Finley Lisa

Inspection report for early years provision

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404216 Unique Reference Number 21 November 2007 Inspection date Lesley Barrett 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 2000. She lives with her two children aged eighteen and fifteen years. They live in a suburb of Peterborough, close to local shops, schools and parks. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding three children under five years part-time and one child over five years during the school holidays. She also cares for children over eight after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends local activity groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good. Children's health is effectively promoted. The home is clean and well maintained. The childminder demonstrates a clear awareness of the need to prevent cross-contamination for children. For example, she ensures that good procedures are in place to protect them from the family pets. She states that children are reminded to wash their hands after handling the pets and that the garden is checked daily before children use it. A sick children policy is implemented which promotes children's good health and a common sense approach ensures children are protected from infections. The childminder has completed a first aid course which enables her to act in the children's best interests if they have a minor accident. Appropriate procedures are in place for the administration of medication and recording of accidents to ensure that parents are made aware of when their child has sustained an injury. Children are able to rest or sleep

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Helping children to be healthy

undisturbed according to their needs in either their buggy or a travel cot as agreed with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of physical activities. They benefit from fresh air and exercise on their daily walks to the school. Children have regular opportunities to visit the local park which promotes a healthy lifestyle, as they are able to use the static equipment to develop their physical skills, such as climbing. They also enjoy trips to feed the ducks and are able to make use of large physical equipment at local activity groups. Further variety of physical play activities are provided within the childminder's own home. Children are able to use a range of resources such as bats, balls and ride-on toys within the childminder's garden. During poor weather children are able to have access to pop-up tents, tunnels and balls inside to ensure that they can practise their large motor skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a varied and healthy menu provided by the childminder. Their health is promoted as they are provided with a good range of healthy meals. These include chicken, shepherds pie and pasta bake, all are served with fresh vegetables. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that children's dietary needs are met and the inclusion of children who have specific dietary requirements. This enables all children to feel included during their time with the childminder. Drinks are readily available for children to allow them to hydrate themselves as and when required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for within a safe, secure home environment. The childminder uses the space appropriately providing play areas for children to move freely around. The garden is fully enclosed and is well maintained to provide children with an area to explore and play safely. Toys and equipment are in a good state of repair and are age-appropriate. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys, to ensure they are suitable and provide stimulation for their age and stage of development. They are able to ask for favourite toys and can choose items from the toy boxes themselves, children's self-confidence and esteem grows as they become increasingly independent.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from a range of safety measures within the home, for example, cupboard locks, stair gates and the use of safety harnesses in highchairs. All necessary fire safety equipment is in place and the childminder is aware of the need to practise emergency evacuation procedures with the children to ensure that they are aware of the procedures to be followed in the event

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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 of an emergency. A visual health and safety check is carried out before children arrive to ensure hazards can be identified and minimised in order to protect the children from harm. Children are learning about the importance of keeping themselves safe particularly when away from the home as the childminder talks to them about road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded. For example, the childminder shares a clear policy with parents which outlines her duties regarding the protection of children in her care. The childminder has a reliable knowledge of child protection issues, which are in line with local procedures. This means that children are protected and kept safe from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely confident in the childminder's care and enjoy a positive relationship with her. She is very sensitive to their needs, offering lots of praise and encouragement and this contributes to their sense of belonging, giving them confidence and security to explore the toys and activities. Children benefit from a excellent range of stimulating activities and experiences inside and outside the home. For example, they visit the library and activity groups such as 'Dave the Clown'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are learning to be skilful communicators as the childminder enthusiastically talks to the them as she supports their play. For example, as they look at books she asks them simple questions, such as 'can you see the ball?'. Children respond eagerly and the childminder shows genuine interest as she shows she is purposefully involved in their play. She is skilled at distracting younger children who are becoming unsettled and uses intonation in her voice to successfully detract and prevent children from becoming distressed. A varied range of exploration and discovery toys fuel children's interest and support their learning and development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's creativity is successfully developed as the childminder provides them with an extensive range of activities, such as painting, play dough, sand play and dressing-up. The childminder encourages babies to develop their skills as she purposefully interacts with them. They are encouraged to explore and discover through a excellent range of natural and man made toys and very good interaction from the childminder. All children, particularly babies, are cared for in line with their routines from home. This enables them to gain confidence, a sense of belonging and for them to flourish in an environment which meets their individual needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children who have been at school all day are provided with a homely environment when they arrive at the childminder's home. They are able to relax and play freely. For example, they can play games, do art and craft or simply relax on the sofa. During holiday periods trips out to places such as Scarawell Farm and the museum are arranged to maintain children's interests and provide them with variety. Consistent boundaries helps them to feel welcomed and secure, which in turn enhances their sense of belonging and allows them to feel highly valued.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder knows the needs and particular interests of the children and accommodates these in the activities and care that she provides. Children are learning about the wider world as they use a good range of resources such as books and small world people. The childminder explains that they celebrate different festivals such as, Chinese New Year where they make dragons and they try food from different

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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 countries. This provides children with variety and encourages them to develop new skills. The childminder has a good understanding of inclusion and has systems in place to allow her to care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses positive strategies such as praise and age-appropriate explanations to encourage good behaviour. The children understand what is expected of them as the childminder is consistent in her approach and where possible ignores poor behaviour to prevent negative messages. Children are encouraged to respect each other as the childminder talks to them about the consequences of their actions. She is a good role model for children as she listens to them, encourages good manners and gives consistent praise and encouragement to help promote their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's needs are met through the secure relationships with parents as the partnership with parents and carers is very good. This impacts positively on children's feelings of belonging, trust and security. The childminder takes time to discuss a child's day which involves parents in their child's care, learning and play. A daily diary ensures that parents receive detailed information about their child's day so that they can feel included within the child's experiences. Parents are encouraged to participate, sharing information and any events which may affect their child and to share their views upon the quality of care offered for their child. Extremely positive feedback is received from the parents and any areas for improvement acted upon by the childminder. This enables her to review her practice and make necessary changes to improve the outcomes for children. The childminder produces an extensive range of documentation

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Helping children make a positive contribution

which supports children's care and ensures that parents are kept informed about the quality of care offered.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's good organisation of time, space and resources. Well- established routines and sensitive caring support ensures that children have their individual needs met whilst in the childminder's care and a good balance of activities inside and outside the home are offered. The childminder's knowledge and understanding of quality childcare is good. She has attended some further training, however she has not yet attending training to ensure that she is kept up to date with developing childcare practices and any changes in legislation. She shows a good understanding of the National Standards and the need to ensure that they are consistently implemented to promote positive outcomes for children.

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Organisation

Children's care, learning and welfare is successfully fostered by the use of reliable policies and procedures which are very well organised and shared with parents. All of the required documentation is in place and supports the successful operation of the childminder's business. This promotes positives outcomes for children. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection the childminder was asked to address the safety of upstairs windows. The childminder no longer uses the first floor for childminding purposes, however should this situation change she is aware of the need to address this safety issue.

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Improvements 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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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): • continue to update knowledge of childcare practice and any changes in legislation.

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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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