Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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208937 Unique Reference Number 13 December 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 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 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and 11 in Scothern, near Lincoln. The whole house is used for childminding and 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 she currently has 14 children on roll, who attend for various sessions each week. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-school to take and collect children. She also takes children on outings to the park and library. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a dog and goldfish. 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's health is satisfactorily promoted through the childminder implementing some good health and hygiene routines and practices. For example, children are cared for in a clean environment, potties are cleaned after they are used and children sleep in a designated cot with individual bed linen. However, individual wipes or flannels are not always provided for children to use, to fully ensure the risk of cross infection is minimised. A healthy environment is maintained because the childminder has a clear exclusion policy in place, which ensures children do not attend when they are ill. Children's health is protected at all times because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. However, to ensure children's welfare is not compromised, accident records are not always completed with regard to maintaining children's confidentiality.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have appropriate opportunities to be active and rested, which ensures their individual needs are met well. Children's physical skills, control and co-ordination are promoted effectively. This is achieved through music and movement activities inside, playing outside in the garden with a good range of toys and resources and regular trips to the park where children enjoy playing on obstacle courses. Children's health is further promoted as they walk to and from school each day, which provides them with fresh air and lots of exercise.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy meals provided by their parents, which ensures the food they receive fully meets their dietary requirements. Meal times are a social occasion where all children sit and eat together. The childminder ensures food provided by parents is stored correctly to keep it healthy. However, the childminder does not have systems in place to ensure cooked food provided by parents is then re-heated to the correct temperature. This results in instances where children's well-being is not effectively maintained. Children's health is promoted through the childminder encouraging children to eat their savoury options first. Drinks are accessible and regularly provided for children, ensuring their needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. Their needs are effectively met because space is organised well, which enables children to complete a range of activities during the day. For example, children sleep peacefully without distractions because separate rooms are provided for them to sleep in and older children have areas in which they can play with their resources, without the interruptions of the younger children. A good range of toys and resources are stored at child height, creating an accessible, stimulating environment, where children independently access their play materials.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is fully protected because the childminder takes positive steps to minimise potential hazards. For example, the setting is maintained securely, toys are maintained in good condition through regular checks and sharp objects like knives are kept out of reach of children. Children are supervised well and the childminder ensures children play with toys and resources

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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 that are suitable for their age and stage of development. This contributes to effectively keeping children safe from harm. Children are protected when they are away from the childminder's home because she has good outings procedures in place. Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded because the childminder is well aware of child protection procedures. A clear child protection policy, including up to date guidance materials, ensures the childminder can take appropriate action without delay.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have lots of fun as they initiate their own play from the wide range of resources stored at child height. They enjoy playing with dressing up resources, puzzles and cars, all of which they independently access for themselves. Children are fully occupied because they participate in a good range of activities, which promotes all areas of their development. Their decision making skills are developing well because the childminder discusses activities with them, enabling children to feel involved in what is going on.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show good levels of confidence as they request activities they would like to do. For example, when an older child requests to paint a snowman picture, the childminder obliges and provides painting resources for the children. All children then choose to get involved and they begin painting lots of Christmas pictures. Children's attention is focused on activities for long periods of time because the childminder allows them to choose what they would like to do. Children are not rushed, they freely paint as many pictures as they like and only leave the activity when they have finished. This creates a child initiated environment where children learn through their own choices as they play. Children use their imagination well and they enjoy imitating real life experiences in their play. For example, children show an interest in what other people are doing within the childminder's home. Therefore when they observe someone using

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

a laptop computer, this provokes their interest and they find and begin playing with their own laptop toy computer.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are settled and happy because the childminder listens and values what they say. They respond well to her as she engages in play with them. Children's communication and thinking skills are well promoted through the childminder chatting to them and asking questions as they play. For example, as children complete a puzzle, the childminder asks them questions about what pictures they can see on the puzzle.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are fully met because the childminder gathers clear information from parents and she spends time getting to know each child well. Activities are adapted and space is organised well to ensure children play with resources suitable for their abilities and age. Children are treated equally and the childminder ensures she obtains good information on children's special needs to ensure she can meet their specific requirements. The childminder has a good knowledge of how to manage a range of children's behaviour, ensuring their welfare and development is promoted. Children's behaviour is good and their self-esteem is promoted

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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 through the childminder regularly praising and encouraging them. They are beginning to learn the difference between right and wrong because the childminder ensures they are given clear reasons why their behaviour is appropriate or inappropriate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive a good standard of care because the childminder has formed a good partnership with parents. Parents receive clear, informative information regarding the childminder's practices, policies and procedures in a portfolio and brochure. The childminder sends letters out to parents to ensure they are continually kept well informed of current information. Discussions are held each day with parents, which enables them to find out how their children have been whilst in the childminder's care. Parents comment positively about the childminder and the service she provides. They state their children enjoy attending and they are more than happy with the care provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are relaxed and confident in the warm and welcoming environment. Their care is enhanced by the childminder's ability to organise herself and her home well. Space and resources are effectively arranged to create an accessible, stimulating environment, where children freely initiate their own play. The childminder is committed to providing children with a good standard of care because she updates her knowledge by attending training courses. All necessary records and documentation are in place, with most completed accurately. Children’s welfare, development, care and learning are effectively promoted because clear, informative policies and procedures are in place. Documents and records are stored securely, updated when necessary and used to effectively promote the outcomes for children. Overall, children needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to include the telephone number of social services in the written child protection policy. This information is now included in the childminder's policy. This ensures the childminder can refer any concerns without delay, therefore contributing to keeping children safe from harm.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 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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Complaints 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

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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): • ensure accident records are completed with regard to maintaining confidentiality • ensure each child is provided with their own flannel or face wipe when needed • ensure food provided by parents is re-heated appropriately.

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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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