Childminder in LincolnshireOfsted inspection, 28 Feb 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 208665 Inspection date 28 February 2006 Inspector Janice Broddle

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and 8-year-old daughter on a new housing estate on the outskirts of Grantham. The property is within walking distance of all local amenities. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor with sleeping facilities available within this area. Toilet facilities are located on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet cat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children aged under 5 years, on a part-time basis, and 6

p.2

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 children aged over 5 years, 5 of whom are aged over 8 years, on an occasional basis during school holidays. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and warm environment. The childminder minimises the risk of spread of infection through her high standards of cleanliness and good hygiene practices. Young children are beginning to learn about good basic hygiene through daily routines such as washing their hands after using the toilet and after playing outdoors. Children have their dietary needs met because the childminder provides meals in line with parents’ wishes. She works in partnership with parents to promote healthy eating and children are beginning to learn about this through discussion and by having limited amounts of sugary foods. Children regularly access fresh air and exercise, which promotes their good health and physical ability. They go for walks in the local community and visit a variety of parks, which provide different physical challenges. They also play in the garden and access a wide range of play equipment including balls, bicycles, skipping ropes, and,

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and very well maintained environment. The childminder has a good awareness of safety issues. She has identified and minimised potential hazards, for example, by providing a fire guard in the lounge and using stair gates to monitor the movements of younger children. This enables children to safely move around their environment. She has effective systems in place which means that children can be well cared for in the event of an emergency. Children have access to a wide range of play equipment that is of good quality. Toys are clean and safe and the childminder monitors this as she engages with children in their play and checks the larger equipment prior to use. She supervises the children closely to ensure the risk of accidents is minimised. Through discussion, children also have good safety awareness. They have a sound understanding of the clear rules in

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

place regarding the use of the swimming pool and trampoline and understand the possible dangers. The childminder promotes children’s welfare through her knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection.

p.3

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. The childminder has a good understanding of children’s individual needs and plans daily activities around these. This ensures that children eat and rest in line with routines at home, and enjoy outings and livelier activities at times when they gain maximum benefit from them. Children are settled and happy in the childminder's home. The childminder has good relationships with the children, younger children laugh and smile as she engages with them in play and they confidently make their needs and wishes known. Children enjoy a broad and varied range of experiences where they learn through play. They access a wide range of age-appropriate toys and activities to promote all areas of their development. Older children particularly enjoy a wide range of art and

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

craft activities and they are able to express their creativity and imagination through, for example, papier-mache, puppet making and origami. Younger children happily explore their toys and play materials, and are beginning to develop their independence as they make choices from familiar favourites. The childminder is beginning to use the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework although does not yet use this to plan and evaluate young children's progress in order to identify the next steps in their development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are fully included in family life and happily engage with other members of the household. The childminder works in close partnership with parents to ensure she is able to cater for their individual needs. This includes herself, her family and other minded children learning some words in the first language of minded children in order to reinforce links with home and ensure they feel valued and respected as individuals. Children learn about the local community as they regularly visit local parks and places of interest, and begin to learn about the wider world by accessing resources that reflect positive images. The childminder builds on this by organising activities to celebrate festivals, such as dragon making at Chinese New Year. She has experience of caring for children with special needs and works closely with parents to ensure they are fully included in daily life in her setting.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well; the childminder is calm and positive with them, encouraging good behaviour by her example and through praise and reward. They know what is expected of them due to clear and consistent boundaries. The childminder creates a friendly atmosphere where children are relaxed and having fun. The childminder has good relationships with parents, which ensures that she is aware of children’s daily routines and preferences and is therefore able to meet their individual needs well. Parents receive a good range of written and verbal information, keeping them well informed about the childminder’s practices and fully up to date on children’s daily care and activities. However, the childminder is not yet totally familiar with new legislation and the procedure for investigating complaints is not fully effective.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. All required documentation is in place to safeguard and promote children’s welfare. The childminder has a good range of written information that informs her practice, this is shared effectively with parents, which helps to promote children’s continuity of care. Children access a comfortable environment in which to eat, rest and play; due to the childminder’s effective organisation of space within the home. They are developing in independence, as they are able to freely move around and select their play materials. They spend time indoors and outdoors, and eat and rest according to their individual routines due to the childminder’s effective organisation of daily routines. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the provider agreed to: devise and share with parents, a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious; to ensure that behaviour management strategies were appropriate; and to notify Ofsted of any significant changes to the premises or of any significant events. The provider now has a sick child policy which, although is not in writing, is discussed with parents prior to admission, therefore reducing the risk of spread of infection. She has also written a behaviour management policy that is discussed with, and signed by, parents, prior to admission. This ensures that behaviour management strategies are consistent and promote good behaviour. There have been no significant events to report to Ofsted but the childminder is aware she must do this if required.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.5

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 outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework • make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6