Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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209201 Unique Reference Number 01 December 2006 Inspection date Katherine Powell 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 1996. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years. She currently cares for seven children. Of these, four children are under the age of five years and three are under the age of eight years. At times, she also works with a childminding assistant.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives in a detached house in Spalding which is within walking distance of primary schools, nurseries and the town centre. Other members of the household include the childminder's teenage son.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children are cared for mainly on the ground floor with sleeping facilities provided upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor 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 meets regularly with other local childminders. The childminder has completed a recognised childcare qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is well promoted as they are cared for in a clean and safe environment. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene practices through daily routines such as washing hands before eating and after using the toilet. The childminder reinforces this by displaying posters in the bathroom to remind children to wash their hands. This ensures the risk of spreading infection is minimised. Very good written records are maintained to ensure children's individual medical and dietary needs are met. The childminder has attended a first aid training course and an appropriate first aid box is provided. This ensures that any accidents are dealt with effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a routine which incorporates regular opportunities for physical exercise and fresh air. Children frequently use the garden for outdoor activities and enjoy using play equipment, such as balls, skipping ropes, a climbing frame, a sand pit and sit-on rides. Children are able to further develop their whole body movements during trips to the local park. Young children develop good finger control and coordination through the use of resources and toys such as jigsaws, construction toys, crayons and shape sorters. The childminder has a keen knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework which enables her to foster children's physical skills and good health effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to understand the benefits of having a healthy diet. They are actively encouraged to make healthy choices at snack time, as a selection of fresh fruit is provided, and they have access to regular drinks according to their individual needs. The childminder takes account of children's preferences and parental wishes regarding meals and most older children benefit from eating a nutritious cooked meal after school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an environment where their safety is given a high priority as the childminder completes regular risk assessments, identifying possible risks or hazards and taking prompt and effective action. This ensures children are cared for in a very safe, secure and supportive environment. The outdoor play space has been designed to be child friendly and very safe. She gently reminds very young children to be careful when negotiating the small step into the conservatory. The use of suitable safety equipment, such as child locks and socket covers to prevent accidents ensures children's safety and well-being is promoted. The childminder conducts daily checks of both indoor and outdoor play space prior to the children's arrival, this significantly enhances their safety. High priority is given to ensure close supervision at all times and particularly when using the garden. Regular discussion and practises of evacuation of the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

premises gives children a clear understanding of the importance of staying safe in an emergency. In addition, children learn about road safety issues when going on outings in the local area.

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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 Children confidently select toys from the range set out for them, from transparent toy boxes and from those offered to them by the childminder. Children access an extensive range of toys and equipment which are age appropriate, safe and hygienic. The regular checking of furniture, toys and equipment ensures that the children are kept very safe at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected because the childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection policies and procedures; this actively contributes to children's safety and well-being. Access to information, training in this area and a written policy which she shares with parents and carers ensures children's welfare is given a high priority. Parents and carers are made aware that the childminder's ultimate responsibility is the safety and welfare of the children she cares for.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy participating in a broad and stimulating range of activities which engage their interest and meet their individual developmental needs. Children have good opportunities to develop their social skills as they play alongside other children and when sitting together at meal times. Children are able to initiate their own activities and freely select from a good range of toys and play equipment. They receive good support during play activities and the childminder promotes children's speech and language skills through effective interaction. Young children are fully encouraged to be independent as they make choices about their play and learning, learn to clean their hands and faces after eating and confidently express their own needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond well to the childminder and they have formed effective relationships with their peers. The childminder fully involves herself in children's play and activities. She knows individual children well so is able to provide a suitable range of experiences to meet their needs. The childminder has developed a sound understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework which she has started to use to support the planning of activities for young children, although systems to assess children's progress in each developmental area have not as yet been fully developed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The day is well organised to enable children to participate in a range of activities which help to promote their learning in different areas. For example, the garden is regularly used to enable children to practise their physical skills. Craft activities and resources are freely available to promote children's creative skills and children delight in showing their art work to others and are proud of their achievements. Daily story times help to foster children's interest in books and reading. Children enjoy selecting their own books to share with the childminder and also regularly visit the local library van.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled and are valued and respected as individuals. Play resources reflect positive images and help to promote children's awareness of diversity within society. In addition, the childminder also plans some activities to develop children's understanding of

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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 different festivals. For example, children have visited Spalding to watch a dragon dance as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. The childminder ensures that she gathers information from parents to enable her to provide appropriate care and to fully meet the child's individual needs. Children are able to learn about the local community by going on regular walks and visiting places such as the park and local school. The childminder is aware of the information she would need to obtain to ensure appropriate care could be provided for children with disabilities. The childminder has attended some additional training to enable her to support children with hearing and communication difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well due to the childminder's good awareness of effective behaviour management strategies which are appropriate to the differing ages and stages of development of the child. The childminder is calm and positive with the children, using positive reinforcement to promote good behaviour and develop a child's self-esteem. Children benefit from being very well supervised and receiving high levels of attention.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for consistently and according to their usual routines as the childminder fosters very positive relationships with parents and regularly exchanges information with them. Parents receive excellent written and verbal information, keeping them well informed about the childminder's service and practices. This enables parents to share fully in their child's care. The childminder has implemented an appropriate system to record any complaints received from parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are cared for within a very well planned and organised environment. Children access toys, equipment and activities which are well planned and prepared prior to the children arriving enabling children to feel welcome, confident and happy. Children confidently access and are involved in a wide range of interesting and age appropriate activities both within and away from the childminding setting. Children's other daily routines and patterns are considered by the childminder who carefully plans activities around these, such as a child's sleep routines. The childminder has, and continues to undertake appropriate training to enhance her existing meticulous practice and enthusiastic knowledge enabling her to provide high quality childcare.

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Organisation

All legally required documentation and records relating to the minded children are retained ensuring that the childminder is able to care for children in a safe and confident manner. The childminder holds a current first aid qualification helping to ensure that children are cared for safely and that any incidents or accidents are dealt with in an efficient and prompt manner. Children's individual needs and requirements are well known and discussed with parents and carers prior to their child starting ensuring their individual needs are well addressed and provided for. Children's safety and enjoyment is given a high priority as the childminder obtains parental consent for several aspects of her care.

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Organisation

Observations relating to the child's day, development and general well-being are fed back to parents and carers informally as they collect their children at the end of their minded day and the childminder has developed excellent written information about her service which is shared

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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 fully with parents. Children benefit from the very good communication between the childminder, parents and carers. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were raised with regard to providing parents with contact details for Ofsted and requesting written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has developed a written complaints procedure which includes Ofsted's contact details and parents sign to give consent for emergency medical treatment. The childminder has taken positive action which has helped to further improve the partnership with parents and carers and ensure children's health is well promoted.

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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): • continue to develop use of the 'Birth to three matters framework' to plan activities to promote children's skills and assess their progress.

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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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