Jones, Sally Ann

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 314382 Inspection date 23 February 2006 Inspector Elizabeth Patricia Edmond

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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 1993. She lives with her husband, and their two children aged 11 and 17 years. They live in a semi-detached house in Bridlington. There are some local shops and two primary schools within easy walking distance. The children play in a dedicated playroom on the ground floor and only access the first floor to use the bathroom. There is also an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. There are currently 10 children under 8 years old on roll; older children also attend. The childminder is a member of the local childminding network for training purposes

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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 but she does not provide funded nursery education. She is also a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). The family keep nine rabbits, seven guinea pigs, one chinchilla and two budgies.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a warm, clean environment where children learn about sensible hygiene practices. The layout of the premises does not make it easy for children to develop their independence. The toddlers are very confident in the familiar routines for nappy changing and hand-wiping before lunch. The children develop a positive approach to being active; the older children help themselves to the dance tapes and the toddlers join in with great enthusiasm as they copy the actions to the songs. The older children talk happily about the regular walks out to the park or the beach and the fun they have had at the paddling pool. The children learn about healthy eating and meal times are a pleasant experience. The older children know that fruit is good for them and the younger children enjoy the good portions of banana, apple and mango at snack time. The toddlers practice their

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Helping children to be healthy

skills in using appropriate cups or spoons and they do this very well. The children's individual dietary and health requirements are well met because the childminder makes sure that the older children understand about this for themselves. The childminder is vigilant in checking what the younger children can eat and works well with parents on this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are able to play freely and safely because the childminder identifies and minimises any immediate risks to the children. Although there is some building work in process, she carefully gates off areas of the house and garden that are not suitable for play. The childminder is aware of how she would get the children out in a hurry but the children do not practice this regularly; this limits their understanding of how to keep themselves safe. The older children are very clear about how to keep themselves safe when out and about with the childminder. They know how far they are allowed to go on ahead and they understand about setting a good example to the younger ones. The children are able to select freely from the play equipment because it is in good condition and meets the children's developmental needs. The low level storage means that children can help themselves to the resources; the toddlers enjoy looking

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

in drawers to find the dressing-up shoes and bags. The children are well protected because of the childminder's sound understanding of

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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 child protection issues. She has most of the necessary information on file and she is proactive in updating her first aid and child protection training. However the Area Child Protection Committee procedures are not always easily located hindering the effective handling of any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are relaxed and happy in the childminder's care and they make themselves at home. They develop positive relationships with the childminder and each other. There is a busy yet happy family atmosphere during the school holidays when a wide age-range of children attend and the older children enjoy engaging the younger ones in play. They show the toddlers how to roll sausages with the play dough, and enjoy sharing the books with them. The arrangement of the resources invites curiosity and the younger children enjoy rummaging in the drawers to find what they want. They show off how they look once they have found the hats, shoes and handbags. They enjoy strutting around in the shiny play shoes. The younger children's development benefits from being able to sit with the older ones for craft activities. They all enjoy making pictures with the stick shapes and toddlers confidently join in with conversations about their pictures. The

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

young children mimic the older ones in several ways. For example, the little ones take their turn to 'read' a story to the others. This helps them to develop their natural curiosity as learners and increase their language skills. The young children develop well in all areas of leaning. They count the chimes on the play room clock with interest as they have their lunch and they balance well as they twirl freely to the dance music. This is because the childminder understands how very young children learn and how to engage their interest. Older children talk happily about outings they have enjoyed in the school holidays. They particularly like the going to the beach or theme park. The younger ones enjoy seeing the animals at the farm.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are respected and valued as individuals because the childminder gets to know them very well. She has a very good understanding of their food preferences, allergies and aptitudes, and gets to know their families well. The children demonstrate their acceptance and enjoyment of the diversity in British culture by engaging in activities which promote equal opportunities. Their Chinese dragon breathes fire at the smoke detector and they enjoy trying out the chop sticks when they have their Chinese New Year banquet. The children are relaxed, confident and generally behave very well; this is because the childminder has a good understanding of the importance of self-esteem. The

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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 children play well together and develop positive relationships, even when there is a very wide age-range of children attending during the school holidays. They all sing the "tidy up song" as they help. The childminder works well with parents and relationships are positive; this helps the children to feel settled. She provides parents with good information about the care. She chats to the parents daily and a shared daily diary informs parents on the younger children's care routines and activities. Parents also contribute to the diary when issues occur at home. This promotes a professional approach to childminding and ensures that important information about the younger children is not missed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children benefit from childminder's approach to her professional development; her rolling programme of short courses complements her qualification in childcare. For example the children are confident, self assured and behave well because the childminder has attended training on the importance of self-esteem. The children are able to help themselves from the resources in the well organised childminding environment. The displays of children's art work and photographs in the playroom add to the child-friendly atmosphere and help the children to feel settled. Although there have been no changes to the childminder's household since she registered in 1993 there remains a degree of confusion regarding their roles; the childminder is now considering involving the adult daughters in the childcare arrangements. Information about the children is well organised which means that the

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Organisation

childminder is easily able to locate important details should she need to. The written information for parents is similarly clear and informative. Overall the needs of all the children attending are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were raised relating to the children's safety. The exit doors now have twist type locks, which makes any emergency evacuation easier and swifter. The single glazed door has now been replaced with a toughened safety glass unit. This improves the children's safety. A further recommendation related to the status of the childminder's grown up children, there is still a degree of confusion around this but it is in the process of being addressed.

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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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Complaints 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

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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 increase the children understanding of how to keep themselves safe by practising the fire drill at regular intervals • ensure that the Area Child Protection Committee Guidelines are easily accessible • ensure that Ofsted is notified of all family members and their roles in relation to the childcare.

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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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