Childminder in LeicesterOfsted inspection, 28 Mar 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 226645 Inspection date 28 March 2006 Inspector Sharon Waterfall

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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 has been registered since 1993. She lives her two children in a terrace premises in the Newfoundpool area of Leicester City. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding, as is one of the children's bedrooms on occasion. She is registered to provide care for 6 children under 8 years and at present the childminder cares for up to six children aged from 8 months to 8 years of age throughout the week. The family have pet fish and hamsters. The childminder takes and collects children

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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 from local schools and nurseries.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy as the childminder understands and follows appropriate hygiene guidance. Policies and procedures are very well implemented overall to support children's health and welfare. The children learn about the importance of personal hygiene through discussions and positive daily routines. They are supported in washing their hands, with discussions regarding why hot water and soap are used. Children are protected from the spread of infection as the childminder understands simple, good health and hygiene procedures. Children are well nourished during the day and receive adequate quantities of food for their needs. Individual children's needs and parental preferences are catered for, with some children having either lighter meals or cooked lunches due to hours of attendance and family routines. Meals are nutritious as the children are encouraged to try different fruits and vegetables, aiding them in learning about healthy foods.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children also benefit from regular physical exercise with opportunities to practise climbing and balancing at a weekly Gym Tots group. The children spend time outdoors in local parks, playing football, crazy golf and feeding the ducks. Hand-eye coordination is developed through many activities within the home including construction, craft and card games.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children enter premises easily and are confident in their relationships with the childminder. During their play they move freely to and from the different play areas, accessing their own toys independently. The resources are age and stage appropriate for the children and help them to develop in all areas. The space is organised to provide a good amount of available play space and enables the children to play together or independently, making the most of their choices and opportunities. Many hazards in the home have been identified and minimised, though some remain. Hazardous liquids in the bathroom and accessible razors limit children's overall safety within the premises. The children are involved in keeping themselves safe and are helped to avoid accidental injury, as they discuss road safety and older children are aware of the correct evacuation from the house in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from abuse and neglect as the childminder has a basic knowledge of child protection issues. She is aware of her duty to protect children and understands the correct procedures for reporting concerns.

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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. The broad range of interesting and challenging activities and experiences, enable children to make good progress in all areas of development. The children play a game of pairs and have to remember where they have seen the picture before, this aids their concentration skills, memory and basic mathematic concepts of matching. This activity also enhances children's language development as they find out new words relating to the pictures and talk about what they see. The children relate very well to each other and their interaction is very positive and inclusive. They socialise with other children through regular trips to local toddler groups and community visits such as visiting the library. Children become independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities, which are age appropriate. All children spend their time purposefully and are fully engaged within the activities and play delightfully together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is lots of laughter and good humour used between the children and the childminder. Children's confidence is enhanced by the childminder's positive responses to them and their requests. Young children use their imaginations as they engage in small world play, developing very basic ideas for story plots and re-enact familiar events such as going on car journeys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children show great concern and respect for one another. A very young child fetches a toy for another child to play with and another moves out of the way to let a child up to the table. The children are encouraged to continue these kind acts as they are well praised for their kindness and consideration. Children of varying ages interact well together, behave well and are learning about turn taking and sharing. They respond well to the positive reminders and are encouraged to become independent. Children's individuality is respected and valued as the childminder gives direct time and attention to all the children in her care. They are all included within games and activities, with resources meeting the varying ages of the children and their needs. The children are becoming aware of the wider society as they access a range of resources that promote positive images of diversity within the community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Information is shared with parents regarding the children on a daily basis. Initially time is taken to discuss all aspects of children's care to ensure both parties are fully aware of the expectations of the partnership. This ensures consistent care for the children.

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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 The organisation is satisfactory. Although the childminder has a majority of the relevant written documentation in place, some have been misplaced and others not completed with individual details. Also vetting procedures need to be completed within immediate timescales. The organisation has some limitations in it's effectiveness in supporting children's welfare, play and learning. The environment is child centred and has a warm and welcoming feel for all children. They are able to confidently explore and investigate their familiar surroundings and feel at ease within them. Therefore, children are proactive in their own learning and benefit from the range of activities, experiences and resources provided by the childminder. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to complete recommendations that improved children's overall care and welfare. They were to develop her understanding of area child protection committee guidelines, ensure children accessed a range of resources that promote positive images of culture and disability and to ensure the name of any medication administered is recorded. The childminder has sufficiently completed these recommendations. She has obtained literature regarding area child protection committee guidelines and how to report concerns, supporting children's welfare. The children have access to a range of resources in books and small world toys that reflect positively many cultures. The childminder also uses the library to supplement these resources, enabling children to begin to respect the diversity in the community. The medication procedure is recorded with the name of the medication administered supporting children's overall

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1st 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

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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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): • improve safety issues by making hazardous liquids in the bathroom inaccessible to children and ensuring razors in the bathroom are out of children's reach • ensure all relevant permissions and details are held for all children cared for and that vetting procedures are completed within relevant timescales.

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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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