Frost Denise

Inspection report for early years provision

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209022 Unique Reference Number 10 August 2007 Inspection date Susan Hoult 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 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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her teenage daughter in the village of Waddington, Lincolnshire. Shops, parks, nurseries, pre-schools and schools are within walking distance. All areas of the home are available for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and currently looks after eight children, five of whom are aged under eight years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, warm home where good routines are in place to promote the good health and hygiene of children. For example, the childminder uses a sterilising fluid to clean surfaces and makes sure children understand why they wash their hands before meals

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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 and after using the toilet. The childminder makes sure parents are aware that she does not care for children who are unwell as part of her approach to keeping children healthy. Any accidents can be dealt with effectively as the childminder has a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy many opportunities to be physically active and gain plenty fresh air. A child enthusiastically explains how they play in the garden on the swings, the swing see-saw, the slide, run around with others, skip and play various ball games including football and boom ball. The child is proud of how many times they can keep a ball bouncing on a bat. Children also walk to and from school and regularly visit the park. The childminder encourages exercise in the home when the weather is inclement. For instance children dance, play musical statues and musical bumps. All these activities contribute to children’s good health, developing their large physical skills and strengthening their bodies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. Children bring their meals from home which the childminder stores and serves appropriately. She has a good understanding of healthy eating and makes sure snacks and drinks are properly prepared and meet any dietary requirements through liaising closely with parents. Snacks consist mainly of fresh fruit and occasional biscuits. Drinks are freely available to children to ensure they do not become thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel settled in the childminder’s home where they mainly use the lounge-diner and the garden. The childminder has a suitable range of good quality toys available which are stored to enable children to choose. The childminder checks the toys as they are brought out and put away to ensure they are safe and clean.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder gently reminds children of safe practices, such as not running in the house to help prevent them tripping and hurting themselves. The childminder has attended a fire safety workshop and there is a fire plan in place. She makes sure children understand safe routines when going on walks and outings by reminding them of what is expected and reinforcing road safety. Exposed electrical sockets are inaccessible to children and stairgates are available for use on the stairs as needed. However, not all hazardous substances are inaccessible to children which potentially may compromise their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected and their welfare is safeguarded, because the childminder has a secure understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse and child protection procedures. She makes parents aware of her duty to protect children and seek advice where necessary. She has documents in place to record any existing injuries and has a clear procedure to make sure she knows who may collect children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder creates a friendly, welcoming atmosphere where children relax and enjoy a good variety of play opportunities that stimulate their imagination. These support children's social, physical, intellectual and emotional development and enable them to learn whilst having fun. The childminder is enthusiastic and relates well to the children. She listens to them and is interested in what they say and do. She extends children’s thinking skills by asking questions and joining in their play when appropriate, letting them take the lead. This increases children’s

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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 confidence and independence. The childminder and a child laugh together as they recall the dens they have made using a blanket in the last few days inside and outside.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy activities that help them develop their investigative, creative and imaginative skills including role play, using a variety of tools and materials for painting, helping in the garden, play dough and collage using natural and man-made resources. A child explains how they have learnt to water the ground rather than the leaves of plants so that the roots benefit and grow well. A child concentrates hard whilst making paper figures. They decide to make a family pop group and discuss ways of doing this with the childminder. Sequins are used to decorate the hemline of dresses, material is cut to make ‘Daddy’s’ trousers and wool is used for his hair. The child is very proud of the result and decides to mount the figures on cardboard to make them more stable. A child shows great delight blowing large bubbles from a wand dipped in soapy water in the garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder makes all children welcome, treating them as individuals and with equal concern. They are valued and the childminder promotes children’s self-esteem through respecting their ideas and interests and celebrating their birthdays which makes them the focus of attention for the day. Children learn about peoples’ differences through discussions, following up what they have learnt at school and through books. However, there are few other resources available to children that positively reflect diversity, to further extend children’s learning and understanding. Children learn about their local community through walks through the village, visits to the shops and other outings including a recent visit to the Museum of Lincolnshire Life.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children generally behave well. The childminder sets good examples for children and is clear about her expectations. She ignores unwanted behaviour when possible and reinforces positive behaviour through praise, encouragement and explanation which also helps develop children's self-esteem. However, she is not fully confident in using positive strategies to manage challenging behaviour. This means that children may not always be helped to learn to deal with their feelings and resolve the situation constructively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder consults with parents about the care of their children finding out as much as possible to help them settle well. This enhances children's well-being, development and progress. Parents learn about what their children do each day through daily chats. Although the childminder does not have a written portfolio, she provides parents with suitable verbal information about the service she offers. The childminder is fully aware of the need for confidentiality.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder enjoys working with children and is a good role model. She creates a homely, friendly atmosphere where children feel valued. The space in the home is organised effectively to enable children to enjoy a variety of activities simultaneously including space for active play, relaxation and sleep.

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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 The childminder keeps up to date with current trends in childcare through reading professional child care publications and having occasional contact with other childminders. She also attends required training. She updates documentation regularly and keeps it confidential.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that records of administered medication include the last dose given by parents and that parents are aware of her policy and procedures to be followed in case of sickness. Medication records now include all necessary details and parents are aware of the childminder's policy on sickness improving the health and safety of children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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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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): • develop safety in the home particularly with respect to hazardous substances • increase the range of resources available that positively reflect diversity • develop knowledge and understanding of managing challenging behaviour.

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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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