Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 208815 Inspection date 11 October 2005 Inspector Christine Hands

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and 7 years on a modern housing estate on the outskirts of Lincoln. All local amenities are within walking distance of the home. The whole of the house is used for childminding, however, this normally takes place on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children under the age of 8 years and currently cares for 2, both of whom are on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children.

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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 The family has a pet hamster, goldfish and budgerigar. The childminder 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 well promoted due to the childminder's knowledge and understanding of the importance of healthy eating. The childminder is aware of their individual dietary needs through discussions with parents and consequently they are provided with suitable nutritionally-balanced meals. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and welcoming home where good hygiene procedures are followed, for example, washing hands after toileting and handling the budgerigars toys, as well as before eating, thus minimising the spread of infection. Through discussion and practical activities children are gaining an understanding of why these procedures are in place. Children participate in a range of physical activities which contribute to the promotion of their health and development. They have regular opportunities for fresh air and outdoor activities such as visiting the park, bike rides, swimming and playing in the

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Helping children to be healthy

garden on large equipment, with balls, sand pit, tunnels and play tent. This helps them develop coordination and control of their bodies and improve their physical skills. All children are able to fully participate in the activities because the childminder ensures these are developmentally appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe through the childminder's good understanding of safety issues and how to minimise risk. Any potential risks are identified and steps taken to minimise these. Children's safety in an emergency situation has been clearly thought through. There are written fire procedures displayed in the home and the childminder ensures that children know how to respond. Children are aware of road safety procedures and how by following these they will keep themselves safe. The childminder has written consents from parents for a variety of reasons including, taking children out in a car and on outings, administering sun-cream and the use of plasters which ensures they are cared for in accordance with parental wishes. Children independently select activities from a wide range of clean, good-quality toys and equipment which are regularly checked for safety and are appropriate for their

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

age and stage of development. The children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection. She ensures that she has emergency contact details readily available and has all relevant information regarding local child protection procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and have built excellent relationships with the childminder who provides an environment where children feel settled and happy. She is enthusiastic in her approach and provides a wide variety of activities suitable for the age, stage and interests of the children attending. Their particular interests and likes are well promoted by the childminder who regularly purchases resources, and plans activities associated with these. Children have built up excellent relationships with the childminder who demonstrates her enjoyment of their company and joins in enthusiastically with their play. Younger children have opportunities to socialise with their peers and adults through regular visits to other childminders where they also learn how to share and take turns. The children enjoy a varied, stimulating range of activities including crafts, imaginative play, swimming, bike rides, cooking and reading. They benefit from the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities provided by the childminder to extend their knowledge, for example when sticking boxes together and having to experiment with different types of joining materials to find one that is suitable for their need. Children are also gaining an understanding of simple science activities such as measuring rainfall. She thoughtfully plans activities to meet the children's individual needs and to fit in with their patterns of attendance, for example if numbers allow, the children go on a bike ride to Boultham Park where they have squirrel and hedgehog hunts, collect leaves and look at other areas of nature. Children are able to meaningfully participate in all activities as the childminder adapts these and offers appropriate support. When involved in craft activities, younger children are supported as appropriate and older children are encouraged to do as much as possible for themselves, using tools such

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

as scissors. This promotes their confidence and enables them to feel that they have achieved and that the work is their own.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel valued and respected because the childminder ensures that she is aware of their individual needs and she is able to meet these consistently. Information is exchanged with parents on a daily basis to ensure she is aware of any changes that may affect a child's behaviour. The children's daily routine is well balanced and allows time for meals, rest, quiet and active play. Their social skills are developing and relationships forming through the opportunities provided for meeting other children and adults. Children play well together and are learning about sharing and turn-taking. Their behaviour is very good and the childminder continually uses praise and encouragement to enable children to feel confident and gain a feeling of self-worth. Children have consistent boundaries and are always given clear explanations by the childminder, enabling them to think about their behaviour and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

start to take responsibility for themselves. Children's knowledge and understanding of other cultures and ways of life is very well promoted. The childminder provides a range of resources and activities to

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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 increase their understanding of this, for example through books, small world toys, activities and discussion.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment where they feel safe and relaxed, knowing that their needs will be met. The children's safety and welfare are promoted as the childminder has all relevant paperwork in place and there are clear written policies and procedures. The varying daily requirements of all children are very well met by the childminder who confidently adapts the routine and activity plans to suit individual children. She ensures that there is always time to give them additional one-to-one attention when needed. The children are confident and can therefore initiate their own play and learning, knowing that the childminder will always be there to offer support. The children's overall development is very well promoted because the childminder carefully plans and organises her day to add variety and provide activities that hold the interest of the children.

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Organisation

The childminder continues to attend training in order for her to gain a greater understanding of the needs of young children and continue to improve the service she offers. Overall the needs of all children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to consider developing her portfolio for parents and to investigate ways to improve promotion of positive images of culture and disability. The childminder has increased the information provided for parents which enables them to gain a greater understanding of her aims and objectives as well as the realisation that she undertakes regular training to further improve the service she offers the children. Through her explanations, toys and activities the childminder encourages children to respect difference and to value it, therefore giving them a greater understanding of the wider world.

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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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure procedures are in place for the recording of any complaints.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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