Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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208559 Unique Reference Number 26 February 2007 Inspection date Sandra Hornsby 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 2000. She lives with her two children aged 12 and 10 years of age in Boston, Lincolnshire. The playroom on the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, and currently cares for four children on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to and from local schools, and attends local support groups.

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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 play in a clean home where the childminder carries out practices that contribute to keeping children healthy and free from infection. There are procedures and policies in place that promote the protection of children's health and welfare. For example, good nappy changing routines, the use of anti-bacterial cleaning fluids, and a sick children's policy. Children's medical and dietary information is recorded, accidents and medication records are available, and parents have supplied prior consent for emergency medical treatment. This contributes to ensuring children's health needs are met and that they are treated appropriately by the childminder. An up to date first aid certificate held by the childminder ensures children are treated appropriately if they have accidents. However, personal and medical information is not taken on outings, this means if children need emergency help, information is not available to make sure they receive

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the independence and dignity of using the toilet independently, and know they can call the childminder anytime they need help. They also understand about the need to wash hands after they have used the toilet. Children are encouraged to carry out personal tasks and are praised when they have achieved a task, for example, hand washing before meals. Children are praised when they excitedly tell the childminder they have dressed themselves, they enjoy sharing this information and the success is celebrated, helping the children to feel good about themselves.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children of all ages are given independence and encouragement to feed themselves at meal times. The childminder respects the children's abilities and asks if they can manage to open their food packets themselves, for example, cheese strings and crisps. Children know the childminder will help them if they are unable to do it. Babies enjoy food supplied by their parents as they use spoons and their fingers enthusiastically. Any food supplied by the childminder is nutritious and healthy, including yoghurts, grapes and sandwiches, and a selection of healthy main meals. The childminder avoids sugary drinks and snacks promoting children's good eating habits. Babies can make independent choices about what they want to eat first and how they want to eat it.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children and babies have a good relationship with the childminder who is receptive to their needs. She is aware of their individual routines and provides a continuity of care between home and the childminder's. Warmth and affection is displayed through eye contact, cuddles and appropriate language and interaction, this supports a young child's emotional well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children health and fitness benefit from indoor and outdoor physical play. They go out daily, walking to the schools and pre-school groups, getting fresh air and exercise. Children have great fun as they dance around the hall and kitchen, they laugh and giggle as they use their energy and move rhythmically to the Samba music. Children attend groups, use the garden, and play in the park where they participate in a range of confidence building games and activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

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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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a warm and welcoming environment that is informal and relaxed. The childminder's warmth help children feel comfortable and secure. They can safely access toys and equipment displayed in the playroom in draws and on the floor. Children play happily and creatively with the range of age appropriate toys presented to them. The childminder encourages the young children to independently explore the toys and environment so she ensures they are safe and well supervised. This protects the young children from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are benefiting from the childminder's routines and risk assessments where she checks daily that everything is in place to maintain a safe and suitable environment. For example, stair gates protect children from using the stairs unsupervised, fire precautions are documented and smoke detectors in place. However the fire blanket stands on the kitchen work top which means in an emergency it would be difficult to use, hindering children's safety. Children talk about keeping safe when they are on outings, and road safety, so they are understanding how to keep themselves safe when they are out with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded and their well-being protected as the childminder has a good understanding about child protection procedures. She is aware of who to contact and informs parents about her 'responsibility' to protect children and report concerns. She has the appropriate documents, information and telephone numbers which help her act quickly in a child's best interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their play, as they choose from a varied selection of age appropriate toys and equipment, such as a dolls house, sit and ride, dolls, prams, swimming ducks game and puzzles. Toys are stored at a low-level, either on the floor or in draws, where children are able to access them safely prompting choice and self help skills. Children enjoy playing alone and with others, they go to groups and play alongside children of different ages. This supports children's social skills, and helps them to share and take turns. The older children help the babies and young children join in and participate in the games, for example, swimming ducks and colour matching. The older children prompt and encourage the young children to pick up the ducks and match the colours. Children are very happy and contented in the warm and relaxed environment, as the childminder supports the children's play, she asks questions and encourages them to think

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

about what they are doing. She offers to support more challenging tasks and involve herself in their play while talking to the children and reinforcing what the children already know, helping children to build confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children participate in different activities and use resources that introduce them to diversity. They play with equipment and participate in simple celebrations which help them appreciate

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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 and acknowledge people's differences. Children's individual needs are respected and valued by the childminder who ensures their needs are recognised and met effectively. Records kept are up to date and effective in helping her understand and provide for children's needs. The childminder is aware of children with special needs and disabilities, and would support families and children effectively ensuring she meets their needs. A good relationship with outside agencies and parents help children to feel they are supported and understood, and that their needs are planned for and met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well, and their behaviour is supported by the childminder who uses a kind, caring and positive approach. That is, children are praised when they achieve a task such as, sharing, hand washing independently and opening their own packets. Children are encouraged to support each other and children spontaneously help the younger children to use the equipment, and share toys and resources happily. Children are very social and enjoy each others company, as they dance and play musical instruments together. The childminder has appropriate strategies to deal with different types of behaviour and different aged children, these are agreed with parents, so there is consistency of behaviour management.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is ongoing, with parents and the childminder sharing information regularly which ensures continuity of care. The childminder respects the parents wishes, and observes children's individual routines of, for example, sleeping and eating habits. This helps young children develop a positive sense of security and emotional well-being.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder understands her role of supporting children in her home. She has a designated play room that allows children to organise and peruse their own activities, and where they feel at home and at ease. Children can safely and independently access a selection of age appropriate equipment and resources that supports their development.

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Organisation

Children benefit as the childminder keeps her knowledge up to date by attending childcare courses, workshops, and childminding support groups. This builds on her existing knowledge and improves her practice.

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Organisation

All required documents are in place including children's records and information. They are clear and up to date, and stored with an awareness of confidentiality. This helps the childminder care for children with regard to their individual needs supporting their care and welfare. Additional policies and procedures are in place, all shared and agreed with parents for example, behaviour management, child protection, and confidentiality.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to carry out two improvements to her practice. she Has obtained some more equipment promoting equality and diversity. The childminder

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Improvements 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 attends childminder support groups where she is able to obtain information and resources, and children can participate in activities promoting their knowledge and understanding of diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder agreed to get written permission from parents for transporting children. This is all in place and recorded as written agreements with parents. This supports working in partnership with parents, and allows the childminder to use the car to transport children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004 that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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): • make sure children's emergency medical requirements are taken on outings • improve fire precautions by ensuring the fire blanket is sited in an appropriate and easily accessible position.

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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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