Brooks Angela Charlotte

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

260748 Unique Reference Number 08 November 2007 Inspection date Andrea Ewer 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 registered in 2001 and is registered to care for up to five children under eight years. She is currently caring for seven children for various hours and days.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and three daughters aged 13, 11 and seven-years-old, in the Wootton Fields area of Northampton. Care is provided in the conservatory/playroom, lounge and dining room. There is a downstairs cloakroom, and children sleep in the rear bedroom. Children share access to the garden for outdoor play. The family have a dog and a cat.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a National Vocational Qualification at level 3.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy home, where positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection. They gain an excellent understanding of the importance of good hygiene

p.2

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 practices during everyday routines. Children readily wash their hands before and after eating and after visiting the toilet. The childminder sets a very good example of maintaining an environment that promotes children's good health by maintaining hygiene standards throughout the day. Food preparation surfaces are cleaned after use and tables are cleaned at appropriate times. Nappy changing routines effectively reduce the risk of cross-infection as the childminder wears disposable gloves and the changing mat is cleaned with antibacterial cleaner after each use.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

A well stocked first aid kit is readily available to ensure children are cared for appropriately in the event of minor accidents or illness. Records that support the childminder to promote children's good health are well maintained, including medicine and accident records and consent for emergency medical treatment or advice. The childminder holds an up-to-date first aid qualification.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills. They develop increased control of their bodies as they walk the dogs each day, jump energetically on the trampet and in the ball pool at the indoor leisure centre. Children climb up the steps and slide down the slide with increasing confidence and push and ride wheeled toys in the garden.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children start to understand the benefits of healthy eating. They enjoy nutritious meals and snacks that take account of their medical, religious or cultural requirements as well as any personal likes and dislikes. For example, they regularly have a range of fresh fruits for a snack, tuna and sweetcorn pasta bake with salad and garlic bread followed by Angel Delight for lunch. Children have regular drinks throughout the day. As a result, children's dietary needs are met well.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play safely in the well organised home where active steps are taken to minimise hazards. Catches are fitted to cupboards housing harmful cleaning materials, smoke alarms are fitted on both floors of the house, sharp knives are out of children's reach and socket covers are fitted to all unused electric sockets. Children are kept safe during outings because the childminder ensures they are strapped safely into age appropriate car or booster seats when being transported in the car. The childminder talks to children about staying safe during walks and explains how to cross roads safely. Children's safety is further promoted because the childminder has clear arrangements with another registered childminder that ensures their safety is not compromised in the event of an emergency.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play happily with the suitable range of good quality toys and equipment that provides a stimulating environment and meets their play and development needs well.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected from harm or neglect. The childminder has sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the correct procedures to follow if she has concerns about children. Relevant documentation that supports the childminder to implement procedures correctly, including local telephone numbers, are readily accessible and the childminder keeps a record of any injuries children arrive with that is signed by parents.

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They share warm and friendly relationships with the childminder who takes a keen interest in what children say and do. Children approach the childminder confidently to express their needs and generally throughout the day, which helps them feel self-assured. They benefit from the childminder's secure knowledge of child development which ensures children's physical, intellectual, social and emotional needs are met through a stimulating range of play and learning experiences.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Progress records linked clearly to the 'Birth to three matters' framework support the childminder to plan and provide activities that help children make good progress as they build on skills they already have. Children become increasingly independent as they make their own sandwiches for lunch and choose what to have as a filling. They show high levels of involvement as they enthusiastically mould models using playdough. They develop their understanding of mathematical concepts as they use cutters to cut out animal shapes and count how many pigs will fit on the plate. Children develop their language skills as the childminder talks to children about the shapes and they sings songs together as they roll out the playdough. Children use their imagination well as they use various materials to make pictures and use chalk to draw on the patio outdoors. They have fun moving their bodies to lively music which helps children

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

develop their creative skills and improves co-ordination of their bodies.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become socially confident during regular visits to various toddler groups where they learn to share and take turns in larger groups. They develop a keen interest in books both in the childminder's home and during regular visits to the library where they actively take part in the reading challenge which helps to develop their early reading skills. Children enjoy visits to the farm where they observe the ponies and lambs and learn about caring for the animals.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children receive consistent care because the childminder works in close partnership with parents. Effective systems ensure information about children is shared regularly. As well as the regular discussions about children, the childminder completes daily diaries which gives written information about what children have been doing and their general well-being during the day. This ensures both parents and the childminder are kept fully informed about children and supports them to provide appropriate care. Although there are no children currently attending who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, the childminder understands the importance of working closely with parents in order for them to achieve their full potential. The childminder has recently attended training in 'Adapting your resources to include all children', to prepare her to meet all children's needs and promote inclusion.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are familiar with everyday routines and understand what is expected of them. They respond well to the warm, supportive environment that helps them feel a strong sense of belonging. The childminder uses a range of strategies that takes account of their age and level of maturity. For example, regular praise, encouragement and calm, clear explanations that helps them understand right from wrong. The written behaviour management policy promotes the use of positive strategies to manage children's behaviour and is shared with parents. This promotes a consistent approach and contributes effectively to children behaving very well.

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 Children have regular access to a suitable range of toys and activities that reflects themselves and people of other races, religions, cultures and abilities. These include puzzles and books which have images of people from a range of backgrounds, dressing-up clothes and small world people who have a range of disabilities. This helps children appreciate our similarities and differences and develop a strong sense of themselves within the wider community.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare, care and safety are promoted very well because the childminder continues to attend training workshops that help her to build on her knowledge and understanding of good childcare practice. She has recently attended training in Healthy eating for life, the 'Birth to three matters' framework and Foundation Stage. She is also working towards the National Childminding Association Children Come First quality assurance scheme. This supports the childminder to enhance the quality of care provided and meet children's play and development needs highly effectively. The childminder however, does not yet use continuous self-assessment to underpin accurate evaluation of what is being done well and areas that could be improved.

p.5

Organisation

Records, policies and procedures that support the childminder to promote the outcomes for children are very well maintained. Useful information is obtained from parents at the start of all childminding arrangements and is used by the childminder, to plan and provide care that meets children's individual needs.

p.5

Organisation

Relevant checks have been carried out on all household members to ensure they are suitable to have regular contact with young children and therefore promotes their safety. Space and resources are well organised and ensures children benefit from a suitable range of activities and play experiences that they enjoy and are interested in. Daily routines meet children's individual needs for meals, sleep, active and quiet play. Overall children's needs are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The last care inspection recommended that the childminder further develop her understanding of child protection issues. Children's welfare and safety are now better promoted because the childminder has attended a child protection refresher course and implemented procedures that ensure children are protected from harm or neglect. For example, a record that parents sign is made of all injuries children arrive with. The childminder has documentation readily accessible to support her to carry out procedures correctly should she be concerned a child in her care is being harmed. This contributes effectively to ensuring children's safety, care and well-being are promoted very well.

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.5

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.5

Complaints 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

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): • develop the use of continuous self-reflection in order to underpin accurate evaluation of the care provided.

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