Holmes, Dawn Helen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 317834 Inspection date 28 November 2005 Inspector Ingrid Pine

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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 1997. She is registered to provide care for four children under 8 years. The childminder lives with her family in Sprotborough, near Doncaster. All areas of the ground floor are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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. The childminder effectively promotes routines that help children to develop a very good understanding and awareness of health and hygiene. Good practice is promoted well in relation to children's personal hygiene routines and they understand the reasons for having to clean their hands. For example, they proudly show off their clean hands before having lunch. The support and guidance they receive helps them to be confident in their own personal care. The childminder has a well thought-out sickness policy which ensures risk of cross-infection to children is minimised. Children's nutritional needs are well met and they thrive on meals that are made from freshly prepared ingredients. These meals are well balanced and take account of children's own individual preferences. All children have regular access to drinks throughout the day. The childminder discusses her own sports hobbies and

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Helping children to be healthy

encourages older children to select and buy healthy options when they go shopping to the local supermarket with her. Children explore and test physical control in stimulating daily indoor and outdoor experiences. The childminder plans a good variety of activities that develop their love of the outdoors. For example, they enjoy trips to the local park and manoeuvre wheeled toys in the garden. Children's hand-eye co-ordination is well developed as they play with shape sorters and draw with age appropriate resources. Their emotional needs are effectively met as the childminder knows them very well and they have appropriate periods of sleep and rest built into their day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are effectively cared for in a very safe and well maintained environment. Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised because the childminder is vigilant and has good safety precautions in place. For example, toys are placed within easy reach of young babies as they sit on the floor playing. Young children are encouraged to be responsible for their own safety and have a sound understanding that toys have to be picked up from the floor to prevent accidents. The childminder is very aware of the fact that young babies are at a stage where they are always putting toys in their mouths. Therefore she provides appropriate resources that can be easily cleaned and cause them no harm. A large play mat and safety cushions support young babies who are just learning to sit up. These measures ensure that they come to no harm whilst developing their skills. Good quality equipment is stored in mostly low level units so that children can safely

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and easily access resources and initiate their own activities. Space is well organised so that children can safely move around the premises and choose their own areas for play.

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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 Children are well protected because the childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of the issues relating to child protection and the procedures in relation to the Area child protection committee guidance. She is very aware of her role and is pro-active in updating her knowledge through accessing up-to-date training. Children develop a good understanding of keeping safe outdoors as they learn about crossing the road safely on outings. The childminder has effective safety precautions in place such as booster seats in the car and a policy for outings, which includes specific permission from parents, and ensuring she has all children's details and a first aid kit with her.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder plans and provides a wide and varied range of activities for younger children to develop their confidence, self-esteem and social skills. Toys and resources are easily accessible and effectively pitched at their level of competence to ensure their individual needs are met. She is interested in their development and interaction between them is excellent. For example, they show high levels of concentration when fitting the correct shapes into a sorting container. They clearly have fun and develop their communication skills well when sitting on the childminder's knee playing simple games such as "so big" and "pat-a-cake". They respond with appropriate sounds and gestures and are clearly happy and content. Young children competently draw and make marks. The childminder encourages them to talk about their pictures and gives them praise for their efforts. Younger children are very confident in dealing with their own personal routines. They

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are encouraged to dress themselves and the older toddlers are competent at putting on their own wellington boots. They are competent at showing the childminder what they want. For example, they find their comforter and cuddly blanket and take it to the childminder when they are tired and need their sleep. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder and are clearly pleased with themselves when they achieve their efforts. The childminder is very aware of Birth to three matters material and is committed to finding out more in order to further develop her practice for this age group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder uses discussion and the children's own play experiences to effectively promote their understanding of respect for others. She uses local amenities and the children are aware of their place in their own community. They develop a positive attitude and good understanding of race, culture and diversity through appropriate activities and many positive images in books, toys and resources.

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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 All children are valued and respected and there is a commitment to ensuring all children feel secure and included. The childminder knows the children well and talks to them in a warm and caring manner. This encourages children to behave well, show care and concern for each other and play co-operatively. Children know the rules and boundaries that are in place within the home. They are encouraged to self-select their own games and tidy up after themselves. This gives them a sense of responsibility and encourages self-discipline. There is a strong partnership with parents. They are very well informed of their children's progress through good verbal and written communication. They are able to share their children's experiences because the childminder has an excellent photographic record and detailed daily diaries. Excellent references and parental

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Helping children make a positive contribution

comments indicate the confidence and satisfaction they feel in the care and attention their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her space and time very well to maximise play opportunities for children and they benefit enormously from the individual care and attention they receive. The childminder does not work with an assistant and any adults who visit are not left alone with any minded children. Any visitors unknown to the childminder are thoroughly questioned and identification requested if deemed necessary. All required documentation to ensure the efficient and safe management of the provision and to promote the care and learning of children is in place. The childminder is aware of the new requirement to have a written complaints procedure in place and has relevant documentation to ensure that this is in place. She regularly discusses new requirements and improvements to practice with other minders at their local group. The childminder is keen to improve, update and develop her practice through

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Organisation

training. She is aware of Birth to three matters framework training and has already contacted the Local Authority for a pack and inclusion on future training sessions.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children are safe and free from harm because the childminder has updated and improved her emergency evacuation procedures. Parents are aware of their children's activities because the childminder provides written progress diaries which are backed up with photographic evidence.

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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 There are no complaints to report. 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): • ensure agreed sickness policy is adhered to at all times.

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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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