Lamb Shirley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY224615 Inspection date 05 October 2005 Inspector Samantha Powis

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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 registered to care for children since 2002. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 4, 7 and 11 years, in a house in the Bishopdown area of Salisbury. The whole of the ground floor area of the property, the first floor bathroom, and a bedroom are used for childminding. There is a paved area to the rear available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children under the age of 8 years. She currently has five children on roll, who attend on a part-time basis.

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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 attends the local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is promoted by adequate hygiene practices being followed. Children are protected with appropriate procedures in place to exclude those with infectious illnesses. To prevent the spread of infection, the childminder makes available wet wipes for the children to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet, however, children are not always reminded to do this in practise. To protect children's health, the childminder follows effective procedures when nappy changing. Documentation to ensure accidents and administered medication are adequately recorded are in place, however, not all parents have signed the written consents which would allow the childminder to seek emergency medical attention or advice for a child. Children learn about healthy eating, as the childminder provides children with healthy and nutritious snacks, including fresh fruit and toast. To make sure children's

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Helping children to be healthy

individual dietary needs are met, the childminder discusses their needs with parents. The children have drinks available at all times, so they don't get thirsty. Children take part in some form of physical activity on a regular basis to promote their general health and wellbeing. They go on walks to the park and to feed the ducks. The childminder ensures they get lots of fresh air, as she rarely uses a vehicle to transport the children. Children enjoy dancing along to music indoors, gaining increasing control over body movements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to an appropriate range of equipment. However, poor storage of equipment leads to accidents, such as children tripping over toys or landing on them. The childminder follows effective procedures to ensure the children are secure indoors, however, due to a communal pathway in the rear garden, the outdoor area is not secure. To increase children's safety, the childminder ensures children are supervised at all times. Cleaning materials are stored on a raised shelf in the kitchen, however, older children could reach these, therefore compromising their safety. The children are protected from the dangers of fire, as the childminder has put in place effective fire detection and prevention devices. She has an effective back-up system which would be implemented in the event of an emergency. This would ensure the children remained well cared for by a known, suitable person.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are relaxed within the childminders home. Space is provided for them to

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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 play and rest, and a small outside area is available for physical activities. Use of space is not always given effective consideration, which leads to children not being able to succeed in their play at times. For example, the children lose interest in drawing with crayons, when they try to use the soft stool to rest on. The childminder has a basic knowledge of possible signs and symptoms of child abuse, but is not familiar with the procedure she would need to follow in the event of a child protection concern, therefore not promoting children's safety and wellbeing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to an interesting range of toys and activities. However, these are not always appropriate to the children's understanding or needs. Children show little interest in many of the toys, often treading on them, due to the poor organisation of resources. The childminder has a caring and sensitive approach, and interacts in a relaxed way with the children. They enjoy using the musical keyboard to make up their own tunes, joining in with the childminder in dancing and singing. Their confidence and self-esteem is supported due to the childminder praising and encouraging them through their activities. Children enjoy outings to local parks and toddler groups to extend their knowledge of the local community and increase their social skills. They have opportunities to engage in simple cooking activities and creative activities such as painting and sticking. They have also participated in growing their own tomatoes from seeds. Daily

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities and play are very much child led. Children are relaxed within the childminders home. They develop a warm and caring relationship with her and are made to feel part of the family. Children's own routines are respected and accommodated to ensure their needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a consistent level of care as the childminder follows their home routine. She is mindful of their individual characters when they participate in activities, but does not always offer them suitable activities limiting their opportunities to succeed or achieve. The childminder has an open approach towards equal opportunities and uses discussion to increase children's understanding and awareness of diversity. Some basic resources that promote and extend their awareness of diversity are available. Children's behaviour is satisfactory. They respond to the appropriate strategies used by the childminder, such as distraction and praise and encouragement. She uses a positive approach, encouraging the children to be caring towards each other. For example, she encourages the children to have "kind fingers" when playing together. Children's individual needs are recorded and respected, as the childminder obtains

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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 written information from parents. She also allows time at the beginning and end of each day to share and exchange information with parents; to ensure detailed information about the daily routine is exchanged with parents, the childminder maintains a diary for younger children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The health and safety of the children is supported by the basic, but adequate documentation. However, some written consents have not been sought. Documentation is stored securely to maintain confidentiality. Sufficient procedures are in place to protect children from persons who have not been vetted. Children remain supervised by the childminder at all times. Children's ongoing health is supported due to the childminders willingness to update necessary training, for example, first aid. However, her lack of knowledge regarding child protection and child development for under three's potentially means their safety and development may be compromised. Children have opportunities to explore indoor and outdoor areas, and comfortable arrangements are made for rest and sleep. Children's safety and comfort is not sufficiently supported, due to the poor organisation of space and resources.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she cares.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has improved fire safety precautions, by making sure that smoke alarms are checked regularly. To improve safety and security when the children use the garden area, the childminder ensures they are always well supervised. However, physical steps have not been taken to make this area totally secure.

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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

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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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): • review the organisation of toys and equipment, to improve safety and increase learning • increase awareness of child protection procedures, including who to contact in the event of a concern • improve the outcomes for children under the age of three years, by using an approach in line with the Birth to three matters framework • obtain written permission from all parents, to seek medical attention and advice in the event of an emergency, and for transporting children in a vehicle.

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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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