Hudson, Karen Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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957823 Unique Reference Number 01 February 2008 Inspection date Josie Lever 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 1998 and lives with her husband and three children aged 14, 13 and 10 years of age. They live in the village of Laceby, near Grimsby in North East Lincolnshire. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years when she is working alone and a maximum of eight children under eight years when she is working with an assistant.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children use the sitting room, dining room and kitchen area of the family bungalow and a self-contained playroom that is situated to the rear of the property. There is a fully secure rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is currently caring for 10 children between the ages of six months and nine years, all of whom attend on a part-time basis and in the holiday periods. The childminder takes children regularly to the local park and library and attends a weekly playgroup session.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a childcare qualification, the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 in Child Care and Education. She is an accredited childminder who is part of an approved local childminding network, although she does not provide nursery education funding.

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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 benefit from a very clean and tidy home where good standards of cleanliness are maintained in all areas. Toys and equipment are washed regularly to ensure they remain suitable which includes regular laundering of soft furnishings, such as cushions, bedding and dressing up clothes. Children are protected from cross infection because good hygiene procedures are practiced. For example, good nappy changing procedures ensure children remain clean and comfortable and nappies are hygienically disposed of. Children's health risks are minimised because there is a suitable illness policy in place, shared with parents, that excludes sick children attending and reduces infection spreading.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a good awareness about the importance of washing and drying their hands and they do this confidently after they have attended the toilet area. They develop a good awareness of personal hygiene and keeping healthy through everyday practice, for example, as they get a tissue to blow their nose or talk about dental hygiene and discuss suitable clothing to keep warm in the wind. They are able to rest and sleep when they wish and according to their parents' wishes. Children benefit from good opportunities to be physically active, for example, by going on local walks to the village park or in nearby fields. There is a varied range of outdoor play apparatus, such as sporting equipment, wheeled toys and climbing apparatus that promotes children's gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about a healthy diet, because the childminder talks to them about good and bad foods and provides children with a range of healthy drinks and snacks, for example, toast, fresh fruit, crackers, bread sticks, raw vegetables, salads and yoghurts. They have access to fresh drinking water, milk and no added sugar juices or apple juice. In consultation with parents children bring packed lunches and the childminder encourages parents to include healthy options.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a child focused environment in which they are very much at home. The dedicated playroom is attractively presented. For example, informative posters, children's art work and photographs are displayed to good effect that creates a warm welcome to children and their parents. The effective organisation of toys in labelled storage containers enables children to independently select their own resources very well. A very good range of toys and child sized equipment are provided that are of good quality and meet the developmental needs of children well in all areas. The childminder checks toys for wear and tear to ensure they remain safe and suitable for purpose. She additionally participates in a local swap shop scheme where toys are rotated between local carers which provides further challenges to children and ensures they remain stimulated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is given good attention and hazards within the home have been reduced by carrying out risk assessments and using safety equipment well. Children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe, for example, the childminder talks to them about safety rules within the home and road safety when out walking. They regularly practise fire evacuation and overall fire safety is given good consideration, for example, there is smoke detection, emergency lighting and signage. However, doors in the home are not secured in line with local fire safety

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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 advise. The children benefit from the childminder's good knowledge of signs and symptoms of abuse and the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She shares her child protection statement and responsibilities in this area with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settle easily into the childminder's home because they and familiar with the daily routines. The childminder has a good knowledge of child development and is familiar with the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the Foundation Stage. She uses the guidance effectively to plan varied and rich play experiences for children through free play and structured activities. Activities are well planned and documented using the childminder's knowledge of the individual children based on their current level of development and understanding. These are based on the stepping stones towards the early learning goals for children over three years of age. Information retained, together with past written plans, photographs and examples of children's artwork support the diverse range of development and learning opportunities provided. Children's enjoyment out of the home is particularly well planned, for example, they visit the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

local park to feed the ducks or collect leaves. They choose books from the village library and attend a weekly playgroup where they are able to interact with other children. They also travel to nearby Cleethorpes beach and the People's Park. The childminder observes, monitors and records all children's progress comprehensively in 'A book all about me' in order to plan for the next steps in their learning and shares this information with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a well set up play area that provides them with a good range of learning experiences. These include, a roll play area, construction, creative play area and mark making area. Children are confident to make decisions and move around self-assured. They have very good opportunities to play imaginatively, for example, there is a good varied range of role play clothing and equipment. They eagerly dress up in animal outfits, such as bears, monkeys and rabbits and imitate the noises and movements, such as roaring, jumping and hopping. They enjoy sitting on the childminder's lap, for example, to receive a cuddle or listen to a story. They join in enthusiastically to action songs and rhymes, for example, Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. They relate well to each other and the childminder laughing and enjoying their time together. Children are presently enjoying a range of topics with a bear theme, for example,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

