Childminder in LincolnshireOfsted inspection, 22 Feb 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY103183 Inspection date 22 February 2006 Inspector Anne Barnsley

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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?

This childminder has been registered since March 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight years and rising four, in Conningsby, Lincolnshire. Most local amenities are within walking distance. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the property. The whole of the childminder's house is used for minding. The ground floor is used for play and the first floor for rest, if needed. 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. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. Children's health is promoted well because there are good systems in place to deal with accidents and emergencies, including an emergency care plan and written parental consent for emergency medical advice or treatment. Young children are beginning to learn about good basic hygiene through daily routines such as washing their hands before meals and after engaging in messy play. Arrangements for sleeping children, hand drying and nappy changing routines are effectively managed and protect children from possible risk of cross-infection. Children have regular meals and drinks that are consistent with the childminder's healthy eating policy. The childminder provides meals in line with parents’ wishes ensuring that she meets children’s dietary needs. Children are beginning to learn about healthy living through the provision of regular access to fresh air and physical

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Helping children to be healthy

activity. Daily walks in the local community, along with regular access to the wide range of garden equipment including balls, bicycles and slides, provide good opportunities for fresh air and physical exercise. Children further develop their physical skills and co-ordination as they regularly access the local indoor soft play facility where they run, climb and balance on the larger equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to a wide range of good quality toys and play materials. The childminder maintains these in a clean and safe condition. She closely supervises the children, both indoors and outdoors, to ensure their safety at all times. Children move around the home independently and the childminder has identified and taken appropriate action to minimise potential risks. For example, she has put a stairgate on the bottom stair to prevent access to the first floor, and has fitted safety locks to low-level kitchen units. The childminder promotes children’s safety well when outside the home as she has good procedures in place to ensure they are not exposed to risks, for example, younger children are transported in pushchairs or directly supervised if walking. All children are learning about road safety and potential dangers to enable them to take responsibility, and all children use appropriate seat

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

restraints in the vehicle. The childminder maintains appropriate written records to promote children's welfare. Children are protected and safeguarded as the childminder understands her responsibilities regarding child protection. She takes her responsibility very seriously and wishes to develop her knowledge further by undertaking a child protection course.

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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 move around the home confidently. They independently access the toys and resources of their choice. They have good relationships with the childminder who is caring and sensitive. This means that they happily engage with her in conversation, confidently express their needs, and seek support and comfort when they are hurt or upset. Younger children benefit from opportunities for active play and restful periods in accordance with individual routines and parents’ wishes. Children access a wide variety of suitable toys and activities and the childminder is aware of how to promote their learning through play. For example, they count and learn their colours as they build with bricks and begin to develop an enjoyment of books as they share story sessions. Children are developing an interest in books as they visit the library to choose for themselves. Children gain wider experiences

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

through activities and outings outside of the home environment. Regular visits to mother and toddler groups and outings with other minded children introduce children to large group play and support their developing social skills. The childminder is fully familiar with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and is using this to evaluate young children's progress in order to identify the next steps in their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are learning about the local community through their attendance at local toddler groups and visits to local amenities. They are beginning to become aware of the wider world through play resources such as videos and puzzles that provide images of differences within society. The childminder has appropriate systems in place to support children with special needs. The childminder encourages children to share and be kind to each other. Her use of praise and reward to encourage acceptable behaviour meets the needs of the children that she is currently caring for. The childminder recognises that some children may display more challenging behaviour and that this is an area she wishes to develop. The childminder has established appropriate systems to share information with parents. This means that she is aware of children's routines and preferences and is able to cater for their individual needs. She ensures parents are informed of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children’s daily activities through verbal feedback and by providing parents with activity plans. This reinforces links with home and consequently, children feel secure in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are able to comfortably eat, rest and engage in play activities due to the

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Organisation

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’s effective organisation of space and resources. Toys and play materials are accessible to children to enable them to choose and express their preferences. Children are therefore developing their independence skills. The childminder provides an wide range of play activities both inside and outside of the home. She keeps herself aware of current child-care practices by regularly attending courses. The childminder has all the required documents in place in order to safeguard and promote children’s welfare. These are kept current and are comprehensively maintained. They are shared with parents promoting close working relationships and continuity of care for children. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has all necessary records in place and maintains these to a high standard. At the previous inspection, there were several actions and recommendations raised. The childminder was asked to practise the emergency evacuation plan and provide a fire blanket in the kitchen. She has now purchased a fire blanket and her emergency evacuation plan has been practised with most children attending. She was also asked to make the fireplace and hazardous substances in the kitchen inaccessible to the children. The fire in the lounge is not connected therefore does not pose a risk to children. The kitchen now has a stairgate in place to restrict access as required, and all low-level kitchen units have child locks in place. The arrangements for safety are therefore improved. It was recommended that she request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and provide a first aid box. These are now in

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Improvements since the last inspection

place which improves the systems to promote children’s good health. It was also recommended for her to provide an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice in respect of culture, gender and disability. The childminder has since purchased a range of equipment which help to raise children’s awareness of differences within society. The childminder was also asked to devise and implement effective and consistent behaviour management strategies. Whilst she has made some progress in this area, her strategies are not fully effective for all children and this is carried forward from this inspection.

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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

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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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): • continue to develop your knowledge of how to manage a wide range of behaviour and how to identify signs of abuse.

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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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