Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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506854 Unique Reference Number 09 October 2006 Inspection date Janice Broddle 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 13 and 10 in Grantham, Lincs. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, along with the main bedroom which is used for sleeping. Toilet facilities are on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a rabbit and a guinea pig as pets.

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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 eight children, seven of whom are aged under eight years, of whom three are aged under five years. Most children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children and has a vehicle available to take children on outings. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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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 warm and clean environment where the childminder’s high standard of cleanliness helps to minimise the risk of spreading infection. Good hygiene routines, such as nappy changing procedures and arrangements for clean linen for sleeping children, support this, along with clear arrangements for children who are unwell. Children learn good basic hygiene practices as the childminder reinforces these, for example, by reminding them to wash their hands after using the toilet, before meals, after playing outdoors and touching the guinea pig.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their dietary needs met because the childminder provides meals in line with parents’ wishes. She effectively supervises meal times to ensure that children have nutritionally balanced meals and uses these times to initiate discussion to raise children’s awareness of healthy eating. Children are able to access drinks at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy fresh air and exercise on a daily basis which promotes their good health and physical ability. Along with the daily walks to school and pre-school they have regular times in the garden and walks in the local and surrounding areas. They also make frequent trips to the local park where they practise their climbing and balancing skills on the large equipment. Children continue to have opportunities to engage in physical activities in poorer weather during their time at toddler sessions where there are see-saws and sit-and-ride toys, and through their visits to indoor soft play areas which present a varying range of physical challenges.

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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 safe and secure environment. They safely move around the home and explore their toys and play materials because the childminder has a good awareness of safety issues. She has identified and effectively minimised potential dangers indoors, for example, by securing narrow units to the wall and by using appropriate safety equipment. Older children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe because they practise the emergency evacuation procedures and discuss what to do in the event of something un-planned. Parents are also aware of these arrangements. Children access a good range of play materials. The childminder cleans and checks these regularly to ensure that they remain in appropriate condition so that they do not pose a risk to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can play safely outdoors because the garden is securely enclosed and the childminder regularly checks the equipment and effectively restricts access to the shed. She has good systems in place to keep children safe when outside of the home. Younger children use appropriate safety equipment such as push-chair restraints or car seats and there are clear procedures in place, for example, for crossing the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a basic understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection. She is clear of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and is aware concerns must be shared.

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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 However, contact numbers are not readily available and she does not have fully effective systems for recording concerns, which could compromise children’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children’s development is well promoted through a wide variety of play and learning experiences. The childminder organises her time well, providing a good balance of indoor activities, and time outside of the home, taking into consideration children’s individual routines and rest times. Indoors, younger children enjoy practising their newly acquired mobility to explore their environment. They happily move around their secure identified play areas and begin to develop their independence as they freely select their toys from large storage crates and low-level book cases. The childminder provides high levels of support, dedicating her time to playing with the children. Young children enjoy looking at books and the childminder captures and maintains their interest as she welcomes them onto her knee to share the experience. She helps to develop children’s concentration as she points out interesting details on the pages and invites them to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

look for named objects. She encourages their language skills as she asks them to repeat words and praises their vocalising attempts and children smile with pleasure. Children’s weekly visits to parent and toddler groups, and regular get-togethers with other children introduce them to larger group play and support their developing social skills. Visits to indoor play areas and the local park enhance this and help to build children’s confidence and independence along with their physical skills. Older children also enjoy a wide variety of activities and they freely move around the home, independently choosing what they would like to do. The childminder’s effective organisation of space allows those who wish to relax or play quietly to do so undisturbed, whilst others continue to engage in more lively activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good relationships with the childminder. She shows appropriate physical affection and children reciprocate this, snuggling closely when they become tired and spontaneously approaching her to give cuddles. She has a good understanding of children’s stages of development, however, she is not yet fully familiar with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and is not yet using this to plan and evaluate young children's progress in order to identify the next steps in their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats all children with equal concern. She has established effective daily systems to verbally share information with parents. This keeps them well informed about her practices and children’s day to day activities and means that she is aware of children's routines. She is therefore able to cater for their individual needs appropriately and children are consequently settled and secure in her care. Children behave well because the childminder effectively promotes good behaviour through praise and reward, working closely and effectively with parents to promote consistency and continuity for children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to learn about the local community through their attendance at local toddler groups, contact with the local school and pre-school and visits to local facilities such

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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 as the park and shops. They are beginning to become aware of the wider world as they access a good range of play resources, such as a books, dolls, and small world figures that promote positive images of race, culture and disability. The childminder extends this through planned activities to acknowledge festivals and by responding positively to children’s natural curiosity. For example, children learn about Diwali as a result of investigating why the local shop has lights displayed during this period. The childminder has appropriate systems in place to ensure she is able to meet the needs of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised to ensure that children receive high levels of support and attention. Resources are easily accessible which encourages children’s independence and allows them to make decisions themselves. Space is well used, different areas available allows children to separate if they wish, for example, to allow older children to play with resources that pose a danger to younger ones, and to allow children to eat or rest while others continue to play.

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Organisation

All required documentation is in place which helps to promote children’s health, safety and welfare. The childminder ensures that she shares these appropriately with parents, promoting close working relationships and continuity of care for children. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to four recommendations. She has since undertaken first aid training and now has systems in place to seek written permission from parents before administering medication. This helps to promote children’s immediate health needs. She has also implemented a system to record any physical intervention which contributes to effective partnerships with parents. She has also devised and practised an emergency evacuation plan which improves children’s safety within the setting.

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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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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): • increase knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, ensure contact numbers are readily available and ensure that any existing injuries are recorded • improve activities for younger children in line with practice set out in the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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