Childminder in North Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY315510 Inspection date 28 February 2006 Inspector Kathryn Margaret Clayton

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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 first registered in the September 2005. She is registered to look after three children under the age of eight years, and currently one child attends on a part-time basis. She lives with her husband, daughter aged 2 years and son aged 10 months, in the small town of Brigg. Minded children have access to the lounge-diner, hallway and kitchen on the ground floor and two bedrooms on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She takes children to the local toddler group and activity centre.

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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 happy and settled in the care of the childminder who offers them comfort and support during their time with her. She works closely with parents to make sure babies' feeding routines are met and offers older children healthy and nutritious home-cooked meals, such as shepherd's pie with fresh vegetables and snacks of fresh fruit during the day. A good level of activity is enjoyed by the children as the childminder regularly takes them to a local centre that provides opportunities for rigorous physical challenges for all ages. Visits to the local toddler group and access to a safe garden help children to start to learn the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Children are cared for in a very clean home, where the childminder is particularly vigilant about hygiene routines, for example, when changing babies' nappies. Good encouragement is offered in the form of attractive soap dispensers and wipes, as well

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Helping children to be healthy

as the appropriate equipment to support children when they start toilet training and learn about personal hygiene. Children's health and welfare is effectively promoted because the childminder maintains a current understanding of first aid procedures and the need to carefully record any accidents that occur.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminding home is very bright, attractive and welcoming and provides sufficient space for children to move around freely. Children have access to a wide range of quality toys and play materials within the lounge and young children and babies are supported by a good range of furniture and equipment, such as high and low chairs. This means that all children are able to sit in a group, for example, at mealtimes, and eat in a sociable manner. Children's safety is effectively maintained because the childminder offers excellent supervision at all times, appropriate to the age of the child. She carefully checks her home and equipment, for example, smoke alarms are tested on a weekly basis and children are involved in the evacuation of the premises every month. This helps them to start to learn about some aspects of maintaining their own safety. The childminder has all of the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, there is a comprehensive health and safety policy document available and the childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, at ease and settled in the care of the childminder. They enjoy a stable routine where their basic care needs, with regard to eating and sleeping, are

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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 effectively met by the childminder. Babies enjoy stimulating play opportunities, for example, exploring treasure baskets, musical books and toys, and playing on activity mats. Babies language development is effectively promoted because the childminder talks and interacts enthusiastically with them. Older children learn through play as the childminder provides appropriate challenges, for example, when playing with a stacking toy to name colours and shapes or when planting cress seeds. Children have access to good creative opportunities, such as sand and water play, dressing up and painting. They are encouraged to be independent, for example, when cutting a banana at snack time and making their own choices in play. Children benefit from very good opportunities to mix with others when they attend the local

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

toddler group and activity centre; this helps them to become more sociable and confident.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from being cared for in a friendly and respectful atmosphere where they are treated with equal regard according to their individual needs. The childminder is a good role model who remains calm when dealing with unacceptable behaviour. She understands about how to use appropriate strategies such as distraction and taking a child away from the situation. Praise and encouragement is given at appropriate times, for example, when children are kind to each other. This helps them to learn how to behave acceptably. The childminder makes sure all children receive good attention according to their individual needs. Children benefit because the childminder works closely with parents, is sensitive to their needs and keeps them well informed of their child's time with her through discussions and an informative daily journal. Parents also have access to very good information about the childminding service, as the childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

has produced a leaflet and good quality policy documents for parents to read. There are no systems in place to investigate, record or report on complaints made by parents relating to the national standards.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are well cared for as the childminder makes good use of time and organises her home appropriately, with different areas for eating, sleeping and playing, helping to meet the needs of the children who attend and giving her a clear overview of their play at all times. Children are encouraged to be independent in play whenever possible. The childminder has made a commitment to broaden her knowledge and skills in childcare by undertaking additional training and a qualification in Developing Childminding Practice. All documentation needed to promote the welfare of children is well-organised and readily available. The provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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

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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 are no complaints to report since registration.

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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): • devise and implement a system to record, investigate and report on complaints made by parents relating to the National Standards.

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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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