Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 208995 Inspection date 15 July 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 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and twelve in North Hykeham, Lincoln. The whole house is registered for childminding, although most activities take place on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding children part time, before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children, she also takes children on outings to the park, adventure play areas and to the shops. The family has a cat.

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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 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 beginning to learn about the importance of good hygiene through the daily routine, with effective procedures in place to help prevent cross infection. They are developing good self care skills as they independently access tissues to wipe their noses and also independently use wipes to clean their face after meals. Parents provide all meals and snacks for their children ensuring the food they receive fully meets their dietary requirements. The childminder promotes healthy eating by advising parents of nutritious foods and snacks to provide. She also promotes children's understanding of how a healthy life style benefits their health and well-being through topics on healthy eating and the good range of physical activities she provides. Children benefit from daily walks to and from school. They enjoy regular visits to the park and indoor adventure play areas where they access a good range of large scale

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Helping children to be healthy

apparatus to develop their physical skills. Children further benefit from physical activities provided by the childminder as she ensures exercise is fun. They use an appropriate range of resources within the childminder's garden to promote their physical skills, including a slide, swing and a small trampoline.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and well protected within the childminder's care due to her effectively identifying potential risks and taking appropriate steps to minimise these. Children further benefit due to the effective use of space, with areas for them to rest, eat and sleep safely. The childminder supervises children well, which helps to keep them safe from harm. Toys and resources are well maintained and checked regularly to ensure they are safe for children to use. Children remain safe on outings and within the home because of the effective procedures the childminder has implemented. Their knowledge about how to protect themselves from harm is also well promoted by the childminder. Older children are beginning to take responsibility for their own and others' safety as they play with small toys either at the table or in another room to ensure they do not pose a hazard to younger children. To further promote children's health and safety the childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

holds a current first aid certificate. The childminder is aware of the procedure to follow should she have child protection concerns, ensuring children remain fully protected while in her care.

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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 The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder, where they access a wide range of resources to meet their needs and are provided with good opportunities to learn through play. Children relate well to the childminder who listens and values what they say. She effectively promotes children's thinking skills by asking them good open ended questions during play. The childminder plans fun weekly activities for the children to complete ensuring they are stimulated and occupied while in her care. Children enthusiastically join in and thoroughly enjoy activities such as arts and crafts, cooking, playing with the toys and going on outings. This results in their physical, imaginative, social and creative development being promoted effectively. Children further benefit as the childminder spontaneously seizes opportunities to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

provide them with good first hand experiences, which allows them to build on their natural curiosity as learners. For example, as children watch birds flying into the garden the childminder develops their interest as they go out and feed the birds. Once back inside they observe the birds feeding, which promotes good discussions about the different types of birds, how many there are and what they are eating.

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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 enjoy learning about different cultures, religions and festivals as the childminder plans a wide range of topics and activities for them to complete. Children are valued and respected as individuals and the childminder is aware of the information she would need to gather concerning a child's special needs to ensure appropriate care could be provided for them. The childminder ensures she is fully aware of children's individual needs enabling her to provide appropriate care. Children's self-esteem is promoted well through the effective use of praise and encouragement, with appropriate strategies in place to deal with any unwanted behaviour in line with children's age and level of understanding. The childminder has formed a good partnership with parents, which contributes to children's well-being. She provides parents with good information on her policies and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

procedures through an informative leaflet and portfolio. Parents are kept informed of their child's daily activities as relevant information is passed onto them through verbal feedback, written notes or a written diary for younger children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are relaxed and confident in the childminder's care as her friendly nature helps create a welcoming environment. Their needs are met well due to space being used effectively, with resources stored at child height enabling them to gain easy access to them. The childminder is committed to providing children with a good standard of care as she regularly updates her training to ensure she is fully aware of current child care practices. Children's welfare, development, care and learning are well promoted because informative policies and procedures have been put in place

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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 by the childminder. Records are also stored confidentially and completed appropriately, helping to ensure children's well-being, with the exception of the medicine book, which currently lacks some information. Children also benefit greatly as the childminder has formed an effective partnership with parents enabling her to effectively cater for children's needs. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's welfare is maintained appropriately as the childminder ensures her first aid box contains relevant resources at all times, which she could use in an emergency. This contributes to keeping children safe.

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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 relevant information is recorded within the medicine book with regard to obtaining consent from parents and recording the time of the previous dose

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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: 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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