Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY263635 Unique Reference Number 05 July 2007 Inspection date Sara Louth Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and two years in Caistor, Lincolnshire. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a downstairs toilet. Sleeping facilities are provided on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There are a number of shops, parks, pre-school, primary school and the library within walking distance.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children, both of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder has two cats and a goldfish.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm welcoming, clean home. They generally learn the importance of good hygiene to protect their health. For example, children always wash their hands after using the toilet and before baking, although this is not always done before snack time. The childminder uses antibacterial hand wash after changing nappies to prevent the spread of cross infection and also provides individual hand towels and flannels for the children. Parents are aware that the childminder does not care for children who are unwell to protect other children's health. She is happy to work with parents to help toilet train children when they are ready, using reward stickers with positive results. The childminder is able to deal appropriately with accidents since she has a current first aid certificate.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy fresh air and exercise most days walking to school or playing in the garden. The childminder feels it is beneficial for children's health to be outside and has a wide range of outdoor resources for children to use in the garden including ride on toys, a slide, trampoline and swing ball. Children are also taken to the park and indoor play areas to use large play equipment which strengthens their bodies and develops large muscle skills.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating and has produced a menu for parental/carer information. She is happy to cook hot meals for children at the end of the day if required though at present only provides lunch for children. This usually consists of freshly prepared sandwiches, yoghurt and fruit. The childminder provides nutritious snacks such as fresh or dried fruit mid morning and mid afternoon. Drinks are available with all snacks/meals and when children ask. The childminder is conscientious in making sure she is aware of any special dietary needs children may have as well as their likes and dislikes, she is aware of religious requirements linked to food.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home where they have space in the playroom and lounge to enjoy different activities at the same time. A wide range of suitable toys are easily available to the children enabling them to make choices and develop their independence as well as promoting interest in their play. Children have their work valued and build self esteem through their work displayed on the walls. The childminder directly supervises the children in the garden and kitchen at all times, and usually in the rest of the setting. However at times such as preparing sandwiches in the kitchen, the children are left playing alone which may compromise their safety.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is very aware of providing a safe setting for children. All safety equipment is in place and the childminder carries out regular safety checks and risk assessments. For example safety gates prevent unsupervised access to the stairs and kitchen, smoke detectors are checked regularly, the fire blanket and first aid box are easily accessible in the kitchen and sharp knives are kept out of reach. Children are involved with the fire escape plan which they practise regularly and older children draw the route of escape to ensure they know what to do in an emergency. Children learn to keep themselves safe through drawing up house rules with the childminder which are displayed on the playroom wall, and referring to them. The childminder keeps children safe on outings as she teaches them the Green Cross Code and makes sure young

p.3

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 children are securely strapped in pushchairs or on reins or a wrist strap. Older children walk close to her or hold the pushchair.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected and their welfare safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of possible signs and symptoms of abuse and a secure knowledge of child protection procedures. Parents are made aware of the action the childminder may take through a clearly written child protection policy.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy being in the childminder's home where she creates a friendly, caring atmosphere. The childminder is enthusiastic and relates well to children. She supports their play well by providing a range of accessible toys and joining in with them sensitively following their lead. The childminder uses her understanding of how children learn and develop through play to prepare resources for activities that can be accessed during the day. However, planning is flexible and children are encouraged to follow their own interests so they enjoy learning new skills. The childminder offers a range of activities to develop the children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities such as role play, crafts and stories.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder listens to children and is interested in what they say or do. She promotes children's thinking skills by asking questions such as 'What can you make with those boxes?', leading to lots of imaginative response such as 'Look I can make a boat' and 'I can make a Bob the Builder tower'. She and the children have fun playing with a small world garage, discuss types of transport and safe parking. One child brings a book to share with the childminder, sits on her knee, other child joins in and sits on knee too. All share book and point at pictures. The childminder involves both children through asking questions and making comments appropriate to their level of development related to the children's own experiences.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder refers to 'Birth to three matters' and relates all activities to promoting children's learning.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a positive attitude to equal opportunities and diversity and is especially interested in caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She makes all children welcome respecting and valuing their individuality. Children's emotional well being is fostered by the childminder developing warm, caring relationships with them. Children feel a sense of belonging as they develop positive, relaxed relationships with the childminder who ensures they are all involved and finds out about their individual needs. Children learn about our diverse society through activities such as making lanterns at Chinese New Year and celebrating Easter. Positive attitudes to disability and gender roles are encouraged and the childminder actively promotes discussion and first hand experience to aid children's understanding and acceptance.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and are developing good manners since the childminder is a positive role model. She has a calm approach to behaviour management and takes into account children's age, stage and level of understanding. When the children began to argue over a toy the childminder calmly said 'Please don't snatch', then distracted the younger child and the incident was resolved quickly with no fuss. She prefers to reinforce positive behaviour through praise

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

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 explanation which also helps develop children's healthy emotional development. The childminder is confident about methods to use should behaviour be challenging and always involves the parents.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for according to parents and carers wishes and benefit from the close relationship established between them and the childminder. The childminder finds out as much as she can about the children to help them settle well. She ensures parents and carers know as much as possible about the setting and shares a clear, well set out portfolio with them at the initial meeting that includes aims and policies and procedures. Written questionnaires filled in by parents and carers show they are happy with the service provided and their children are happy and settled. The childminder fills in individual sheets daily for each child, keeping a copy for herself and giving a copy to parents to inform them about what their children do each day, including activities, food and how the child has been. All information is stored confidentially and presented smartly. The childminder has a complaints policy in place, however this does not

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

contain up to date contact details for parents.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder enjoys being with the children and is a good role model. Children benefit from the childminder's understanding of child development and how children learn. She organises the space and resources in the home very well to enable the children to have room for active play, relaxation and sleep as required.

p.5

Organisation

Documentation is organised effectively, stored confidentially, is up to date and available for inspection. This provides a good framework for the care of children. The childminder has attended all necessary training and has recently been on courses including Child Protection in February 2007 and Music Sounds Inclusive in March 2007. She is currently studying for a diploma in home based child care through the NEC university to provide a high quality service for the children she minds. The childminder is keen to use the Early Years Foundation Stage for ideas and to plan activities.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to consider when giving medication to children that details of the last dose given by parent/carer are also recorded and to develop further the activities and range of resources currently provided to reflect positive images of culture and ethnicity.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has changed the record sheets she uses to record medication details, now using sheets provided by the National Childminding Association, which include space to record details of the last dose of medicine given by parents and carers, this ensures children's safety.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has obtained a range of resources reflecting positive images of culture and ethnicity including a play tent with images of children from different cultures, an interactive globe and some Mexican and Asian puppets. She undertakes activities throughout the year related to festivals such as Chinese New Year, Halloween and Easter this develops children's understanding of the wider world.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 the safety of children at all times through direct supervision • ensure the complaints procedure states Ofsted as regulator and contains relevant contact details for parents and carers.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6