Childminder in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY259406 Inspection date 07 October 2005 Inspector Gill Ogden

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and 2 daughters, one aged 5 months and the other 5 years, in Lincoln city. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. A full range of amenities are within walking distance. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and currently looks after 10 children, of whom 3 are under 5 years old, all on a part-time basis. The family have two pet cats and goldfish.

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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 is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are looked after in an environment where the childminder takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection. The house is clean and the childminder encourages children to form good hygiene habits. For example, young children are keen to wash their hands after using the toilet because she uses a liquid soap that they see advertised attractively on television and there are signs up in the bathroom to remind older children to flush the toilet and wash their hands. When the childminder changes the baby's nappy she always uses disposable gloves. Children's risk of picking up infection is further minimised as a result of the childminder not caring for sick children. Children get plenty of fresh air and enjoy activities that help them to develop strong bodies. They go for walks, play in the garden and visit the park regularly. They enjoy using large fixed equipment such as the trampoline and swings. There is plenty of

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Helping children to be healthy

room indoors for children to move around freely and babies and toddlers especially enjoy moving to action songs and dancing. Children eat well as a result of the childminder having a solid knowledge of nutritious and healthy food and because she sets them a good example by eating the same food as them and sitting with them at the table for meals. She works closely with parents to ensure individual children's dietary needs are met. Children learn about food by the childminder involving them in a cooking activity each week, such as making pizzas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe as a result of the childminder's thorough risk assessment of the home and garden. All the necessary safety equipment is in place and items such as smoke alarms are tested regularly. Children always have enough space to move around safely as the childminder is alert to different demands. For example, when the children need to move around more energetically indoors she moves furniture so that they do not bump into things and hurt themselves. Children learn about keeping themselves safe through observing her actions and taking notice of safety rules such as what to do when crossing the road and how to respond to the fire alarm. All the toys that the children play with are in good condition and suitable for them to use. Children are safeguarded as a result of the childminder having recently attended child protection training. She is confident about the correct procedures to follow in the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

event of any incidents occurring. She works closely with parents on this area and at their request talked with children about 'stranger danger' as they felt that children would take more notice of her.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children learn well from their play as a result of the childminder offering them a variety of activities that are of interest to them. Younger children especially enjoy pretend play and moving to music. They can choose from a range of resources such as home corner materials and trains and tracks to stimulate their imaginations. As a result of the childminder taking part in their play, they pay close attention to, for example, music programmes, watching and copying the movements of the characters and joining in with the songs. Children have their learning reinforced through the childminder asking them questions that are appropriate to the activity they are involved in. For example, she checks out that a young child is remembering colours when he is playing with bricks by asking him to pass her ' a red one'. Children giggle with pleasure when the childminder prompts them to make animal noises

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

whilst playing with zoo animals. Children's individual care needs are well considered when the childminder plans the children's day. Children show awareness of each other's needs, for example, by always making sure that the baby is included in their play. However, the childminder has not yet made use of 'Birth to three matters' to check and improve on her practice with the youngest children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are made welcome and the childminder is able to adjust activities according to children's individual needs. She uses information from parents to ensure that children are supported well. As a result children have good self-esteem. Children learn about their own and differing cultures through activities such as celebrating festivals. They have access to resources that help them form positive images of all members of society. Children behave well because they understand the simple ground rules set by the childminder and she uses appropriate strategies to deal with any undesirable behaviour. For example, she minimises opportunities for poor behaviour by distracting children and giving them lots of attention for good behaviour. She acts as a good role model by staying calm and children co-operate well with her and each other. The childminder works closely with parents before their children are cared for to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

ensure that she will be able to meet their needs well. All parents are sent a comprehensive document that clearly demonstrates the service she offers so they can read it at their leisure to make sure that their children will be suited to her provision. The children's 'daily events' are recorded in a book for parents, which can include photographs, to take home each day and provides talking points for them and the children. The childminder is aware that she needs to keep her own record of any complaints that may be made against her.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has undertaken all the required training and checks to ensure she is suitable to care for children. She organises her premises so that they are welcoming to children and their parents and is able to manage well the number of children she cares for at any one time. All the necessary records and documents are in place, well maintained and stored securely. This provides a secure framework for the care of children. Overall, the needs of the children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of the recommendation made at the last inspection, the childminder has increased the range of toys and books to meet the needs of the full range of children she looks after. She has also got more resources that help children to develop positive attitudes towards all members of society. The way toys and play resources are now stored and set out makes it easier for children to access them.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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): • improve the outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with the Birth to three matters framework.

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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 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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