Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY231499 Unique Reference Number 28 April 2006 Inspection date Kathryn Margaret Clayton Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 satisfactory. 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 first registered in January 2003. She lives with her adult son in central Cleethorpes. She is registered to look after six children under the age of eight years during the day and two children overnight. Currently two children attend on a part-time basis throughout the week. Minded children have access to the play room, living room, bathroom and one upstairs bedroom for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She uses local facilities including parks and the beach.

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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 satisfactory. Children are comfortable and at ease in the care of the childminder. They have the opportunity to rest and sleep in the quiet sitting room away from the main playroom. The childminder works closely with parents to make sure children who stay overnight settle easily and are comfortable. They benefit from being cared for in a suitably clean home, where the childminder encourages them to learn about personal hygiene routines such as washing their hands after going to the toilet. All children attending are protected because the childminder does not care for children when they are ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a suitable level of activity when in the care of the childminder. The childminder makes sure they have regular visits to the local park, to the beach and sea front and walks around the area. Children benefit from a flexible approach to the provision of meals and snacks. Although normally parents provide packed lunches the childminder is willing to ensure children have a healthy and nutritious cooked meal at tea time if they are present. Meals provided include chicken dinners with fresh vegetables. Children have the opportunity to eat healthy snacks, for example, fresh fruit and they have access to regular drinks of water and milk during the day. Children's welfare is suitably maintained because the childminder is aware of how to keep medication and accident records correctly, however, she has not completed a current first aid course and therefore her knowledge may not be up-to-date.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a tidy, suitably maintained home with a designated playroom where they have good access to toys and equipment. Children confidently select items such as puzzles and games. They remain safe indoors because the childminder maintains close supervision at all times and has appropriate measures in place to minimise risks, such as, fire guards, a stair gate, and locks on kitchen cupboards. The childminder makes sure children learn about some aspects of keeping themselves safe. For example, children are involved in the emergency evacuation of the premises. However, evacuation from the first-floor of the premises has not been fully considered in the written plan.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children start to learn about safety on the roads when walking with the childminder. She maintains close and safe supervision that is appropriate to their age. Children are protected because the childminder maintains a suitable awareness of her responsibility with regard to child protection and being aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse. However, should there be any concerns, relevant Ofsted and Social Services contact numbers are not readily available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a stable routine in the care of the childminder with access to appropriate activities that are of interest to them. For example, they enjoy completing puzzles and games, listening

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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 to nursery rhymes and stories. Older children particularly enjoy craft activities such as making a racing track. The childminder makes sure babies are safe and receive suitable stimulating activities when they attend, such as playing with musical toys. The childminder understands the importance of making sure babies and young children's care needs are met during the day and overnight, therefore they are more likely to be comfortable and happy to attend. Children benefit from spending some time away from the home every day, for example, when going on local walks, and they enjoy appropriate opportunities to socialise with other children during the week. The childminder understands the importance of talking to babies and young children and being involved at their level to support their play and learning. Children attending are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

confident in the care of the childminder and spend some time playing independently.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a respectful atmosphere where they are treated as individuals. They learn good values from the childminder who is calm, polite and friendly at all times. The achievements of all children who attend are recognised and acknowledged by the childminder. This positive attitude helps children to learn how to behave well and be confident in her care. Children are very clear about what they would like to do and receive appropriate praise and encouragement from the childminder, for example, when playing a board game. Children are less likely to develop a positive image of diversity as the range of toys, play materials and other resources to promote this understanding are limited. Parents receive a warm welcome in the childminder's home. Children are more likely to settle easily into the care of the childminder and be happy to stay overnight as the childminder makes sure she has appropriate discussions

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Helping children make a positive contribution

with parents to find out about children's routines. Parents are kept fully informed about their child's time with the childminder and are made aware of how to make a complaint should they wish to.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at ease in the childminder's home which is appropriately organised to make the best use of the space indoors. Children confidently access the two ground floor rooms and they have places to eat, rest and play. Children who stay overnight use a room that is close to the childminder, and therefore they are within her hearing at all times. However, the garden space is not regularly used by minded children. The childminder makes suitable use of her time in the best interests of the children to make sure their needs are met, for example, at meal times. All of the necessary documentation needed to successfully care for the children is readily available and confidentially maintained. The childminder makes sure she works within the conditions of the registration at all times. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The safety of children has improved since the last inspection as a high lock has been fitted to the rear garden gate and the childminder now has parental permission to administer first aid.

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Improvements 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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Complaints since the last inspection

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. There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since April 2004.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • complete current training in first aid for infants and young children • include evacuation from the first floor in the emergency escape plan • ensure social services and Ofsted contact details are readily available • improve the provision of resources that promote a positive image of diversity.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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