Childminder in Leicester

Inspection report for early years provision

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226534 Unique Reference Number 15 May 2006 Inspection date Hazel Christine White Inspector

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Integrated Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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.

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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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1999. She lives with her 2 children aged 11 and 9 years in the Leicester area. The whole of the 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 a local parent and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for 5 children at any one time and is currently caring for 3 children under the age of 4 years, one of whom attends full time. The childminder provides before and after school care and is currently caring for a 7 year old and 3 children who are over the age of 8 years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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. The childminder has a childcare qualification to level 3 and is an approved member of the childminding network. She is supported by the Early Years Development Child care Partnership.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they understand the importance of hygiene and personal care. They know hand washing routines and are provided with liquid soap and paper towels. More able children take care of their own personal needs and use the toilet independently. Toys and equipment are in good condition and washed regularly to reduce the risk of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. They are offered a good range of well balanced meals which take into account children's individual dietary needs. Children's likes and dislikes are well known and a 4 week menu is available for parents to view. Children are encouraged to eat fruit at snack times and are regularly offered drinking water. They sit at the table when they are eating and meal times are a social occasion.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children engage in a wide range of activities which contribute to their physical development. They enjoy outdoor play and freely access a good range of outdoor play equipment such as a swing, slide, wheeled toys, bats, balls, sand and water play. They have opportunities to use soft play equipment at a parent and toddler group. Children are encouraged to be active and learn that exercise makes them fitter and helps them to have a healthy heart. They follow a daily routine which allows them to have quiet or active times that reflect their individual requirements.

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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 safe and secure environment. They are able to move freely around the home because potential hazards have been minimised by the use of safety equipment. Resources are in good condition and age and stage appropriate. They are stored at a low level so children can independently and safely access them. The use of storage boxes enables children to easily identify toys and equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are appropriately supervised both indoors and outside. Children are learning the importance of staying safe because of the childminder's consistent approach to reinforcing rules and boundaries. Children are involved in discussions about safety and understand how to keep safe both in the home and when out and about. For example they are learning to use scissors safely and are developing an awareness of the possible dangers when crossing the road and talking to strangers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is protected through the childminder's sound understanding of her role and responsibilities in child protection. The childminder has attended training and has guidelines on safeguarding children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident, happy and busy. They settle well in the house and have developed excellent relationships with the childminder and her family. Children are cared for in a homely environment and follow familiar daily routines. They show a good level of independence as they move freely between activities and self select from resources. Children play with a wide range of exciting, stimulating activities both indoors and outside. They offer ideas and respond enthusiastically to challenges. Plans are well thought through to support children's learning. Their interests are included in the planning and play is well balanced in all areas of development. Children frequently visit the local park, places of interest and a parent and toddler group.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show curiosity and imagination as they play and interact with the childminder and others. They are continually being encouraged to share ideas and good questioning enables them to think through situations. Children are keen to explore and are confident learners.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching is good. The childminder has a secure knowledge of the Foundation Stage and stepping stones which help children progress towards the early learning outcomes. Children are able to engage in a wide range of play experiences which support their development. Good use is made of time and resources to enable children to explore and investigate. Each child has a progress record which is used to help plan their next steps of learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's language and thinking is developed by the childminder's good questioning. They listen intently to stories and anticipate what is going to happen next. Children are beginning to link letters to sounds and are learning to write for different purposes such as writing lists and labelling their drawings. They are given frequent opportunities to be creative and use their imagination. Children cook, paint, and make models from dough.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are learning to explore living things as they plant seeds and measure their growth. Topics include the weather and children competently complete a weather chart each morning and can name the colours of the rainbow. They have measured themselves and compare heights. They describe 'big' and 'small' and can name and draw several shapes. Children count to ten and are beginning to recognise some numerals, with the childminder's support. They show curiosity and are learning how programmable toys work.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children receive individual care according to their needs. They have access to a good range of resources and activities which help them appreciate the wider world by showing positive images of a variety of people in society. Toys and books are loaned from the library to enhance the children's choice. They are developing a positive attitude towards others by the use of everyday experiences to stimulate discussion. They celebrate multi-cultural and religious festivals such as Diwali, Chinese New Year and Christmas. Children of all abilities play alongside one another

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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. and are well supported. They are encouraged to reach their full potential and activities adapted to ensure inclusion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have developed an excellent relationship with the childminder and show care and concern for each other. The childminder uses positive strategies for managing behaviour. Children have clear guidelines and boundaries which help them understand right and wrong. They play co-operatively together and are responsive to praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is good. Children separate well from their parents and their individual needs are met because the childminder includes parents in their care. Parents regularly share information about their children's needs, interests and experiences to ensure continuity of care. Parents and children are asked to complete a child care questionnaire periodically so practice can be evaluated and changed as necessary. Children are encouraged to take some activities home to complete, such as a weather chart, however, strategies for informing parents of children's achievements and progress are not effective. Therefore, parents may not be fully aware of their children's learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy, settled and confident in a well organised homely environment. The childminder has a sound knowledge of the children's personalities and provides purposeful activities which provide a good level of challenge. Resources are appropriate for children's age and stage of development. They explore readily accessible toys and resources which are stimulating and contribute to their learning. Time is organised well to meet the individual needs of the varied age group. Parents opinions and requests are valued and adhered to. Information is exchanged and regular discussions take place. Records are kept up to date and securely stored, however, daily attendance records are not dated, therefore, they do not accurately reflect when children are present.

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Organisation

Leadership and management is good. Polices and procedures are effective in promoting the welfare, care and learning of the children. The childminder has all the required information and consent from parents and has developed a information booklet on all aspects of her child care. Reference books and information from web sites and childcare agencies are used to enhance her practice. The childminder is committed to training to keep her knowledge and skills updated. She has attended various courses and conferences over the past year. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the children she cares for.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to develop a behaviour management policy. The childminder has written a statement which informs parents of methods used to manage children's behaviour, therefore, the recommendation has been satisfactorily met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

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.

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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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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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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): • ensure that daily attendance records are dated.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop an effective system for informing parents of children's progress and development.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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 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.

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