Childminder in Derby

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 205921 Inspection date 13 March 2006 Inspector Justine Ellaway

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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 was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and two children aged ten and seventeen years in Derby. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five at various times during the day and five children over five before and after school at various times. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a guinea pig.

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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 The childminder is a member of the Derby City Childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is promoted and the risk of cross infection minimised as the childminder has a clear written policy on the exclusion of children who are ill. Children are consistently encouraged to wash their hands to promote good hygiene. They receive appropriate care if they are ill to ensure they are comfortable. The childminder has an up to date first aid qualification and has sought additional permissions from parents for the use of first aid items, to ensure children receive the most appropriate treatment in an accident. Permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice has been requested for all children, to ensure their individual health needs are met in the event of an emergency. Children are well nourished, they enjoy healthy home made meals. Snack is healthy and includes a choice of fruit. Children's social skills are developed as they sit together at meal times. Children's health and dietary needs are met well because the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder gathers information from parents regarding any specific needs and plans the weekly menu around them. Younger children's individual feeding and changing routines are known and respected to promote contentment and ensure they feel secure. Children enjoy regular opportunities for physical activity including playing in the garden and going to the park. Children also enjoy playing with equipment indoors, for example, a tent and tunnel and going on outings during the warmer weather. As a result children's physical needs are met well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming and attractive environment, where they have free access in the lounge and dining room which promotes their independence. Space is well organised so that free play with the toys and an activity, for example, messy play run in conjunction so children can move between both when they choose to. Children can freely access the toys and resources which develops their independence. The toys and equipment are in very good condition, which means that children can play safely. Children develop a sense of ownership as they help to tidy away the toys. All risks and hazards have been minimised indoors so that children are kept safe. For example, a fire guard is in place and all hazardous items are out of reach of children in the kitchen. Children's safety is promoted when they are collected as the childminder only releases children to parents and carers she is expecting. Effective

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedures ensure children's safety when they are out and about. The childminder makes sure they are always close by when they are walking. Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about 'stranger

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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 danger' and 'road safety'. Children play safely in the garden as it is child friendly and fully enclosed. The childminder has carefully considered procedures for lost or uncollected children and devised clear written information which she shares with parents. The childminder has a large trampoline, which children play on safely as she supervises them at all times, although she has not requested parental permission. Children’s safety and welfare is fully promoted because the childminder clearly understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. She has recently completed training on child protection and has additional information, including a dvd from Derby City Early Years Childcare and Development Partnership.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are eager to spend time at the childminder's and become engrossed in play for long periods of time. They enjoy constant interaction and questioning from the childminder which encourages thinking and learning. Children are eager to talk about what they are doing. Children are able to freely access the attractive and age appropriate range of toys and do so enthusiastically and independently, promoting their decision making skills. A varied and interesting range of activities provides enjoyment and stimulates children's learning. The childminder makes good use of everyday routines to enable children to learn, for example, counting as they walk to school. A sound understanding of each child's stage of progress, along with the childminder's good understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, means that activities and play opportunities build on what children can already do and provide appropriate

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

challenge. Children can regularly participate in messy activities, for example, playing with spaghetti and painting to develop their fine motor skills. Children develop a good understanding of right and wrong and listen carefully to instructions. They relate very well to the childminder and each other and are confident in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met well because the childminder has regular communication with parents. She uses a diary where information is recorded on what children have been doing, as well as any changing needs or changes to routine. Parents have access to a comprehensive information folder to ensure that consistency of care is maintained. The effective partnership with parents helps children to feel settled and secure. Children develop a sense of belonging because the childminder talks to them about things that are familiar to them and displays their work. Children receive a good level of support to enable them to feel comfortable and safe. Children with special needs receive appropriate care, as the childminder has a sound understanding of the issues and shares a clear written statement with parents.

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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 very well together and have a good relationship with the childminder and each other. They share the toys and resources and show consideration for others. Good use of praise and encouragement fosters their self-esteem. The childminder has devised both a statement on the 'house rules' and a clear and informative behaviour management policy, which she shares with both children and parents. As a result children know what is expected of them and what the boundaries are. Children are able to make choices and take decisions about what they do, for example, what they play with which promotes their independence and decision making. Children learn about the wider society through an appropriate range of toys and resources.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by the childminder who has a sound knowledge and understanding of child development. The childminder has a commitment to improving her knowledge and skills. She is a member of the Derby City Childminding Network. She has attended several training courses including 'Dance and Creative Movement' and 'Visual Arts'. This positively impacts on the care provided for children, ensuring that a wide variety of activities are available. Children are happy and secure and have a good relationship with the childminder. Children are comfortable and settled in the welcoming environment. Good organisation of the environment and resources means that children have lots of choice and can move around freely. They enjoy lots of interaction and support whilst they play. A well organised, informative folder including written policies and procedures promotes children's health, safety, enjoyment, and achievement. All of the required

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Organisation

permissions and information is recorded to ensure children receive appropriate care. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that details of self, persons living or employed on the premises and those in regular contact with children looked after are maintained. There have been no changes to persons living or working on the premises, therefore children's safety is not compromised. A clear and detailed fire evacuation procedure has been devised and this is practised regularly so that children know to keep calm in the event of an emergency. Written permission is obtained prior to administering medication, to ensure children's health needs are met when they are ill. The childminder has systems in place to record any child protection concerns, to promote children's welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The

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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 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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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): • seek permission for children to play on the large trampoline in the garden.

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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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