Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 208688 Inspection date 06 January 2006 Inspector Katherine Powell

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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 1994. She is registered to care for five children under the age of eight years; of these, three children may be under the age of five years. She currently cares for five children under the age of five years on a part-time basis. The childminder lives with her husband and three sons. They live in a semi-detached house in a rural village approximately two miles from Grantham town centre. Minded children have access to all ground floor areas, with toilet facilities within this area and sleep facilities available in the lounge. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available

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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 for outside play. The family keeps some chickens and rabbits in the garden but there are no pets in the house. The childminder regularly attends local parent and toddler groups. She holds a recognised child care qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's physical, nutritional and health needs are met due to the childminder's highly effective procedures and practices. The childminder provides high levels of support and guidance for children enabling them to gain a very good awareness of the importance of hygiene and to become increasingly independent in their personal care. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs and daily routines. Children have a positive attitude to physical exercise and enjoy using and exploring the wide range of play resources in the childminder's garden. Children also benefit from having regular opportunities to visit the local park where they are able to practise and develop their whole body movements, such as climbing and balancing. Young children persevere with challenging activities which help to promote their small hand skills effectively, for example using threading cards, scissors and jigsaws. The

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder provides very good support for children during activities, she effectively promotes their confidence to enable them to further develop their skills and ask for help when needed. Children have easy access to drinks throughout the day and enjoy fresh fruit at snack time. Children benefit from having nutritious home cooked meals which are prepared using fresh vegetables. Consequently, children are actively encouraged to make healthy choices about food and drink. The childminder maintains excellent written records which enables her to fully meet children's individual dietary and medical requirements. The written records, effective procedures and the childminder's secure knowledge of appropriate first aid treatment ensure children receive very good care and attention.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a well-organised, child friendly, safe and secure environment. The childminder's regular risk assessments of her own home are highly effective in identifying and minimising potential hazards. She has appropriate safety equipment in place which enables children to freely explore and play independently. The childminder makes excellent use of available space giving children opportunities to engage in indoor and outdoor activities and have time to rest and sleep according to their individual needs. Resources and toys are easily accessible in the lounge so

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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 able to make their own choices when selecting activities and initiating play. All children enthusiastically select resources and willingly help the childminder to tidy away when they have finished playing, preventing unnecessary accidents from occurring. The childminder has developed an excellent range of toys and equipment which help to promote children's learning in all areas, give them a varied choice and engage and sustain their interest. Toys and equipment are of a high quality and meet safety standards. The childminder maintains close supervision of children at all times and has implemented effective procedures to safeguard children on outings. Children benefit from taking part in regular fire drills in the home, ensuring that all children are able to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

evacuate quickly and calmly in an emergency. Children's welfare is safeguarded through the childminder's secure knowledge of child protection procedures which has been developed through attendance at relevant courses and reading current legislation. The childminder has developed useful policies and procedures relating to safety which are shared fully with parents, this enables parents to feel confident in the childminder's good practice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confident in the childminder's home. They enjoy participating in a broad and stimulating range of activities which engage their interest and meet their individual developmental needs. The childminder has started to develop her awareness of the 'Birth to three matters' framework but has yet to fully implement this to promote the outcomes for children in each area of development. Children have good opportunities to develop their social skills as they play alongside other children and when sitting together at the table at snack time. Children are able to initiate their own activities and freely select from a good range of toys and play equipment. They receive good support during play activities and the childminder promotes children's speech and language skills through effective interaction. Children participate in a range of activities which help to promote their learning in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

different areas. For example, the garden and local park are regularly used to enable children to practise their physical skills, such as climbing and balancing, and a wide range of materials are provided to encourage children's creativity and use of imagination. Children respond well to the childminder and they have formed effective relationships with their peers. The childminder fully involves herself in children's play and activities. She knows individual children well so is able to provide a suitable range of experiences to meet their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled and are valued and respected as individuals. Play

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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 resources, such as dolls, jigsaws and books, reflect positive images and help to promote children's awareness of diversity within society. Children benefit from participating in planned activities related to different festivals, such as Chinese New Year. Children are able to learn about the local community by going on regular walks and outings. The childminder is aware of the information she would need to obtain to ensure appropriate care could be provided for children with special needs. The childminder has a good awareness of effective behaviour management strategies which are appropriate to the differing ages and stages of development of the child. She is calm and sensitive towards the children and uses positive reinforcement to promote good behaviour and develop a child's self-esteem. Children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

learn to play co-operatively and to share toys and play equipment. The childminder fosters positive relationships with parents. Information is regularly exchanged to ensure continuity of care and to ensure children are cared for according to parental wishes. Written diaries are used effectively with parents of younger children to enable them to be fully involved in their child's care. Parents have access to a detailed portfolio which enables them to gain a good understanding of all aspects of the childminder's service.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from good levels of support and supervision, which enables them to feel safe and secure in the setting. Consequently, children are confident to make their own choices, selecting toys and initiating play. Space is organised well to ensure children are able to move freely between different play areas, including the garden. Documentation is well-organised and held securely, ensuring confidentiality for children and parents. All required documentation is in place and is shared with parents. Children benefit from information being shared on a daily basis between the childminder and parents, ensuring their individual needs are met. The childminder has developed her awareness of childcare issues through attending a wide range of professional courses, such as fire safety, oral hygiene and child protection. The childminder uses this knowledge well to provide good quality care.

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Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection three recommendations were made with regard to practising emergency evacuation procedures, developing a wider range of diversity play resources and ensuring that relevant contact numbers were available in the event of having to follow child protection procedures. The childminder has taken positive action to address all the recommendations made. A written fire evacuation procedure is in place and this is regularly practised with

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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 children. A clear record of fire drills is maintained. The childminder has developed a wide range of play resources and equipment which reflect positive images of diversity within society. Resources include dolls, jigsaws, small world people and books. The childminder also makes good use of the local library to obtain additional books. A written child protection policy is now in place which includes relevant contact details. The policy is shared fully with parents. The action taken has helped to further develop children's awareness of diversity within society and has improved procedures for safeguarding children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. 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): • further promote outcomes for children under the age of three years by using on approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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