Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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207399 Unique Reference Number 01 November 2006 Inspection date Justine Ellaway 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 1995. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and thirteen years in Derbyshire. The whole ground floor, along with the first floor bathroom and two bedrooms, of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 and is currently minding three children under five on a part-time basis and one child over five before school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has pet fish.

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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's health and hygiene is effectively promoted. There are suitable procedures for nappy changing. The childminder encourages children to wash their hands before eating and after toileting. The risk of cross infection is minimised as children who are infectious are excluded and children have their own cot and bed linen for sleeping. There are appropriate records in place for the administering of medication and suitable details are recorded in the event of an accident. The childminder is clear what she can use with minded children when treating an injury to promote their good health when they have an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy opportunities to develop their physical skills as they move freely around the childminder's home. They regularly go out to local parks and on outings during the warmer weather to places such as Carsington Water. As a result children's physical development is effectively promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are reasonably well nourished. They are offered toast or biscuit for their snack during the morning. Drinks are always available so that children can help themselves when they become thirsty. Parents provide lunch time meals and as a result know exactly what their child is eating. The children sit together to eat their food and good manners are encouraged, which develops their social skills. Younger children's routines are known and followed to ensure their needs are met with regards to eating and sleeping.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Toys and resources are laid out for children when they arrive to make them feel welcome. There is a good amount of space available and children have access to the lounge and the dining room and are able to move freely between the rooms, promoting their independence. The childminder's home is organised so that children have space to eat and sleep and to participate in different types of place, for example, floor play. A suitable range of toys and resources are available for children, a varied selection of which they can help themselves to, promoting their independence. The childminder rotates the toys and resources so that children play with different things. Children are encouraged to help to tidy away the toys, promoting a sense of ownership.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risks and hazards are minimised, the childminder has equipment in place to promote children's safety, for example, two stair gates, a fire guard and socket covers. She has appropriate equipment in place in the event of fire, such as a fire blanket and smoke alarms. She has considered her emergency evacuation procedures, although she has not yet practised them. Children's safety is promoted outdoors as the childminder uses a gate to restrict access to certain parts of the garden. Children’s safety and welfare is maintained on outings. Younger children are secure in a buggy and other minded children wear reins or walk close to the childminder. Permission to transport children is in place, to ensure their needs are met, although the childminder was unable to provide evidence of business insurance for her vehicle, which she uses in emergencies.

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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 Children’s safety and welfare is promoted in relation to child protection issues. The childminder demonstrates an understanding of the different types of abuse and possible signs and symptoms. She understands the reporting procedures if she has any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop confidence because the childminder talks to them very positively during play and praises them when they achieve something, for example, trying to say a new word. Children's self-esteem is well fostered because the childminder is very friendly, she praises the children and shows an interest in what they do.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to think and learn during play as the childminder asks them appropriate questions. As a result children ask their own questions which promotes their development. The childminder usually gets down to the children's level when they are playing and joins in with their games. As a result children benefit from effective interaction. Children enjoy free play with the toys and resources, with an occasional activity such as painting. The childminder has not yet obtained the 'Birth to three matters' framework to provide a varied range of activities and play opportunities for children under three years.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's needs are suitably met because the childminder is aware of children's likes and dislikes and what their stage of development are. For example, minded children enjoy playing with particular toys so the childminder ensures these are available for them. Children with special needs receive appropriate care as the childminder has a suitable understanding of the issues. A satisfactory selection of toys and resources are available for children to learn about the wider world. The childminder has books and dolls that reflect people of different race and has made dressing-up clothes that reflect dress from other countries. However, she has a small selection of resources that positively reflect disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing a good understanding of working together. The childminder is very effective in explaining that children should share. She skilfully uses negotiation and distraction when children want the same toy. Children learn to work with others, because the childminder is careful to include all children if they are playing a game.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a discussion about the care provided and what the children's requirements are with parents at the time of placement. Parents are regularly given feedback when they collect their children. This promotes consistency of care for minded children. All of the required information is gathered from parents to ensure children's needs are met, although the childminder has not yet obtained written permission from parents to take children on outings. The childminder is clear on how she would handle any complaints to ensure her service is effective for all children in her care.

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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 comfortable and settled in the environment. Effective organisation of the environment and resources means that children can move around and choose what they want to do. They enjoy interaction and support whilst they play. The childminder maintains up to date records of attendance, although she does not always record any variations to children's arrival and departure times to promote their safety.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended training, in Basic Counselling Skills and Community Childminding since the last inspection which positively impacts on the children in her care. All of the required documentation is maintained to ensure children receive appropriate care. Most of the required permissions are in place. The childminder is aware that all adults who have contact with children should be suitably checked. As a result children's safety and welfare is effectively promoted. 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 parents sign the child attendance register to provide evidence of the information accuracy. The childminder has requested that parents sign the register to ensure children's safety and welfare is maintained. The childminder was also required to obtain business use car insurance. The childminder was unable to find her car insurance documents at the time of the inspection, although she has obtained the correct insurance for emergencies when she needs to use her vehicle. A further recommendation has been raised. Finally, the childminder was asked to ensure parental wishes are recorded with regarding to consent for emergency treatment. Permission has been sought from parents, to ensure children's health needs are met in the event of an emergency.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received one complaint relating to Standard 2: Organisation. The complaint related to having too many children present at a particular time. We visited the provider to investigate the concerns raised in December 2005. The provider reviewed her numbers of children on roll to ensure she was minding within her conditions of registration. The provider remains qualified for registration. The provider has made a record of the complaint in their complaint record. 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): • expand the range of activities available for children with reference to the 'Birth to three matters' framework • ensure that records of attendance show the exact time of arrival and departure for minded children • seek written permission from parents to take children on outings • provide evidence that car insurance includes business use

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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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