Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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208811 Unique Reference Number 09 January 2007 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 12 in Lincoln. The whole ground floor is used for childminding, with toilet facilities located on the first 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding twelve children for various sessions each week. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children, she also takes children on outings to the park. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a rabbit. 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 good. Children enjoy playing in the garden with the extensive range of toys, resources and equipment, which helps to effectively promote their all-round physical development. For example, children have fun playing on the climbing frames, slides, swings and riding on the various ride-on toys. Their health is further promoted as they get regular exercise and fresh air through daily walks to and from school. Children benefit because the childminder has good health and hygiene routines in place. For example, paper towels are used by children when drying their hands, which helps to effectively minimise the risk of cross-infection. Children learn about the importance of developing good hand washing routines through discussions with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy eating their meals at the table, which helps them to develop good table manners. Any food provided by parents is stored in the fridge when appropriate, ensuring it is kept fresh and healthy for children. Children's growth and development is promoted through the childminder encouraging healthy eating. A balanced diet and healthy snack options including fruit, contribute to keeping children healthy. Drinks are provided at regular intervals, ensuring children's needs are well met.

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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 setting where space is used effectively to meet their needs. They are well cared for and settled in the warm and welcoming environment. A good range of toys and resources are stored at child-height in the conservatory area, which is used as the main play room by children. Children have access to all ground floor rooms and independently select their resources and play with them where they feel most comfortable. A quieter area is created when children require a sleep to ensure they can sleep peacefully without distractions while other children continue to play. This ensures all children's needs are effectively met. All toys, resources and equipment used by the children are well maintained through regular checks by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is well protected because potential hazards around the home and garden have been identified and successfully minimised. For example, the garden is fully secure, safety gates prevent children accessing the stairs or the main door and cupboard locks are used on all drawers and cupboards around the kitchen to prevent children accessing dangerous materials or equipment. The implementation of clear outings procedures ensure children are fully protected when they are away from the childminder's home. For example, children are fully supervised, they are encouraged to walk away from the road and near to the grass verge and car seats and restraints are used when travelling in the car. Children's understanding of road safety is well promoted as they learn how to safely cross roads when walking to and from school. Children are protected because the childminder has a good understanding of possible indicators of abuse

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and she has a clear knowledge of child protection procedures. However, the childminder has less of an understanding of procedures to follow should allegations of abuse be made whilst children are in her care, to ensure children's welfare is fully safeguarded.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have fun and are happy in the childminder's care. They are able to initiate their own play because resources are stored at their height providing them with easy access. Children are fully stimulated and occupied because they enjoy playing with the good range of toys and resources and they like to complete the interesting activities provided by the childminder. For example, children enthusiastically join in and enjoy activities like painting, sticking, colouring, singing, baking and icing biscuits. Children participate in a varied range of activities, which enables their skills and knowledge to be effectively promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children regularly attend toddler groups where they are provided with additional play experiences to promote their skills. For example, they socialise with their peers, learn to share and their confidence is developed as they visit different provisions. Children relate well to the childminder as she listens and values what they are saying. She encourages children to learn as they play by skilfully incorporating number and colour language into children's everyday play experiences. Older children who attend after school are free to relax and enjoy their leisure time as the childminder allows them to select and develop their own play experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children receive a good standard of care and their individual needs are fully met because the childminder works well with parents. All children are treated equally and they are encouraged to show respect for one another. Their understanding of the wider world is effectively promoted through the accessibility of a good range of toys that reflect positive images of diversity. Children benefit because the childminder provides parents with good information on the service provided, which enables everyone to work together to support children’s well-being. For example, an informative portfolio keeps parents informed of the childminder's policies and procedures and information displayed on the door keeps parents informed of current information. Children's contracts and contact information are regularly updated to ensure the childminder maintains current, up to date information on each child. Daily discussions and written information

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Helping children make a positive contribution

provided for younger children, ensure parents know how their children have been whilst in the childminder's care. Parents comment very positively on the childminder's service. They are very happy with the service provided and they feel their children are also happy in the childminder's care. Parents state this results in them having piece of mind and trusting the childminder implicitly with the care of their children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder has a good understanding of information to gather concerning children's special needs to ensure she is fully informed of, and able to cater for, their specific requirements. Children behave well because the childminder has a clear discipline policy in place which refers to the use of manners and being polite. Children learn the difference between right and wrong through discussions with the childminder who ensures they are made aware of why things are either appropriate or inappropriate. Their self-esteem is well promoted as they are regularly praised and encouraged. The childminder manages a range of children's behaviour in line with their age and abilities. Therefore effectively promoting children's welfare and development.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder’s good organisation of her space and resources. An accessible, stimulating environment is created because toys and resources are stored well, enabling children to initiate their own play. Children have space to eat, sleep, rest and play, which ensures their needs are effectively met. The childminder is well aware of her responsibilities and she remains in sole charge of the children at all times to ensure their safety. Children benefit from a good standard of care because the childminder regularly updates her knowledge by attending different training courses. All required records are in place and completed well. Documents and records are stored confidentially, regularly updated and used effectively to promote children's welfare, development and care. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure children were unable to leave the premises unsupervised and to develop the written discipline policy to reflect the positive way in which behaviour is managed. The childminder now keeps the front door locked to prevent people leaving or entering the setting unseen. This helps to protect children from harm. The discipline policy now also refers to some of the positive behaviour management techniques which the childminder uses when managing children's behaviour. This ensures parents are kept fully informed of the techniques the childminder uses.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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.

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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 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 knowledge of procedures to follow if allegations of abuse are made while the child is in the care of the childminder.

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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 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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