Linford Annette

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 254725 Inspection date 18 November 2005 Inspector Diana Pidgeon

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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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her partner and two children in a house on the outskirts of Nottingham. Children have access to a dedicated play room and a lounge with dining area on the ground floor of the home. Bathroom facilities are on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two dogs and two caged birds as pets. The dogs are not allowed in the areas that children use while children are present. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children under 8 at any one time. She currently has 11 children on roll, 4 of whom are over 8 years of age. All the

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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 children have different patterns of attendance. The childminder is a member of the Nottingham City Childminding Network. She is also a member of the National Childminding Association and regularly attends the local childminding support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is carefully promoted through the use of good hygiene practices. For example, children learn about the importance of washing their hands to prevent the spread of infection and are provided with disposable towels on which to dry them. Children are cared for appropriately if they are ill or injured as the childminder has a good knowledge of first aid that has been raised through recent attendance at certified training. Daily routines, such as walking to and from school, encourage children to adopt a positive attitude to exercise. Babies are well supported in their physical development because the childminder provides appropriate resources and encouragement for them to crawl and walk safely. An enclosed play area for the youngest children directly off the play room allows them to use small equipment such as slides or wheeled toys in the fresh air. Older children benefit from the use of the whole garden

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Helping children to be healthy

where they play games and use larger equipment to extend their skills. Children are beginning to eat some healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, because the childminder has recently raised her awareness of healthy eating through attending relevant training. This is not yet fully incorporated into her practice. Meals and snacks meet children's individual dietary needs and preferences. For example, babies are fed according to their own routines and with food at a consistency appropriate to them as individuals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's safety is given high priority. The childminder rigorously assesses potential risks to children and puts procedures in place to minimise these at all times, using appropriate safety equipment according to the age and needs of the children attending. Careful thought has been given to ensuring children are supervised at all times. For example, effective use of a fixed mirror enables the childminder to observe children in the play room while she is preparing food. Provision of a secured area in the garden and a separate area indoors ensures the childminder's dogs do not pose any threat to children. All the areas within the home that are used by children are safe and secure. Clear thought has been given to the safe collection of children and steps that would be taken should a child be lost or uncollected. The play room is exceptionally welcoming, with a wealth of good quality resources and play materials

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to interest the children. Attractive displays, low coat hooks and comfortable furnishings provide a child centred environment. Children move freely, easily accessing toys such as the home play kitchen, the dressing up clothes or

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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 construction sets that are set out for them. Older children select items from the neat storage areas and toddlers can choose items from their own play boxes within their reach. This enables all children to be able to make choices within their play and develop their independence. Children learn to keep themselves safe in meaningful ways. For example, all children are aware of the fire evacuation procedures because the childminder ensures this is fully explained to all new starters and that it is quickly followed by realistic practices to ensure they are clear. Children learn about road safety on the walk to and from school and know where it is safe to cross the road. Children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has a very good understanding of her responsibilities

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

towards child protection, which has been enhanced through attending recent training. She has a clear understanding of the signs that would concern her and a written procedure to follow if she were concerned about a child. This information is displayed and is shared with parents to ensure they are fully aware.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy well-planned daily routines that take account of their individual needs to play, rest and be nourished. Planned activities provide children with opportunities to socialise more widely and to extend their play, for example by attending toddler groups and using soft play facilities. These are balanced with the provision of a good range of age appropriate activities in the home that support children's development well. Good use is made of the ' Birth to three matters' framework to identify activities appropriate for individual children and link these to the relevant skills and competencies. In school holidays children enjoy outings, for example to farms, theme parks and the seaside, which helps to build on their experiences. Children are happy and confident in the childminder's care. Babies are offered cuddles and close support to enable them to feel secure. This helps them develop

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the confidence to explore their environment, to make choices between toys and to respond positively to the experiences around them. Effective interaction with the childminder helps babies to begin to communicate their needs through sounds and gestures. Older children enjoy a variety of imaginative play, games and creative activities that interest and engage them. They make scrap books that show examples of their work and record special events in photographs and drawings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the good regard the childminder has for their individual needs. These are effectively met as a result of clear initial records and continuous dialogue with parents. This approach ensures younger children benefit from routines consistent with their home experiences which increases their sense of security. Any dietary or medical needs are dealt with sensitively to ensure all children are included and remain comfortable in her care.

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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 Children's behaviour is managed positively and according to their age and understanding. All children are praised for their efforts and achievements, thereby building their self-esteem. The use of reward charts with older children helps them understand that there are consequences to their actions. Methods for managing children's behaviour are discussed with parents as part of the on-going partnership. This helps to provide a continuous approach which offers consistency to the children. Parents receive lots of good, clear information about the childminder's practices and their children through written information, displays in the play room and general conversation. This ensures they work in partnership with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare and development is effectively promoted because the childminder is professional and strives to continually improve the service offered to children and families. She shows this commitment through regular attendance at training, which enables her to make good use of new initiatives such as the 'Birth to three matters' framework to support younger children's learning. Children benefit from a home that has been organised to make them feel welcome and secure. Effective use of the play room and garden ensures children have direct access to a wealth of activities and resources to interest and engage them. They receive good levels of adult support because the childminder plans her time well to ensure all children benefit from her direct involvement in their play. Children are supported by the effective use of relevant records that ensures continuity of care between the children's home and the childminder. Daily journals for

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Organisation

babies and younger children clearly inform parents about the child's day and form a record of their development. Additional scrap books show what older children do and learn, so that parents can see the variety of activities provided. These measures supplement the daily verbal exchanges that keep all parties informed. Useful information, such as a variety of relevant policies and procedures, demonstrate and inform about the childminder's organisation of her business. All necessary records are in place and maintained to a good standard. As a result children are cared for according to their needs and their parents' wishes. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved her systems for recording prior parental consent to give medication to children. These are now routinely sought and held alongside records of any medication administered. This clarifies the exchange of information between the parent and the childminder ensuring they work collaboratively for the benefit of the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Concerns were raised in January 2005 that the childminder had delayed making a

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Complaints 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 referral to the relevant agency. This concern relates to National Standard 13: Child Protection. The childminder recently had an inspection visit and there were no concerns at this visit. An additional call was made to the childminder to investigate these concerns. The childminder has taken appropriate steps to improve her practice in this area by producing a policy to share with parents about her responsibilities in this area of her work. The childminder remains qualified for registration. 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): • continue to develop ways to promote children's understanding of healthy eating.

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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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