Inspection report for early years provision
Inspection date
23 August 2006Inspector
Susan HoultType of inspection
ChildcareType of care
ChildmindingABOUT 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.
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.THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE
On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection: The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.
WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?
The childminder has been registered since 2006. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 7 and 21 months in the Brant Road area of Lincoln, Lincolnshire. There are schools, a nursery, a pre-school, shops and parks within walking distance. The whole house is available for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a pet dog. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and currently looks after one child on a part- time basis.
The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends local childminder group meetings.THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION
Helping children to be healthy
The provision is good.
Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Good arrangements are in place to protect children from the spread of infection by preventing cross contamination. For example, the childminder uses anti-bacterial spray to clean surfaces before children eat and talks to children about why and when they need to wash their hands. Children's health is generally well promoted by the childminder who has a current first aid certificate and has clear procedures in place should a child become ill. However, written permission has not been obtained from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment should the need arise. Children's emotional well-being develops through the warm relationships they have with the childminder. Children enjoy regular physical activities in the garden throughout the year which provide good opportunities for play and healthy development. The garden is divided into three areas to give children the opportunity to develop a variety of skills in safety.
There is a concrete surface suitable for activities such as pedal and push along toys, ball and running games. Children use the decked area for quieter play and an enclosed bark covered area to use a variety of equipment such as a small climbing frame, slides, rocking toys, a small trampoline, skipping ropes and enjoy free play in the well equipped, raised play house. Children dance and move to music indoors, make regular visits to the park and occasional visits to a soft play area which further develop their large muscle skills and body control. Children are well nourished because the childminder promotes healthy eating. She liaises closely with parents to ensure she meets children's individual dietary requirements, likes and dislikes. Children enjoy a variety of nutritious meals and snacks. They have ready access to drinks to ensure they do not become thirsty. Children are developing good manners and social skills as they sit at the table and enjoy eating snacks and meals together with the childminder.
Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safeThe provision is good.
Children feel secure in the well-maintained environment where they have space to enjoy different activities at the same time. The childminder is vigilant and minimises hazards to ensure children's safety and protect them from harm and fire drills are practised monthly. Children are always in sight or hearing of the childminder. This means they are able to move around independently which increases their confidence. Sleeping babies and children are checked regularly to ensure their safety. The childminder makes sure children keep safe when going on walks and
outings by reminding them of what is expected, reinforcing road safety and using appropriate restraints when using the car.Children learn to keep themselves and others safe through the childminder effectively and sensitively reinforcing safe practices and helping them understand what the consequences of their actions may be. For instance, she reminds children how to carry scissors safely so that they do not hurt themselves or others. Children are able to freely select from the good range of well-maintained, good quality toys, books and play materials suitable for their ages and stages of development in the lounge/diner. There is a comfortable area in the hall where children spend time looking at the wide range of books invitingly arranged to encourage free choice. Children are well protected and their welfare safeguarded because the childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of possible signs and symptoms of abuse and who to report any concerns to. She makes sure she knows who is allowed to pick up individual children and carries parents' contact numbers with her at all times.
Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do
The provision is good.
Children are happy, confident and settled in the childminder's comfortable home. The childminder is enthusiastic and has a good understanding of child development and how children learn through play which enables her to plan offer purposeful activities and play opportunities for children. She uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework when she plans activities for babies and young children. She ensures she gives older children a broad range of activities that hold their interest whilst they develop existing skills and learn new ones. Children initiate much of their play as resources are easily accessible; this promotes their awareness of positive choices and increases their confidence and learning. Children develop their imaginative, investigative and creative skills through activities such as pretend play, painting, sand hand-printing, construction using a variety of materials, potato printing, play dough, junk modelling and cutting and sticking using a variety of man-made and natural resources. Children excitedly talk about the pizzas and currant buns they recently made and describe in detail how they make coloured popcorn bracelets. The childminder effectively includes all children in play and prompts their thinking and language skills well by asking appropriate questions. She has a flexible approach which allows children to develop at their own pace. Children relate well to the childminder and are interested in the toys and activities provided. Children concentrate well whilst making birthday cards for relatives. They decorate them carefully with a wide range of materials including 'googly eyes', foam hearts, pipe cleaners, coloured cotton wool, foil shapes and small, three-dimensional butterfly shapes. To add to the fun they have a choice of different glues and scissors with patterned cutting edges to use. Once the cards are completed the childminder shows the children how to make boxes out of paper which they then decorate. The children are proud of their achievements and happily receive positive comments and praise from the childminder.
Helping children make a positive contribution
The provision is good.
Children's individual needs are well respected and catered for by the childminder who has a good understanding of equal opportunities which is reflected in her written policy. Children's self-esteem is raised through the childminder knowing them well and promoting their achievements. As well as taking art work home they choose what they would like to display within the childminder's home. This helps promote their sense of belonging. The childminder has a positive attitude to caring for children with special needs.
Children's behaviour is good and children know what is expected of them. They learn to care for, and respect each other through the childminder's effective use of praise, encouragement and explanation. Children learn about the wider world through access to a variety of activities, books and toys that promote positive images of diversity. They develop their knowledge and understanding of the local community through walks and visits to toddler groups, the library, the shops, activities with the childminder group. They also enjoy trips further afield, such as a farm park and an adventure park.
Children are cared for according to parent's wishes. Parents learn about what their children do each day through daily chats as well as daily diaries being used for babies and young children. The parents' portfolio is extremely well presented giving detailed information about the service the childminder offers. A gradual introduction and the opportunity to meet the childminder's family is offered to new children so that they settle happily.
Organisation
The organisation is good.
The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of children and is a good role model. She listens to them, is interested in what they say and do and is sensitive to their feelings which helps raise their self-esteem. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of child development and how children learn. Their care is enhanced by the effective organisation of the space available in the house and the happy, homely, stimulating atmosphere created by the childminder. Children choose activities freely and have space for active play, relaxation and sleep as needed. The childminder keeps up to date with current trends in childcare through being a member of the local childminder group and attending relevant training.
Documentation is organised well and includes comprehensive written policies and procedures, copies of which are given to parents. This provides a good framework for children's care.
Overall children's needs are met.
Improvements since the last inspection
Not applicable.
Complaints since the last inspection
There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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.
THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE
On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:
The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.
WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?
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):
•
request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.Any complaints about the inspection or the report should be made following the 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