Lynn Lecomber

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 251274 Inspection date 25 November 2005 Inspector Gill Thornton

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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 1999. She lives with her husband, who is also her assistant and 3 children, aged 4, 11 and 14, in a village close to Ipswich in Suffolk. The whole of the of the downstairs of the property, upstairs bathroom and one bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding six children under eight on a part-time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and playgroup and attends local parent and toddler groups. The family has two rabbits.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable home where they learn the importance of personal hygiene through well established routines. Children's health is promoted because the childminder is well informed about children's health care matters and all the necessary consents are in place to support this. However, a record of medication administered is not consistently maintained. The childminder has attended first aid and food hygiene training to ensure she is aware of the correct procedures to follow to maintain children's health and prevent the spread of infection. Children have their health and dietary needs met through the provision of healthy snacks such as fruit, or cheese and crackers. Currently the children being minded bring a packed lunch which they sit down together to eat at the kitchen table. The childminder promotes the importance of healthy eating through discussions with the

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Helping children to be healthy

children about food that is good for them. Children are provided with frequent drinks to ensure they are not thirsty. Children enjoy a range of physical play experiences that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They take part in activities to develop control of their bodies through regularly playing in the garden on the good range of equipment including a large trampoline with a safety cage. Sometimes the childminder takes the children bowling or swimming with their parents consent.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment where they move about freely and safely in the childminder's spacious home. Their risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder supervises their play and has taken all the necessary steps to reduce risks to children. For example, the pond is securely covered so that children can still enjoy feeding the fish. Children learn about keeping themselves safe through discussions about road safety and they benefit from a range of fire safety precautions including practising fire drills. Children have access to an extensive range of good quality toys and equipment that meet safety standards. The childminder obtains parents' verbal consent to use the trampoline and follows the manufacturer's guidance regarding its use. Children are kept safe on outings because the childminder ensures she always takes emergency

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

contact details, has parental permission and has a first aid kit with her. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has attended child protection training and knows the correct procedures to follow if she has a concern.

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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 The provision is good. Children are happy and well settled and have good relationships with each other and the childminder who is sensitive and caring towards them. Children play happily together and are learning to share and take turns. They enjoy spending time together interacting with their peers, for example, two three year old children were showing each other their socks and one said 'wow, I like those'. They develop pride in their own achievements such as when demonstrating their skills at completing puzzles and they proudly display their pictures in the play house in the garden. Children's development is promoted by access to a stimulating range of toys and equipment which they are eager to play with. For example, they all enthusiastically take part in the game 'Elefun', taking turns to try and catch butterflies in their nets as

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

they are blown out of the elephant's trunk. Children's learning is promoted because the childminder skilfully asks open-ended questions to extend their learning, for example, asking how they could warm up their hands after going out while it was snowing. Children freely select from toys and resources inside and out which are accessibly stored so that they can initiate their own play and follow their own interests. Children develop confidence and self-esteem because the childminder is interested in their play and takes time to listen to them. Children have regular opportunities to develop their social skills through attendance at toddler groups. Children make positive relationships with each other and the childminder ensures all children are provided with suitable activities so that they are able to participate at their own level. She has not yet received a copy of the 'Birth to three matters' framework but already

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

incorporates some aspects of the framework in her good practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a sense of belonging because they are all included and valued and enjoy activities suitable to their stage of development. They are able to make positive choices and decisions about what they would like to do, for example, playing their favourite game. Children learn about responsible behaviour through praise and encouragement and the use of clear boundaries of expected behaviour. The childminder uses strategies appropriate to their individual stages of development and gently reminds children to say please and thank you. Children are learning to take account of the needs of others through discussion and explanations from the childminder and they have some access to books promoting diversity. Children benefit from the positive partnerships the childminder builds with their parents. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure their wishes are followed to provide continuity of care and to understand and respect they views and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

beliefs. Information is shared verbally with parents on collection to keep them informed about their child's day. Parents are very happy with the care provided and make positive comments such as 'my child has come out of himself' and 'excellent

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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 awareness of differentiating activities to take account of individual needs'.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home to provide a stimulating and child-friendly environment in which children take part in a range of activities to support their care, learning and play. Sometimes her husband works with her as an assistant to help contribute to the care provided. Children's well-being is promoted by the well organised records and policies which are shared with parents to provide continuity of care. The childminder ensures that most of the required documentation and consents are in place. However, although she obtains written consent for various outings it does not specifically include permission to go in a vehicle. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection the childminder agreed to complete the attendance register each day, this is now being done to maintain an accurate record of children's time of arrival and departure, so enhancing children's safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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):

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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 • ensure a written record of medication administered is maintained • obtain written consent for children to go 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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