Childminder in Derby

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

205878 Unique Reference Number 16 May 2006 Inspection date Dianne Lynn Sadler Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1999. She lives with her daughter and son aged eight and nine years, situated on the outskirts of Derby. The whole of the ground floor and bathroom upstairs is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. She sometimes works with another registered childminder.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time when working alone and a maximum of ten children at any one time when working with the other childminder. She is currently minding sixteen children aged between nineteen months and thirteen years. The childminder takes and collects children from school.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a dog, two cats and two birds.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with special educational needs.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for well in a clean, welcoming environment, where they learn the importance of simple good health and hygiene practices through daily routines. They understand, for example, the need to wash hands before tea time and after playing in the garden, to remove germs. Children stay healthy because the childminder has all required records and policies in place and follows good hygiene procedures. For instance, she manages the animals well, removing their food bowls after use and the children benefit from using their own individual towels. The childminder stores children's personal care items in their own individual bags, easily accessed by the children.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. There is an informative written menu which shows children enjoy meals, snacks and drinks that are varied and nutritious and include healthy options such as fruit and vegetables. Younger children are able to ask for a drink throughout the day, provided in their own individual beakers. Whilst older children benefit from helping themselves to prepared drinks available in the kitchen, after school. The childminder has a good awareness of special dietary requirements, including likes and dislikes, which ensures children's individual dietary needs are met well according to the wishes of parents.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a balanced range of physical activities which contribute to their good health. They take part in well planned activities. For instance, they visit the local farm, go swimming every Friday and access the garden in all weathers. Children are learning about healthy living by exploring healthy eating and being encouraged to access fresh air and exercise every day. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs and can select quieter activities in the lounge, such as watching the television or playing games.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a secure and safe environment, where they can move around freely and independently. This helps them to settle and feel confident. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder is aware of all hazards indoors and outdoors, and puts sufficient measures in place. However, fire safety is compromised by the lack of a smoke alarm on every level of the house. Children are learning to keep themselves safe by discussing road safety, and learning about fire safety by taking part in a fire safety quiz and practising the emergency evacuation procedure.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from accessing a suitable and safe range of furniture and play equipment which meet their different needs. Children are able to self-select toys and resources that are stored appropriately in boxes and on shelves at their level, mainly in the playroom. This encourages the development of their independence. The childminder varies the toys that are available on a daily basis, to ensure children have variety and use toys that are appropriate to their age.

p.3

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 are protected and their welfare promoted sufficiently because the childminder has a sound understanding of the required procedures and documents. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has generally good understanding of child protection procedures. However, the written child protection policy needs updating, which compromises children's welfare.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle and play well at the childminder's house. They enter confidently and make themselves at home. For instance, children after school help themselves to a drink already prepared in the kitchen. Children are developing positive relationships with both each other and with adults. They play well together, co-operating with each other, taking turns and sharing. They understand their own needs and are beginning to respect the needs of others. Children are developing confidence and independence because the childminder allows them to initiate their own play and choose between a variety of books, toys and activities which appeal to all age groups.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are motivated and spend their time purposefully. They enjoy exploring a good range of activities which contribute to their creativity, such as painting, baking and collage. Activities are well planned and play plans are displayed in the playroom. Older children enjoy this time at the end of the school day when they can relax or be active in accordance with their needs and interests. They can choose to sit quietly in the lounge or be more active playing with the younger children in the play room and garden.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing good self-esteem and confidence. They take photos of their art work in the garden, their work is displayed in the playroom or taken home to show their parents. They also benefit from accessing all play equipment with ease, as toys are stored appropriately in boxes at the children's level.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued, respected as individuals and treated with equal concern. Children from different ethnic backgrounds and children with disabilities are made welcome. The childminder takes care to include all children and ensures she meets their individual needs appropriately. Children are also becoming aware of the wider community through play resources which reflect positive images and learning about different festivals.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to behave appropriately. There are clear expectations and rules and children feel secure knowing what they can and cannot do. They take turns and share and help each other. Children are developing good self-esteem. This is because the childminder values the children and rewards their individual efforts through consistent verbal praise and encouragement.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for and supported sufficiently well by the childminder. She promotes positive relationships with parents and works in partnership with them to meet the individual needs of all children appropriately. Parents are made aware of how the setting operates through a written

p.4

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 port-folio, containing all policies, procedures and relevant documents. However, the complaints record available to parents is incomplete, which compromises children's welfare.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's needs are met sufficiently well through the use of available space and resources. They enjoy access to an interesting play room, where resources are displayed well and activities well planned. The childminder has much experience of caring for children and is constantly improving her knowledge and understanding by undertaking training. This ensures children are cared for by an appropriate adult. Her supportive manner ensures children feel at home and at ease. They are confident and able to initiate their own play.

p.5

Organisation

Policies, records and procedures, in place, are used effectively in practice, which promotes the welfare, care and learning of all children, according to the wishes of their parents. However, they are not all complete or up to date, which compromises children's welfare. All documentation is shared with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities. Documents are stored securely.

p.5

Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder agreed to consider good hygiene practices for children, which minimises the spread of infection. She has implemented simple, good health and hygiene practices through daily routines. For instance, children are encouraged to wash their hands to remove germs and benefit from the use of their own individual towels. The childminder also manages the hygiene of animals well.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder also agreed to include more detail in the accident and medication book and record significant incidents which occur when children are not in her care. The documents are now fully complete and the childminder has a good understanding of the need to record incidents that occur outside her care.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received three complaints regarding smoking in the presence of children, the use of inappropriate language and the supervision of children.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

The first complaint related to National Standard 7: Health, National Standard 2: Organisation and National Standard 11: Behaviour. The complaint related to the smoking in the presence of children, over minding and inappropriate handling of babies. We carried out an investigation on 24 May 2004. We found the provider to be in breach of the standards. The provider took appropriate action to address the concerns. We took no further action.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

The second complaint related to National Standard 7: Health and National Standard 2: Organisation. The complaint related to the smoking in the presence of children and over minding.

p.5

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 We carried out an investigation on 26 November 2004. We found no evidence that the provider was not complying with national standards. We took no further action.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

The third complaint related to National Standard 1: Suitable Person, National Standard 2: Organisation, National Standard 7: Health and National Standard 11: Behaviour. The complaint related to the Childminder smoking in the presence of minded children, the use of inappropriate language and supervision. We carried out an investigation on 27 April 2006. We found the provider to also be in breach of National Standard 4: Physical environment and National Standard 6: Safety. The Childminder voluntary agreed to suspend her childminding service. The provider took prompt and appropriate action to address these concerns. The provider remains qualified for registration. The provider has not made a record of the complaints in the complaints record.

p.6

Complaints 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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • provide a smoke alarm at every level of the house • update the child protection policy • ensure all complaints are recorded in the complaints record.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6