Childminder in Luton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY266066 Inspection date 28 November 2005 Inspector Susan Tuffnell

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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 September 2003. She lives with her partner and two children, aged two and four years old. The family live in a residential area of Luton in Bedfordshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding with the exception of the bedrooms. There is a fully enclosed rear garden. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and playgroups and uses local amenities such as the park. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding 3 children on part-time arrangements.

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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 childminder has a cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and well maintained home. There are established daily routines and children have a good understanding about the importance of washing hands to help maintain good health. The children have consistent support from the childminder, she uses positive strategies to develop their understanding of self care and is a good role model. For example, the minded children sometimes need reminding to wash their hands after use of the toilet and the childminder gives clear reasons and explanation why this is important. The childminder has clear procedures for administering medication and shares written information about infectious diseases with parents. She takes positive action to ensure that children's health and welfare is safeguarded. For example, the family cat is being re-homed as she is unfriendly and does not like the children and in the meantime is kept outside the home when children are present. Accidental injuries to

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Helping children to be healthy

children are recorded well. The childminder is trained in first aid to ensure that children receive prompt and appropriate treatment for any accidents. Children benefit from healthy snacks, meals and drinks. The childminder plans a weekly menu to ensure that children have a healthy, balanced and varied diet that complies with religious and dietary requirements. For example, details are collected from parents to ensure that children's individual dietary needs and preferences are catered for. However, there is no mention of drinks on the menu and fresh drinking water is not available to children at all times. Children have a range of snacks with different textures to extend their palate, such as fruit. They enjoy meals together and are learning a great deal with regard to table manners and social skills which impact on their ability to participate successfully in group situations. For example, the children sit up at the table together for meals and talk about their day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are welcomed into a stimulating, bright and cheerful environment with an excellent range of high quality equipment appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children have good access to play equipment that is safe and well maintained giving them opportunities for free choice. Play materials are challenging, exciting and stimulating and give children wonderful opportunities to extend learning through child-initiated and imaginative play. For example, the play materials are organised into the six areas of learning and cover all the developmental needs of the children.

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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 The childminder is fully committed to making the environment safe and accessible to children. For example, safety in the childminding area is exemplary with a barrier at the stairs, hazardous substances removed or locked away and electrical wires hidden and sockets safely covered. Children gain awareness and understanding of safety by good explanations from the childminder about the dangers of the wires under the computer. The childminder provides very good support to children regarding understanding child protection. For example, children are well protected on outings, they wear distinctive red polo shirts and red wristbands with the childminder's details on. The children discuss "stranger danger" with the childminder who uses simple concepts to help children "if you can't see me, then I can't see you" and alert children to the dangers of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

wandering away. The childminder has a sound awareness of her responsibility to protect children in her care and has support documents in place to follow correct procedures in the event of any concerns. For example, lost or left children policy and information to parents regarding child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They are happy, busy and eager to participate. Children have excellent opportunities to engage in stimulating and imaginative play opportunities in an environment that is centred on interesting, challenging and exciting activities. Innovative planning of visits enrich children's understanding of nature and the wider world. For example, children join in on a nature trail, collect leaves to create a collage and dry and press flowers. Outings to museums, the seaside and zoo by train or coach widens children's experience of travel and understanding of distance and time. Children extend their social circle of friends by joining together with others on an Easter egg hunt in the park and enjoy the indoor play centres. Children develop their sensory and exploratory knowledge by participating in cooking activities that introduce new foods. For example, children cook and eat curried goat

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and jerk chicken, bake pizza and make different types of sandwiches at the Sure Start Parent and Toddler Group. The childminder plans activities that are of a consistently high standard. She has an excellent understanding of how children play and learn and is highly effective and skilled at using varied and exciting method to meet each child's individual needs. Children are given time to finish activities in a relaxed and comfortable setting. For example, children concentrate on tasks such as drawing and colouring pictures and are able to finish in their own time. The childminder praises and values the children's work by displaying it in the childminding area or putting the work in the children's individual scrapbooks. The childminder completed training for the 'Birth to three matters' framework in 2003 and is taking further training in March 2006. The framework is incorporated into

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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 planning for younger children and linked to the development areas. Parents receive written reports from the childminder on a monthly basis with examples of activities recorded in the children's individual scrapbooks which are shared with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a positive attitude and provides children with a well balanced view of the world around them and an awareness of diversity through activities, discussion, books and other resources. For example, the children celebrate festivals such as Diwalli. Bonfire night and Easter by decorating biscuits and art and craft activities. The children are happy and secure and play well together or alongside each other. The childminder makes consistent efforts to make children feel welcome and spends good quality time building trusting relationships. Children respond to the behaviour management policy and procedure with good guidance and positive implementation by the childminder. For example, there are clear house rules that are easily understood by the children and the childminder has different tactics to use that are appropriate for their age and understanding. Self-discipline is encouraged by allowing children to think about their behaviour. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder creates an arena in which children can apologise for misdemeanours while being fully supported with explanation and reasoning. Excellent relationships with parents ensure that the individual needs of the children are met effectively. Parents are involved in the day to day management of the setting by receiving excellent verbal and written feedback. For example, parents receive a scrapbook with photographs and examples of children's work at the end of the week to take home. The scrapbook is returned at the beginning of the next week and gives parents and children the opportunity to share the activities and creative work. The parents receive a service evaluation from the childminder. They have returned this with excellent comments on the childminder's positive attitude and the service offered. For example, parents commented on the childminder's ability to highlight children's interests such as dancing and incorporate this into discussion and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

planning, acknowledging and valuing children's individuality. Parents are provided with detailed written information about the organisation of the setting. For example, an excellent information file with a welcome pack that includes policies and procedures, family health and very good details about Ofsted regulations and registration requirements.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care and learning is greatly enhanced by the exceptional quality of organisation and the skill, knowledge and understanding of the childminder. The

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 premises are well organised and the childminder is committed to continuous professional improvement and development. For example, the childminder is taking further training in childcare and development and has attended workshops and a short course for behaviour management, positive parenting and first aid. She has also completed successful training on supporting new childminders in her area and has set up a toy library to assist new childminders in obtaining good equipment. At the moment the childminder acts as a mentor to support three new childminders in all aspects of childminding. An excellent range of policies and procedures are in place to promote the welfare of children effectively. They take into account parents wishes and the individual needs of the children so they feel safe and secure. Comprehensive documents are shared

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Organisation

with parents to keep them informed of the provision and there is a regular exchange of verbal and written information between the childminder and the parents about children's progress and achievements. The childminder operates a flexible system in order to fully support the parents and children. For example, a range of hours and times are available to fit in with parents work commitments. She arranges her time to provide short term childminding in conjunction with the National Childminding Association (NCMA). The childminder provides a exemplary service and meets the needs of all the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration

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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): • make sure that fresh drinking water is available to children at all times

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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 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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