Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY284807 Unique Reference Number 18 July 2007 Inspection date Sara Louth 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 April 2004. She lives with her partner and seven year old daughter in Hemswell, Lincolnshire. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight at any one time. She currently minds six children under eight part-time in the day and four children over eight part-time outside school hours. The childminder uses her car to take children to and from school and to access all other amenities. The family keeps a dog and a rabbit as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming, clean home. They learn the importance of good hygiene to protect their health. For example, children always wash their hands after using the

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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 toilet and before meals. The childminder explains why they don't eat food once they have dropped it on the floor so children gradually learn to keep themselves healthy. She uses antibacterial spray after changing nappies to prevent cross-infection. Parents are aware the childminder does not care for children who are unwell to protect other children's health. The childminder is able to deal appropriately with accidents as she has a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy fresh air and exercise most days, playing in the garden or taking the dog for a walk, weather permitting. The childminder has a wide range of toys and resources outside including a trampoline, ride-on toys, slide, footballs and a sandpit with lid to help children develop large muscle skills and co-ordination. Children are also taken to the park to use large play equipment to strengthen their whole bodies. The childminder considers children's rest needs when planning activities and children are able to relax or sleep as required.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their food likes met because parents provide lunch and tea for the childminder to prepare. This ensures children with special dietary needs are kept safe although the childminder is aware of any allergies and is happy to provide meals for children if requested. The childminder provides snacks of fruit and occasionally biscuits. Drinks are freely available and accessible to children, promoting independence and awareness of own needs.

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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 to enjoy different activities at the same time. A wide range of suitable toys and resources are available to the children enabling them to make choices and develop their independence as well as promoting interest in their play. The childminder ensures these resources are well-maintained through ongoing checks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of providing a safe setting for children. All safety equipment is in place and the childminder carries out daily risk assessments and regular safety checks. For example, safety gates prevent unsupervised access to the stairs, the smoke detectors are checked regularly the fire blanket and first aid box are easily accessible in the utility room. Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder encourages them to begin to take responsibility for themselves. For example, she asks children to 'sit properly, put your legs under the table then you won't fall off.' The childminder keeps children safe when out as she teaches them road safety and they all sing a song to help them remember how to cross safely. However, there is no written permission from parents for their children to be transported in a vehicle. This may compromise children's protection and therefore safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected and their welfare is safeguarded well because the childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures and has attended child protection training. Parents are made aware of the action the childminder may take through reading her child protection policy.

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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 listens to children, valuing what they say and do and they interact well together. She finds out what the children are interested in and then provides activities and toys that are stimulating and support their development and progress. For example, one child enjoys gardening

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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 so last year they planted a couple of raspberry bushes. This year they are enjoying the fruits. The childminder does no formal planning, however she ensures she has resources in for a variety of activities such as hand printing and baking.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder involves herself in children's play. She supports them decorating biscuits with icing and encourages them to explore through first hand experience. The children smell the biscuit and put their fingers in the icing learning it is sticky. The childminder promotes children's thinking skills by asking questions such as 'Does it taste sweet?' and 'What colour decorations do you want?'. She and the children have fun playing with bricks, building towers and bridges and the children show good developing hand-eye co-ordination.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of equality of opportunity and treats children equally, taking into account their individual needs, to promote their self-esteem and confidence. She builds positive, relaxed relationships with children and they feel settled. This fosters their emotional well-being. The childminder helps children learn about our diverse society through activities such as making Chinese Lanterns and tasting Indian food. She follows on ideas from the local pre-school to ensure continuity and development of children's learning. The childminder has a positive attitude to caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She works closely with the parents and is happy to learn new skills to meet children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well because the childminder has clear house rules such as 'be kind, no running inside' and explains to the children why. For example, so they don't hurt themselves. Children respond well to methods used to manage behaviour and the childminder works in partnership with parents for consistency. She reinforces positive behaviour through praise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for according to their parents' and carers' wishes and benefit from the close relationship established between them and the childminder. The childminder ensures parents and carers know as much as possible about her service. She shares a portfolio with them that includes information about activities, her setting, policies and procedures. The childminder talks daily with parents and she works with them to help with toilet training. When caring for babies the childminder records information about nappy changes, sleep and food in daily diaries. She has a complaints policy in place and understands the need to keep a complaints record.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder enjoys being with the children and cares for them well. She works part-time at the local pre-school and children benefit from the childminder's experience and knowledge of how they develop and learn. She organises the space and resources in the home well to enable the children to have room for active play, relaxation and sleep as required.

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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 additionally been on courses including 'Tots on Tour', covering areas such as song, rhyme and musical activities to enhance learning.

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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

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to consider the procedure in the event of an allegation being made against her.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has found out what to do in the event of an allegation being made against her. She knows she has to keep notes and inform Ofsted. The childminder has a booklet including a form to fill in if any complaints are made against her. She now feels confident of the procedures to follow.

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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 written permission is obtained from parents for transporting children in a vehicle.

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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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