Childminder in DerbyshireOfsted inspection, 9 Jun 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY321073 Inspection date 09 June 2006 Inspector Elaine Poulton

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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 has been registered since 2006. Local shops, parks and library are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor and bathroom on the first floor is used for childminding. There is a secure garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding two children who both attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has support from the Local Education Authority. She transports children in the family

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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 vehicle or occasionally walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm, comfortable home where they are beginning to learn the importance of good health and personal care. Younger children are supported to gain their personal independence skills through being encouraged and well supported for example, with their toilet training. Children are supported to follow good hygiene routines when they have visited the bathroom and are prompted to wash their hands prior to eating food. The childminder is mindful to ensure that all food preparation areas and work surfaces in the kitchen are clean and hygienically maintained to prevent cross contamination. Procedures for accident and medication are shared and explained to parents. The childminder has attended first aid training and this means that children receive prompt medical treatment should there be a need. Children have nutritious snacks, including fruit. Younger children can help

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Helping children to be healthy

themselves to their own drinking beaker when they are thirsty. The childminder takes account of parent's wishes and children’s food likes, dislikes and allergies through discussions on dietary needs to ensure she keeps them healthy. This in turn helps children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Children are provided with a good range of routine activities which contribute to their general health and well-being. They enjoy clear play space inside and outside the house where they take part in active play. They attend play groups and go swimming regularly. This means the children have further opportunities take part in play activities and to develop their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted satisfactorily through the required procedures being in place. They are cared for in a secure home and this means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder uses most safety equipment appropriately such as safety gates and smoke detectors. Not all potential hazards are minimised promptly and this compromises children's safety. Children select resources from a wide range of games and toys which are clean, safe and well maintained. The childminder supervises children's choices to make sure they are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children are learning about how to keep themselves and others safe in the setting. They know they are to tidy away toys to make a clear floor space to play. The

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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 childminder has a suitable procedure in place to evacuate the premises should there be an emergency. Through this procedure children are beginning to understand that they should leave the building quickly. Children are suitably transported in safety in the childminder's vehicle. The childminder uses safety harnesses and maintains car safety equipment appropriately. Consent forms are shared and signed by parents and written parental permission for transporting in a vehicle has been obtained for individual children. This means that parents are aware of all aspects of their child's care when indoors, on outings and visits. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the local Area Child Protection Committee guidelines and understands her role and responsibility to report any

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

concerns to ensure children are well protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's home and with her family. They are beginning to build good relationships with the childminder and each other. They are growing in confidence and are able to communicate their immediate needs to her and she responds to their requests. Children’s imagination is stimulated as the childminder offers new words for them to explore as they play together. This results in children’s early language and communication skills being well promoted in the setting. They are involved in a good range of activities and enjoy their play. Not all activities are linked sufficiently to the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework for children to take the next steps in their learning. Children make choices about their play activities from a wide selection of toys and resources on offer. Younger children enjoy listening to stories and joining in with their favourite songs. They are interested and take great pleasure in investigating the farm

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and its animals. They are offered a bright and stimulating range of toys, games and resources to explore and play with which support their all round development well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s understanding of other's similarities and differences is promoted well in the setting. They have the opportunity to learn to appreciate and value diversity through activities, resources, books, toys and games. Children can see their craft work displayed and then take it home to share with their parents. Children make themselves at home and they have time to be active and to rest often playing along-side one another involved in a similar theme. The childminder talks to them about what they are doing and they respond well. This means they are gaining confidence and a sense of well-being.

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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 There is an appropriate reward system in place and children can see their good behaviour rewarded with ‘smiley face stickers’. They are praised for sharing and taking turns and this encourages them to behave well. The childminder has satisfactory practical experience of providing care for children having identified special needs. She has some experience of working with children in the past and is aware of developmental stages. Consequently, she feels able to approach parents if she has a concern about individual progress and to obtain appropriate support, with parental agreement. The childminder keeps parents suitably informed of their child's day with regular written and verbal exchanges. This ensures parents are involved and contribute to the quality of care their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder follows current vetting procedures to ensure that all visitors to her home have appropriate clearances to enable them to be with the children. This means that there are suitable arrangements in place to ensure children are secure and well protected in the setting. Children are relaxed in the warm, comfortable environment. This means they are settled and becoming confident to initiate their own play and communicate with the childminder. The childminder is happy to attend further training to enhance her skills to benefit the children’s development and learning opportunities. A suitable range of policies and procedures are in place and most are used effectively to promote welfare, care and learning of the children in the setting. The required records are up to date, stored confidentially and available for parents. There is a daily register of attendance that clearly shows the individual children’s time

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Organisation

of arrival and departure each day. 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 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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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): • promptly identify and minimise potential hazards to ensure children stay safe • improve outcomes for children under three by embedding the 'Birth to three matters' framework into practice.

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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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