Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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257405 Unique Reference Number 11 January 2008 Inspection date Sharon Waterfall 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 2001 and lives with her husband and child. The family live in a semi-detached house within the coastal town of Skegness. All amenities are within walking distance of the house. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor, although access to the kitchen is only under direct supervision. There is a fully enclosed rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a pet cat which spends most of the time in the house. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years of age and is currently caring for six children under eight years and three children over eight years on a full- and part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a level two qualification in childcare and education.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children are learning about good personal hygiene through the daily routines as the childminder encourages hand washing before eating and after toileting. There are appropriate standards of hygiene within the setting promoting children's health and minimising cross-contamination. Children's well-being is protected through the childminder's effective use of well-thought-out policies and procedures in this area, though permission to seek emergency treatment is not held and affects the immediateness of implementing action.

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Helping children to be healthy

Accident and medication records meet the required standards and all shared with parents. The childminder has completed a valid first aid certificate, though insufficient contents of the first aid box impact on the treatment that can be given in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder does not presently provide meals for the children; however their welfare is safeguarded through her appropriate hygiene procedures when handling the children's packed meals. Snacks of fruit are offered on a daily basis aiding children in choosing healthy foods. They have drinks available to them at all times ensuring they are adequately hydrated throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical skills are constantly practised and improved when using the outdoor equipment. Walks to and from school, in local woods, parks and on the beach enable the children to have gentle exercise. Alternatively the children can use large physical equipment to climb, balance and jump. They run and play games such as football in the beneficial fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are secure in their relationships within the childminding setting. They look for support from the childminder with confidence. They are greeted warmly, with hugs and smiles and easily engage in the daily routines. The space is organised to support children’s ability to play actively or quietly, with a small library area for reading which the children enjoy. Resources are varied and are well planned to meet the children's developing needs and the childminder is on hand to support and supervise play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's safety is fostered well, as the childminder has effectively minimised identified risks within the home setting. This enables children to move around the space, safely and freely. They are learning how to keep themselves safe, as the childminder explains issues, for instance, discussing road safety when walking. The garden has a range of resources that the children use for physical play and it is securely fenced for safety, however a large trampoline is used and risk assessments have not been implemented to assess the safety of use by children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has the required procedures and documents to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She has a good understanding of child protection procedures in line with up to date guidance and legislation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children socialise with peers through regular trips to local play centres and community visits such as a group at the library. This supports the children in looking at and enjoying books and stories. The importance of books is carried on into the home as a small library area is in place and children are able to choose and look at their books. Even the youngest of the children enjoy listening to stories from their favourite books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities, which are age-appropriate. The childminder plans a range of activities that meet the interests of the children and is particularly encouraging of children’s own creative and artistic talents. Within craft activities such as card making, modelling and painting, the children are able to express their own ideas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Their development progresses through practical activities such as writing and mark-making in cards, playing memory games and counting and number recognition in books. Children enjoy decorating cakes, sewing soft toys and putting together puppet shows, involving their imaginative development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children are able to access resources around the floor that had been put out, these include small world characters, pop up toys and a push along activity with lots of positive interaction from the childminder, such as being rocked and cuddled to sleep. Within the daily journal there is evidence of the childminder recording milestones and activities enjoyed such as action rhymes and she has recorded positive first attempts to communicate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the strong relationships made between the parents and childminder. The regular exchange of information aids the continuity in the children's care. Their needs are well met, with attention being given to planning and providing activities and care that meet and accommodate their individuality. Children's awareness of the wider world is positively promoted by a range of activities and resources. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are cared for sensitively and the childminder is fully inclusive and proactive in implanting activities and care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The older children have been involved in deciding and implementing rules and expectations with the childminder ensuring they are fully included in discussions and decision making. Reminders about these expectations are discussed with the children if they are not being adhered to and are the basis of the positive behaviour management strategies. The children are praised constantly through activities raising their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works conscientiously with parents to meet the children's individual needs and ensures that they are included within the life of the setting promoting consistency of care. Daily journals are completed for younger children and verbal discussions take place daily for older children. A comprehensive induction folder and set of written policies and procedures are shared with parents ensuring all parties' expectations are agreed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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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Organisation

The organisation is good. The environment is well organised and child-centred, which is warm and welcoming for all children. They are able to confidently explore and investigate their familiar surroundings and feel at ease within them. Therefore, children are proactive in their own learning and benefit from the range of planned activities, experiences and resources provided by the childminder.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are used to promote children's welfare care and learning. Many of the written policies are shared regularly with parents, aiding the excellent continuity of care and individual routines of the children. Though her registration certificate is available within the parents folder it is not clearly displayed. The childminder has completed a wide range of childcare courses and a first aid course and is interested in extending her knowledge further.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection there were two recommendations set to improve the standards of care for children. These were to ensure the accurate recording of children's attendance and to ensure all doors were easily opened in an evacuation situation. The childminder now records accurate times of children's arrival and departure and has ensured that keys to locked doors are easily accessible close by, therefore improving children's care and safety.

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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): • obtain permission to seek emergency medical treatment for children if required from parents and ensure the first aid box has sufficient content, which is frequently checked and replenished as neccessary • ensure all equipment for use by children is safe, with particular regard to risk assessing the possible hazards of using a large trampoline

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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 the registration certificate is displayed and easily visible to parents.

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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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