Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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226610 Unique Reference Number 04 July 2006 Inspection date Sally Elizabeth Lee 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 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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her husband and child aged 11 years. They live in a semi-detached house in South Wigston, Leicestershire, which is within walking distance of shops and a park. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding, together with the first floor bathroom, and there is a fully enclosed garden 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 and is currently minding three children under five on a part time basis, as well as a number of children who attend before and after school. The childminder attends the local toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has an appropriate early years qualification, is a member of the National Childminding Association and is a Network Childminder.

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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 cared for in a clean and healthy environment where they learn good hygiene procedures from discussion and from the good example set by the childminder. They learn about the importance of washing hands before eating and after using the toilet. The childminder provides attractive liquid soap to encourage the children to wash and each child has their own named hairbrush.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are nourished by the healthy and nutritious snacks provided by the childminder. She encourages them to make healthy choices and talks to them about what contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Children are provided with drinks throughout day. The childminder seeks information about the children's individual dietary needs as well as their likes and dislikes through discussion with parents and children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the outdoor activities in the garden and local park. They develop their physical skills on the climbing frames, swings and slides in the park and enjoy running egg and spoon races in the garden. Younger children have regular opportunities to develop their physical skills during weekly trips to local toddler groups.

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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 warm and comfortable family home. They are relaxed and settled in the welcoming environment where they have opportunities play and have their care needs met. The ground floor toilet helps them to develop independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit because the premises are safe and secure and the childminder recognises risks and is able to minimise them. Although the cupboard containing cleaning materials is locked, the key is not always removed, and this has the potential to put children at risk. All the appropriate safety equipment is in place, for example, safety gates and smoke alarms, and the childminder discusses and practices the fire evacuation procedure with the children. Children learn about keeping themselves safe outside the home by talking about how to cross road safely and by colouring in sheets to help demonstrate this. In addition they learn not to talk to strangers and to stay close to the childminder while outside the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to choose from a good range of toys and resources which is enhanced by regular use of the toy library. The childminder checks the equipment regularly to ensure it is safe and clean and ensures any new resources purchased meet all necessary health and safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further protected by the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures.

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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 good. Children are relaxed and happy in the childminder's home. They are confident and relate well to each other and to the childminder. They are able to develop independence both in their self care and in their ability to access and ask for toys and resources. The childminder is sensitive to their needs, for example, she warns them before they are due to be picked up, or they have to go out, to ensure they are prepared.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in a wide range of activities during the time they are with the childminder. They particularly enjoy the art and craft activities and have regular opportunities to paint, cut, and glue. They make cards for celebrations and like to make cakes and biscuits. They have requested that they make their own pizzas during the holidays. The childminder uses her knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' training framework as well as 'Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage' to provide a wide range of stimulating activities for the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond well to the childminder's cheerful and interested manner. She listens to the children, asks them questions and is sensitive to their individual needs. Interaction between the childminder and the children is good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected and their individual needs are met well. The childminder discusses routines, likes and dislikes with the children and their parents before they start, as well as on an on-going basis, to ensure children are happy and settled in her care. She has undertaken specific training to help her to meet the needs of any children who attend who may have special needs. The childminder has experience of caring for children from different cultures and she ensures all children have a wide range of resources available to them which promote diversity through positive images of ethnicity, culture, gender and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to share and to respect and care for each other. They are polite with adults and with each other, remembering to say 'please' and 'thank you'. They benefit from the clear and consistent boundaries set by the childminder and her positive approach to managing behaviour. She tries hard always to be positive with the children and to use praise appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from consistent care because the childminder works closely with parents and has developed good relationships with them. They value the daily verbal feedback she gives to them as well as the photographs and examples of the children's art work which they take home.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to improving her practice through training and development. She has completed an appropriate child care qualification and attends many

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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 short courses and workshops. Her home is well organised to meet the needs of the children and to develop their independence.

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Organisation

All the necessary documentation is kept in an efficient and confidential manner and it is updated regularly. Information is shared with parents regularly, and written policies have been drawn up to ensure parents are well informed about their children's care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to complete a first aid course and children are now protected because a course has been successfully completed.

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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 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): • take steps to minimise hazards by ensuring the cleaning materials are made inaccessible

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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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