Brotherton Ann Patricia

Brotherton Ann Patricia Inspection report for early years provision

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208561 Unique Reference Number 23 March 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 was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and nine in Boston, Lincolnshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years and is currently caring for nine children on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local parent/toddler groups. They have a rabbit and guinea pig in the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is working towards being an inclusive childminder, and she is a member of the Boston Childminder's 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 clean and hygienic home, where children are seeing and carrying out good hygiene practices, for example, children excitedly wash their hands with bubbles before snacks. The childminder talks to the children, and uses simple discussion to support children's understanding about why they wash their hands. Children are protected from cross-infection because of good procedures, such as good nappy changing and cleaning routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has up to date first aid training, so children are treated appropriately if they have accidents. There are procedures in place further protecting children's medical health and well-being, for example, recording of medication and accidents, and having parental permission to give medication. Although the childminder knows the medical details of children in her care the immunisation information is not recorded for some children, hindering passing on the correct information if it is needed in an emergency situation.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are recorded and met well. Snack and meal times are social occasions and used to help children develop independence. Children enjoy their food as they use their spoons, forks and hands to explore, and use their senses to taste, smell, and handle what they are eating. Parents supply the children's main meals which are supplemented by the childminder with healthy and nutritious snacks. Children are offered a range of tastes and textures, such as toast, fruit, bread sandwiches and dips.

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Helping children to be healthy

The young children have a healthy warm relationship with the childminder. She is receptive to their needs. She follows the parents wishes in relation to routines for eating and sleeping which contributes to the children's well-being. Children's emotional security is well promoted as the childminder uses physical reassurance, such as cuddles, eye contact and developing a good settling-in routine to help children settle into her care happily.

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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. They have play areas that are organised to allow the children different types of play experiences. The kitchen is easily organised into a painting area, with arts and crafts and children use the table to play with dough. The living room stores lots of age appropriate toys and equipment that children can access safely and use independently. The childminder makes it easy for the children to make decisions and choices about their play because she is calm and organised with all her equipment readily available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe in the home environment and when they are outside. Simple visual risk assessments are carried out and a number of safety measures are implemented which keep children safe. For example, the childminder has fire safety equipment and an evacuation procedure is in place, and children use appropriate car seats when they are being transported. Older children can still play with more complex equipment with small pieces as they can use a separate room to the younger children for safety. The childminder has a selection of documents that she uses, as part of her daily practice to ensure children's safety, for example child protection and a health and safety policy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has attended courses and has a good knowledge of child protection issues, which helps to protect children from harm and neglect. She is clear about signs and symptoms

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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 and has telephone numbers available to ensure if she has concerns they are dealt with immediately. The childminder helps children to understand about their own safety, and they are learning to keep themselves safe, for example by reading books about bullying, and protecting themselves in respect of stranger danger.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children have access to a well organised provision where they confidently move about using a selection of interesting and stimulating activities, for example, dolls, prams, Little Tykes mountain railway, cars and play kitchen. Activities are laid out for when children arrive but there is a system so children can choose other toys and activities that are not readily available. Children benefit from the flexible planning because they can participate in spontaneous activities, and choose different things. Children enjoy playing with their self chosen activity of painting, and painted several pictures that were praised by the childminder. This helps to build positive self-esteem. Children's creativity and imagination is very well supported through activities such as arts and crafts, role-play, painting, and listening and dancing to music.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy regular visits to various groups and soft play areas. This provides children with a wider range of play opportunities, and positive social experiences with a regular group of children. Children are using their physical skills and developing their stamina and strength. Children have access to an allotment, which is a project being undertaken by the childminder. It is used to support the children's learning in many ways, including a sensory garden, growing plants vegetables and flowers. This interesting and creative learning experience helps the children to understand about growing things, smelling things and exploring the environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident and self-assured in the calm relaxing environment, as they are at ease in their surroundings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment where they are treated as individuals. The childminder has a good understanding of the children and has written documents from parents which help her to meet their needs. Children have access to resources and play opportunities to help them understand about diversity, for example, Asian dolls, clothing, dressing up clothes, books, puzzles and cooking equipment. They take part in activities where they are learning about cultures and religions, for example, they participate in parties and festival celebrations such as the Chinese New Year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well, and respond to the childminder, who uses different strategies to manage behaviour. They are beginning to show empathy towards each other, as behaviour management techniques include discussion, and saying 'sorry'. The childminder uses praise and encouragement to promote good behaviour, she is calm and patient and this encourages children to respond calmly and positively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of the needs of children with special needs and/or disabilities. She is developing her knowledge and experience by attending courses, and is working towards becoming an inclusive childminder. She understands how children's needs will vary and works closely with outside agencies to ensure she can meet their needs effectively to support the children in her care.

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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 Partnership with parents is ongoing, as children benefit from a good relationship between parents and childminder. Parents have a good understanding about the service they are receiving, as they are offered contracts, policies and procedures. This ensures the childminder and parents work together and parents wishes are respected, which means children's needs will be known and met. Regular discussions about their children keep parents up to date with their child's progress, and offers continuity of care between home and the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's service, as she is well organised calm and caring. She offers the children a good range of activities and play experiences, which includes indoors and outdoor play and regular visits to groups. She has access to a wide selection of resources that are changed on a regular basis, which keep children stimulated and challenged. She takes her role seriously, as she keeps her knowledge and practice up to date by attending courses. This continually develops her work with children and ensures she effectively promotes their welfare, care and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder uses her time well to organise her resources and activities, such as the allotment, and she has a flexible approach which allows the children opportunity to pursue their chosen games. Children benefit from the well organised, safe and stimulating environment where they are developing confidence and self-esteem.

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Organisation

All the regulatory documents are in place, which support the continuing care and welfare of the children on a daily basis. There is a good collection of additional documents for parents to view, which demonstrates the childminder's positive attitude to her role.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder agreed at the last inspection to ensure children do not have access to the upstairs windows. Children do not have unsupervised access to upstairs without supervision. This would be part of the risk assessment if she used upstairs. So children continue to be safeguarded. Records about children's accidents are all in place and parents sign them when they are told of the accidents. This means if children have accidents parents are aware of any later side effects.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection 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): • ensure all children's medical and immunisation details are up to date

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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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