Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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208775 Unique Reference Number 07 November 2006 Inspection date Susan Hoult 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 has been registered since 1988. She lives with her husband in the Brant Road area of Lincoln, Lincolnshire. There are schools, a nursery, pre-schools, shops and parks within walking distance. All of the house is available for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has pet cold water fish.

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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 currently looks after nine children of whom five are aged under eight years. All children attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Lincolnshire Inclusive Childminder scheme. She has gained Childminding Practice and Quality First (quality assurance scheme) certificates.

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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, warm, home. The childminder effectively follows the policies and procedures she has in place to help prevent cross-infection. For example, she wears gloves when changing nappies and uses anti-bacterial spray and wipes to keep surfaces and toys clean. Fresh towels are provided daily and children have individual flannels. Children learn about good hygiene practices and personal care through daily routines and clear explanations. Children wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals and baking activities. The childminder makes sure that parents understand she cannot look after children who are poorly and has good procedures in place should a child become unwell whilst in her care. She has a current first aid certificate and is therefore able to deal with any accident appropriately. Accidents are recorded and signed by parents however, not all existing injuries are recorded which may

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Helping children to be healthy

compromise children’s welfare. Children's emotional well-being is fostered through the very warm relationships they have with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy plenty of exercise and fresh air throughout the year as they walk to and from school, visit the park and play in the garden. Children develop their large muscle control and hand eye co-ordination through using a variety of resources such as a slide, a tunnel, pedal and push along toys, a ball pool, a tent, hula hoops, skipping ropes, sand and water. They further develop their physical skills through joining in races and ball games and taking part in dance, action rhymes and music and movement activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder discusses children’s dietary requirements, likes and dislikes and any allergies with parents. She actively promotes healthy eating through discussions and activities, recognising that a balanced diet is essential in helping children develop a healthy lifestyle. Children currently bring pack-ups from home for meals which are stored and served appropriately. They enjoy a variety of snacks including fresh and dried fruit, rice cakes, toast and plain biscuits provided by the childminder. Drinks such as milk, water and fruit juice are readily accessible and are offered regularly to children to ensure they do not become thirsty.

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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 secure, welcoming, environment where the space available is used effectively. Children freely select from the wide range of well-maintained, good quality toys, books and play materials suitable for their ages and stages of development. Children are always in sight or hearing of the childminder both inside and outside. This means they are able to move around independently which increases their confidence. Children rarely go upstairs as toilet and sleeping facilities are provided downstairs. A stairgate prevents unsupervised access to the stairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is vigilant and minimises hazards to ensure children's safety and protect them from harm. For example, hazardous substances, sharp implements and exposed electrical sockets are inaccessible to children. An evacuation plan is displayed and fire drills are practised regularly.

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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 This helps ensure that children understand how to evacuate the home quickly and safely in an emergency. Children learn to keep themselves and others safe through the childminder effectively and sensitively reinforcing safe practices. For example, the childminder helps children learn to use cutlery, sensitively reminding them to hold their fork correctly so that they do not hurt themselves or others. She makes sure children understand safe practices when going on walks and outings by reminding them of road safety and using wrist straps or reins on young children as needed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected and their welfare safeguarded because the childminder has attended child protection training and has a good knowledge and understanding of possible signs and symptoms of abuse and who to report any concerns to. She knows who is allowed to pick up children and informs parents about the action she would take in an emergency.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and settled in the childminder's comfortable home. The childminder is enthusiastic and has a good understanding of child development and how children learn through play which enables her to offer purposeful activities and play opportunities for children. She refers to the 'Birth to three matters' framework when she plans activities for babies and young children. She takes into account the range of children she minds each day to ensure she gives them all a broad range of activities that hold their interest whilst they develop existing skills and learn new ones. Children initiate much of their play as resources are easily accessible; this promotes their awareness of positive choices and increases their confidence and learning. Children develop their imaginative, investigative and creative skills through activities such as pretend play, baking, potato printing, leaf rubbing, balloon modelling,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

playdough, cutting and sticking using a variety of man-made and natural materials, making masks and creating pictures through sand art. They help plant bulbs in the garden and grow cress which develops their understanding of growth and change. Hand, bubble, and finger painting is offered as well as free painting using brushes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate well to the childminder and are interested in the toys and activities provided. A child enjoys cleaning the floor with a realistic toy vacuum cleaner before choosing to draw using a wide selection of coloured wax crayons. When the child becomes tired they cuddle up on the childminder’s knee with their comforter from home. After a rest, the child enjoys a song naming their facial features. The other child has great fun, assisted by the childminder, clipping trucks together to make a ‘circus train’. The child is fascinated watching a bear rotate and a dog turn in a wheel as the train is pushed along. The two children both enjoy looking at books on their own and with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel a sense of belonging as the childminder understands their differing needs and respects them as individuals helping them develop a sense of identity. Children learn about our diverse society through a variety of toys, books, discussion and activities. For instance, children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 are able to represent different skin tones when using playdough made by the childminder. They learn about their local community through outings to local shops, the park, the library, a parent and toddler group and meeting with other childminders and the children they care for. The childminder has a positive attitude to, and experience of, caring for children with special needs and has attended several courses to increase her knowledge and understanding. In addition, she has recently attended two courses where she has learnt to sign words and numbers. She has introduced this method of communication to the children she minds and they all enjoy trying it.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play harmoniously together and are kind to each other. A young child gives a toy to a child who is tired and later fetches and gives them their comforter. The childminder is a good role model; she is calm and has realistic expectations of individual children. Her skilful use of praise, appreciation, encouragement and explanation helps children behave well and develops their self-esteem. Distraction is used effectively to manage the behaviour of young children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents to create a trusting partnership which enhances children's well-being, development and progress. A parent spoken to describes the care their child receives as ‘fantastic’. Other parents write positively about the care the childminder provides. An older minded child writes that they ‘would like to be like the childminder, look after children and make them feel good about themselves’. The childminder exchanges information daily with parents to ensure they work together to meet children’s changing needs. The parents’ portfolio which includes many written policies gives them detailed information about the setting and what they should do should they have any concerns. A gradual introduction is offered to new children to help them settle happily.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to ensuring children’s well-being whilst enabling them to have fun. She has a friendly, approach which children relate to well. She listens to children, is interested in what they say and do and is sensitive to their feelings which helps raise their self-esteem. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of child development and how children learn. The space available in the house and in the garden, where a gazebo is used in hot weather to help protect the children from the sun, is organised effectively. This and the happy, stimulating atmosphere created by the childminder enhances children’s care. They choose activities freely and have space for active play, relaxation and sleep as needed.

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Organisation

Well organised documentation provides a good framework for children's care. It is up to date, stored confidentially, and is available for inspection. The childminder keeps up to date with current trends in childcare through meeting with other childminders and reading National Childminding Association publications. In addition, she has completed a wealth of training and is planning to attend further courses to develop her skills further.

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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 parental consent to seek necessary emergency medical treatment or advice and increase her knowledge of child protection procedures. The childminder has effectively completed these recommendations, improving the health, safety and welfare of the children she cares for.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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 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): • review the recording of existing injuries.

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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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