Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 209213 Inspection date 11 May 2005 Inspector Melanie Arnold

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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 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 1999. She has a Btec Nursery Nursing Qualification and works with her mother who is also a registered childminder. The garage has been converted to a playroom and children also have access to another adjoining playroom. Bathroom and sleep facilities are also available for children. There is a fully enclosed patio garden available for outside play and a further grassed area available to children, although this area is not fully enclosed. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and when minding with another childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 12

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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 children. There are currently 14 children on roll who attend either full or part time, before and after school or during school holidays. The childminder takes and collects children to and from the local school. There are two dogs and two tortoises at the setting. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy physical play both indoors and outdoors to promote their health and well being. They play outside during the morning and afternoon, weather permitting, and have access to a good range of resources to promote their physical skills. Further opportunities for children to develop their physical skills are provided on a large grassed area where children have access to a slide, see saws and are able to participate in games and races with their peers. Children are beginning to learn about the importance of good hygiene through the daily routine. They stay healthy through good routines to help prevent cross infection, for example, wipes are used to clean children's faces after meals and children are encouraged to drink from their own cup and not to share them with each other. Older children are beginning to develop good self care skills, for example by using tissues to try to wipe their own noses, while

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Helping children to be healthy

younger children are helped appropriately. Children benefit from a varied diet, which meets their dietary requirements. They thoroughly enjoy their food and are learning about healthy eating as food is well presented, with vegetables offered alongside the main meal so children are aware of and can discuss what they are eating. During snack time children enjoy a good range of snacks and they feel involved as they help to serve the snacks to each other. Children are provided with regular drinks in age appropriate cups and beakers to meet their needs.

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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, secure environment where appropriate steps have been taken to minimise potential risks. Children remain safe as they are well supervised and good security procedures are in place to prevent children coming into contact with unauthorised people. Space is used well with clearly defined areas for children to play, sleep and access outside safely, with good procedures also in place to ensure children of differing ages only have access to appropriate equipment to meet their needs. This results in children's welfare being effectively maintained. Children enjoy playing with well maintained resources, which are regularly checked to ensure their safety. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder ensures that records relating to accidents and medicines are completed appropriately and signed by parents and she is fully aware of child protection procedures to follow in the event

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of any concerns being raised to ensure children are protected at all times.

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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 relaxed and confident in their environment. They independently select appropriate resources and toys from the wide range on offer. Children respond well to the childminder because she listens and values what they say. They also relate well to their peers, sometimes enjoying each other's company, playing together developing good social skills, while at other times they enjoy playing alone with an activity. Children enjoy participating in a wide range of activities, which promotes their skills and development. A basic daily routine is followed which enables children to engage in a variety of activities including structured activities, free play and outside play. Children are well supported in their play and development because the childminder is skilful at using thought provoking questions to extend their thinking. Children's learning is further developed through the childminder also using everyday

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

occurrences to promote children's learning, for example encouraging children to count how many biscuits and juice cups they will need at snack time. Children's self esteem is continually developed and promoted through effective use of praise and encouragement. The childminder knows children well and effectively meets their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children access a good range of resources which reflect positive images of society and they are starting to become aware of the wider world through the provision of planned activities. Children's individual needs are well met as the childminder knows children well and provides appropriate care. As a result children feel relaxed and confident in the childminder's care. Children relate well to each other and their behaviour is good. Their self esteem is promoted through the effective use of praise and encouragement, with appropriate age related strategies in place to deal with any unwanted behaviour. An effective partnership with parents has been developed to ensure children's well-being is maintained. Records detailing children's individual needs are completed before the children start which enables the childminder to provide appropriate care. Information concerning children's special needs is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

discussed in detail to ensure the childminder fully understands and can cater for these needs appropriately. Parents are kept fully informed of their child's daily activities and progress through verbal feedback, the use of a diary for younger babies and an assessment record, which charts children's progress. However, limited information is currently available to parents concerning the childminder's practices.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure, confident and relaxed in the child friendly environment. They feel a sense of ownership and belonging as the premises are bright, well maintained and decorated well with their own pictures. Children's needs are effectively met due

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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 to the good use of space made available to them. Their independence is promoted as resources are stored at child height enabling children to gain easy access to appropriate equipment. The childminder works well with the co-childminder and they complement each other to provide a good standard of care to meet children's needs. Records relating to children's care, health and safety are completed appropriately and maintained confidentially to ensure children's well-being is maintained. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved her organisation. Attendance for children and both childminders is now recorded appropriately. This clearly shows that both childminders work together daily to maintain the required adult/child ratios. Written consent has also been obtained from parents for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice. This ensures parents wishes concerning their children's health are followed at all times. The provision for helping children make a positive contribution has also been improved. Children now have access to a good range of resources reflecting positive images of diversity. Themes and topics relating to multi-cultural events and festivals are now covered with the children to promote their understanding of the wider world.

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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 full information is provided for parents regarding the childminder's current practices, policies and procedures.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

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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 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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