Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

207718 Unique Reference Number 26 July 2006 Inspection date Patricia King Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1991. She lives with her husband and a child aged 13 in the Boulton Moor district of Derby. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and currently has four children under eight on roll. She takes children to the local school, pre-school and childminders' support group.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy good health and a healthy lifestyle because they are learning about personal hygiene and self-care. For example, they wash their hands before eating and explain how putting their hands in front of their mouths when coughing or sneezing prevents the spread of germs. They are well protected from health risks because the childminder has effective systems in place to promote good hygiene and safeguard children from the dangers of exposure to the sun. For example, children have their own washing and sun screen equipment.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from cross-infection and illness by the childminder's good information and policies to inform parents that children will not be minded when infectious. Their health and welfare are promoted by the clear systems and records kept to take appropriate action in the event of an accident and to administer any necessary medication. However, not all parents have been asked to give written permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the variety of nourishing meals offered by the childminder to meet the nutritional and dietary needs, personal choice and preferences agreed with their parents. They understand the importance of eating fresh fruit and vegetables daily and describe how this will help them to be healthy and grow strong. Children enjoy a variety of healthy snacks between meals including fresh fruit. Drinks are readily accessible for children to have when they require and they are reminded to have drink plenty of fluids in the hot weather.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily outside play in the garden, weather permitting. They use outdoor equipment to balance and climb, ride on bikes and cars, and play with balls, games and the trampoline. They are taken to the local parks and preschool groups to play on other large physical equipment. Children relax and sleep according to their needs because the childminder plans her home and routines to offer opportunities for rest and quieter times.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children under three benefit from the childminder's practice in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework to offer positive opportunities for children to learn how to become healthy individuals, for example by talking about healthy eating and personal hygiene.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a secure, stimulating, comfortable home where risks are recognised and made safe. This means that children move around safely, freely and confidently making good use of the areas used for childminding. They independently select activities from a good range of quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards and are stored within easy reach. Appropriate safety equipment minimises potential hazards within the home and effective organisation of equipment and resources allows children to access these freely to promote independence and choice. However, the childminder has not established agreed written procedures for the safe use of the trampoline.

p.3

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 are learning how to keep themselves safe, for example, they respond well to simple rules about not running and climbing in the home. They describe why they must take care not to push or kick little ones when they play and keep little pieces out of the reach of babies and toddlers who may put these into their mouths and choke. Appropriate fire safety equipment is available and children are learning how to escape to safety in the event of an emergency. They are learning to keep safe outside the home, for example, they practise stop, look and listen to cross roads with safety.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety and welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's secure understanding of child protection issues in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Children are kept safe when travelling as the childminder has established good systems to use appropriate safety equipment. The childminder ensures that children are only collected by their parents or named adults by prior written arrangements and children are never left alone with other adults.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children under three benefit from the childminder's practice in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework to offer positive opportunities for children to learn how to keep safe in daily activities and routines, such as when out walking.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. A substantial range of toys and play resources is readily accessible to children. Careful planning provides them with interesting opportunities to make active choices about their play and promote their learning. Children use their imagination well, for example, eagerly showed the necklaces, bracelets and puppets they have made and talked about how they will put on a show when all the puppets have been completed. Their work is displayed in the childminder's home, taken home or put into scrap books which are shared with their parents. This means that children feel valued and have positive self-esteem.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play together harmoniously, take turns and share well. Older children offer help and support to younger ones as they play together happily. For example, they all sang and acted out familiar rhymes and clapping songs and the younger ones beamed with delight when they were praised and applauded. Children are very settled and comfortable in the childminder's care. She takes care to find out what they can do, their likes and dislikes, and plans effectively to ensure that they learn and develop well in her care. She compiles 'life story' books to record children's growth and development such as sitting, standing, walking and important learning milestones.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children under three benefit significantly from the childminder's informed and creative use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to offer interesting and stimulating learning opportunities appropriate for their care and development. For example, she has made up a feely box of safe utensils and every day items for younger children to explore and play with. Children flourish in the caring, stimulating environment where they are highly valued as individuals and they respond positively to the childminder's consistent use of praise and encouragement.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are warmly welcomed into the home and are encouraged to learn about their own and other cultures because the childminder works well to promote their understanding. Resources have been carefully chosen to increase the children's awareness of diversity. Children's care and welfare is discussed and agreed with the parents, establishing a close working partnership to keep them fully informed and included in the care of their children. For example, she has daily discussions with parents about the care of their children, completes a record of the children's daily routines by request and provides life story record of children's development. This demonstrates that children's individual needs are carefully considered, ensuring that they feel comfortable and confident with the childminder. She shows good understanding of how to manage the situation positively when recognising any health or special needs of a minded

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to behave well. The childminder has established sensible house rules, such as no climbing or jumping on the furniture which means they learn to take responsibility for their own behaviour. Children listen intently to the childminder and respond positively to her consistent use of praise and encouragement which promotes a sharing and caring environment.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure and settled in the childminder's home. This means they have confidence to make choices, express their needs and make good progress in their overall development. Arrangements successfully promote children's, health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Space and resources are organised imaginatively and stimulating activities provide children with interesting and exciting opportunities to broaden their overall development. Children's welfare and safety is positively promoted by the comprehensive set of polices, guidelines and information accessible to parents. The childminder ensures that documents and records necessary for the efficient and safe management of the provision are maintained. However, she has not displayed the current certificate of registration.

p.5

Organisation

All adults in the household have been cleared and the children are well protected from visitors by the childminder's secure systems and procedures. Parents are kept informed and included in the care of their children by daily discussion which means they can contribute to their child's continued development. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved her documentation to establish the dietary needs of minded children; the systems for the collection of children by their parents and other adults by prior written agreement; the details recorded in the accident and medication records and she has ensured that all records are available for inspection. The welfare of children is positively promoted by having individual washing facilities. Children are learning about the

p.5

Improvements 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 wider world through activities and resources that promote positive images and awareness to diversity.

p.5

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • request written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment • promote safety within the setting by completing a risk assessment to inform written procedures, agreed in writing with the parents, for the safe use of the trampoline • display the current certificate of registration.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6