Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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225290 Unique Reference Number 07 August 2006 Inspection date Alison Edwards 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 1991. She lives with her husband, one adult daughter and 14-year-old son on a residential road in a small town in the Charnwood district of Leicestershire. Minded children use the ground floor of the house with access to the first floor bathroom and large front bedroom as needed. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. A cat is kept as a family pet. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. There are currently three children under eight years on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in clean and comfortable premises, so helping to maintain their health. Arrangements for care of the family cat help minimise the risks of children coming into contact

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 with animal feeding materials, so reducing risks of infection. Within their daily routines children begin to learn about simple good hygiene practices such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before meals. Comfortable sofas, or babies' own reclining seats, are used to enable children to rest or sleep according to their needs. Flexible daily routines often include opportunities for children to be physically active, for example when using ride-on toys in the garden or visiting local parks and play centres. They use a selection of play materials suitable to their stage of maturity to enable them to develop their dexterity, for example as a pre-school child handles miniature figures and accessories with care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Suitable arrangements are in place to share most information on children's individual health and medication needs, so enabling the childminder to work with parents to meet these as needed. However, arrangements are not yet established to authorise any necessary future emergency medical treatment, so potentially limiting the childminder's ability to manage any such incident to best effect. The childminder usually requests parents to provide meals and snacks, so these are suited to children's and families' preferences. Drinks, such as dilute squash, milk or water are usually available to children, so helping to ensure they take sufficient fluids.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The suitably maintained family home provides sufficient space on the ground floor for children to play, eat and relax within the childminder's sight, so they are appropriately supervised. The risk of children leaving the premises unsupervised is minimised because the front door is kept secured and opening windows are lockable. The level, grassed rear garden is fully enclosed, enabling children to safely access it for outdoor play. Furnishings and equipment are in sound and clean condition and generally suited to children's stage of development. For example, in addition to use of the main dining table for meals and table top activities, the childminder sometimes makes use of a low table and benches to increase younger children's safety and independence. Toys and play materials are sorted into different crates which the childminder makes available to children depending on their age and stage of development, so enabling

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

them to safely access a selection of items suited to their maturity.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A number of sensible precautions are in place to minimise identified risks to children's safety. For example the kettle and kitchen knives are sited out of children's reach, and fire precautions such as smoke detectors and fire blanket are provided. However, arrangements to underpin children's safety are not currently fully effective because children sometimes have access to potential hazards such as upright step ladders and an unlocked chest freezer in the garage, and the childminder is unable to provide evidence of current relevant insurances covering public liability or business use of her car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of what child abuse and neglect mean. She recognises her responsibility to contact the relevant authorities in the event of any child protection concerns in order to help safeguard children's welfare. However, lack of familiarity with current details of local guidance limits her ability to do this to best effect.

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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. A calm and relaxed environment helps children settle in the childminder's care, for example as an older child is occupied watching television whilst a younger child plays with a selection of toys for an extended period before coming to the childminder for a cuddle. Daily activities are informally organised having regard to individual children's usual routines, such as sleep times. They often include opportunities for children to use local parks and play centres, or to socialise with other children when visiting friends, so helping to provide variety and enabling children get to know their local neighbourhood. Children sometimes talk readily with the childminder, for example when a younger child talks about her new dress. The childminder has some awareness of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and its use to support provision for younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are often contented and relaxed in the childminder's care, as when a baby sleeps for a sustained period, or a pre-school child remains settled and occupied playing with miniature figures. They are usually able to make some choices within their play, for example selecting from the assortment of toys and play materials which the childminder varies on a daily basis, or asking for particular activities such as colouring. Children are encouraged to take some responsibility for their actions, as when the childminder involves them in tidying up toys. Use of some simple and consistent boundaries, such as taking their shoes off indoors, helps children recognise what is expected of them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has regard to children's individuality because she seeks information from parents about their specific needs. For example, written records include sections requesting details of individual health and care requirements, so helping the childminder to meet these. The childminder is aware of the value of liaison with parents to enable her to support any child with identified special needs. However, at present children do not often experience well planned activities or make use of well-chosen resources helping them recognise and respect diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses initial meetings and written agreements to help establish shared expectations with parents with regard to children's care. Informal discussion on arrival or departure enables parent and childminder to share some relevant information about children's daily activities and experiences.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are contented in the comfortable environment and relaxed in their dealings with the childminder. There are adequate arrangements in place to maintain documents necessary to supporting children's daily care such as information regarding health and contact details or details of any accidents or medication administration. The childminder works within the permitted adult:child ratios to help ensure children receive sufficient supervision and attention. Overall, children's needs are met.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure all records relating to childminding were readily accessible, ensure that children were only released to individuals named by parents and ensure that children's hours of attendance were recorded. The childminder has improved children's safety by ensuring that parents now give written consent to authorise collection of children by any other adults. Arrangements to underpin children's care have been improved because children's hours of attendance are shown in the register, and necessary contact and care details are readily accessible.

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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 all 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): • establish arrangements to request written parental permission to seek any future necessary emergency medical advice or treatment • improve safety arrangements with particular regard to ensuring potential hazards are made safe or inaccessible to children and to ensuring evidence of current public liability insurance and business cover for use of car is available • ensure familiarity with local guidance on child protection procedures • improve children's access to a range of experiences and activities helping them recognise and respect diversity.

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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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