefit from the attention they receive and the support given to ensure their inclusion in play and activities. Children are developing an awareness of diversity naturally through their play with resources that depict positive images of race, culture, gender and disability.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and display caring dispositions towards each other. Under the good behaviour management strategies adopted by the childminder, the children are beginning to take responsibility for their actions and willingly say sorry when they upset others. Throughout the day children consistently say please and thank you.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationships between their parents and the childminder. Initially, parents receive written information regarding the childminder’s background and her practice, policies and procedures, offering them an insight into her experience and provision of care. The completion of daily diaries and daily exchanges of information ensures parents have an insight into their child’s day. Furthermore, information regarding how she encourages children to develop gives parents reassurance their child’s progress will be nurtured whilst in her care. In reverse, the childminder gains information from parents both at initial meetings and on a daily basis to ensure she is able to adapt her practice where necessary in order to accommodate children’s needs and parent’s wishes.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She organises her space well to allow children room to play freely and to access toys of their choosing.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder is experienced in childcare and during the length of her career has been pro-active in attending a range of training courses in order to enhance her provision of good quality care. The evaluation of her provision aids her identification of strengths and weakness and future training requirements, such as first aid and the Birth to three matters framework.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has a good set of policies and procedures in place, which are shared with parents in order to inform them of her provision of care. Records contain the required detail, are stored securely, maintain confidentiality and are available for inspection.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved her provision, based on the recommendation set at her last inspection. Children enjoy free access to resources that depict positive images of race, gender, culture and disability, enabling them to develop their awareness of diversity naturally within their play. The childminder has purchased a variety of toys in addition to using a toy library in order to extend her provision of cultural resources for children.

p.5

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

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 all areas of the home are made safe for children, with particular regard to low-level glass panels in doors and the use of upstairs windows when children are within the bedrooms playing or sleeping.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6