Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY321508 Inspection date 25 July 2006 Inspector Janet Ann Keeling

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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 good. 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 was registered in 2006. Childminding takes place in a house in the Hinckley area of Leicestershire. The household includes an adult and four dependent children. The childminder works with one other registered minder. The whole of the ground floor, except for the front lounge is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The house is within walking distance of local shops, parks, schools and public transport. There is a pet cat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and currently, has five 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 The childminder holds an early years qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and very well maintained environment. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene practices through well established daily routines. For example, children understand why they must wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. However, at present the procedures for children drying their hands pose a potential hazard for cross infection. Children have access to a range of activities which contributes to their good health and well-being. They have good opportunities to develop their physical skills through regular access to outdoor play equipment. For example, as they visit the local park where they have access to swings, a slide and climbing equipment. Children enjoy the fresh air and explore their local environment as they take regular walks with the childminder to school each day and visit the local park. Children's health needs are supported because the childminder is fully aware of the

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Helping children to be healthy

children's individual needs and has effective procedures in place to ensure children are cared for appropriately should they be taken ill. Children's accident, medication and emergency consent forms are all in place and well maintained. Children learn about healthy eating through regular discussions with the childminder and are beginning to make healthy choices for themselves, for example, as they are encouraged to choose a piece of fruit or a yoghurt at snack time or after their lunch. Children are offered drinks throughout the day although they are not able to access them independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to move around safely and freely as most identified risks and hazards have been minimised. Children are well protected from fire within the home as the childminder has appropriate precautions in place, such as a fire blanket, smoke detectors and a well thought through evacuation procedure. However, children do not have opportunities to practise the emergency evacuation procedures. Children learn to keep themselves safe whilst out walking or when taking part in outings because the childminder has effective procedures in place. Children are encouraged to follow the highway code, hold hands, listen to instructions and learn about hazards in their environment. For example, children know which equipment they can safely use at the park, they listen carefully to instructions from the childminder and know not to talk to strangers. Children use an exciting range of suitable and safe equipment which is regularly

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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 checked to ensure it is safe for the children to use. Children are very carefully supervised at all times both in the home and whilst out walking. Children are well protected from possible abuse or neglect because the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities whilst protecting children in her care, she is fully aware of the child protection procedures and knows who to contact should she be concerned. Children benefit from the childminder having a sound knowledge of first aid and because she has effective procedures in place to follow in an emergency situation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, settled and enjoy their time with the childminder. They are eager to learn, participate enthusiastically in a focused range of activities and have extensive opportunities to use their own initiative when selecting toys and resources. They learn new skills and acquire new knowledge through planned and free play activities, and through the appropriate questioning and listening skills of the childminder. Children are monitored closely by the childminder who is confident in assessing their individual needs. Children benefit from further learning opportunities and play experiences within the local community as they visit the library, enjoy a picnic in the park and feed the ducks. Children enjoy positive relationships with the childminder and each other, they are treated with equal concern and begin to show respect for each other. Their self-esteem is effectively fostered through good levels of support and encouragement

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

from the childminder. They are actively praised for their achievements and encouraged to take pride in their own work, for example, there was a wonderful display of children's salt dough models in the playroom.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in this very child friendly environment, children are encouraged to make decisions about their own play and actively engage in a good range of activities which are both adult-led and child-initiated. Children are valued as individuals and their needs are supported by the childminder, for example, as they follow their normal daily routines as discussed with the parents on admission. Children choose from a range of toys and resources which promote positive imagery of gender, culture, ethnicity and disability. Children's awareness of different cultures is further promoted through positive discussion with the childminder. Children are aware of the house rules and are encouraged to take responsibility for their own actions, consequently their behaviour is good. Children's understanding of right and wrong is further developed as children respond positively to gentle

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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 reminders from the childminder to care for the toys and each other as they play. A focused partnership with parents contributes effectively to the children's individual needs being supported at all times. Their individual care needs are fully discussed with parents before the child starts with the childminder and are reviewed regularly. Children's daily activities and achievements are recorded in their daily diaries each day and shared with parents, ensuring parents are kept fully informed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's individual needs are very well supported in this welcoming and child friendly environment, they are happy, settled and feel a good sense of belonging. Children are motivated and interested in the exciting range of toys and activities that are made available to them. Children benefit from well established routines which have a regard for their individual needs. The childminder makes very good use of the home environment and the facilities within the local community. The childminder works effectively with the other childminder who is also registered at this setting, however, she actively takes the lead role in the planning of activities and the organisation of the childminding business. Well written policies and procedures are in place and made available to parents, however, they have not been updated in line with the revised National Standards Guidance of October 2005.

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Organisation

The childminder is fully committed to developing her childminding practices and is looking forward to completing her Birth to three training. All legally required documentation is in place, well maintained and confidentiality respected. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no 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.

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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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure children have access to drinking water at all times, and review the children's hand washing procedures to ensure children are not at risk from cross infection • further develop the fire safety precautions within the home, for example, by ensuring children have opportunities to practise the emergency escape procedures • review and update all policies and procedures in line with the revised National Standards Guidance of October 2005.

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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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