Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349799 Unique Reference Number 22 July 2008 Inspection date Gill Ogden 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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and six in Nettleham, Lincolnshire. The whole house is used for childminding, with the exception of two rooms on the first floor. Amenities such as schools, pre-schools, shops and a park are within walking distance. The childminder also uses her car to transport children. The family has a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four school-aged children at any one time and currently looks after four children before and after school hours only. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is given good attention. Good standards of hygiene are maintained in the home as a result of regular cleaning routines. Children have good personal hygiene habits such as promptly going to wash their hands when they are told that a meal is ready. Parents are

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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 clearly informed that sick children cannot be cared for and what will happen if a child is taken ill whilst in the childminder's care. All this minimises opportunities for cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children get plenty of fresh air and exercise each day. They often walk to and from school, visit the park and play in the garden. There is a good variety of outdoor equipment that helps children develop their whole body strength and co-ordination. This includes a trampoline, seesaw and a ride-in car. If children are tired when they arrive home from school they can relax on comfortable sofas.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are met well. Children have free access to fresh drinking water and milk. They enjoy a snack of fresh fruit and a drink when they get in from school and have a cooked tea later. The childminder knows what children like to eat and they often make requests for specific meals. Meal choices range from a full roast dinner to beans on toast.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe, secure and suitable environment. The front door is kept locked and children know that they must not answer it. The gate at the bottom of the garden is fully secured and children only go near it when they are accompanied by the childminder, for example, to look at ducks in the beck. The premises are well maintained and appropriate safety equipment is in place such as socket covers, cupboard latches and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. A thorough risk assessment is recorded and reviewed regularly. Children know how to evacuate the house quickly and safely in the event of an emergency. They have discussions with the childminder about how they would get out and practise crawling, for example, up the stairs to keep away from smoke in the event of a fire. They then use this knowledge at a later date when the childminder has a fire drill. Diagrams of escape exits are fixed to the wall downstairs and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

upstairs. Children know that they must not touch any electrical equipment and if they forget and do so they are reminded firmly of the dangers of this. All toys and equipment are in good condition and checked regularly for their ongoing suitability.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further safeguarded because the childminder has a solid understanding of her child protection responsibilities and ensures that parents are clearly informed as well. She has thought through most issues related to child protection but is not yet fully secure about what she would do if an allegation was made against her. This could potentially impact on children's overall welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled with the childminder. They arrive excitedly, fully knowing the routines, and make themselves at home. Children interact with the childminder and her family warmly and they all play together harmoniously. There is a wide range of toys and play resources for the children to use which meet their interests and they select for themselves freely. They very much enjoy pretend play and outdoor play. Children are fascinated when they play in a tent with a blackout cover over it and use torches to see. The childminder is invited to come into the tent with them whilst they have their snack and they talk with her about how torches work and holidaying in tents. The childminder is very aware of using vocabulary such as 'renting' which children may not understand so she explains it to them simply and without a fuss. Children enjoy 'running a café' when the adults are customers and they prepare food

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

for them and take payment. Outdoors children are engaged in water play, using containers to

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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 dribble water on the path and also paddling in the pool. The childminder offers children choices at all times, such as asking them if they want to eat their tea indoors or outdoors. They enjoy a very sociable mealtime.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Other activities children enjoy include art and craft, small world and construction. The childminder keeps a daily diary of what activities children have been involved in and how they evolved. She builds on children's ideas in order that they get as much as possible form activities. For example, when children decide they want to make a treasure map to look for treasure she decides to write clues for the treasure instead to promote their thinking and reading skills more. She writes single words such as 'freezing' to point children in the right direction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are made very welcome in the childminder's home and they are equally supported to become involved. Lots of information is gathered form parents when children first start to ensure their individual needs are met. Children's backgrounds and interests are fully valued which ensures that their self-esteem is high. Children celebrate festivals from their own cultures, for example, making cards for Christmas, nests for Easter and photograph frames for Mother's Day. Some resources are available to help children develop respect for all members of society and the wider world but there are not enough freely available as part of children's everyday play to ensure they develop fully positive attitudes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well because they are given clear boundaries and kept well occupied. Additionally, the childminder acts as a very good role model and is consistent in her expectations of children's behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents speak highly of their children's care. They are very comfortable in the childminder's home, for example, when they arrive early and their children have not yet eaten they are happy to wait and chat until the children have enjoyed the expected meal. Parents receive excellent written information about the service offered which includes all policies and procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The organisation of the childminding service provides a strong framework for children's care. The childminder has attended the required training and has been pro-active in ensuring that she is as informed as possible about the incoming Early Years Foundation Stage by attending further training. She organises her home effectively for the care of children. Children know they can use any of the downstairs rooms freely and some upstairs rooms with permission. One room holds most of the toys and play resources and these are stored accessibly so that children are able to choose for themselves. Fixed play equipment in the garden is sited safely and securely. The layout of the home enables the childminder to supervise children easily.

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Organisation

All the required records are in place and kept accurately and in some detail. Further documentation is very useful in demonstrating the scope of the service offered. Overall, children's needs are met.

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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 registration 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): • further consider the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against self • make more resources that promote diversity available to children as part of their everyday play.

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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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