Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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208928 Unique Reference Number 25 January 2008 Inspection date Gill Ogden 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 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 1992. She lives with her husband and two children, aged ten and 12, in Nettleham, Lincolnshire. All areas of the home are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden suitable for outdoor play. Amenities such as a park, shops, pre-school and school are within walking distance. The childminder also uses her car to transport children. The family has a pet dog.

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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 ten, all on a part-time basis. 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's good health is given high priority. They are cared for in a home where excellent hygiene standards are maintained. From being babies children begin to learn good personal hygiene routines. For example, when changing a toddlers nappy the childminder talks about

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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 washing her hands afterwards and washes the child's hands as well. Individual changing mats are used for all children who are in nappies because the childminder considers this to be very important. Parents are clearly informed about the need to keep children at home if they are unwell in the best interests of everyone. Children are well-protected from any health hazards linked to the dog because the dog's food is kept in the cage in the kitchen where the dog spends its time unless it is being taken for a walk or is in the outdoor run.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children get plenty of fresh air and exercise each day through walking back and forth to school and going to the park. In good weather children play outdoors in the garden freely. Children know the importance of dressing appropriately for the weather, for example, wearing Wellington boots when it is wet and muddy. There is plenty of outdoor equipment for children to use and if they are indoors they enjoy dancing. Babies have plenty of safe space to learn to crawl and walk. Children can rest whenever they need to and babies sleep in a travel cot.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a nutritious diet. Parents provide packed meals for them which the childminder stores safely. Snacks are provided and these consist mostly of fresh fruit or toast with the occasional biscuit. Fresh drinking water is always available and the childminder sets a good example to children by drinking this herself. Any special dietary needs children may have are carefully complied with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are looked after in a safe, secure and well-maintained home. The front door has a bolt at the top so that children cannot get out by themselves and it leads into an enclosed entrance porch that has a further door. The garden is fully secure and children are supervised carefully when they play there. Children learn to keep themselves safe through consistent prompting from the childminder to take care as they move around the home such as reminding toddlers not to get too close to the radiators because they might be hot and making children aware of what to do in the event of a fire. They learn road safety rules when they are out and about in the community and also how to behave around animals. Babies and toddlers are secured safely in pushchairs and are kept on reins when they are walking. All the necessary safety equipment such as cupboard latches and smoke alarms are in place and checked regularly. Children enjoy

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

using a wide range of toys and play equipment that meet their changing needs, are attractive and kept in good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further safeguarded because the childminder has a solid understanding of her childminding responsibilities and keeps herself up-to-date with current local procedures. She has not, however, made it clear to parents what she would do in the event of an allegation being made against her. This may potentially have a negative impact on children's overall safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's individual developmental and learning needs are met well. They are happy and settled with the childminder and have warm and caring relationships with her and her family. Children can help themselves to the abundant resources and even toddlers know where toys are even if they are not already set out for them. The childminder knows each child's interests and provides activities appropriately. For example, some children prefer to be outdoors so she makes every effort to spend time there. Younger children enjoy going for walks when they may collect leaves, count the different animals they see or look out for the first snowdrop. They enjoy

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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 visiting a local farm where they can interact with the animals. Babies love, for example, playing with water and bubbles and generally being able to observe and gradually explore their environment. The childminder encourages their language development through talking and singing with them all the time. She makes the most of nappy changing time to help children to learn about their bodies, pointing out their ears and toes for example. Older children enjoy relaxing after school with activities such as role play, football, board games or active electronic games. In these ways children's emotional, social, intellectual and physical needs are met well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder makes good use of the ' Birth to three matters' framework to reflect on her activities with the younger children. She has recently attended Early Years Foundation Stage training and is beginning to think about how that will impact on her provision for the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are made welcome in the childminder's home and their backgrounds are respected and valued. As a result of spending time with the children and their parents in her home before she starts to provide care for them, the childminder gathers very useful information which enables her to meet their initial needs. Ongoing chats with parents and her own observations help her to continue to meet their changing needs. Children enjoy a range of activities that help them to understand their own and differing cultures such as celebrating festivals and events like Halloween, Chinese New Year and Children in Need. Regular trips to places like toddler group, the library and shops as well as walks in the village help children to feel part of their local community. Children behave well because the childminder uses methods that are appropriate to their understanding to manage any inappropriate behaviour and gives them lots

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents speak very positively about the care provided by the childminder. They comment specifically on the close attention the childminder pays to safety, the way she deals with behaviour, how much she enjoys her work and the high standards she maintains. Information about the service offered is clearly provided for parents in a portfolio.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is greatly enhanced by the childminder's enthusiasm and her effective organisation of time, space and resources. She is very experienced and enjoys being with children. She continues to attend training events to keep up-to-date with current practice and legislation, most recently attending a briefing session on the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Organisation

Children are mainly cared for in the dining/playroom and conservatory. Here, all the toys and play equipment are freely available to them. The garden is adjacent to the conservatory so children can move in and out easily. Children can relax on the sofa in the playroom or the lounge and the travel cot is sited in the main bedroom which provides a quieter area for sleeping.

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Organisation

All the required records are in place, kept accurately and stored appropriately. Written policies are reviewed regularly in line with any new legislation. This provides a strong framework for children's care. Overall, children's needs are met.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of recommendations made at the last inspection the childminder now has written records, which are signed by parents, of any medicine given to children. This ensures there is now a robust framework in place to support the care of children. Additionally, the childminder now provides more activities for children related to differing cultures and diversity generally which helps them develop a better understanding of the wider world.

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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 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): • make clear to parents the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder herself.

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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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