Crooks, Helen

Inspection report for early years provision

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205655 Unique Reference Number 10 December 2007 Inspection date Kathryn Margaret Clayton Inspector

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Integrated 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder first registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two teenaged children in Grimsby. She is registered to provide care for six children and sometimes works with another childminder and together they may care for nine children. Currently 11 children attend mainly on a part-time basis. The childminder delivers nursery education, however, no children in receipt of funding were present at inspection. There are schools and pre-school facilities for younger children within the locality and easy access to shops, public transport and children's play areas. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet rabbit which lives outdoors. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, the Teen parent Network and the Community Childminding Network. She has completed 'Quality First' quality assurance scheme

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

and holds a relevant level 3 qualification.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean home where they learn the importance of good personal hygiene routines. They wash their hands after going to the toilet using liquid soap and paper towels, therefore helping to reduce the possibility of cross-infection. The childminder talks to children about why they need to remove germs and so they start to gain an early understanding of how to stay healthy. Children benefit from being active and they enjoy the fresh air. The childminder provides a wide variety of activities to promote children's good health. These include daily play in the garden or park, walks to the beach and country park.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to a good range of equipment including a small slide and climbing equipment, bikes, scooters, skipping ropes and footballs. Children also chase bubbles made with a bubble machine and play with wind streamers. They learn about the benefits of healthy eating as they are provided with healthy snacks of fruit and vegetables, such as grapes, carrot sticks and apple. The childminder makes sure packed lunches are stored correctly and maintains documentation relating to children's health accurately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and comfortable in the welcoming, homely environment. They use the space confidently and have access to a good range of toys and equipment that are rotated for interest. The childminder also borrows items from the local authority to provide more interest and choice for children. For example, babies and young children can explore treasure baskets. Children stay safe in the care of the childminder who makes sure they are protected when away from home. One example of measures taken include completing an individual risk assessment for each outing and visiting the venues herself before taking children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children stay safe in the childminder's home; there is a clear arrival and departure policy and the childminder ensures all risks in the home are minimised. For example, she has a number of safety gates placed around the ground floor of the home. Children are safeguarded because the childminder is clear about her responsibility to report any concerns and the agencies to contact regarding this. She has completed recent training to ensure she is up to date.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, settled and interested in play. They concentrate well, for example, when completing mark making, they go back to the activity throughout the morning. Children's interests are taken as a starting point by the childminder, who effectively supports their learning through play. She talks about winter conditions and encourages children to think about how Santa can fit into his sleigh, for example. The 'Birth to three matters' framework is used to complete useful observations of children's progress and identifies activities that can be used to extend children's learning. All children attending have fun and enjoy sociable times, for

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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 example, they all dress up for a Halloween party. Young children have their emotional needs met. They can rest or sleep quietly in a cot or pushchair away from the other children. Children enjoy some exploratory experiences and the opportunity to investigate different materials, however, not on a regular basis.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory. Through discussion and documentation the childminder demonstrates some knowledge of the Foundation Stage Curriculum, however it is not firmly established. She understands the need to observe and assess children's progress and use this information to help them progress. All children in the care of the childminder enjoy visits to a local farm and seal sanctuary. Children have opportunities to find out about how to care for animals, about how they live and their natural habitat. Through discussion and documentation the childminder shows an understanding of how to support children's learning. Some examples given include, introducing children who are ready to letter sounds and playing number games that will help children learn to match numbers, count and recognise numerals. The childminder understands the need to introduce children to new vocabulary and has different

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

groups of words around the playroom, for example, winter words and Christmas words. The childminder shows an understanding about how to challenge children and provide activities that are appropriate to the age and stage of the children, such as simple and more complex puzzles. All children attending are encouraged to listen to music, sing songs and say rhymes, such as Humpty Dumpty. The childminder shows an understanding of how to foster children's interest in books and stories and has a good selection to choose from around the playroom.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a positive welcoming atmosphere where they have access to some play materials that portray a positive image of diversity. The childminder knows the children as individuals and treats them with equal concern. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. Children take part in activities, such as raising money for a local charity that helps them to develop a sense of community and to think of others. Children behave well because of the clear rules and positive strategies used by the childminder. These are appropriate to the age of the children and include explanations and distraction. For example, children are helped to learn about how to share puzzles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have the opportunity to read very useful information in the form of written policies about the childminding service. They can also access a secure individual internet file that the childminder updates with photographs of the children involved in activities and with details of their progress. The partnership with parents and carers is satisfactory. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates an understanding of how to keep parents informed through daily discussions and completing a written diary. Parents are provided with suitable written information about the Foundation Stage Curriculum.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a well-qualified childminder who makes a commitment to undertake additional qualifications and training to improve the service she provides. For example, she has recently started a degree level qualification and since the last inspection has completed a number of training courses including the 'Birth to three matters' framework, healthy eating, business success and heuristic play.

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Organisation

Children's details are very well organised in individual folders with immediate contact details readily available. All documentation is accurately maintained and is regularly reviewed by the childminder. Space is used flexibly when a number of children at present. The childminder spends her time directly with the children and offers them very good support according to the individual needs. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were given relating to safety and record keeping. The safety of children has improved as there is now a clear procedure to follow when children arrive and depart from the premises. Record keeping has improved as the childminder ensures all children's information is recorded before they are taken into her care and parents give permission for children to handle the pet rabbit.

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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. 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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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):

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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 • ensure children have regular opportunities to explore and investigate (also applies to nursery education).

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • continue to improve knowledge and understanding of the Foundation Stage Curriculum.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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 nursery education

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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