Linnit, Diane

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

311015 Unique Reference Number 25 January 2008 Inspection date Helen Blackburn 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and four children aged 17 years, 14 years, 13 years and four years in the Dewsbury area. There are schools, shops, parks and access to public transport in the local area. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding four children, who attend on a full-time and part-time basis. The childminder uses her car to take and collect children from local schools and nurseries.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She regularly attends local carer and toddler groups.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The environment for children is clean and there are satisfactory hygiene procedures in place to ensure the childminder maintains this for children. For example, cleaning routines contribute

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 to minimising the risk of spreading infection. The childminder helps the children to learn about the importance of good personal hygiene practices. For example, they know to wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day, such as before they eat. The childminder acts appropriately when managing illness within the home. She explains to parents that ill children need to stay at home to protect others from infection. She knows what information to record in regard to any medication she gives to children. However, due to not administering any medicines for a while her written record was not readily available.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The children have good opportunities to be active and this supports their physical development and encourages them to lead a healthy lifestyle. Due to some building work at the home, the children are not using the garden. However, they regularly enjoy going on walks, visiting local parks, soft play centres, dancing and moving to music. The children have access to varied range of resources to support their physical development, such as bikes, bats, balls and climbing equipment within the home and through the places, they visit.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder understands the importance of promoting healthy eating to support children’s healthy growth and development. She provides children with a satisfactory range of healthy and nutritious choices, such as fresh fruit, vegetables and home-cooked dinners. She appropriately meets children’s individual needs, such as providing alternatives for specific dietary requirements and feeding younger children according to their own routines. The childminder promotes a positive and relaxing experience at mealtimes. For example, the children sit together at the table and socialise with their peers.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The home is safe and secure and there are a number of adequate safety precautions in place to ensure children play safely and to minimise accidents. For example, the childminder is vigilant in regularly checking her home to ensure children are safe. The children are developing some understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They know about safe boundaries within the home, such as no climbing on furniture, they practice road safety when on outings and take part in fire evacuations.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children access a good range of resources that are safe and maintained in appropriate condition. The childminder checks the equipment to ensure it remains safe for children’s use. The children have good opportunities to make their own choices and to be independent. For example, they access toys stored safely in boxes or on low units.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues, which contributes to her protecting children from harm. She is aware of her responsibilities in safeguarding children, for example, reporting and monitoring concerns. She has access to all the relevant information regarding the Local Safeguarding Children Board, which helps her to act appropriately in promoting children’s welfare and well-being.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The friendly approach of the childminder provides a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere for children. This results in the children being happy, settled and secure in the childminder’s care. A selection of children’s artwork displayed in the home contributes to this welcoming feel and provides the children with a sense of belonging.

p.3

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 There are good relationships between the childminder and children. She is actively involved in children’s play and interacts with them well. This positive interaction contributes to her knowing the children well. This enables her to support, encourage and challenge their development, as well as meeting their individual needs. For example, she builds into the day children’s individual routines so that she provides continuity for children. Through play she encourages children’s development by asking them questions, for example, what colour is that and how many have you got.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children access a varied range of resources and activities, such as books, dressing up, role-play, creative activities and construction. The children are happy and enjoy what they do. They laugh and smile with the childminder as they play with the magnetic shapes on the fridge. In addition to the home-based activities, the children enjoy trips to parks, walks, outings, visits to toddler groups and soft play centres. To help children learn, the childminder gives the children good opportunities to make their own choices in play. She builds on the children’s interests when planning activities for them.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children’s behaviour is appropriate for their ages and stages of development and they have positive relationships with other children. They play together and through play, they are developing an understanding of the importance of sharing and taking turns. The childminder has established routines and boundaries within the home to help children know what is expected of them. Through explanations, the children learn about why certain behaviour is unacceptable. This supports children in understanding about right and wrong. The childminder praises children’s achievements and they respond well to this by behaving in a positive manner.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are developing an awareness of diversity and the world in which they live. The children access a developing range of resources that provide positive images of others, such as books, dolls and activities that celebrate some religious and cultural festivals. This promotes children’s positive self-image and encourages them to develop a respect for others.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has sound relationships with the parents. They work sufficiently well together to promote children’s welfare and care. They exchange and share information on a regular basis, such as routines to ensure children receive consistent care. There is some written information for parents to outline the service provided for children. A daily diary provides parents with information about their child’s day. The parents are able to approach the childminder to discuss any concerns that they may have. The childminder knows she must record any concerns that arise. However, no facility is set up if the situation arose and her complaints procedure does not reflect the practice that a record of complaints is kept.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The home is satisfactorily organised to promote the welfare of children. During the ongoing building work within the home, the childminder has made the best use of the space available. For example, she uses her dining area instead of the conservatory to store children’s resources. She has made sure that children can still access a varied selection independently. The childminder organises her time well to meet children’s individual needs. For example, she builds into the day their routines and coordinates well the collecting of children from school and nursery.

p.4

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 The childminder understands the benefits of further training and she accesses some training to help her develop the service she provides for children. Through regular contact with other childminders, she is also able to share ideas and practice to promote positive outcomes for children.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder understands the range of documents needed to promote the safe management of the setting. For example, children’s record details contain sufficient information so that she can care for them appropriately. However, not all documents are easily accessible, due to the storage of them being disorganised. The childminder has developed a selection of basic policies that she shares with parents so that they know what service she provides. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to develop her medication records. Although her medication record was not easily accessible, the childminder clearly understood what she needed to record if she administers any medicines to children. For example, parents now sign at the end of the day to acknowledge any medicines the children have received whilst in the childminders care. This promotes children’s health and continuity.

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

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

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): • devise a system for recording and logging any complaints and ensure the complaints procedure reflects the practice in place • organise the storage of documents to ensure all the required paperwork is easily accessible.

p.5

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 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.5

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