Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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252405 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2006 Inspection date Alison Putnar 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?

This childminder registered in 1989 and lives with her husband and one of their grown up children in a semi detached house a residential area of Beeston. Their home is within walking distance of schools, parks and shops. This childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years of age. There are currently 10 children under eight on roll attending various times during the week. Minded children have access to the lounge, dining kitchen and a small conservatory for play and sleeping, with toilet facilities provided on the first floor. There is also a fully enclosed rear garden. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminders support group, she holds an NVQ level 3 in childminding practice and a First Aid certificate.

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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 very well maintained home. Older children learn about the importance of cleaning their hands before meals 'to get rid of germs', through discussion with the childminder. Children frequently help themselves to drinks ensuring they do not become dehydrated. This good system is not always well monitored as the young children frequently drink from other's cups, potentially compromising their health and spreading infections. Children make choices in drinks and sometimes are encouraged to make healthy choices having water or milk. Meals provided by the childminder are increasingly nutritious and encourage children to have a healthy, balanced diet. As a result, older ones understand the benefit of eating fresh fruit 'to help you grow'. Meal times are a positive sociable occasion, children use good manners and eat at the table together developing their personal and social skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive appropriate comfort and treatment if they have minor accidents, records are completed and shared with parents as required. Systems for keeping records of medication are less robust and lack some important details, potentially compromising children's good health. Children have good opportunities for outdoor play and benefit from fresh air as they access toys and resources in the garden. They develop wider physical skills as they visit local parks and use larger apparatus there. Children enjoy and make use of the ball games and wheeled toys provided in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well supervised to ensure their safety is not compromised. They access an appropriate selection of toys and resources that are maintained in a good condition and suitable to the needs of the children who attend. The good organisation of the home means that children are always within sight and hearing further reducing the potential risk of accidents. The premises and garden are securely maintained ensuring children can not leave unnoticed. A suitable number of children attend, which means that resources, toys and furniture is available to ensure all children can eat, rest and play in comfortable surroundings. Children are active and interested in the range of toys available, they freely access those stored on accessible shelving, further promoting their enjoyment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe as they regularly take part in fire evacuation drills ensuring all can evacuate the home in an emergency. Older children develop an awareness of road safety through discussion and good practice with the childminder when out in the local area, younger ones are appropriately restrained in pushchairs ensuring their safety. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures, ensuring she is able to safeguard the children in her care.

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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 generally well cared for by the childminder. Good relationships are evident, children are confident to engage in play with the childminder and her family members. A suitable selection of activities are provided that sustain children's interest. Children are making sound progress in development as they explore through play resources provided. Younger ones develop their imagination as they dress up and act out familiar scenes when pretending to make foods in the outdoor play house. The childminder does not always support children to make maximum progress as she does not always consider potential learning behind play. She has begun to develop her knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, through reading and researching relevant literature. She has not yet begun to use this knowledge to plan activities to support the younger children to make maximum progress through stimulating play activities

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

provided. Younger children develop their physical skills through using the wheeled toys and various ball games provided in the garden. Children explore wider activities out of the home, they enjoy visits to the park, and enthusiastically speak of reading schemes they are involved in at the library. Younger children benefit from the trips to local toddler groups, promoting their social skills as they mix with others of similar age. Children have their own routines followed to provide continuity in their care. The childminder knows the children well and organises her time to enable them to eat and sleep according to their own patterns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and appear confident in the childminders care. They ably ask for more resources, toys or for drinks and refreshments to meet their needs, which the childminder willingly provides. Children get on well together, the childminder involves children in play, helping them share toys and to take turns. Younger children happily play alongside older ones and copy their actions, following them into the outdoor play house and enjoying playing 'peep boo' through the door. All children behave well in response to the childminders calm and friendly attitude. Older children are aware of the boundaries and expectations and abide by these, for example, walking close to the childminder when out, which also protects their safety. The childminder has a suitable awareness of systems to support children with special needs, but has limited practical experience of this area of work. Children are equally encouraged to access

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Helping children make a positive contribution

all resources. Their positive self-esteem is raised as the childminder offers regular praise and encouragement. Children use good manners and are verbally rewarded for this appropriate behaviour. They explore the local environment through walks and making use of community resources. They take part in craft activities that help them to learn about special days and some festivals from around the world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Suitable communication systems are in place to ensure the childminder holds all relevant details about the children. Parents wishes are taken account of through written contracts which include relevant business agreements, some suitable permission forms are in place. The childminder has some written polices that she shares with parents and verbally discusses all other practices. The childminder strives to support the families she cares for and has developed strong personal relationships with them.

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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. Children are well cared for as time and space is organised suitably to enable children to play, eat and rest according to their needs. Children play both indoors and outdoors at the same time through effective use of the childminders assistant. A younger child rests peacefully on the settee whilst others eat their lunch in the kitchen, all appropriately remain within sight and hearing ensuring their safety is protected. The childminder has attended some relevant courses to support the care of the children. These include first aid and a level 3 qualification in childminding practice. The childminder has a sufficient understanding of requirements under her childminding registration, although, at the time of inspection the certificate of registration was not displayed. Records of children's attendance are accurately completed. However, due to a misunderstanding, on two occasions the childminder was in breach of conditions of

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Organisation

registration, by caring for more children under five years than she is allowed. Thus potentially compromising children's welfare at the time. Records relating to the children's personal details are completed well ensuring children are cared for according to their own needs. These are stored in an organised and confidential manner. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that the organisation of children was reviewed, to ensure that conditions of registration were complied with and that children's safety was maintained in relation to the number of children present at anyone time. In addition the childminder was required to develop systems of keeping Ofsted informed of changes that effect her registration conditions and to improve the organisation and accuracy of the daily record of attendance.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder appropriately requested to vary her conditions and to make use of her assistant to increase the number of children under five years that she could care for. In addition some children have left the provision and the childminder has made suitable progress in ensuring an appropriate number of children attend in line with her conditions of registration. This also improves safety for children, as the childminder and her assistant can offer them the attention and supervision they require. The record of attendance has been developed and is now an accurate log including relevant details, such as, the time of children's attendance and those adults who have cared for them. The childminder is aware of appropriate systems, such as, writing to inform Ofsted of any changes that would effect her registration. This ensures that requirements of registration are met and that the quality of care is now of a satisfactory standard.

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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 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): • comply with conditions of registration, with regard to the number of children who may be cared for at any one time and displaying the certificate of registration • improve systems for preventing the possible spread of infections through ensuring children do not share each others drinking cups and in addition improve the systems for keeping records of medication to include a record of the parents consent • continue to plan and provide activities to help children's development in line with the aspects and approach described in the 'Birth to three matters' framework

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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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