bear hunts and stories and teddy bears' picnics.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is skilled at communicating effectively with children and is interested in what they do and say, for example, she encourages them to explain to her about the different features they have made on their bear paper bag puppets and uses effective questioning to prompt a response. For example, 'What size ears and eyes are you going to make?' and 'How is your bear feeling, is it happy or sad?' Children particularly enjoy experimenting with sounds, for example, as they play musical instruments, or record a message on a toy telephone and play the message back, laughing excitedly as they hear their own voice. They repeat singing into a microphone and enjoy listening to the echo it makes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children access a balanced range of toys and resources that promote freedom of choice and develop their independence. These include multicultural activities and toys that positively promote children's understanding of diversity. Topics and activities reflect the local community

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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 and wider world. For example, the children learn about the Chinese New Year and take plastic bottles, cans and paper to the local recycling point. The childminder uses a globe to talk to children about other countries and children try different foods from around the world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and, consequently, feel safe and secure in the home. The childminder has a good understanding of the effective use of methods to manage children's behaviour that are applicable to the ages and level of children's maturity. For example, she uses positive praise and encouragement and a simple reward system of charts and stars. Children develop a clear understanding about right from wrong because the childminder talks to children about this, for example, she explains to children not to be bossy towards others as these actions could hurt their feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good partnerships between the childminder and parents are evident, for example, complimentary letters and cards are retained. A comprehensive induction checklist is completed with all new parents to ensure they are fully informed about polices and procedures and contractual agreements and consent forms are signed. The policy book is well presented and contains a useful range of information relating to the childminder's background, experiences and qualifications, including a parental guide to choosing a childminder. Detailed information is gathered about children's individual needs, for example, medical conditions, allergies, likes and dislikes and any other information is noted which ensures parents' wishes are know in order to be respected. The childminder, consequently, knows the children very well and demonstrates a good awareness of their individual needs through working closely with parents and planning

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Helping children make a positive contribution

an appropriate range of age appropriate activities and play experiences.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The separate detached playroom is well planned to enable children to make decisions about their play and well organised into designated areas. They move around confidently and safely. The home is used for quieter activities. Outdoor play is supported daily and well planned as an extension to children's learning. Children receive good attention and support and participate in purposeful play opportunities. The childminder organises time, space and resources effectively and adult to child ratios are maintained.

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Organisation

The childminder is very well organised and professional in her approach to the service she provides. She has developed a detailed and comprehensive range of written policies and procedures that promotes the care and welfare of children, which enhances the effectiveness of her service. Confidentiality is maintained because records remain private to individuals and are securely stored. The childminder has a good understanding about her responsibilities to maintain records in line with regulations and these are kept accurately up-to-date. She is aware to notify Ofsted about any significant changes or events. She demonstrate a positive attitude to attending training and this is undertaken on a regular on-going basis to ensure she remains up-to-date with changes in legislation and good practice. For example, food safety, first aid, disability and discrimination act and changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage. This benefits

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Organisation

children, for example, as she reviews her practice. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that the boiler situated in the children's toilet and wash area was safe and inaccessible to children and meet any

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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 recommendation made by the Fire Safety Officer. Additionally, she was asked to ensure that children had an appropriate range of activities and resources that promoted positive images of varying needs and disabilities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has addressed these areas well and children benefit as they now see positive images displayed in the home. For example, through the use of books and pictures. Additionally, children are provided with a range of positive play resources, such as jigsaws, role play and multicultural dolls that reflect well in all areas of diversity. The boiler pipes in the toilet area are boxed in and this improves children's safety by not being able to access them. The playroom has been fitted with fire detection smoke alarms and fire signage which improves fire safety should an emergency evacuation be necessary.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted have received one concern in relation to National Standards 2: Organisation. An Ofsted Inspector visited the provision on 8 February 2005 and actions were agreed between the childminder and the inspector. These related to ensuring conditions of registration in relation to numbers of children being minded were followed, maintaining an accurate register of attendance and ensuring Ofsted were informed of any assistants employed. The actions were met and the childminder continues 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): • secure doors of the home in line with the local Fire Safety Officer's recommendations.

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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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