Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

208954 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2008 Inspection date Gill Ogden 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 good. 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 11 and 16, in Welton, Lincolnshire. All areas of the home are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden suitable for outdoor play. The house is within walking distance of schools, parks, shops, the library and toddler groups. The family has a pet rabbit.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight. She currently looks after six children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends meetings of the local childminding group.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a home that is very clean and where the highest priorities are given to minimising opportunities for cross-infection. Children soon learn the importance of washing their hands after using the toilet. For example, a toddler who has just had a nappy changed quickly goes to the toilet to wash his hands because he has been used to doing this with the

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 childminder regularly. The availability of moist tissue wipes to use in the toilet encourages children to pick up toileting routines more quickly than if just toilet paper was there. Parents are given clear but friendly information about keeping children at home when they are ill because caring for them would be detrimental to others. Children enjoy feeding the rabbit and because it is kept in an outdoor hutch and run any health risks are minimised.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children get plenty of fresh air and exercise because they walk back and forth to school each day and spend time in the park. A wide range of outdoor play equipment ensures that when children are playing in the garden they have every opportunity to develop their whole body skills and co-ordination. Babies sleep comfortably and safely in a travel cot and older children can nap on the sofa if they need to.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular, nutritious food throughout the day. Parents provide a packed meal for their lunch which the childminder stores appropriately. If the children are with the childminder at tea time then they enjoy either a cooked meal or a lighter meal depending on what they might be doing afterwards. Meals include chicken casserole, meatballs and spaghetti or sandwiches with vegetable sticks or cheese cubes. Snacks are mainly fresh fruit and drinks such as water, milk and squash are freely available. During the holidays children enjoy making their own meals, such as pizza, from scratch. Children's individual dietary requirements are monitored closely.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are looked after in a home that is safe, secure and very well maintained. External doors are locked and the front door is alarmed which provides additional security. Children are made to feel welcome as soon as they enter because there are coat hooks at their level and a small stool for them to sit on to take off their shoes. Lots of their artwork is displayed around the home. All the necessary safety equipment such as stair gates, smoke alarms and table corner protectors is in place and working effectively. Children learn well about keeping themselves safe. There are luminous fire exit signs that capture their imagination and help them to know how to evacuate the house quickly in case of fire. Children learn about 'stranger danger' and road safety when they are out and about.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The wide range of toys and play resources are well looked after and attractive to children. They are stored where children can easily get to them according to their age and stage.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further safeguarded because the childminder has a solid understanding of her child protection responsibilities and current procedures. She ensures parents are informed about this and has national and local guidance to use if necessary.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled with the childminder. They are fully 'at home' with her because she makes every effort to ensure their interests are catered for. For example, she knows a toddler is particularly interested in cars and so has lots set out ready. Also she has organised space at the window so that passing traffic such as the dustbin lorry can easily be seen and talked about. Children can rely on the childminder involving herself in their play. She gets down on the floor with them and talks about what they are doing to help reinforce their learning. Young children enjoy books and stories each day. They select for themselves their favourites

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 and snuggle up contentedly with the childminder, turning the pages over as she prompts them. They develop their vocabulary by pointing out pictures and saying words such as 'bee', 'nose' and 'Pooh' quite clearly. The childminder begins to interest the children in mathematical concepts by counting out the number of jars in the pictures. Creative play is a strong feature of the provision and there is a very wide range of resources for children to choose from. At the moment children are engrossed in art and craft activities related to Chinese New Year. The youngest children are happy to choose a colour of paint and carefully use the brush to cover their sheet of paper as well as their fingers and the table!

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children enjoy a range of activities that contribute towards their intellectual, social, emotional and physical development and meet their leisure needs. In school holidays when the older children spend more time with the childminder they go on visits such as to a pottery where they take part in making things from clay and to the local historical sites. They enjoy putting on plays and writing scripts. The childminder has some knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage but is not yet fully confident in her ability to deliver the learning and development aspects.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are made welcome in the childminder's home. They are fully valued as individuals and their backgrounds are respected. Children's individual needs are met well because the childminder gathers lots of information from parents and uses this along with her own observations to provide appropriate care for them. Children's self-esteem is high because the childminder clearly values their efforts by, for example, displaying their art work prominently in her home. They celebrate a variety of festivals that promote their own cultural backgrounds and introduce them to others. At the moment as part of their Chinese New Year celebrations they are making book marks which have the symbol of the Chinese year that they were born in and some of the characteristics related to it. Discussions around these further help children to understand and respect each other.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well because the childminder sets clear boundaries for them that are relevant to their level of understanding. She acts as a very good role model because she is acutely aware of how important this is if children are to develop socially acceptable behaviour.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents comment very positively on the relationships they have with the childminder and the quality of care she provides for their children. Along with written agreements about the care of children the childminder is also clear with parents about what she expects from them, such as picking their children up on time unless they have let her know otherwise. All this ensures that there is a healthy and productive working relationship that is beneficial all round and not in the least provides secure continuity of care for the children.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare benefits enormously from the childminder's commitment to their care. She is experienced in providing care in the home and makes every effort to keep up-to-date with current and best practice in the interests of the children. Recently she has attended training on food and nutrition, the Common Assessment Framework and the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has a solid understanding of her legal responsibilities as a childminder.

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 Her home is very well set up for childminding. Children mainly use the lounge/diner and the toilet is nearby so whilst there is plenty of space for them it is also compact and easily supervised. All the required records are maintained accurately. They are stored efficiently and securely but are easily accessible. Other documentation is well presented and displayed appropriately. Overall, children's needs are met.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of the recommendation made at the last inspection the childminder now has a much clearer understanding of child protection issues. This means that there is a much more robust framework in place to ensure children's safety.

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 good. 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): • continue to develop knowledge and understanding of how children learn through play.

p.5

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

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.5