Baker, Lorraine

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 222119 Inspection date 12 May 2005 Inspector Heidi Falconer

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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 satisfactory. 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 a registered since 1992. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 13 and 16 years in a village on the outskirts of Royston. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. One of the upstairs rooms is used for children who require a sleep. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 8 children under 5 all part time and 1 children over 5 after school. The childminder walks to the local playgroup to take and collect children. She

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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 also attends the local toddler. The family have a rabbit and a cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, an approved childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. Children's health is generally maintained through consistent daily routines, they know, for example, to wash their hands after feeding and touching the rabbit. However the accessibility of pet food in the kitchen could pose a potential risk to children. The childminder provides children with a healthy diet, they are able to access freely available drinks and are provided with nutritious snacks. The childminder takes account the wishes of parents and children’s preferences to provide nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs. The childminder works with parents to meet each child’s individual needs. Children enjoy physical activity, for example playing with push and ride along toys and see saws. The childminder ensures that children have access to the outdoors on a regular basis, providing them with opportunities to develop their physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to the childminders garden as well as local play areas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children in her home, for example in the garden potential hazards have been partitioned off to prevent children's access to them. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Children are developing a understanding of keeping themselves safe through the childminders use of clear boundaries and limits, for example, she asks the children not to climb on furniture because they may fall and hurt themselves. Children use a sufficient range of suitable and safe developmentally appropriate resources. Some are organised in child-height furniture to encourage independent access. This gives the children opportunities to practice what they can do in safe surroundings. Children are generally protected because the childminder understands her role in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

child protection and is aware of the appropriate procedures to put into practice when necessary. However currently not all persons over 16 living on the premises have undergone the required checks.

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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 satisfactory. Children settle well at the childminder's home, they come in confidently and enjoy the toys and equipment that the childminder provides. The children are confident and happy in the childminders home. The way the childminder organises space and resources creates a welcoming environment for children and helps them to make choices and develop increasing independence, for example in her lounge children are able to access toys and books from low level storage. The childminder attends the local toy library with the children and they are sometimes able to put input into the toys that they borrow. Children develop confidence and self-esteem through the support they receive during their play from the childminder. She gives children appropriate praise and encouragement to help them develop their play, for example by providing children with additional equipment to extend their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children make positive relationships between themselves and with the childminder and play well together. The childminders use of positive strategies for managing behaviour is helping children to learn to understand behaviour boundaries and to distinguish between right and wrong. Children show a understanding of how to share and take turns when playing with popular equipment. Sensitive use of multicultural equipment and positive images helps children to become aware of the wider world and the needs of others. Children learn about their local community during local community outings to pre-school activity groups and local play areas. Relationships with the parents are friendly. Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with parents. Children settle quickly because the childminder works closely with parents to ensure she follows the home routine e.g. children's sleeping and feeding times.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease in the well-organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning both indoors and out. The childminder effectively maintains and uses appropriate forms of record keeping and has procedures in place to promote the welfare and care of the children. The childminder effectively communicates with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend. The childminder has attended some recent training to help her develop her practice.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to draw up written agreements with parents for all children who attend the provision. The childminder currently has contracts for all children in her care. This ensures that both parties are aware of the expectations of the care, activities provided and business arrangements and that children are being cared for by a childminder who is working with parents to ensure that their individual needs are understood and met.

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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 satisfactory. 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 that all persons over 16 living on the premises complete a the appropriate checks. • Ensure that pet food is not accessible to children

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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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