Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY258351 Unique Reference Number 27 June 2006 Inspection date Karen Eunice Millerchip 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 April 2003. She lives with her partner in a two bed roomed terraced house in a cul-de-sac in the village of Blaby. The whole of the house is used for childminding including the first floor bathroom and bedroom. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family have three pet dogs who have access to the house.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for 6 children and currently minds 6 children on a full and part-time 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 cared for in a clean and welcoming home where they are encouraged to learn about personal hygiene through daily routines, such as hand washing before meals and after using the toilet. They play with safe and well-maintained toys and resources within a relaxing environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s health needs are sufficiently recorded and discussed with parents. Satisfactory procedures are in place to ensure children are cared for appropriately if they become ill and the childminder has a suitable understanding and experience of current first aid practice. She has good hygiene routines in place to prevent the spread of infection and a sound understanding of food hygiene to ensure children stay well.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy going for walks to school and to visit the local park which enables them to appreciate the health aspects of regular outdoor exercise. Children benefit from a flexible routine that gives them opportunities to rest and sleep according to their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children can move independently throughout the home and access the upstairs to use the bathroom with supervision however, the banister in the stair way is loose and could put children's safety at risk. The childminder has addressed most hazards but the storage of alcohol in a low level cupboard means children's welfare is not sufficiently protected. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of how to help children effectively organise their environment and set safe limits. This helps children begin to take responsibility for themselves and others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised because the childminder checks the safety of toys before presenting them for play. Children learn to keep themselves safe because they are reminded about safety rules within the home and are learning about road safety. Suitable fire safety equipment is in place and an emergency escape plan has been developed. However, children do not practise the routine and this potentially compromises their welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can access a basic range of toys and equipment that are developmentally appropriate. Toys and equipment are checked and cleaned regularly, particularly baby toys which ensure that children play with safe and suitable equipment, this helps to create a safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are suitably protected by the childminder who has a general understanding of child protection policies and procedures and gives priority to children’s welfare.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled within the childminding environment. Children are listened to and they are encouraged to use correct words for every day objects or when exploring new activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy each others company and the childminder supports them in their different levels of play. They chat as they play, demonstrating they are comfortable and settled within their surroundings. They develop their independence skills and show initiative as they request new activities and offer ideas to develop play such as, using props to make imaginative play more realistic and enjoyable. Children respond positively when asked to help tidy up, and the childminder offers appropriate guidance and support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals who receive care according to their needs. They are beginning to learn about people's differences and similarities through the use of books and resource that are loaned from the local toy library. Their individuality is valued as the childminder is aware of their likes and dislikes. Children’s behaviour is good and they demonstrate an awareness of the rules within the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's care is suitably promoted through the daily discussions with parents that ensures continuity of care and parents wishes are taken into account. Children are relaxed within the childminders home and are familiar with the daily routine thereby developing a sense of belonging and security.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They develop their self confidence through accessing different rooms for play and using the outdoor play house and garden for outdoor play. The daily routine is flexible to take into account the routine of each child for example attending playgroup, providing quiet times for rest or sleep and for meals at times when children require them.

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Organisation

Documentation is appropriately organised and most record keeping is up-to-date however, a daily attendance register is not maintained. Therefore children's welfare is not fully protected. Children's changing needs are identified through daily conversations with parents and the childminder. All documentation is stored securely to maintain confidentiality.

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Organisation

To gain a broader understanding on how to meet children's needs the childminder has attended several training courses that include first aid, chid protection and equal opportunities. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Organisation

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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: review the safety of the highchair and the suitability of plants within the garden, to increase the variety and accessibility of toys and resources, in particular those that actively promote equal opportunities and develop children's understanding of the wider community and to develop and implement a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill.

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Improvements since the last inspection

To increase children's safety the childminder has fitted a harness to the high-chair and confirmed that all plants in the garden are safe. Children are provided with a broader choice and variety of toys and play opportunities and children's understanding of equal opportunities and of people in society is being developed through resources borrowed from the local book and toy library.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's health is now suitably protected as the childminder has developed and implemented a 'sick child' policy.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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

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): • maintain a daily attendance register to show times of arrival or departure. • ensure the banister is securely fastened to the wall to maintain children's safety • promote children's safety by ensuring they have the opportunity to practise the emergency escape plan • improve children's well-being by making any alcohol stored in the house inaccessible.

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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 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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