Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY308453 Inspection date 16 March 2006 Inspector Kate Bryan

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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 has been registered since 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and five years. They live in a house in Sileby with shops and parks within walking distance. Within the home children spend their time on the ground floor. They have access to the hall, kitchen, family room, front room and toilet. Children also have access to an enclosed garden. The childminder is registered for five children and has three children on roll.

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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 satisfactorily protected from the risks of infection and cross contamination as they use a clean towel daily and use sensible hygiene practices, such as hand washing. However, the 'Birth to three matters' framework is not used effectively to encourage children to promote their own hygiene which may lead to them not developing sufficient awareness of routine practices such as hand washing. A comprehensive sick children policy states that children will be cared for, should they become ill, in a warm, clean house until they can be collected by parents. All records are in place to ensure that children's medical needs are well met and their health maintained. Children's routines are agreed with parents so that they have their needs for rest and sleep well met in a consistent fashion which promotes their emotional well-being. Children enjoy a good range of physical activities daily, either in the park or garden,

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Helping children to be healthy

which promotes their health and development well. For example, children can enjoy using climbing frames and slides on the park or the playhouse or ball games in the childminder's garden. Children have their health needs well met as the childminder works closely with parents to ensure that their dietary and physical needs are fostered. They enjoy healthy snacks of fruit or yoghurt and water is available all day so that their health is well maintained. Informative policies and procedures are in place to ensure that children's well-being and health are well promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe in a warm, clean environment because the childminder has identified most risks and taken suitable measures to minimise these. Therefore, they are suitably protected from the risks of fire because appropriate detection and prevention measures are in place. Children are well protected when they are outside because the childminder is vigilant about their safety. They are made aware, by discussion, of safe road crossing practices and the hazards of stranger danger and unknown dogs. This effectively encourages them to be thinking responsibly about their own safety. The home is well organised so that the childminder can monitor children in all rooms. This means, for example, that children can enjoy television in the family room and quiet time in the lounge in safety. Children can make their own selections from a good range of easily accessible resources which promotes confidence and decision

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

making, these are rotated for younger children to ensure they enjoy a range of experiences.

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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 Children's welfare is well promoted by the use of a comprehensive child protection policy which states that the child's protection is paramount and a priority. The childminder is secure in reporting concerns to the appropriate authorities and has attended child protection training in order to effectively keep children safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning to be sound communicators because the childminder spends a lot of time talking to them. This encourages younger children to practise their pre-speech skills as the childminder responds appropriately to their noises and gestures. Children's language is suitably promoted as the childminder names objects and encourages the child to repeat these. This promotes their confidence and self-esteem appropriately. Children enjoy a wide range of trips out, for example, attending a carer and toddler group, library, park, shopping so that they gain a good awareness of the wider world and have opportunities to socialise. Children feel secure because the childminder has very warm relationships with them. Young children receive cuddles and lots of interaction so that they know they are acknowledged which effectively makes them feel valued. Older children can make choices about their activities and there are many

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

opportunities for child initiated play, such as computer games, play station, completing homework or relaxing. This positively fosters their independence and self-assurance. Children have suitable opportunities to develop their creativity and imagination as the childminder offers a wide range of activities to promote this, such as craft work and baking. They also explore different textures, such as cornflour, pasta, sand and water in order to extend their awareness and enjoyment appropriately. However, the childminder is not using the 'Birth to three matters' framework effectively to plan for children's development which may hinder their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are warmly welcomed to the home and this enables them to feel a good sense of belonging and self-worth. Children have their needs well met because the childminder works closely with parents and uses comprehensive records to ensure this. Parents are spoken with daily so that the childminder is aware of the changing needs of the children which makes them feel valued. Children proudly take home work they have completed so that parents can share in their work and acknowledge their achievements. Parents receive a good range of information and the childminder details how all National Standards are to be met and the service provided in the best interests of children. Children learn effectively about other cultures by discussion and by the celebration of

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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 festivals, their awareness of the wider community is also well fostered as they enjoy a range of experiences outside the home. Children are positively encouraged to respect each other because the childminder ensures they are cared for in an atmosphere where they have the same opportunities and are equally valued. This ensures that children with special needs receive an individual and appropriate service and are included in all activities so that they develop a strong sense of belonging. A clear, written behaviour management policy is in place which closely supports the childminder's practice. For example, children's behaviour is well managed by the use of age appropriate strategies. Younger children are dealt with by distraction and older children receive 'time out' to encourage them to reflect upon their behaviour. The use

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Helping children make a positive contribution

of sensible house rules, for example, no jumping on furniture, provides children with acceptable boundaries that they use to regulate their own behaviour and develop good levels of self-assurance.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel safe and secure because they receive good levels of adult support. This also allows them to develop self-assurance as they explore the environment with confidence. Children are cared for in a home that is well organised so that they are always under the supervision of the childminder both indoors and in the garden. This allows children to experience a varied range of activities in different rooms and encourages them to make informed choices about what they wish to do. Therefore children can opt to have quiet time in the lounge area or enjoy computer activities in the family room. Children's welfare, learning and care are well promoted by the use of informative policies and procedures which are shared with parents. The childminder has a current first aid certificate, has attended child protection training and has completed an Introduction to Childminding Practice course. Overall the provision meets the

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents which they can see on request. The complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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 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): • improve outcomes for children from birth to three, in enjoying and achieving, by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework • improve outcomes for children, in being healthy, by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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