Grice, Lyndsay

Inspection report for early years provision

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314384 Unique Reference Number 09 January 2008 Inspection date Diane Lynn Turner 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 satisfactory. 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 has been registered since 1994. She lives with her family in an end of terraced house in the Cottingham area of Hull. All of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with toilet facilities situated on this level, and there is an enclosed garden to the rear of the house for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is registered to care for six children at any one time. She currently has eight children on roll, four of whom are under five years old. They all attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for on clean and well-maintained premises, where good hygiene practices are routinely implemented to prevent the spread of infection. For example, the childminder

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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 wears disposable gloves when changing nappies and she ensures the children clean their hands after personal care and before eating. Wipes and anti-bacterial gel are also taken for use on outings. A written sick child policy is in place, which is made available to parents, as is information about the exclusion times for infectious diseases. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and two well-stocked first aid boxes, one of which is taken on outings, and she obtains written parental agreement to use plasters. Any accidents are recorded in detail, parents are asked to sign the entry and they are given a copy for their information.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy fresh air each day as they walk to and from school, and have lots of opportunities to develop their physical skills through a range of activities both indoors and outside. For example, they play in the garden, visit the local park and soft play provision, and the older ones sometimes visit the local ice rink. Equipment, such as 'pop-up cubes', dolls' prams and a rocker are provided indoors for the younger ones, and photographs show the older ones having lots of fun playing 'twister'.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes healthy eating through the meals and snacks she provides. For example, the children enjoy items such as fruit, bread sticks and dips for their snack. The childminder talks to the children about what food is good for them and they learn about where food, such as vegetables, can be sourced as they visits the local farm shop. They have ready access to drinks throughout the day. For example, the younger ones are able to access their individual cups as and when they become thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures the children have access to a wide range of age-appropriate toys and resources. These are well-maintained and easily accessible, which enables them to make independent choices and direct their own play. The childminder ensures the premises are kept secure so children are unable to leave unsupervised, and that the rear garden is securely fenced and gated. Regular risk assessments are carried out on all areas and daily checks ensure all necessary safety equipment is in place, such as socket covers and safety gates. Appropriate fire precautions are in place, including smoke detectors, a fire blanket and written emergency evacuation procedures. These are practised with the children, although not on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder helps the children to learn to protect themselves when out in the community by teaching them good road safety practice and making them aware of other possible dangers. For example, she explains about using pedestrian crossings, not running out of sight and about not approaching unfamiliar animals, or talking to strangers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection. For example, she has attended training to enable her to recognise and deal with any concerns and a written policy is in place to inform parents of her responsibilities. However, this does not correctly detail how any allegations of abuse against herself would be investigated. There are also procedures in place for lost or uncollected children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are settled and comfortable in the childminder's care. She has a good understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses this well to support the development and learning of the younger children. They enjoy a wide range of activities, including ones they

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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 initiate themselves and those led by the childminder. For example, they confidently help themselves to toys and resources from the various storage boxes, the younger ones initiate games of 'peek-a-boo' as they use the 'pop-up' cubes, and they also take part in planned activities, such as making a life-sized picture of themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Interaction from the childminder is good. For example, she helps the younger children to learn to recognise colours and shapes as they use resources, such as a shape sorter, and to develop their communication skills as they join in with familiar songs and nursery rhymes. They also play imaginatively, such as pretending to pack their case as they go on holiday and pretending to be a princess as they wear the crown they have made.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children also enjoy a good range of craft activities, and photographs show that they produce some very imaginative artwork. For example, the older ones have made spiders from papiér mâche as part of their Halloween celebrations and they have learnt how to weave using strips of paper and to make dolls from pegs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a written equal opportunities policy which shows how all children are valued and respected. She finds out about their individual needs through discussion with their parents and knows the children and their families well. Pre-placement visits are encouraged for any new children and parents are encouraged to phone if they are at all concerned as to how their child is settling during the early days.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are supported effectively in learning about the wider world. For example, they have access to a good range of resources, including books, small world figures, finger puppets and jigsaws which portray positive images of diversity, and they learn about festivals from around the world, such as Diwali. They also learn about their local community through visits to the farm shop, outings with other childminders and as they travel on the bus. Children with learning difficulties or disabilities are welcome in the setting. There are none currently attending but the childminder has previous experience in this area and fully understands about working with parents and making any necessary adaptations to ensure inclusion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages the children's behaviour very positively. For example, the 'rules' for the home have been drawn up in consultation with the children, which means they fully understand what they can and cannot do, and the reasons for this. As a result, they know to sit at the table for meals and understand which areas of the home they cannot access. Children's good behaviour is acknowledged with lots of praise and incentives, such as a reward chart.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder builds good relationships with the parents. Good written information is provided and there is a regular exchange of information about the children's day and activities they have been involved in. For example, through daily chats and the artwork and photographs that are sent home. All necessary permissions have been obtained and parents' appreciation of the care provided is clearly expressed in a number of written testimonials.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a well-organised environment. Space is used effectively to maximise play opportunities and the childminder is well prepared for when the children arrive. She

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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 understands the importance of ongoing training and shows that she is committed to developing her practice. For example, she has recently attended courses on the 'Birth to three matters' framework and safeguarding children, and is currently working towards a level 3 qualification in Childcare and Education.

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Organisation

Written policies are in place to show how the service operates, although the child protection policy has some incorrect details. Detailed records of progress are kept for the children, including 'tracker books' for the younger ones and scrapbooks for all children, which show examples of their work and photographs of the activities they have been involved in. All legally required documentation is in place and is maintained appropriately overall. However, medication records do not show the actual time this was administered.

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Organisation

The childminder displays her registration certificate and adheres to the conditions, and appropriate insurance is in place. However, she failed to meet a regulation under standard 14 of the National Standards as she did not notify Ofsted of a significant change to the premises, in this case the erection of a conservatory and its use for childminding purposes.

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Organisation

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 it was recommended that the childminder improve the resources in relation to equal opportunities and the documentation. The recommendations have been successfully implemented. Resources have been purchased which depict positive images of other cultures and disability; a new record book has been purchased for recording any accidents and medication administered to the children; and records of attendance now show the children's full name and their time of arrival and departure.

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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 satisfactory. 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 the child protection policy correctly details how allegations of abuse are investigated

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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 Ofsted is informed of any significant changes or events • ensure the medication records clearly show the time this is administered.

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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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