Young Loretta Karen

Inspection report for early years provision

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219376 Unique Reference Number 03 November 2006 Inspection date Diane Mary O'Neill 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 satisfactory. 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 1993. She lives with her husband and three children aged 15, ten and eight years in Kempston, Bedfordshire. The whole of the downstairs is used for childminding as is the first floor toilet facilities. 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 one child under eight and two over eight, term time only. She is within walking distance to local schools to take and collect children. The family has three cats and two guinea pigs that have the free run of the garden during the day and four Giant African land snails.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 stay healthy because the childminder promotes simple hygiene practices. They are aware of the need to wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals. Clear exclusion times for certain illnesses ensure children are prevented from cross-infection from other children. The childminder has completed a recognised first aid course and has suitable knowledge to support any practices she may undertake in the care and welfare of the children. All relevant documentation is in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet of well presented nutritious meals and snacks. The childminder shares information with the parents to ensure the children’s dietary requirements are maintained. Children have access to drinks of water and squash on request.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to fresh air and exercise whenever possible to maintain a healthy life style. For example, they enjoy walks to the local parks where they enjoy playing on the large equipment, which enables them to use their physical skills. The children are taken on visits within the local community to watch people at work, such as, the local fire brigade and crane workers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, clean, well maintained and safe environment. They move around freely and safely in the childminder's home, where there are suitable opportunities for the children to take part in indoor and outdoor activities. Children use a range of equipment which is appropriate for their ages, to develop their skills and physical abilities. The childminder has identified and minimised the risk to children by regularly checking equipment, toys and premises. However, children's safety may be compromised as there is no regular practising of an emergency evacuation procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s care is suitably safeguarded as the childminder promotes their welfare and safety in an acceptable manner. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to protect children in her care and has the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and referral sheets, as well as the Department of Health booklet. This enables her to be up-to-date with practices and procedures to safeguard children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and happy in their surroundings and behave well. The childminder is attentive to the children in her care providing a range of practical age appropriate activities that enable them to play with a selection of equipment. These play opportunities enable them to develop in most areas of their learning. Children are able to extend their play through trips

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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 out within the local area, such as, going to the park to use equipment which further enhances their physical skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children confidently talk about their needs and interests, likes and dislikes. They communicate and interact well with the childminder and the other children in attendance. For example, they talk about the food tasting game that they played. Children playing with play dough are keen to tell the childminder what they were making.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder gives them praise for their achievements and meets their needs through daily routine and discussion with their parents. She has an informative file with relevant information for them to read. She also has a well planed induction period for when children start. The childminder is aware of maintaining a system for the recording and sharing of complaints with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are confident within their environment and move confidently and freely around the home accessing toys and equipment. They are beginning to learn to take turns and share. For example, children share some of the tools whilst playing with the play dough. There are consistent boundaries in place so children begin to learn about what is expected of them. The childminder has a suitable understanding of behaviour management and uses age-appropriate strategies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a suitable range of resources and activities to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and happy in the childminder’s care. They initiate their own play and explore readily accessible toys and resources, developing their confidence and self esteem as they become more independent. The childminder organises the majority of her work effectively, this contributes positively in helping children to feel comfortable and relaxed within the childminders home.

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Organisation

Children’s welfare is reasonably well safeguarded and their independence and confidence is suitably promoted enabling them to develop in most areas of their learning. There is general information that is openly shared with parents, which fully informs them about the care of their children.

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Organisation

The childminder is well organised with her documentation in relation to her childminding practice. This enables her overall organisational skills to meet the needs of the children attending. Overall, children's needs are met.

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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 was asked, to become more familiar with the National Standards for Childminding. She has reassessed these and has clear knowledge of the standards which is reflected in her practice. She was also asked to identify a suitable course for renewal of her first aid qualification that was becoming due. The childminder has attended a current first aid course to enable her to keep up-to-date with practices to ensure children's health and well-being.

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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.

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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 satisfactory. 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 emergency evacuation procedures are practised with the children.

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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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