Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY259353 Unique Reference Number 12 June 2006 Inspection date Gyatri Rupal 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 has been registered since June 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 7 and 11 years in Luton, Bedfordshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding five children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 and well-maintained environment. They participate in various activities which help them to stay healthy. They enjoy an appropriate range of indoor and outdoor activities which contribute to the development of their physical skills. For example, they play in the garden using a range of outdoor play equipment, go for walks to the local park, and visit mini-nastics regularly where they use large play equipment. Children are beginning to learn about the importance of simple good hygiene through their daily routines. They wash their hands after playing outside and before eating their meals. However, the childminder uses the same nappy changing mat for all children without wiping it in between turns, which increases the risk of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s well-being is generally promoted as the childminder makes sure most of the required documentation is in place. However, the childminder does not hold a valid first-aid certificate and the parents’ written permission for emergency medication treatment is not in place, which can delay the child in receiving urgent medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet as the childminder provides nutritious home-cooked meals and snacks. The childminder respects the dietary requirements of each child and accommodates these when planning meals and snacks for the children. Younger children are developing their confidence by feeding themselves with a spoon. They help themselves to drinks throughout the day. Children are learning about a healthy life style through daily activities and discussions with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel secure as they are cared for in a welcoming environment where risks are generally identified and minimised to keep them safe. A number of suitable safety measures are in place, such as a secure entrance door, a safety gate at the bottom of the staircase and electric safety sockets. The childminder carefully monitors toys and equipment to ensure the child’s safety. She allows the children space to play and supervises or joins in with their play. However, the risk assessment has not been carried out effectively as children can access wine bottles in the dining room, the ladder on the first floor and they can reach the toaster’s cable in the kitchen, all these compromise the children’s safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning to keep themselves safe through discussions and they adhere to house rules. For example, they know not to climb onto furniture and not to run around in the house as they might fall. They learn they must not touch strange dogs when walking in the parks as dogs might bite them. They learn about the Green Cross Code when they cross the road. Children are protected from harm due to the childminder’s clear understanding of child protection procedures and her duty to protect children in her care.

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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 settled and happy in the welcoming environment. They develop confidence as they initiate their own play and explore an easily accessible and wide range of play resources. The childminder organises a daily routine to meet the individual child’s needs. She organises a good range of activities for children to keep themselves busy and develop their learning. Children enjoy taking part in purposeful and stimulating activities. They use their own initiative when taking part in activities such as using their imagination when painting, playing with play dough, building their own train track and preparing lunch when playing with imaginative play equipment. The childminder plans inspired activities in which younger children can be involved. For example, older children design their own father’s day cards and younger children make the cards with their little hands and foot prints.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A close and caring relationship increases the children’s sense of trust and helps them develop a strong sense of self-esteem. Early communication skills are well supported through the childminder's good quality interaction. For example, children learn new words when reading books. They also regularly visit mini musicians where they learn to sing songs which help them develop their language. Children are developing their mathematical thinking within their daily activities. They count steps when going upstairs, sing number songs and talk about the colours around them. Older children enjoy a wide range of activities such as listening and moving to music and making models using a good variety of art-craft material. This contributes to their creativity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are well met as the childminder works closely with the parents to ensure she follows their home routine. The childminder is proactive in meeting the needs of children with special needs. She is alert to the possibility of children with special needs and knows how she can help these children to settle. Children begin to understand their own needs and with the childminder’s support become aware of the needs of others. For example, older children help the younger children with their play. Older children play with their farm animals and tell the baby what noises each animal makes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and respond to the childminder’s clear guidance and praise. They develop their social skills through playing with each other and regular visits to the parents and toddlers group. Children are learning about the wider community through a range of play resources which reflect positive images of gender, special needs and different cultures. They are learning to be polite and have good manners as they are encouraged to say ‘thank you’ and ‘please’ to others when asking for help.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership which the childminder has established with the parents. There is a regular discussion between the parents and the childminder about their child’s daily activities. A daily diary is used for younger children to inform parents of the child’s daily routine which helps to build a trusting relationship with parents and children. Parents are informed of the childminder’s practice through a brief explanation of policies, procedures and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 house rules. However, parents are not informed about the contact telephone number for Ofsted and some of the parents’ required written consents are not in place which can affect the relationship between the childminder and parents. The childminder has a calm, positive approach to the children and obviously enjoys her time with them. This has an endearing effect on the children who enjoy spontaneous cuddles and praise. There is an atmosphere of harmony within the home, which contributes to the children's feelings of security and belonging.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are relaxed and feel secure and comfortable in an appropriately organised and welcoming environment where they have independent access to a wide range of play resources and activities. This helps develop their learning. Children are confident and secure when they initiate their own play. The childminder has organised a system to store records and documentation which is used in most areas to promote the care, welfare and learning of each child. Records are shared with parents and they can access these at any time. This contributes to a trusting relationship which impacts positively upon the children. However, a valid first-aid certificate and parents’ consent for emergency medical treatment, is not in place. The lack of required documentation can adversely affect the childminder’s partnership with parents and also impact upon the child’s well-being. Children are protected as the childminder ensures

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Organisation

people who have access to the children are suitable and parents’ consents are in place for the adults who may collect the child. She has also attended child protection training. Overall, all of the children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Some recommendations were made at the last inspection. The childminder was asked to improve children’s safety in the house, by addressing the insecurely fixed fireguard, uncovered electric sockets and hazardous items in the bathroom. She was also asked to obtain details of each child’s date of birth and parents’ consent for the administration of medication.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved children’s safety. The fireguard is securely fixed to the walls, all electric, uncovered sockets are now covered with safety plugs and all hazardous items are removed from the bathroom. These safety measures enable children to move around in the house safely, most of the time. The childminder has organised a system to keep details of the individual child’s date of birth and she obtains parents’ consent, each time she administers medicine to children, which has a positive impact on the child’s well-being.

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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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Complaints 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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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): • seek written permission from parents for emergency medical treatment • improve children's safety by ensuring they cannot access wine bottles in the dining room, the ladder on the first floor and the toaster's wire • maintain a valid first aid certificate that includes training in first aid for infants and young children, and which is consistent with any guidance issued to local authorities by the Secretary of State.

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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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