Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY348385 Unique Reference Number 04 April 2008 Inspection date Sara Louth 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, two adult children and one child aged 15 years old in the town of Chapel St Leonards, Lincolnshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding nine children part-time and three children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog, a rabbit, gerbils and a caged bird as a pet.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is working towards a Level 3 qualification in childcare and she is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 are cared for in a warm, clean home. They learn the importance of good hygiene routines in order to prevent the spread of infection. For example, children always wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals. This is further enhanced by the childminder who ensures that the premises are clean. She has secure procedures for changing younger children's nappies and encourages older children to use the toilet independently. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has up-to-date first aid knowledge and procedures are in place in the event of accidents. However, there is no written consent from parents for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical treatment or advice. This may limit her ability to provide the best care for children in an emergency situation.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical activities which contribute to their good health and have daily opportunities to get fresh air. They are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. Children use a range of equipment including ride-on toys, scooters, swings and a water tray in the garden. This develops their co-ordination and fitness. Children enjoy riding a scooter up and down the path with the childminder's support and have fun as the childminder pushes them in a swing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is promoted by the childminder who has a good understanding of healthy eating. For example, the children enjoy apple and yoghurt for snack. Light lunches are provided including food, such as cheese toasties, soup or pasta. This promotes children's healthy growth and development. Drinks are freely available to ensure that children do not become thirsty. The childminder is aware of any special dietary needs children may have to protect their health.

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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 home environment where they have space to enjoy different activities at the same time. The setting is made welcoming to children and parents with accessible toys provided, maintained in good, clean condition. Children are closely supervised by the childminder to ensure their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe as external doors are kept locked to prevent unwanted visitors. The childminder has all safety equipment in place and working to ensure hazards are minimised. For example, smoke alarms are checked regularly, the utility room is kept locked and the fire blanket and first aid kit are easily accessible. Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder reinforces road safety, involving them with checking if the road is clear before they cross. She makes sure young children are strapped in a buggy and older children hold hands.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected and their welfare safeguarded because the childminder has attended child protection training and has a secure knowledge of local procedures. She has vigilant procedures in place for the collection of children, never letting them go home unless she is sure who people are. Parents are aware of her responsibilities and any action she may take through a clearly written child protection policy.

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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 happy and settled in the childminder's home where she creates a friendly, welcoming environment. Their self-esteem and confidence is promoted through the childminder providing suitable activities. For example, children enjoy matching flags and learning about different countries. They have their learning extended as they recognise the Olympic flag and are reminded the games are where people run and race. Young children have their language skills promoted as they play with a toy telephone. The childminder gives lots of praise and values children's play. She skilfully shares her time between the children so they all receive her attention and support as they follow their own interests at their own level.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have the opportunity to develop their creative skills as they colour a birthday card. They show very good concentration and skill, carefully keeping within the lines. The childminder praises their efforts and reinforces letter recognition as they write their name. Children use their imaginations and have fun playing with play dough. They make shapes with cutters and flatten the dough with rolling pins.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder constantly interacts with the children and has undertaken training to promote early communication skills. She writes general planning and displays it on the wall daily. Children are provided with a range of activities to support their development including feeding the ducks, walking on the beach, baking cakes and growing cress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed and their backgrounds respected and valued by the childminder who finds out as much as she can about them and their families to meet their needs. For example, the childminder helps children make a birthday card for another child who has a birthday and is arriving later. Children learn about the wider world through activities such as finding out about the flags of each country and making bonnets at Easter time. The childminder has a positive attitude and experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She finds out about their specific needs to understand how to enable their involvement and promotes their welfare in partnership with their parents or carers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well because the childminder is calm, consistent and encourages good manners. For example, they are encouraged to say 'excuse me' when interrupting a conversation. Children respond well to methods used to manage their behaviour as these are appropriate to their age and stage of development. For example, they tidy the toys after use when asked to make space to play. Positive behaviour is rewarded with praise and use of sticker charts which are displayed on the wall.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for according to their parents' or carers' wishes. They develop good relationships with the childminder as she finds out as much as she can about them before they start to help them settle well. This enhances children's well-being. The childminder ensures parents and carers know all about the setting through sharing her clear, well-presented portfolio with them. However, the written complaints procedure for parents does not include any contact details. Information about the children's care is shared verbally on a daily basis. A letter of recommendation states that the childminder is kind, honest and reliable.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder enjoys working with children and is a good role model. Children benefit from the childminder's understanding of child development and how they learn. She organises the space in her home well to enable children to have space for active play and rest as required.

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Organisation

Documentation is organised well, stored safely and available for inspection. This provides a good framework for the care of children. The childminder is keen to attend as much training as possible to keep her knowledge up-to-date and develop her skills to benefit the children in her care.

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Organisation

Recent courses attended include the 'Early Years Foundation Stage' Briefing Session in November 2007 and training on 'Inclusion' in February 2008.

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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): • ensure written parental permission is requested to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment • update the complaints procedure to include relevant contact details for parents and carers.

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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 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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