Lea Mary Elizabeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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257005 Unique Reference Number 19 February 2008 Inspection date Denise May Smith 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 1990. She lives with her husband and an adult child in Peterborough. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 is currently minding four children under five and thirteen children over five before and after school, on a full and part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children and attends the local toddler groups. The family has two rabbits and a tank of fish as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn good hygiene routines through the childminder's management of their personal care. They begin to learn when and why they should wash their hands to help keep themselves

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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 well. Good nappy changing procedures are followed ensuring the children’s health needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that her house is clean and that the toys and resources are maintained in a hygienic condition. She takes particular care if children are unwell. For example, cleaning the door handles to help prevent any germs being passed around the children before they are able to be collected by their parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

She has an up to date first aid certificate, an accessible first aid box and written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Any medication that is administered to the children is carefully recorded in line with parent instructions, but parents do not provide prior written consent for the medication they provide to be administered. This potentially leaves the children and the childminder vulnerable.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing an awareness of healthy food. The childminder provides a good range of snacks of fruit and savoury items and water or squash is easily available for them to drink. The childminder provides children with nutritious home-cooked meals daily and puts the weekly menus on display so that parents can see what their children will be eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the importance of physical activity in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For example, children regularly walk to and from school, to the park and go on nature walks to collect leaves. They visit local toddler groups with the childminder and play in the garden on the good range of resources which promote their coordination and physical exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a well maintained, warm and welcoming environment. The childminder thoughtfully displays the children’s art work which develops their self-esteem as they realise their work is valued. The childminder ensures that her home is kept secure which helps to keep children safe. Children move confidently around the downstairs of the home and can easily access a good range of toys and resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All risks to the children have been identified and minimised. For example, all electrical sockets are protected and any dangerous substances are kept securely. Sensible rules are applied when the children are on outings such as older children walking in front of the childminder and younger children holding onto the buggy. The childminder talks to the children about road safety and attended a school course on road safety with minded children to further develop their understanding. The childminder ensures that she takes a mobile phone on outings together with a written list of emergency contact numbers in case of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is well aware of her personal responsibility to safeguard children. She has a sound understanding of the reporting and recording procedures should there be any concerns about a child. Therefore, children remain safe and protected while in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very relaxed in the care of the childminder. She has a warm, secure relationship with the children and their families. They develop high levels of social skills while interacting with the childminder. She listens to what they have to say and is interested in their conversations.

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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 childminder has a clear solid understanding of children's development and the type of activities and resources that interest and inspire them. Young children enjoy playing with the home made play dough, drawing, colouring and having age-appropriate stories read to them. They knead the dough as they make bread and enjoy many trips out and about in the local area. Older children have time to complete their homework, with the childminder available to offer support and provide the resources they need if required. The older children thoroughly enjoy cooking and taking part in lots of art and craft activities. They make cards for special occasions, make collages of made and natural materials. They go for walks and on nature trails.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children get involved in lots of model making and projects such as tee-shirt and glass painting. One child, who was inspired by this, made a painted glass bottle at home and gave it to the childminder as a gift. Outdoors children take part in a whole range of physical activities. In the warmer weather they go outside and chalk on the patio, blow bubbles and play in the sand.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy singing and dancing and using a range of musical instruments. Overall all of the children have a quality experience while in the care of the childminder. She makes their time fun, enjoyable and treats all of the children as a part of her family.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals by the childminder. She knows the children well and ensures that she provides for their differing individual needs. The childminder promotes good behaviour. She uses praise and encouragement which promotes their self-esteem. Children are well behaved and the childminder actively encourages good manners such as encouraging them to say please and thank you and to be kind and polite towards each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is able to offer care and support to children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She works with support agencies and the children’s parents in order to provide for and meet their individual needs. Children develop their understanding of the local community and of the wider world as they play with a range of resources which are representative of other cultures. They join in activities associated with Christmas, Diwali, Chinese New Year and any other major festivals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationships between parents and the childminder. She ensures that she talks to the parents as they arrive and depart and completes a written daily diary to help keep parents informed of all that their children have been doing during the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised in her management of documentation and the care of the children. She ensures that the daily routine includes time to play indoors and outdoors and activities in the local community. Children have space to play in comfort and they independently select from a wide range of toys and resources.

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Organisation

Children receive a very good standard of care and attention because the childminder ensures she know the children's individual needs. The positive interaction she has with the children is based on her extensive experience which she has gained over the many years she has been a childminder.

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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 All documentation is maintained and stored confidentially and information is shared with parents. Most necessary consents from parents are in place promoting the safety of the children.

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Organisation

Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to increase her knowledge of the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. The childminder now has a thorough understanding of all aspects relating to the safeguarding of children which promotes their welfare.

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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): • ensure that prior written consent is always obtained before administering any medication to children.

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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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