Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY269519 Unique Reference Number 04 May 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 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 years and 11 years old. They live in a house in Blaby in Leicestershire. She uses the ground floor of the house for childminding and the first floor bathroom. There is an enclosed rear garden suitable for outdoor play. There are local amenities within walking distance such as schools, playgroups, toddler groups, a village centre and parks. The family has four cats and four budgerigars.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an appropriately clean and tidy family home. They learn about the importance of good hygiene procedures because the childminder makes sure they wash or wipe

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 their hands before they eat and after using the toilet. They benefit because the childminder has attended a first aid course, although she does not always replace the contents of the first aid box after use. There is a sound procedure in place to record medication, but the accident record lacks necessary detail and is not recorded confidentially. These weaknesses compromise children's health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are nourished by the meals provided by the childminder who offers breakfast, a cooked midday meal and afternoon tea. Children are encouraged to try a range of foods but they are offered crisps and chocolate regularly and fresh vegetables only occasionally which has the potential to adversely affect children's health. The childminder works closely with parents, recording any special dietary needs before care begins.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical activity in the local park and garden where they have opportunities to play on the wheeled toys and trampoline. They walk to school and to the shops, as well as on trips to feed the ducks.

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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 generally safe and secure family home. They are happy and settled and there is sufficient space for their care needs to be met. However, the litter tray in the kitchen and some electric sockets are accessible to children consequently children are not fully protected. Other safety precautions are in place such as fireguards, safety gates and cupboard locks. The rear garden provides a safe and secure area for outdoor play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to use a sound range of resources and play materials which are checked regularly for safety and hygiene. They learn about keeping themselves safe outside the home because the childminder teaches them to cross roads safely using the 'green cross code', while younger children are either in pushchairs or have reins or wrist straps to keep them safe. Children occasionally travel in the childminder's car and the appropriate insurance is in place to cover this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further protected because the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are relaxed and happy in the childminder's home. They relate well to the childminder and to her family and they are settled and secure in the daily routines. The childminder is warm and loving with the children. She talks to and plays with them while she carries out necessary care tasks, nappy changing and feeding for example.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

After school, older children enjoy watching television and playing on the Playstation, as well as more active games in the garden. At the moment they particularly enjoy playing chase games in the garden, letting off steam after school. They like to listen to their music and make up dances and imaginary games. The younger children enjoy joining in with these activities and

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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 the children play harmoniously together. During school holidays children have more time for craft activities, jigsaws and board games.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have their individual needs met because the childminder works closely with parents, recording children's needs, likes, and dislikes before care begins. She takes time to talk to the parents every day to tell them about their child's care and achievements. Children benefit because the childminder is sensitive to the needs of the different age groups and tries hard to meet those needs. She has no experience of caring for children with special needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to understand the difference between right and wrong because of the sound management of behaviour. They learn to take turns and to listen to each other. The childminder values good manners and the children learn to say 'please' and 'thank you' and to eat together at the table.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have few opportunities to learn about wider society because the range of resources which promote positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability are limited. This has the potential to restrict their knowledge and understanding in this area.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home where space is well organised to allow them access to all types of play and to have their care needs met, for example, there is sufficient clear floor space for young children to play, crawl, and learn to walk by balancing on the furniture. Children sit at the table in the kitchen to eat and to take part in craft activities.

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Organisation

The childminder has fulfilled all the statutory training requirements and is interested in doing further training to develop her childminding practice. She keeps all the documentation necessary for her childminding business in a satisfactory manner. However, she had not ensured that persons over the age of 16 who are living in the household have had the necessary checks and this has the potential to put children at risk. Overall the setting 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 keep records relating to individual children, including consent to emergency medical treatment, and children and parents benefit because this she has done. She was also asked to attend a first aid course and to maintain the correct adult to child ratios. She has complied with this and children are now further protected.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since last the 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): • make sure the contents of the first aid box are replaced as necessary • keep an accurate, confidential record of any accidents • provide children with healthy and nutritious food choices • ensure any person over 16 living in the household submits to a vetting procedure which includes criminal records check • increase the range of resources promoting positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability • take positive steps to promote safety within the setting and proper precautions to prevent accidents; this refers to electric sockets and the cat litter tray.

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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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