Childminder in North East Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY297761 Inspection date 29 September 2005 Inspector Kathryn Margaret Clayton

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 first registered in 2004. She is registered to care for four children and currently four children attend throughout the week, mainly on a part-time basis. She lives with her husband and adult son in a residential area of Cleethorpes. The property is close to coastal facilities, shops, parks and schools. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school. The whole of the ground floor, the first floor bathroom and rear bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family keep one dog, a cat and tropical fish as pets. 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 are cared for in a clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene, as they are effectively encouraged by the childminder to wash their hands after going to the toilet and before eating lunch. Children enjoy suitable freedom of movement indoors between the lounge and dining kitchen. There are times when they enjoy outdoor activity in the garden during fine weather, and occasionally through visits to the park. However, there are not always sufficient regular opportunities for children to be active outdoors. The childminder works with parents to make sure children benefit from being able to eat a reasonably healthy range of snacks and meals when they are in her care. Children eat things they like such as cheese sandwiches, cheese balls and yoghurt. Older children have healthy options, for example, pasta bakes and jacket potatoes. Children enjoy easy access to some healthy drinks, for example, fruit milkshakes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Their health and welfare is adequately maintained because the childminder understands how to administer medication and record accidents correctly. However, the childminder has not yet completed a first aid course so there may be times when children's welfare is compromised because she is unaware of current procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminding home is welcoming and comfortable, suitably maintained and well lit. Children enjoy sufficient space to move around freely and independently indoors. They benefit from access to a suitable range of indoor toys, for example, a train track, a good range of equipment that promotes imaginative play, and a suitable selection of games. The childminder currently has no equipment to help to promote children's physical development when outdoors. Most aspects of children's safety indoors have been considered. For example, there is a fire blanket readily available in the event of a fire and a stair gate in place to deny young children access to the first floor without supervision. Children remain mostly safe because the childminder is vigilant without compromising their independence. For example, very close supervision is maintained when children need to go upstairs

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to the toilet and more freedom and independence is allowed when children are playing on the ground floor. However, keys remain in locked exit doors within the reach of children and therefore may make quick evacuation in the event of an emergency difficult should they decide to hide the keys. Children start to develop an early understanding about aspects of managing their own safety as the childminder makes sure she talks to them about road safety when out walking.

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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 The provision is good. An established stable routine helps children to feel a sense of security and settle quickly in the care of the childminder. Young children receive good support and comfort from the childminder. This helps them to feel happy in her care. Children enjoy a good range of activities that promote their development and learning well. For example, young children enjoy imaginative play as they iron items in their play kitchen. Good opportunities for free play are provided, children also make craft items, they draw, paint and share stories with the childminder during quiet times. Older children have the opportunity to go on occasional outings to the local woods and the garden centre. Children persevere well with the encouragement of the childminder, who skilfully

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

uses discussion and suggestions to extend children's concentration. Children enjoy good choices in play and are effectively encouraged by the childminder to take turns and play together. Some children benefit from attending a local Sure Start Centre for activity sessions. They mix with other children, helping them to become more sociable and confident.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit because they are cared for by a childminder who is a good role model and ensures a respectful atmosphere is maintained. Children are treated with equal concern and are given some individual attention according to their needs, for example, when one is colouring and another is ironing. They do not, however, have access to resources that reflect a positive image of diversity, and they are therefore less likely to start to learn about the wider world. Children with special educational needs feel valued because the childminder works well with parents to enable her to meet their needs as individuals. Praise and encouragement is well used to encourage children to learn good manners, to share and take turns. Sibling rivalry is effectively managed by the childminder by the use of diversion and distraction, therefore children are more likely to play together harmoniously. Parents and children benefit from having access to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

very useful information about the service provided. Details are gathered before children start to attend, ensuring their individual needs are met. Written details about children are not always recorded confidentially, therefore, it is more difficult to share this information with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at ease in the well-organised indoor environment. The childminder supports learning through play appropriately and organises her own time to make sure each child receives some individual attention. The documentation needed to promote the welfare of children is adequately organised and readily available. The childminder demonstrates an interest in extending her knowledge and therefore

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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 improving the service she provides. Children benefit because the childminder maintains an accurate register of attendance and works well within the requirements of her registration. The certificate of registration is not prominently displayed, meaning parents may not be fully aware of the conditions of the childminding service. The provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • provide more regular opportunities for children to be physically active outdoors • improved safety and security, by ensuring door keys are not left in locks, but are easily accessible in the event of an emergency • provide an appropriate range of resources that reflect a positive image of the wider world.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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