Childminder in North Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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505194 Unique Reference Number 12 December 2007 Inspection date Sharon Watson 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 1997. She lives with her partner and three children, two of adult age and one aged eight years. They live in Bottesford in an area of Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with exception to the study. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for five children under the age of eight years. There are currently seven children on roll, attending at various times. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local pre-school groups and takes children to the local park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a clean and tidy home. The childminder implements procedures to help children take responsibility for their own hygiene. In particular, children learn when to wash their hands and steps are used to promote children's independent hand washing. All children have individual face cloths, liquid soap and towels and this limits cross infection. Procedures to promote children's health are mostly implemented, however, the childminder does not always

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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 seek to confirm if children's illness is infectious. The medication procedure is operated well and benefits children's health and welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy daily walks to and from school and attend the local park on a regular basis. This promotes their exercise and well-being. They also attend an indoor play centre where they can climb and experience soft play equipment. This promotes their balance and coordination and helps them to gain confidence in their own ability. The childminder provides a balanced nutritious diet for children. She consults with parents to ensure children's individual dietary requirements are met. Children receive drinks of juice or water at regular intervals throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a welcoming, stimulating environment in which they feel at home. Children's photographs and art work displayed help them to feel a sense of belonging. Children self-select their toys from the safe and suitable range available. Equipment, such as high chairs, low tables and small chairs ensure children remain safe and comfortable when carrying out activities. Children benefit from suitable arrangements to aid their rest and sleep. For example, they are made comfortable in pushchairs in a quiet area of the hallway or secure garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are good systems in place to maintain children's safety. In particular, all areas of the home are risk assessed and safety equipment implemented to ensure children can play safely. Road safety is explored through role play as children dress up and use props to aid their understanding. This helps children learn to take responsibility for their own safety. Systems in case of emergency are implemented well and ensure children are well cared for at all times. Children benefit from the childminder's good knowledge of signs and symptoms of abuse and the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from a stimulating environment where they enjoy a good range of activities. In particular, under two's enjoy floor play using interactive baby and toddler toys. They explore the pop up toys and shape sorters and are learning to make connections. The morning follows both free and structured play and mostly supports children's learning and development. However, the free play does not always maintain the interest of the more-able children. Children who attend after school enjoy a snack and relax after the school day. They enjoy a range of craft activities and are able to bring a favourite toy from home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are well supported in their craft activity, in particular more support is given to children under two. Older children use resources independently and support is given when needed. Children enjoy making Christmas crackers and display a sense of achievement on completing. The puppet and prop bag is enjoyed by the children and used creatively to promote their language. For example, children use and recognise animals, such as a bird, sheep or mouse and make connections with familiar rhymes and songs. Regular visits to the local pre-school group provide children with a change from the home environment. Here they enjoy water, sand and messy play and learn to mix with other children.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm and homely environment. Their individual needs are considered, in particular their likes, dislikes and routine prior to commencement of care. Children respond well to the childminder as she reassures them with cuddles when they are tired. Children enjoy a balanced range of toys and resources that are suitable to their age and stage of development. Children display increasing independence as they self select their toys from shelves and boxes. They learn about cultural diversity through play and this helps them to form respectful relationships with others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and remain interested in their play and, therefore, incidents are minimised. The childminder is a positive role model teaching children to use please and thank you at appropriate times. Children learn to manage their own behaviour with support. For example, at snack time explanation is used well to help children learn to share the table space. Children's development is monitored through play and any concerns are managed in partnership with parents. Activities to help children develop a positive attitude towards disability are carried out. Comprehensive information is available to parents and helps children settle well into the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a well organised spacious lounge in which they can move around easily. Furniture is well organised and ensures children enjoy a good range of floor play activities. Activities are organised well and this ensures children's individual abilities are met. Adult to child ratios are good and children's attendance is recorded appropriately. Suitable checks have been completed for family members and this enhances children's safety.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to regular training. In particular, first aid training is updated as required. This enhances the children's care and welfare. The childminder maintains the required documentation and this is shared with parents. Children's details are obtained and recorded, however, children's profiles do not remain individual. Therefore, their confidentiality is compromised. 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 a recommendation was made to support children in their learning by ensuring activities provided helped children to build on their natural curiosity as learners. This has been addressed and children enjoy a range of activities that help them to explore and investigate.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • implement procedures to ensure children who are ill are not infectious • ensure records about children remain individual.

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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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