Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY356115 Unique Reference Number 17 July 2008 Inspection date Linda Cook 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 registered in 2007. She is registered to look after four children during the day and one overnight. She is currently caring for two children under five years, part time. She lives with her partner and their children aged two and six years in a residential area of Grimsby. The family have a pet dog. All of the property apart from the main bedroom is used for childminding purposes. The rear garden is used for outdoor play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and she is willing to take children to the local toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene through the daily routines. For example, they wash their hands after visiting the toilet, handling the dog and before eating. Children's health is safeguarded because the childminder has a sound knowledge of how to prevent the spread of infection. She provides liquid soap, paper towels and has a clear sick child policy which parents are made aware of.

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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 Children are well nourished. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure the children's individual dietary requirements are catered for. The children learn about healthy eating as they are offered and help to prepare varied and nutritious snacks, meals and regular drinks. The children enjoy the home cooked meals using fresh ingredients and are encouraged to try all that is provided. They enjoy trips to the market with the childminder to buy the fresh fruit and vegetables.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a wealth of opportunities to promote their physical skills. They enjoy regular walks out to and from school each day and like to go on walks to the boating lake. They use the back garden to enjoy the fresh air, manoeuvre wheeled toys and use the wide variety of resources provided. Indoors they enjoy music and complete action rhymes both at the childminder's home and on their weekly visits to a local toddler group.

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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 warm, welcoming environment. The childminder is positive in her approach to ensure all reasonable safety measures are taken to prevent accidents, including completing regular risk assessments. Children learn how to keep themselves safe both indoors and outdoors. They are taught how to cross roads safely when they are on outings and they practise the emergency evacuation procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children independently select from a good range of toys and resources made available to them. They are all clean, well maintained and cover all areas of learning. The childminder ensures they are stored appropriately to develop children's independence while ensuring very young children cannot access unsuitable games and toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm through the childminders satisfactory knowledge of safeguarding procedures. She keeps appropriate information on file including local contact numbers and is aware of her duty to protect children in her care. However, she does not have sufficient depth to her knowledge to fully safeguard children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's house; they are happy, relaxed and confident in the regular routines. They learn to become increasingly independent as a result of the consistent support, praise and encouragement provided by the childminder. For example, they learn to become independent in their personal care needs, self-select resources and choose activities confidently expressing their needs and wishes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Very positive relationships are developed between the children and the childminder which contributes to their sense of belonging. The childminder demonstrates that she is skilful in meeting the varying needs of the children she cares for. She adapts activities and resources to ensure all children are able to enjoy and take part regardless of their age and stage of development. Children benefit from the positive interaction as the childminder is actively involved in their play. She is interested in what they say and do and extends children's learning through sensitive questioning encouraging the children to build on what they know and can do.

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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 Children enjoy a wide range of activities both planned and child led, which offer sufficient challenge and are interesting and fun. They particularly like craft activities and looking at books with the childminder. The childminder recognises the informal learning opportunities that are present in a childminding setting. They talk about the things they see when they are out, monitor seasonal changes, count everyday objects and identify colours. As a result, children are interested, motivated and their all round development promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are made to feel very welcome and at home. The childminder ensures she is aware of their individual needs and routines, through detailed discussions with parents, to enable her to provide appropriate care. Children are beginning to learn about their local community and the wider world through their trips out, planned activities and resources. They attend other childcare groups in the area where they have opportunities to mix with their peers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved and the childminder has a positive approach to behaviour management. She encourages the children to share, take turns and to develop good manners. The effective use of praise and encouragement ensures children feel relaxed, happy and develop positive self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the extremely positive relationships developed and maintained with parents. The childminder ensures written policies and procedures are shared with parents and they receive written information about the service she provides in the form of a welcome pack. Contracts are used and a system is in place for these to be regularly reviewed. Parents are kept fully informed of their child's achievements; they receive daily feedback at delivery and collection, and a pictorial record of achievement and a daily diary is completed for each child.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder organises her time very effectively to meet the needs of the individual children she cares for. The available space and resources are very well organised to promote easy access and successfully develop children's independence. She is very aware of the younger children's individual routines and these are effectively accommodated to ensure consistency of care. She has a positive approach to her own development and the inspection process. She is a qualified child carer and continues to attend regular training to ensure she keeps up to date with new developments and to maintain the good quality care she provides.

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Organisation

All requirements of the National Standards for documentation and record keeping are met effectively. Comprehensive and clear written policies and procedures are in place, regularly reviewed and a copy given to parents. Documentation is very well organised to ensure it can be accessed easily in an emergency, while maintaining confidentiality. 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

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): • extend knowledge of safeguarding children issues.

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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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