Graham-Troll Lynne Alexandra

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY290555 Inspection date 19 May 2005 Inspector Rachael Mankiewicz

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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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband, her eight year old stepson and her daughter aged four years in a residential area on the edge of Brackley. There are a number of community facilities within walking distance of the house, including pre-schools, schools, shops and recreation facilities. The childminder has use of a car during the day. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, including the lounge and dining area, playroom and cloakroom. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has a nursery nursing qualification. She is registered to care for five children under eight years and currently cares for two children under five years, two school age children under eight years and two over eight. The majority are cared for on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn to keep themselves healthy and to develop well. They enjoy a variety of meals and benefit from the good co-operation between the childminder and parents to provide a balanced four-weekly menu which introduces new tastes and experiences. Children easily access their own drinks, with older children able to pour more from the jug provided. They know they need to drink, particularly after they have done activities. Their understanding of changes to their bodies is developing well as they enthusiastically access the activities that develop their physical skills, both indoors and outside. Children enjoy taking part in music and movement activities, and playing games in the garden. They take naps and relax when they want to, with quiet music and stories, but with the childminder mindful of the sleeping routines requested by the parents. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of

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Helping children to be healthy

good hygiene practices and independent personal care. They understand that germs can spread infections and wash their hands without the need to be reminded. Children begin to practice good sun care as they select hat to wear before going outside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children understand how to keep themselves safe in a childminding environment where hazards are minimised by the good practice of the knowledgeable childminder. They move around safely and independently in the well- organised and spacious house and garden. Resources and equipment are checked regularly for safety and suitability, and children are able to confidently access the appropriate toys to their stages of development. Older children are aware of keeping themselves safe outside of the house including the use of road safety skills, and being aware of strangers and dogs. The children's security and safety is promoted through the childminder's understanding of first aid and child protection. She has generally updated her knowledge in this area, and her comprehensive records and procedures support her in her practice.

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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 The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities to enhance their development across all the areas of learning and skill achievement. They enthusiastically choose a variety of activities within the opportunities and free-play that the childminder provides. Her comprehensive planning covers all the areas of development, and offers challenge and individuality to meet the needs of the children. It is based on the childminder's previous knowledge and training as a nursery nurse, updated with recent research including good use of the Birth to three matters framework. Children enjoy music, drawing, painting, imaginative play and baking regularly, which contributes to their good creative development. They make progress as a result of their interest and enthusiasm in the play activities, and this can be traced through the individual

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

development records and photographs kept by the childminder. Children engage very well with the childminder and with each other. Their lively interaction during play enhances their development as good listeners and confident speakers. The childminder encourages them through sharing ideas, asking challenging questions and helping them develop their own views and feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled with the childminder, shown through their involvement in activities and their excellent interaction with the childminder. They show pride in their achievements and their displayed work and enjoy their time with the childminder. Their understanding of their own individuality, and how it is valued by others, is developing as they learn independence, and choose activities and resources, including how to decorate their T-shirts with fabric pens. A sense of belonging is developing through name labels and their own places for their possessions. They enjoy being part of an extended family as they learn to socialise and show concerns for others. Children enjoy socialising with other children and adults and begin to understand about diversity through meeting others. Their understanding of different cultures is developing through taking part in a range of activities to celebrate festivals, by exploring the local environment and by seeing

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Helping children make a positive contribution

positive images in the play resources around them. Children's individual needs are met including any developmental needs, by the childminder working in close partnership with the parents. The childminder involves the parents in all elements of the child care, including the management of behaviour. Children have a good understanding of the expected behaviour and behave well as a consequence. House rules are respected by older children and they act as good role models to younger children. They try to resolve their own problems and are able to do so successfully with the encouragement of the childminder when it is needed.

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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 Children benefit from the childminders' good organisation and business like approach to childminding. The childminder is a trained nursery nurse, who has generally kept up to date with further relevant training and research. Children are relaxed and secure in the effectively organised space. Their welfare and safety is promoted through the childminder's good practice based on her comprehensive records and her policies and procedures. She has a portfolio of relevant information for parents and a web site, which help the parents understand what is available in this setting. The children benefit from the sharing of this information and the good working partnership with the parents, which contributes to the continuity of children's care. Overall the children's needs are met.

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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): • develop awareness of local Area Child Protection Committee procedures

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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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