Collins, Nicola

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY305571 Inspection date 18 November 2005 Inspector Rachael Mankiewicz

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and four in a house in the village of Deanshanger in the extreme south of Northamptonshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with sleeping facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The local pre-school, carer and toddler group, park and shops are within walking distance. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently caring for two toddlers and three school age 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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are developing an awareness of a healthy lifestyle as they partake in good physical activities both indoors and outside. They enthusiastically participate in activities to encourage their co-ordination such as handling small figures, manipulating play dough and completing jigsaw puzzles. Children enjoy play activities in the garden, walks around the village and using the large apparatus at the nearby park. When they are unable to play outside, they enthusiastically play jumping games and dance in the ample space inside. Children are cared for in a warm and clean home, where they learn about good hygiene practices through daily routines, such as hand washing and good nappy changing practice. Children are able to access their drinks at all times and are developing their awareness of the benefits of a healthy diet. They indicate when they are ready for their snack and enjoy a balance of

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Helping children to be healthy

nutritious snacks and the occasional treat, all in accordance with the wishes of their parents. This attention to diet helps to promote healthy growth and development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to move around safely and independently within the safe environment of the home and outdoors and always within sight of the childminder. They participate in safe activities in effectively organised space, and are beginning to learn how to handle tools and implements safely, for instance as they cut play dough with scissors. Procedures and good practice are used when taking children on outings, and children benefit from learning about road and water safety. Appropriate safety equipment is provided within the home, and all toys and equipment are appropriate for the children's age and stage of development. This encourages children to stay safe and promotes their development. Children's welfare is fostered well and safeguarded through the childminder's good working knowledge of child protection procedures. The childminder maintains appropriate written records and procedures to help ensure the children's welfare. For example, she holds a

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

current first aid certificate and accident and medicine records are shared fully with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the care of the childminder. They move freely between the different play activities on offer, spending time playing with the toys they have chosen, and building on their concentration span with the encouragement of the childminder. Children are able to select from a wide range of toys and activities to promote their learning in different areas, for example role play with the tea set and kitchen equipment, and creative use of play dough. Children respond with animated

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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 chatter and repeat letter sounds well as the childminder promotes their language and communication skills. They have free access to a good range of age appropriate books, and the childminder uses story time as a learning opportunity. Children count alongside the childminder and enthusiastically take part in action rhymes. Older children enjoy a relaxed session at either end of the school day and during school holidays, choosing freely from the range of resources and activities in their own play area or when mixing with the younger children. Activities are adapted to meet the children's individual needs, interests and abilities, and the childminder uses her knowledge and experience to deliver the appropriate service. She encourages the children’s full development and helps them generally to make good progress,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

although she does not use a formal approach in line with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met as their parents' wishes about their care are followed during daily routines. Children develop their confidence and self-esteem as they make choices and decisions by selecting toys to play with, helping themselves to their beakers and drinks, and helping put away toys. They learn what is expected of them from the guidelines set and they behave well. Older children are aware of house rules. Young children begin to share and play together as they are encouraged to take turns with tools as they play with the dough. Children develop some awareness of diversity as they play with the resources that include some positive images of culture, gender and disability. They meet different children and adults at the childrens groups they attend. The childminder fosters positive relationships with parents. Information is exchanged

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Helping children make a positive contribution

on an informal daily basis regarding children's care, routines and progress, helping to ensure continuous and consistent care for the children although some written information about the service offered is missing.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and settled within the childminder's routines which include effectively organised time and space. As a result, children have excellent opportunities to engage in a good range of activities both indoors and outdoors. This also helps the childminder meet the needs of varying age groups, particularly at the end of the school day and during holidays. The childminder provides a reliable service for parents and children, which is based on her business-like approach to childminding. Children's care is generally supported well by comprehensive written records and documentation. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements 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 Not applicable.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 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): • improve the outcome from birth to three by using an approach in line with ‘Birth to three matters’ • increase the information to parents, setting out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child and the activities provided.

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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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