Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 208672 Inspection date 09 May 2005 Inspector Katherine Powell

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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 has been registered since 1999. She is registered to care for five children under the age of eight years. She currently cares for six children, three children are under the age of eight years and three children are over the age of eight years. She lives in a detached house on a large residential estate close to Grantham town centre. Household members include the childminder, her husband and their three sons.

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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 All ground floor rooms are used for childminding purposes. These include the lounge, dining room, toilet and kitchen. Sleep facilities are provided upstairs. There is an enclosed rear garden which is used for outdoor play. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide variety of activities which contribute to their health, for example walks around the local area and opportunities to go to the park and to use the garden for outdoor play. As a result children are given regular opportunities to practice their whole body movements and develop their physical skills. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn about the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Children independently wash their hands after the toilet and before eating and are provided with individual flannels to wash their faces. Children are encouraged to express their needs and can make their own decisions about when they require a drink. Children benefit from being provided with healthy snacks and meals. For example, a variety of fresh fruit is available at snack times and children are given a choice of bread at lunch-time which includes brown

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Helping children to be healthy

and wholemeal varieties. The childminder liaises closely with parents to ensure children's individual dietary requirements are met.

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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 spacious home where risks are identified and minimised effectively. Consequently, children are able to move around freely, safely and independently. The childminder gives good attention to maintaining children's safety away from the home. Children independently select from a wide range of toys and resources which are appropriate to their ages and meet safety standards. Children are closely supervised, both indoors and outdoors, to ensure their safety at all times. The childminder encourages children to tidy away toys and activities when they have finished playing with them to prevent someone from tripping over and to remind children about the need for safety through daily routines. The childminder maintains appropriate written records and procedures to ensure children's welfare. For example, accident and medicine records are shared fully with parents and the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. The childminder has

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

clear emergency evacuation procedures in place, although as yet these have not been practised with children. She has a good awareness of child protection procedures which enables her to fully promote and safeguard 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 have developed very good relationships with the childminder and as a result are able to express themselves freely and confidently. Children become independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities which appeal to them. The childminder provides a broad range of activities which she adapts to meet children's individual needs, abilities and interests. Younger children benefit from opportunities to develop their social skills at local pre-school groups, however, at present the childminder does not make full use of the Birth to three matters framework to further develop and extend children's skills and achievements in all areas. The childminder engages well with the children, supporting their language and communication skills effectively and encouraging them to initiate their own play and learning. Children enjoy talking about their own lives and are able to recall past

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

events. The childminder makes very good use of daily routines, such as lunch-time, to enable children to practice their skills. For example, children name and sort plastic beakers by colour and use the kitchen clock to count in order from one to twelve. Children benefit from consolidating previous learning and developing their creative and imaginative skills. For example, they engage enthusiastically in role play activities with the childminder and have access to a wide range of art materials and tools.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals and have equal access to play resources and activities. The childminder provides a good range of resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and to increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. The childminder is aware of the information she would need to gather to ensure appropriate care could be provided for children with special needs. The childminder shares information effectively with parents to ensure children's daily routines are followed and their needs are met. Children are well behaved and benefit from being given consistent boundaries. They learn to play harmoniously and show care and concern for others. Children's self esteem is well promoted through regular praise and encouragement. The childminder fosters positive relationships with parents. Information is shared verbally on a daily basis regarding children's care, activities and progress enabling

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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 Children are happy and confident within the childminder's care. Space and resources are well organised to meet the children's needs. The childminder utilises her time effectively, as a result children have time for indoor and outdoor activities and opportunities for active and quiet play. The childminder is keen to develop her knowledge and understanding of relevant issues and is due to attend a fire safety awareness course this year. Children's care and welfare is well supported by the comprehensive records and documentation in place. These are held securely to ensure confidentiality is maintained for all children and families. Children benefit from continuity of care through the close working relationship between parents and the childminder. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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 the range of activities provided for younger children, for example by using the Birth to three matters framework.

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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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