Childminder in Leicester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 226789 Inspection date 29 March 2006 Inspector Lynn Morris

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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 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 was registered in 1991. She lives with 3 children aged 15, 12 and 9 years in Evington, Leicestershire. The whole ground floor and first floor bathroom of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children under 8 years at any one time and is currently caring for 1 under 5 during the day and 1 school aged child. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends a local parent and toddler group. The family has a dog.

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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 take part in activities, which contribute to their health. They use swings and slides at the local park and toys and equipment to develop fine motor skills at the local crèche. They dig and plant seeds and have access to an adequate range of physical equipment in the childminder's garden. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn about the importance of hygiene and personal care. They learn to wash their hands with liquid soap and have their own hand towels. Their health is safeguarded because the childminder has a current first aid certificate and a fully stocked first aid box. Children bring their own food to the childminder's home, which is stored in the childminder's fridge to reduce risk of contamination. However, the childminder does not currently have a fridge thermometer. They have fruit snacks and their own drinks are available at all times. Children's individual dietary needs are met by their parents.

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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 home where most risks have been identified and addressed. Although children are supervised, they can access the knife drawer in the kitchen and there are containers in the garden holding residual rainwater, which pose potential risks to children. They move around the home independently, using the playroom and secure garden for play activities and they play confidently with toys of satisfactory quality. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they use reins when out walking and they learn about road safety and how to cross the road safely. They practise emergency evacuation procedures from the premises with the childminder. Children's safety is adequately met through the childminder's procedures and documentation. For example, risks to children are reduced because the childminder makes daily checks of the premises to ensure that items used by her own family are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

removed before minded children arrive. Children are adequately protected from risk of harm or abuse by the childminder's secure knowledge of local procedures for safeguarding children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well in the childminders home and they make good relationships with the childminder. They socialise with other children during visits to a local parent and toddler group and they visit the library to choose books and listen to stories. They

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 benefit from learning and play opportunities in the home and through visits and outings, for example, to the park. Children become independent as they choose from a satisfactory range of toys, which are easily accessed in the playroom. They paint, use play dough and learn about colours and shapes during everyday activities. They use toys available to develop their emerging skills. For example, children confidently build towers with a range of bricks, supported by the childminder. They develop independence by choosing their own play materials.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about other cultures and special needs. They choose from a basic range of toys, which reflect positive images and they go out on visits, for example, to the local library to choose appropriate books, which help children develop a positive view of differences. Children are respected and valued and receive individual care according to their needs. They have equal access to a satisfactory range of resources. They receive praise and are told when they are good, which fosters their self-esteem. Children's information is exchanged with parents verbally and their progress is discussed at the end of the session. Any important information about children is written down and shared with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and happy in the childminder's home. They play in the back room downstairs, which is organised as a play room for children and they make use of the space and toys available in the garden. They make choices of play and use accessible toys and resources developing confidence and self-esteem. Information exchanged with parents helps to make sure that care meets their wishes and they know about their children's progress. Children benefit from the childminder's organisational skills with regards to routines, which include a satisfactory variety of activities to contribute to their learning and social skills. Children's records contribute to appropriate care and ensure provision for children's individual needs. They benefit from the childminder's attendance at a range of training courses to keep up to date with current information. Confidentiality is maintained and children's personal information is kept secure. Overall, the

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Organisation

childminder meets the needs of the children she cares for.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to provide a written record of administration of medication, provide written details of any dietary requirements and

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Improvements 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 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has devised all appropriate documentation to ensure that all required information is available and records are kept up to date. She was also asked to provide resources that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability and to provide and maintain smoke alarms on every level of the house. The childminder has obtained some basic resources to reflect equal opportunities, children attend the library to select books and smoke alarms have been added on every level of the home.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. 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): • ensure that sharp knives are inaccessible • ensure that any containers in the garden holding residual rainwater are inaccessible.

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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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