Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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225987 Unique Reference Number 10 August 2006 Inspection date Sarah Measures 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 was registered in 1990. She lives with her partner, 15 year old daughter and her partner's two adult children, in Blaby, Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The upstairs family bathroom is also accessible to minded children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She currently minds 12 children, four of whom are under five years and four of whom are over eight years old. Minding arrangements vary during school time and school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a pet cat that mainly stays outside away from the children.

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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 hygienic home. They are protected from infection because the childminder follows relevant health and hygiene routines. For example, she cleans the toilet and kitchen surfaces daily and she checks children's lunch boxes to ensure necessary items are stored in the fridge. Children learn to protect themselves as they are reminded to wash their hands after visiting the toilet. However, they are not fully protected because they are not in a routine of washing their hands before meals. Children's welfare is not appropriately promoted because the childminder does sometimes have a cigarette in the garden when in their presence.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected in the event of an accident because the childminder has attended suitable first aid training and the required systems are in place to record accidents. Their welfare is not fully considered however because the childminder has not checked that the first aid box is up to date after some items have been used by family members. Children's health needs are appropriately met because there is a suitable system to record individual needs that are then discussed with parents to ensure the childminder has a full understanding. Children's dietary needs are met as parents provide all meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is promoted because the childminder has sufficient systems in place to ensure she obtains written consent to administer medicines to children and the administration of medications is clearly recorded. The needs of babies and young children are catered for because the childminder has a sound understanding of their individual routines. Children enjoy regular drinks to ensure they feel comfortable and to meet their physical needs. They benefit from regular outdoor exercise as they walk to school daily. They develop physical skills as they use a suitable range of outdoor equipment in the childminder's garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept safe because they are cared for in an environment that is secure and has been suitably risk assessed to ensure hazards are inaccessible. Their safety is maintained when out of the home because the childminder ensures walking children are kept close by and the younger children hold hands. Children are not fully protected in the event of a fire. This is because although there is a fire blanket available in the kitchen and the smoke alarms are appropriately sited, the childminder has not carried out any fire practices for some time. Children are not fully protected when sleeping because they sometimes use the settee that is too high for young children who could fall.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are organised so that children have good play space and children's safety is effectively promoted as they do not have unsupervised access to the kitchen or garden areas. Children choose from an appropriate selection of toys and games that are safe and offer sufficient choice. There is a basic selection of equipment to meet the needs of babies and younger children, however children also bring their own equipment and the childminder has access to more varied equipment through members of her family. Children are protected because

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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 the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues and knows how to refer any concerns she may have regarding the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and at home in the setting. They have sound relationships with the childminder who interacts with them in a friendly way and supports them in their play. Children gain self-esteem as the childminder praises them for their work, encouraging them to be proud of their efforts. This is shown as young children take time completing 'dot to dot' puzzles and show their pleasure as they identify the final picture that they have created.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are involved in a satisfactory range of activities which keep them occupied and activities are differentiated to meet different ages and development stages of the children in attendance. For example, during school holidays the younger children enjoy playing together in role play situations, whilst the childminder supports the older children by playing board games and helping them with computer games. Children have their individual needs met because the childminder has a sound understanding of their personalities and likes and dislikes. Children benefit from the social opportunities provided within the setting and have formed some close relationships. The childminder has improved her knowledge and understanding of how to meet the needs of very young children by attending training on the framework, 'Birth to three matters.'

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have their individual needs met because the childminder works appropriately with parents. They learn to appreciate diversity because some good quality resources that promote equality of opportunity are included within their play environment. Equality of opportunity for boys and girls is effectively promoted as boys and girls enjoy playing with all toys available. The childminder has limited experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities, however she has an understanding of the relevant issues to consider if asked to care for a child with special needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to be polite as the childminder acts as a good role model, taking care to ensure she says 'please' and 'thank you' as the children help her. Older children show consideration for the younger children as they help them with more complex activities. Children feel secure because they have clear boundaries that are appropriately reinforced by the childminder. They learn responsible behaviour as the childminder discusses the consequences of their actions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's welfare is sufficiently promoted because the childminder has friendly relationships with parents, enabling regular discussions to take place regarding their needs. Continuity of children's care is encouraged because the childminder has relevant written agreements with parents regarding the care provided.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Policies and procedures generally work in practice to promote children's welfare. The childminder has been minding for several years, giving her varied experiences to help her care for children. Space is well organised to meet children's needs and to keep them safe. Toys and games are stored so that children can choose from them easily. Systems for keeping records are appropriately maintained and meet requirements in order to ensure children's well-being. Records are confidentially maintained to protect children and their families. Emergency information is available and easily accessible to the childminder to ensure children's health and safety in the event of an emergency. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the quality of care was judged as inadequate. The childminder was required to; provide a suitable range of activities for all children, ensure that children have equal access to a range of activities that promote equality of opportunity and to improve her knowledge of the National Standards. The childminder has received support from the local authority to enable her to improve her knowledge of the National Standards. She has also acquired further toys, games and resources to ensure that items include those that promote equality of opportunity and to ensure that there is now a satisfactory range to occupy children of all ages. The childminder was also required to ensure that records are kept as specified in Regulation 7 Schedule 3 and to ensure that there is a written agreement with parents which sets out the expectation of both parties as to the care of the child, activities provided and business

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Improvements since the last inspection

arrangements. The childminder has acquired the necessary documentation to ensure these actions are met and records are now kept for all minded children in accordance with the regulations in order to ensure children's welfare is effectively promoted.

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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 record of complaints made by the parents, which they can see upon 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 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): • ensure the contents of the first aid box are checked frequently and make sure that no one in the childminder's home smokes in the presence of the children at any time. • promote fire safety by regularly practising an emergency escape plan. • make sure that there are suitable and safe arrangements for sleeping young children

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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

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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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