Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 209212 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 lives in Sutton St James and works with her daughter who has a Btec Nursery Nursing Qualification and 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

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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 and when minding with another childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 12 children. There are currently 14 children on role who attend either full or part time, before and after school or during school holidays. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school. There are 2 dogs and 2 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, including dancing, throwing, catching and running, promoting their health and well being. They play outside during the morning and afternoon, weather permitting, and have access to a good range of resources including pedal bikes, tractors, cars and balls to promote their physical skills. They also take part in physical activities on a large grassed area where they have access to a slide and 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 and effective procedures are in place to help prevent cross infection. Older children are beginning to learn good self care skills as they use tissues and try to wipe their own noses, while younger children are helped appropriately. Children benefit from home cooked nutritious meals and regular drinks, which meet their

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Helping children to be healthy

dietary requirements. They thoroughly enjoy their food and often opt for second helpings. Children are becoming aware of healthy eating as their food is well presented with fresh vegetables. During snack time children enjoy a good range of both sweet and savoury snacks and they are able to feel involved as they help to serve the snacks to each other. Babies are held while being bottle fed so they feel secure and relaxed with their carers. Children rest and sleep according to their individual routines without disturbance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children remain safe and secure as the childminder has taken appropriate steps to minimise potential risks. Their safety is also maintained as they are well supervised and good security procedures are in place to protect them from unauthorised people. Children benefit due to the effective use of space with clearly defined areas for them to play, sleep and access outside safely. They enjoy playing with well maintained resources, which are regularly checked to ensure their safety. Children only have access to resources appropriate to their needs and abilities as the childminder organises resources well and stores then effectively. To ensure children's welfare is safeguarded the childminder maintains records relating to accidents and the administration of medicines. She is fully aware of child protection procedures to follow in the event of any concerns being raised to ensure children's welfare.

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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 happily select resources and toys from the wide range on offer. Toys are stored well giving children easy access to appropriate age/stage related equipment. 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 and playing together, while at other times they enjoy playing independently. 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 enjoy a variety of activities including structured activities, free play and outside play. At present the childminder does not get fully involved in planning activities to fully promote younger children's learning, this is mostly completed by the co-childminder. Children's self esteem is continually

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 met well as the childminder knows each child well and is able to provide appropriate care. They feel relaxed and confident in the childminder's care. Children relate well to each other and their behaviour is good. Children's self esteem is promoted through the effective use of praise and encouragement, with appropriate strategies in place to deal with any unwanted behaviour. An effective partnership with parents has been developed which contributes to children's well-being. Children benefit from appropriate care as records detailing their individual needs are completed before they start. Children with special needs are valued and respected as information concerning their needs is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

discussed in detail to ensure the childminder fully understands them and can cater for them appropriately. Parents are kept informed of their child's daily activities as relevant information is passed onto them through verbal feedback and the use of a diary for younger babies. However, limited information is currently available to parents concerning the childminder's practices. A record of children's work and their progress is completed by the childminder. This is passed onto parents when completed so they are able to see their child's development through their pictures and a simple assessment.

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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 belonging and ownership as the premises are bright, well maintained

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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 and decorated with their own pictures. Space is used well to meet children's needs and resources are stored at child height which enables children to gain easy access to them. 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. This ensures appropriate care is provided to meet children's individual needs. 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. 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): • further develop and implement a suitable range of activities for children under three, for example by using the Birth to three matters framework. • 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 concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website:

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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 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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