Germany, Karen

Inspection report for early years provision

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207366 Unique Reference Number 20 July 2006 Inspection date Diana Pidgeon 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 1998. She lives with her family, which includes two school age children, in Wingerworth, a village on the outskirts of Chesterfield. All areas of the home are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and has a total of 10 children on roll. Of these, two children are under school age and both attend on a part-time basis. Three further children are under eight years of age and attend either before or after school. The remaining children are aged over eight years.

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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 comfortable home where the use of appropriate hygiene practices helps to promote their good health. Suitable hygiene procedures are normally incorporated into the daily routines. For example, children always wash their hands after using the toilet and usually before eating. Younger children receive sensitive support as they are potty training, which helps them learn to become independent in their personal care. The childminder maintains clear records of minor accidents and holds a current first aid certificate, ensuring children receive appropriate treatment. However, consent to obtain emergency advice or treatment is not held for all children. This means they are not fully protected in the event of a medical emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They eat well and enjoy the food and drink provided by the childminder. Meals are generally based on what appeals to the children and include some healthy options, such as fresh fruits and yoghurts. Suitable information is sought from parents and the childminder respects their wishes regarding the provision of food to meet children's needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Daily activities include time for children to be active and to play outdoors. Older children sometimes walk to and from school and all children use small and large equipment in the garden to help extend their physical skills. Young children move freely around the room, accessing toys of their choice. Suitable arrangements are made for children to rest according to their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children access a spacious room for indoor play, with adequate space for activities on the floor and table. Appropriate use of safety equipment, according to the ages and abilities of the children attending, ensures a safe environment is provided both indoors and outdoors. Toys and equipment are well maintained and generally appropriate for the ages of the children using them. Potential risks from the use of the trampoline in the garden have not been fully considered or addressed. This means children's safety may be compromised. Children begin to learn to keep themselves safe. For example, they understand why they should not climb on furniture and recognise that they need to sit still when eating. Their awareness of how to evacuate the premises in an emergency is raised through the childminder carrying out occasional practises when they are present.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected as the childminder recognises her responsibility to act on any concerns. Her awareness of signs that would concern her has been raised through attending relevant training and she ensures current information is readily available to aid her should she need to report any concerns. This ensures children are suitably safeguarded.

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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 confident and settled in the childminder's home. They enjoy warm and friendly relationships with her and the other children, which allows them to feel secure and settled. Daily routines are based around children's attendance at school or nursery and provide time for active play and relaxation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children use a wide range of appropriate toys and resources, which are suitable to promote all areas of their development. They are free to choose what they wish to play with from the toys that are set out each day. For example, children fetch puzzles and books to share with the childminder. This encourages them to make independent choices. The childminder makes herself available to join in children's play and through this promotes their learning. For example, she encourages children to persevere to complete a puzzle and teaches them the skills needed to fit the rail track together. She helps younger children to share resources by offering sensitive support and clear guidance. Limited planning is in place to guide what activities are offered or to identify clearly what children could learn through the play. This means that although children play happily and are interested in the toys provided, their learning is not always maximised.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are respected and treated as individuals by the childminder, who knows and understands their interests and abilities. She helps them to learn to respect each other and play well together. Suitable and consistent boundaries are in place to help children understand what is expected of them, such as removing their shoes in the house and sitting at the table to eat. Any inappropriate behaviour is generally dealt with sensitively and therefore children are gaining self-esteem. Some attention is given to promoting children's awareness of the wider community through the use of stories and basic resources as well as spontaneous opportunities for conversations and explanations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationships developed between the childminder and parents. This allows them to exchange information readily to ensure needs are met and changing routines known. Written agreements are not in place for all children and although a good range of consents is sought for some, these are not in place for all. This weakens the overall partnership with parents as arrangements are not seen to be fully agreed. The childminder has a limited understanding of her responsibilities with regard to dealing with and recording any complaints. This means parents' concerns may not be appropriately dealt with or recorded for future reference.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and content in the welcoming environment provided by the childminder. They receive suitable levels of support and supervision for their needs, enabling them to feel secure and confident. Records relating to the childminder's business are readily available for

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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 inspection and organised in a generally satisfactory manner. However, these are currently not complete for every child. Some records, such as those relating to any accidents, contain good levels of detail. The certificate of registration is not displayed during the hours of minding. This means parents do not readily have information about the conditions with which the childminder must comply. Children benefit because the childminder has the appropriate qualifications, knowledge and experience to meet their care needs. The home is organised well to provide areas suitable for play and relaxation. This ensures children's health, safety and well-being is promoted. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to provide children with some activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. Since the inspection she has taken some steps to provide children with access to appropriate resources and to provide some relevant activities. For example, children use a small range of books and toys that reflect diversity and share their home experiences with one another. Through activities and outings in the community the childminder provides children with positive images and explanations of culture, gender and ability. This is beginning to widen children's understanding of diversity.

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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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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 written agreements with parents and the appropriate signed consent forms are held for all children • assess the risks to children in relation to the use of the trampoline and take action to minimise these • consider how younger children's learning can be further extended through their play, for example by making use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework

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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 • raise personal awareness of the changes to the requirements for dealing with complaints and ensure systems are established to share appropriate information with parents on request • ensure that the childminding registration certificate is displayed during the hours of operation.

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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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