Alderson, Sandra Elizabeth

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 222524 Inspection date 09 February 2006 Inspector Clare Elizabeth Pook

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 satisfactory. 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 1990 in the North of England and locally since 1995. She lives with her husband on the outskirts of Huntingdon. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler groups, takes children to the local library, the local park and meets regularly with other child minders. The childminder is registered to care for 6 at any one time and is currently minding 4 children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder has 2 cats. The

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 childminder supports children with special educational needs.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are being cared for in a warm and clean environment where the childminder practices good hygiene routines, which minimise the spread of infection and she encourages children to do the same. Children are aware that their noses need wiping and ask for a tissue. As a result the children are learning about good personal hygiene skills. Suitable written records are maintained to ensure children's individual medical and dietary needs are met, however not all written parental consents are in place to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Accidents are recorded appropriately and parents acknowledge the entry with a signature. Children have some opportunities to understand the benefits of having a healthy diet. The child minder talks to the children and involves them in activities about healthy foods. The childminder takes account of children's preferences and parental wishes

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

regarding meals. Drinks are readily available and offered to children. Nutritious snacks are provided for children such as crumpets and fruit which the child minder prepares for them. Children are learning about the importance of keeping the body healthy and fit through daily walks and visits to the park. Children under three years are cared for appropriately. They have space to move about and play, pull themselves up as well as being able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe. The premises is safe, secure, warm and welcoming for children to play in. The childminder has taken positive steps to minimise risks to children in her home to keep them safe, by appropriate use of safety gates, socket covers, cupboard locks. The toys and equipment used by the children are suitable and safe and checked regularly. Regular maintenance of toys is carried out to ensure they remain suitable and safe. The childminder maintains close supervision of children at all times and has implemented effective procedures to safeguard children on outings. Children's awareness of road safety issues is promoted local during walks. Suitable harnesses and straps are used in buggies to keep children safe. Children are learning to keep themselves safe on outings by learning about road safety. The child minder

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

discusses with the children ways in which they should leave the house in the event of a fire, therefore promoting children's awareness of keeping themselves safe.

p.3

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 The childminder is aware of her duty to child protection and informs parents of this. She has a reasonable understanding of what to do if she had concerns for a child, however she has mislaid her copy of the local Area Child Protection procedures and booklet, 'what to do if you are worried about a child'. This impacts on the child by not having the correct guidelines to follow if she had concerns for a child's welfare.

p.3

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 stimulating range of activities which engage their interest and meet their individual developmental needs. Children enjoy doing puzzles and counting games and are praised for their success. Children are able to initiate their own activities and freely select from a range of toys and play equipment. They receive good support during play activities, learning to take turns when playing lotto and remembering the animal names. The childminder promotes children's speech and language skills through effective interaction, singing and reading stories. Children are confident and their self-esteem is promoted through praise and encouragement when playing and completing tasks. The children are well mannered and generally behave well. The childminder sets clear boundaries and gives simple explanations so that children understand what is expected of them.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of the needs of children under three years and ensures they are included in activities. She has received information on the 'Birth to three matters' framework, but has not yet started to implement the strategies within her child minding practice, which impinges on her good practice with younger children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled and are valued and respected as individuals. Consequently, children feel confident and settled in the childminder's care. Children learn about diversity and the wider community through discussion and access to books which reflect positive images. Children make choices and decisions about their play and can access most toys themselves or ask for additional resources. Independence skills are not always fully promoted with older children, for example, they are not encouraged to get their own drinks or help prepare snacks. 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 positive with the children, using lots of praise and encouragement to promote good behaviour and develop a child's self-esteem. Children benefit from having consistent boundaries which enable them understand

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 Children's welfare is further promoted by the secure relationships the childminder has with the parents. Information about the children's day is exchanged with parents verbally. Information regarding the children's individual needs, likes, allergies, medical needs are gained from parents on beginning their placement and is recorded on the children's information sheets. However the contracts and children's information sheets used contain out of date information relating the previous registration body and advisers.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her time and space effectively to ensure that the needs of all children are met. A selection of toys are set for the children to choose from and rotated frequently by the childminder. Children's individual routines are respected for meals and rests and the childminder ensures that the day includes a variety of activities both indoors and outdoors. The child minder's good practices are not supported by her organisation of paperwork. Most written consents and documents required by the National Standards are in place, but some are still missing. Children's individual needs are recorded, but forms used contain incorrect information about the registered body and are misleading for parents. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Generally some improvement has been made since the last inspection. Accurate records are in place when recording the administration of medication. The arrival and departure times of the children are recorded on a daily basis. Written consent from parents allowing the child minder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is in the process of being completed. This enables the childminder to work with the parents and carers to be able to meet the needs of the children in her care.

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 satisfactory. The registered person meets

p.5

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 the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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): • develop practice with children under three years by improving knowledge and understanding of 'Birth to three matters' framework • organise paperwork effectively and update contracts and information sheets where information is not longer valid and ensure that all records are kept up to date. • improve understanding of child protection by obtaining the Local Area Child Protection committee guidelines and booklet 'what to do if you are worried about a child' and ensuring they are readily available to consult if necessary.

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