Childminder in Derby

Inspection report for early years provision

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205849 Unique Reference Number 06 June 2006 Inspection date Sheena Gibson 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 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 registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and children aged seven and nine years, in Chaddesden, Derbyshire. The home is within walking distance of shops, school, the park, library and toddler groups. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for five children under the age of eight years at any one time; when working with an assistant the registration is for 10 children. Currently there are 11 children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions including before and after school. The childminder attends local childminding and toddler groups; she also runs one of the toddler groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family has a rabbit.

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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 good. Children's good health is suitably promoted because the childminder takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection by keeping the premises clean and hygienic. They are helped to understand the importance of washing their hands before eating and after visiting the toilet, which contributes to keeping themselves healthy. However, the children use a communal towel, which could result in germs spreading. The childminder's good knowledge of food hygiene means that the risk of food contamination is minimal. Any accident a child may have is dealt with appropriately as the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how she deals with minor accidents. Permission to seek emergency medical treatment has been sought, ensuring that children's health and welfare is well met. Children are well nourished. They are offered a range of nutritious foods and are encouraged to make healthy choices from snacks

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Helping children to be healthy

of fruit. They enjoy physical activity every day, supporting their health through exercise and also promoting the development of their physical skills. They have ample opportunities to play in the garden on bikes and go-karts; also using a swing, climbing equipment and a see-saw. As a result, they develop co-ordination and balance. They regularly walk to and from school, and took part in the Derbyshire fun run, helping children to keep fit whilst having fun.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very welcoming, secure and well-maintained environment, where risks are identified and minimised. They are always within sight or hearing of the childminder. This means they are able to move around safely and independently, which increases their confidence. Security is effective, with external doors always being locked. This ensures that children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised and unwanted visitors cannot get in. Children enjoy accessing a room specifically set out to meet their needs. It contains comfortable furniture of a suitable size, and a variety of different types of storage, enabling children to access resources that are appropriate for their age. As a result they learn about making choices safely. Children learn to keep themselves safe through the childminder effectively reinforcing safe practices. For example, she gently reminds a child how to safely use the climbing frame.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

They also learn about safely crossing the road and older children are careful to close safety gates to protect younger children's welfare. Fire safety precautions are in place although the fire evacuation procedure is not practised consistently, which could compromise children's welfare. Children benefit from the good ratios, as the childminder works with an assistant at busy times. This ensures that children are very well supervised and supported at all times. Their welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities towards child protection, which has been raised through appropriate training. She has a good understanding of the appropriate action to take if she is concerned about a child.

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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 good. Children's activities are flexibly organised. The daily routine is balanced so that children have variety to their day with time planned in to be out of the house, for example at playgroup, as well as time for indoor play. In addition, children are able to rest and meal times are planned to meet children's development needs and ensure their well-being. Children are happy and settled within the childminder's home. They benefit from a warm, friendly relationship with her, which boosts their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder knows the children well, which effectively supports their progress. This helps them to feel secure and at ease. They access a range of toys and activities that support their learning. For example, they enjoy playing with the train set, with dolls, cars and home corner. Also available are a good supply of construction for various ages, puzzles, craft and books. Their imagination is fostered well. They

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are enthusiastic about dressing up, for example as a crocodile; they also enjoy playing with the tractor and trailer, 'loading' and 'unloading' the animals in and out of the trailer. They learn mathematical concepts through baking, when they discuss shape and weight. They benefit from the effective use of good communication with the childminder, who interacts well with them, extending their vocabulary. They have many opportunities to visit different places within the local area. They go to the woods for a walk, visit Chatsworth House and the zoo. As a result children are exploring their environment, learning whilst having fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are looked after according to their individual needs, including any special needs or learning difficulties. They receive a consistent level of care, because their parents and the childminder work closely together to ensure that all relevant information is shared and recorded. Children have a sense of belonging, as their needs are included within the daily routine, such as walking to and from school. They also make choices about what they would like to do. Some resources are available to help children learn about diversity in society. For example, books that show positive images of people of other cultures and dolls that represent disabled people. Praise is given meaningfully to children. This promotes their confidence, fosters their self-esteem and helps them to understand when they have done well. Sensitive behaviour management techniques are used by the childminder to help children understand what is required of them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Consequently, children behave well and understand the expectations for behaviour. Children benefit from the childminder's good working relationship with their parents. Very detailed information is available for parents to read, which explains the childminder's policies and procedures. As a result, parents are well informed, which creates consistency of care for children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for by a childminder who is well qualified. A wealth of experience ensures that children's development is well promoted. They benefit from the childminder's keenness to improve her own practice through training and ensuring that she is up-to-date with practice issues. The childminder and assistant, when working together, mean

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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 that ratios are kept low and therefore both are able to offer good care and attention for children, supporting their well-being. Space and resources are used effectively. The playroom is vibrant and child based. Children are enthusiastic about going to play in it and they make choices from a varied range of toys; all of which are in good condition. Detailed information is received from parents and comprehensive written information is given to parents that ensures consistency of care. All regulatory records, policies and procedures are in place, well organised and available for inspection. As a result, 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 Children Act inspection the childminder was given recommendations around: ensuring assistants meet the training and qualification requirements regarding first aid; continuing to increase children's access to resources which promote equality of opportunity and promote positive images of the diversity in society; practicing the emergency evacuation procedure; ensuring there are consistent good hygiene practices for children, which minimise the spread of infection; ensuring assistants have knowledge of relevant documents relating to child protection. Positive steps have been taken by the childminder to address these and as a result children's welfare is suitably maintained. However this has not been effective for all aspects and therefore two have been brought forward as recommendations in this inspection.

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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, which the parents can seen 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 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): • consider improving hygiene practice in relation to the use of communal towles to reduce the risk of cross infection • support children's safety in the event of a fire through periodically practising the fire evacuation procedure

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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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