Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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209168 Unique Reference Number 29 November 2007 Inspection date Sally Ann Hubbard 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 has been registered since 1994. She lives with her husband, one adult child and one child aged 15 years in a large village near to the town of Spalding in Lincolnshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding six children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school and pre-school to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler groups, takes children to the local library and park or on other outings. The childminder has two rabbits as pets. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is well promoted, for example, they wash their hands before they sit down to have lunch. The childminder helps them to understand why they need to do this as

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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 she has discussions with them. Each child has their own towel to dry their hands which helps to prevent the risk of cross infection. The childminder has good general hygiene and keeps her house and food preparation areas clean which further protects children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's medical needs are appropriately met as the childminder is trained to administer first aid and she has permission to seek emergency medical advice for each child. The childminder has an accessible first aid box with a range of resources, however, this is not fully stocked to the required level, and as a result there could be a delay in dealing efficiently with some accidents. Appropriate records are in place in respect of accidents and medicine administration and these are shared with parents. If any of the children are sick the childminder tells their parents that they should not attend so that others are not at risk of illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy snacks and meals, they have raisins for their morning snack and cheese and crackers in the afternoon. Parents provide packed lunches and the childminder stores these in the fridge if needed. Children help themselves to a drink from their water bottles if they feel thirsty as these are readily available. Children enjoy being able to access outdoor play in all weathers. They benefit from regular exercise as they walk to and from pre-school and school each day and take trips to local park to get more exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children arrive to safe and suitable premises as the childminder’s home is very welcoming and child centred. Children are personally greeted by the childminder and she ensures she is prepared and ready for them. Children have sufficient space to take part in a range of activities and play with the toys and resources which are all readily accessible. The childminder makes regular checks to ensure these are safe and she looks for the relevant safety markings to ensure they conform to standards. Children enjoy a very good range of resources and activities to cover all areas of learning, these are sufficient in quantity and suitable for the ages of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe by the childminder’s good awareness of safety and security issues. She takes appropriate steps to identify and minimise risks to children, for example, by keeping her premises secure while she is childminding. The childminder has fire safety measures in place and has developed emergency evacuation procedures. Children learn how to get out of the house safely as they have regular opportunities to practise this. Children’s welfare and safety is further safeguarded as the childminder has good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She knows what signs and symptoms would cause her concern and has the referral number readily available if needed. The childminder puts the protection of the children in her care as her priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very well settled and happy in the childminder’s care. They confidently chat to the childminder about what they have done at pre-school, their favourite colour and their recent experiences. They are very relaxed with her and comfortable in her company. They enjoy accessing a good range of resources and do this independently, as these are stored within children’s reach and are therefore readily accessible.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is attentive to children’s needs and gives them all good attention; as a result they have very good relationships with her. She plays with the children all the time, getting

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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 down on the floor with them. She has discussions with them and talks to them about what they are doing, helping them to solve their own problems as they play. They use their imagination well whilst chattering confidently with each other, talking animatedly about a 'disaster' on the train track because the bridges have fallen down and discussing how they are going to mend them. With appropriate support they go on to work out how to repair the bridges over the train track for themselves, putting the pieces together carefully and counting out the train carriages.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy being free to choose what they want to do as the childminder lets them decide what activities they want. They are able to paint creatively in the home and enjoy a rich and varied range of messy/craft activities which engage and stimulate. They participate in regular trips to the library, choosing books with the childminder, which they can later take home to share with their parents. In the home children engage in daily story time, listening to stories and then using their memory recall to draw their own pictures about the story they have heard.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are helped to learn right from wrong as the childminder gives them explanations about playing fairly and sharing the resources. Children are made to feel good as the childminder gives them praise for their achievements, she tells them ‘well done’ and ‘that’s brilliant’. The childminder has appropriate knowledge of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and the six areas of learning and plans a wide variety of activities to help her cover these.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder ensures all children have equal access to the activities. She has positive attitudes towards everyone and encourages children to respect and value others. Children learn about diversity because they have a good range of positive images displayed and they celebrate some of the different festivals. The childminder is aware and able to recognise that some children may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She would work closely with parents to meet children’s individual needs. Children behave very well; they have clear boundaries and rules which they respect and understand as they have been involved in developing these. The childminder is positive, she provides a good role model giving children praise when they behave appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well settled and confident because the childminder develops good relationships with their parents. She works closely with parents and keeps clear records on the children which enables her to effectively meet their needs. She has daily diaries to discuss with parents so she can be aware of any changing circumstances and takes note of the learning activities which the local pre-school and school are offering so as to provide a cohesive learning approach for the children. Parents are made aware of how they can make any concerns known, the childminder has a clear policy and the Ofsted poster is displayed. The childminder has an appropriate system in place for recording complaints, although none have been received.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures that children are well protected as she supervises them herself to protect them from anyone who has not been vetted. All adults in her house have had checks to ensure they are suitable. Children benefit greatly because the childminder enjoys being with children. She is committed to providing good quality care and undertakes a variety of training courses and workshops to ensure her knowledge and skills are up to date. She has good knowledge and understanding of the standards and how she can meet them. The childminder

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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 has developed some written policies which are clear and she shares these with parents so they are aware of how she operates her childminding business.

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Organisation

Children feel very comfortable and at home in the attractive and well-planned environment. Space and resources are effectively organised, for example, toys and resources are stored where children can reach them. The records that contribute to children’s health and well-being are detailed, well organised and readily available. An accurate daily register of children’s attendance is kept. Appropriate information is displayed for parents, such as the childminder’s policies, her emergency procedure and the Ofsted poster. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to further develop her written information for parents about her childminding service. She has improved her brochure and developed her emergency evacuation procedure and both are readily available for parents. The emergency procedure is displayed on the play room door where it is clearly visible.

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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 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): • review the contents of the first aid box, to ensure that it fully complies with requirements.

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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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