Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY337569 Unique Reference Number 14 February 2007 Inspection date Anne Barnsley 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 has been registered since 2006. She lives with her husband and children aged and three children aged eight years, two years and nine months. She is registered to care for four children under eight and currently minds a total of four children at various times. The family live in a house in the village of Welton, Lincolnshire. Shops, parks and schools are within walking distance. All areas of the home are available for use. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a pet dog. 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. The good health of children is promoted because they are cared for in a clean, well-maintained home where they see the childminder following effective routines that reduce the risk of spreading cross-infection. Children are encouraged to self-care as they remove their shoes when entering the premises, use tissues to wipe noses and remember to flush the toilet and wash hands. Younger children are well supported by the childminder who gently reminds them how to do things which promotes their independence, and assists them if they need help. The childminder has clear procedures in place for the administration of medicines and a record of accidents which are shared with parents. Arrangements are in place with parents regarding the care of sick children and this contributes to children's general health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular drinks and home-cooked meals. They enjoy a range of nutritious, balanced meals and healthy snacks, such as fruit. They learn effective eating skills and manners as they eat together as a family at the dining room table. Children take an active role in keeping themselves healthy as they discuss foods that are good for them and participate in cooking activities that help develop their understanding further. Children's individual needs are catered for well through the comprehensive information the childminder gathers from parents when children first start at the setting.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have excellent opportunities to take part in regular physical activities and exercise. Children walk to and from school on a daily basis, and when the weather is fine visit the park after school to use the large apparatus and run around. They make good use of the garden, visit toddler groups where they interact with other children, and play active games in the home when the weather is not suitable for outside play. Children are regularly taken out and about for walks in the local area to visit places of interest. They are learning to form a positive attitude towards exercise which contributes to their good health and overall well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into a secure family home where effective safety measures have been implemented to ensure their safety. Children learn about being safe when they are reminded not to run around on wooden floors, help tidy away their toys after use and to be mindful of younger children when they are playing. The indoor and outdoor environment is arranged well and provides children with ample space, enabling them to move about freely and use the resources imaginatively. Children use a range of resources that are good quality and are stored safely in their boxes and containers. These can be accessed freely by children which enables them to make their own choices. Toys are age and stage-appropriate and provide well for the children being minded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound awareness of her responsibility to protect children. She is confident with the signs that would alert her to a child at risk and she knows the correct procedure to follow should she have concerns.

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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 are very happy in this setting. They play harmoniously together and display a strong sense of belonging. The children choose what they would like to do and how they want to spend their time. Some children prefer to do crafts at the dining room table and chat amongst themselves happily while they compare their progress and end product. Others prefer to have a rest after school and relax watching some television or chatting to the childminder as she makes their dinner. The childminder discusses things in advance with the children and has the activities ready for them so that they can start as soon as they arrive back from school. Children are very well occupied during the short time they are minded and clearly enjoy the time they spend here. They are very kind and helpful to each other and the childminder, and very secure in a stable routine. Children confidently ask questions and listen well to what the childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

tells them. There is a great deal of humour and laughter in this setting and the children are very outgoing and relaxed. When parents arrive to collect their child, the other children help by getting their school bags and coats for them. Everyone is pleased to see each other and very good friendships have been established.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder knows the children well and caters for their preferences. Children are free to choose from the toys and crafts on offer and all children are included in the planned activities and games unless they chose to do something else. The setting promotes positive gender roles but there are limited resources that promote an understanding of diversity. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They respond positively to the childminder and are very kind and helpful. Children are secure with consistent boundaries and behave well. The childminder is strongly committed to inclusion and integration and wants to use this in the future to help all children understand about special needs and disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works very closely with parents and has formed strong relationships with them. General information is exchanged verbally on a daily basis and any matter that may concern a child is discussed away from the children or at another time. Verbal arrangements are in place with parents for all aspects of their child's care, and policies and procedures have been discussed in full as some of these are still being developed as part of the setting's portfolio.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are relaxed and secure in a stable and well organised environment. They are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning, and fully engaged in activities where they receive good help and support from the childminder. Policies and procedures are discussed verbally with parents and promote the welfare, care and learning of all the children. Some of these have yet to be written and added to the portfolio about the setting. All parents are happy with the care their child receives and very friendly relationships have been formed.

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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 Overall, the childminder meets the needs of all the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provision 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 can be seen on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other then 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 there are resources available that promote positive images of diversity for children • ensure policies and procedures are in place that show how the setting is organised.

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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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