Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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226113 Unique Reference Number 25 May 2006 Inspection date Patricia King 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 1999. She lives with her partner and children aged 2 and 12 years in the district of Braunstone which is situated close to Leicester city. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house except for the conservatory and the bathroom on the first floor is used and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to provide care for five children at any one time and currently has nine children under eight on roll. She travels to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local pre-school groups on a regular basis.

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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 learning about the importance of eating fruit and vegetables daily to be healthy and grow strong. Their daily dietary needs, personal choice and preferences are established with parents and the childminder works closely with the parents to ensure that a nutritious, balanced diet is maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is promoted by the childminder's appropriate systems and practice to maintain a good standard of hygiene and care in her home. A healthy environment is provided where consistent hygiene procedures prevent the spread of infection, for example, children have their own washing and sun screen equipment. Children have a good understanding of their personal care and describe knowingly how washing their hands before eating, after using the toilet or handling animals prevents the spread of germs and infection. They explain that putting their hands in front of their mouths when coughing or sneezing prevents the spread of germs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from cross infection and illness by the childminder's clear information and policies to inform parents that children will not be minded when infectious. Their health and welfare are promoted by the effective systems and records kept to take appropriate action in the event of an accident and to administer any necessary medication. However, not all parents have signed the records indicating whether they give permission for the childminder to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily outside play in the garden, weather permitting. They use outdoor equipment to balance and climb, ride on bikes and cars, and play with balls and games. They are taken to local parks and preschool groups to play on other large physical equipment. Children relax and sleep according to their needs because the childminder plans her home and routines to offer opportunities for rest and quieter times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children under three benefit from the childminder's practice in line with 'Birth to three matters' framework to offer positive opportunities for children to learn how to become healthy individuals, for example by talking about healthy eating and personal hygiene.

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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 secure, comfortable home where most risks are identified and made safe, however, dangerous substances in the bathroom and kitchen must be made safe. Children move around the home, freely and confidently making good use of the areas used for childminding. They independently select activities from a suitable range of quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards, that are stored within easy reach and changed during the daily routines. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe, for example, they respond to simple rules about not running and climbing in the home. They are learning how to keep others safe, for example, by making sure that babies and toddlers cannot pick up small toys

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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 that they may put in their mouths. They are learning to keep safe outside the home by practising stop, look and listen to cross roads with safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety and welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's secure understanding of child protection issues in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The childminder ensures that children are only collected by their parents or named adults by prior written arrangements and children are never left alone with other adults.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children under three benefit from the childminder's practice in line with 'Birth to three matters' framework to offer positive opportunities for children to learn how to keep safe in daily activities and routines, such as when out walking.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. A substantial range of toys and play resources is readily accessible to children. Careful planning provides them with interesting opportunities to make active choices about their play and promote their learning. Children use their imagination well, for example, they enjoyed cutting, gluing and colouring to create colourful pictures and collages. They eagerly followed the initiative of one child to choose a favourite story to be told and happily waited for their own choice to be read. They joined in the stories eagerly anticipating what happened next and responding to the childminders skilful questions about the pictures and events in the books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very settled and comfortable in the childminder's care. She takes care to find out what they can do and plans effectively to ensure that they learn and develop well in her care which means that they have confidence and positive self-esteem. Children's development is observed and recorded to provide parents with a six monthly record of their child's progress in the care of the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children under three benefit significantly from the childminder's practice in line with 'Birth to three matters' framework to offer interesting and stimulating learning opportunities appropriate for their care and development. Children are highly valued as individuals and respond positively to the childminder's consistent use of praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop self-esteem and confidence as they voice their opinions and make choices and decisions about what they play with and what activities they take part in. Children have equal access to resources, but they have limited opportunities to learn about the wider world with regard to different lifestyles and cultural practises. The childminder shows good understanding of how to manage the situation positively when recognising health or special needs of a minded child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's care and welfare is discussed and agreed with the parents, establishing a working partnership that keeps them informed and included in the care of their children. This means that children's individual needs are carefully considered, ensuring that they feel comfortable

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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 and confident with the childminder. She is careful to consider confidentiality when discussing children's care and making any arrangements with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows understanding of how to manage the situation positively when recognising health or special needs of a minded child. Children are learning to behave well, have self-esteem and respect for others. For example, the childminder has established sensible house rules, such as no jumping on the furniture which means they learn to take responsibility for their own behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel secure and settled in the childminder's home. This means they have confidence to make choices, express their needs and make progress in their overall development. Arrangements successfully promote children's, health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Space and resources are organised well and a good range of activities provides children with appropriate experiences to broaden their overall development. Children's welfare and safety is positively promoted by the information accessible to parents. The childminder ensures that documents and records necessary for the efficient and safe management of the provision are well maintained, however, she must display the certificate of registration.

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Organisation

All adults in the household have been cleared and the children are well protected from visitors by the childminder's secure systems and procedures. Parents are kept informed and included in the care of their children by daily discussion and written records of their development which means they can contribute to their child's continued development. 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 an appropriate first aid course.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The health and welfare of minded children has been significantly improved because the childminder is now qualified to perform emergency first aid for infants and young children. She was also asked to ensure that the adult:child ratio is maintained at all times and have an accurate and up to date record of attendance to confirm these details. The recommendation was made into an action to be complied with following an additional visit to investigate concerns. The childminder's records are now maintained as required and confirm that the numbers of children minded at any one time do not exceed the conditions of registration which improves the safety of the minded children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

A complaint was received on 30/01/2006 about over minding. This relates to National Standard 2 Organisation. It was investigated by an unannounced visit. A breach of National Standard 2 Organisation was identified. A compliance notice was issued regarding recordkeeping National Standard 2, a daily record of names of the children looked after and their hours of attendance.

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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 The childminder was found to be over registered numbers and was cautioned. An interview under caution took place and a warning letter was sent out regarding complying with the conditions on the registration certificate. The childminder continues to be qualified for registration. The childminder 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): • seek written permission from all parents to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment • promote safety within the setting by making dangerous substances in the bathroom safe or inaccessible to children • develop ways and extend activities to offer children positive opportunities to learn about the wider world with regard to different cultures and lifestyles • keep a record of all complaints and share appropriate information form that record with parents upon request • display the certificate of registartion.

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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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