Childminder in North East Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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205598 Unique Reference Number 13 November 2007 Inspection date Kathryn Margaret Clayton 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 first registered in 1993. She is registered to care for six children and currently 14 children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder lives with her husband, teenaged son and adult daughter in a residential area of Cleethorpes. 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?

There are schools and pre-school facilities for younger children within easy walking distance. The childminder takes children to and collects them from local schools and pre-school groups. There is access to shops, children's play areas and parks. The childminder attends a local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is quality assured and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in clean home where the childminder ensures they benefit from being active. They have daily opportunities to play outdoors in the large attractive garden. Children

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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 also enjoy walks to a local country park, where they collect leaves and feed ducks, and to the beach. Children start to learn about the benefits of eating healthily as they are provided with nutritious snacks throughout the day. For example, children enjoy snacks such as raisins, fruit, toast, bread sticks or crackers and cheese. The childminder makes sure they regularly take a drink of water or weak squash, therefore promoting their good health. Meals provided by parents are appropriately stored by the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's good health is suitably promoted for the most part. For example, the childminder teaches them to wash their hands after going to the toilet and provides good equipment to support them. Children use liquid soap and individual paper towels so the risk of cross-infection is reduced. There are times, however, when children's health is compromised, for example, when they are allowed to eat raisins that have been on the floor. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and a food hygiene certificate and fully records all accidents that have occurred. However, she has not obtained written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice for children in the future.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a cosy, homely, well-maintained environment where they have enough space and access to a good range of toys and equipment. For example, to support the care of babies and toddlers, there is a triple pushchair and two highchairs. Most aspects of children's safety have been carefully considered by the childminder. She makes sure there is a safety gate in place on the kitchen door and the stairs. Babies learning to walk are able to use an appropriate range of furniture to support them. The childminder is sensitive and allows children to start to learn about their own safe boundaries as they explore the environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are involved in the regular evacuation of the premises and the childminder makes sure safety equipment, such as smoke detectors are periodically checked. Although the childminder has some understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse, she is not fully aware of the procedures to follow and the agencies that should be informed about child protection concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care and show an interest in the toys and activities available. The childminder plans an interesting range of experiences and observes children's progress effectively using the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She uses incidental opportunities as children play to support them and encourage their learning. For example, as a child completed a colouring picture, the childminder helped them to identify animal names, colours and shapes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children share cosy times with the childminder, receive a lot of affection and therefore feel secure in her care. They enjoy a routine which includes many opportunities away from the childminding home. For example, they visit the library and a mother and toddler group and meet with other childminders. This helps children to develop good social skills. Older children enjoy a good range of fun activities. An example of these includes taking part in a painting competition, when they all painted a picture of a witch at Halloween.

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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 and parents benefit from a close relationship with the childminder. Children have some opportunities to use resources and celebrate festivals that raise their awareness of a diverse society. These include using play people and the celebration of Diwali. The childminder also borrows appropriate resources from the local authority. Children behave very well because of the effective positive reinforcement that promotes their self-esteem. For example, recognition is given when a child completes a threading activity for the first time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept very well informed about their child's day. They can read observations in their child's individual file and have discussions with the childminder. Parents' views are actively sought when they are asked to complete very useful questionnaires about the childminding service. They are very positive about all aspects of the care their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who won a local award for 'Childcarer of the Year' in 2005. She has completed a quality assurance scheme and has recently finished the 'Extending Childminding Practice' qualification. The childminder shows a good attitude to keeping up to date by attending a wide variety of courses. Some of these include healthy eating, fire safety, about policies and procedures, and the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Organisation

There is a good range of policies and procedures to support the childminding service that are given to parents at enrolment. The childminder organises the space well and spends her time directly with the children, supporting their learning and development effectively. All documentation is well organised and maintains confidentially. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were given relating to safety and health. Children's safety has now improved as dangerous substances are stored out of their reach. Their health is better promoted because the childminder obtains written permission from parents before administering medication.

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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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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): • ensure good hygiene procedures are maintained at snack time • obtain written parental permission to seek medical advice or treatment in the future for minded children • raise awareness of child protection procedures and the agencies to inform regarding child protection concerns.

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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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