Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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225869 Unique Reference Number 17 May 2006 Inspection date Sarah Measures 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 registered in 1996. She lives with her two children aged 14 and 11 years in Fleckney, Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house with the exception of the dining room and utility is used for minding. There is a secure garden used for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She currently cares for six children, with varied part time arrangements. Two children cared for are under five years old . The childminder walks to take and collect children to and from local schools. The family has a pet dog. The childminder visits the local toddler group on a regular basis.

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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 cared for in a clean home. They learn simple good health and hygiene practices from an early age as they are in the habit of washing their hands after having their nappies changed. Children benefit from regular outdoor exercise as they walk to school daily and go on walks within the local area. They develop physical skills as a range of appropriate equipment is available for them to play with in the childminder's garden. Children's welfare is appropriately promoted. This is because the childminder keeps a written record of accidents to share with parents and has written consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are nourished as balanced meals are provided. For example the childminder provides a cold lunch of sandwiches with salad or a cooked lunch with meat, potatoes and vegetables. Children make healthy choices and fruit is offered with meals and for snacks. Children's dietary and health needs are met because the childminder works with parents to ensure she has an adequate understanding of their requirements. The needs of babies and young children are sufficiently met as the childminder provides them with regular drinks and changes their nappies regularly.

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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 welcoming and secure indoor and outdoor environment. Children's safety is promoted as the childminder has risk assessed the premises to ensure hazards are inaccessible. For example cleaning materials, sharp knives and medicines are stored out of reach or in locked cupboards in the kitchen. However children's safety when using the trampoline in the garden is not ensured, as it is not fitted with the appropriate safety equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Older school aged children are protected in the event of a fire, as they have recently practised a fire escape. Young children are sufficiently safe when walking out of the home, as the childminder takes care to use reins or keep walking children close by, holding on to the buggy. Suitable arrangements are not always in place for sleeping children who routinely sleep outside in the garden, even in the winter unless the weather is particularly cold. Safe provision for children when they are eating is not available as the chairs currently used are not appropriate to their needs and are not sufficiently secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with an appropriate range of toys and games and there is some suitable equipment to support the needs of very young children. Children are protected as the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of her role in child protection and has recently completed training in this area.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and at home in the setting, as they have good relationships with the childminder. Young children's emotional needs are met and they readily approach the childminder for cuddles and take books to her to share together. Young children develop independence and the will to explore as they choose freely from an appropriate range of toys and resources that are easily accessible within their play environment. Children enjoy the social opportunities and activities that the childminder provides out of the home. For example they regularly visit the local toddler group and the library.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's learning is appropriately encouraged as the childminder interacts with them counting and reinforcing new language as they play. Children learn to appreciate their natural surroundings from a young age. For example, they go on walks to feed the ducks, listen to the birds in the garden and look out for the squirrel in the garden. Young children enjoy creative activities that are provided at the toddler group they attend. They benefit from more varied creative opportunities offered during school holidays when older children also are present.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for by the childminder who works with parents to meet children's individual needs and to ensure they are included within the life of the setting. Children learn to value those who are different from themselves as a suitable range of toys and books that reflect diversity are included within their play environment. For example the childminder uses the local library to ensure a variety of different books are available and different cultural resources are included within the dressing up clothes and pretend cooking utensils. The childminder has an understanding of the relevant issues to consider if asked to care for a child who special educational needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn patterns of good behaviour as the childminder uses some suitable methods to manage unwanted behaviour. For example children learn clear boundaries from a young age and distraction methods are used for younger children. However, children's self-esteem is not sufficiently nurtured as developmentally appropriate methods that reinforce positive behaviour are not always used.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are protected as the childminder has written contracts with parents that clearly detail business arrangements. Continuity of children's care is encouraged as the childminder has friendly relationships with parents enabling appropriate daily discussions to take place.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Policies and procedures generally work in practice to ensure children's welfare and ability to take part in the setting. The childminder has been minding for several years, giving her valuable experiences to help care for children. Children are not fully protected in the event of an accident

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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 as the childminder's qualification in first aid has expired and she has not booked on a new course to ensure her knowledge is kept up to date.

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Organisation

Children feel secure as routines are well established. They feel welcome as toys are organised so that they are easily accessible. The premises are organised to meet children's needs appropriately. Children's welfare is promoted as appropriate systems for keeping records are in place. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to; keep a written record of medicines given to children, ensure that toys and activities are organised to meet the needs of children of differing ages and stages of development, ensure that children can access resources freely, ensure sufficient resources are provided for children of six years and above, ensure that children cannot leave the premises unsupervised and develop an understanding of child protection issues. The childminder now maintains appropriate medication records in order to ensure children's welfare. She has obtained further resources to ensure an appropriate range is available to all children. The childminder has completed a distance learning pack in order to improve her knowledge of child protection issues and to ensure children are appropriately protected. The fence in the garden is now repaired and children are not able to leave the premises unsupervised.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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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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): • promote safety within the provision by making sure appropriate arrangements are in place to protect children when sleeping and eating • make sure that children are able to play outside safety, with regard to ensuring the trampoline is safe for children to use or is made inaccessible to children • ensure the management of children's behaviour is developmentally appropriate and respects the individual's level of understanding and maturity

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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 • complete first aid training, that includes training for infants and young children.

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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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