Law, Marian

Inspection report for early years provision

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225892 Unique Reference Number 14 September 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and 10 years in a house on a residential road in a large village in the Blaby district of Leicestershire. Children use the ground floor of the house including the ground floor cloakroom. There is a rear garden for outdoor play. Tropical fish are kept as family pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a well maintained and comfortable family home, so helping to maintain their good health. Appropriate hygiene practices are incorporated into daily routines, as when children are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet, so helping to minimise risks of infection. Available space is used appropriately to enable children to rest according to their

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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 needs. For example, older children use comfortable sofas in the lounge to relax after school, and a baby is able to sleep quietly within the childminder's hearing in a travel cot or pushchair in the dining room. Flexible daily routines often include opportunities for children to be physically active, for example when using ride-on toys on the patio in the garden or when visiting local parks and toddler groups. Children use some selected materials to enable them to use their hand-eye coordination, such as when pre-school aged children use glue sticks to make a collage using shapes pre-cut by the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Suitable arrangements, such as accessible first aid supplies and current paediatric first aid training, are in place to enable the childminder to deal with minor accidents. Written parental consent is sought to enable medical advice or treatment to be sought in the event of an emergency, so helping to ensure children's welfare in such circumstances. Flexible arrangements with parents regarding provision of meals help ensure these are suited to individual children's and families' preferences. When providing snacks and lunches, the childminder usually includes items such as fresh fruit, so helping to contribute to children's healthy eating. Children are offered drinks such as juice, water or dilute squash at regular intervals, 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. Children have sufficient space to play, eat and relax within the childminder's sight or hearing when using the ground floor of the spacious family home. This helps to ensure they are appropriately supervised. Direct access from the breakfast kitchen patio doors to the well maintained lawned and paved rear garden enables children to readily experience outdoor play. However, some gaps in the laurel hedging to an adjacent garden mean that children's security in this area is not fully assured.

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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 household chemicals are stored in a high cupboard. Provision of smoke detectors and a fire blanket, together with an identified evacuation procedure, help reduce risks from fire. Toys and play materials are generally suited to their interests and stage of development and are in good clean condition, so enabling children to use them safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of some possible indicators of child abuse and neglect. She recognises her responsibility to contact the relevant authorities in the event of any child protection concerns, so helping her safeguard children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are very settled and relaxed in the childminder's care. They are confident in expressing their needs and preferences, for example when talking about how much more lunch they can eat, or whether they can do painting activities. They are usually able to make some choices in

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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 their play, for example selecting from the assortment of toys and materials which the childminder makes available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Daily routines and activities are generally organised to contribute to children's overall development. For example, they sometimes use crayons or paper shapes in creative activities, or use a play kitchen and tea set for pretend play. Use of play equipment in the garden or in local parks enables them to use their large physical skills. Outings within the neighbourhood enable them to experience their local community, for example when they visit local parks or library or socialise with other adults and children at a local toddler group.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder spends time actively involved with children, for example as she shares books with one child, or helps children negotiate over use of a glue stick. Attendance at local training on the 'Birth to three matters' framework helps ensure the childminder has some awareness of the use of this framework to support provision for younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. A calm and affectionate environment helps children settle readily. They quickly become familiar with routines and expectations because the childminder is consistent in her approach, for example with regard to sitting at the table for meals. They begin to become aware of each other's needs as they talk with the childminder about taking turns with particular toys. They sometimes make independent choices, for example when they choose particular vehicles from a selection the childminder has put out.

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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 information on specific health and care requirements, so helping the childminder to meet these. The childminder is aware of the value of liaison with parents to establish the care requirements of any child with identified special needs. Some resources and activities are used to help children begin to recognise and respect individual differences, for example books reflecting different cultures or lifestyles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are very contented in the comfortable environment and are relaxed in their dealings with the childminder. The childminder takes active steps to ensure that any variation to the normal adult:child ratios is agreed with Ofsted to ensure that children's care needs are met. Attendance at local training, for example with regard to the 'Birth to three matters' framework, helps the childminder maintain awareness of recent guidance on childcare provision. Most required records are readily accessible, for example with regard to parental contact details and

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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 information regarding accidents and medication. However, occasional lapses in accuracy potentially compromise the effectiveness of these records in underpinning the organisation of children's care, for example with regard to children's dates of birth or actual dates of attendance. 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 the daily attendance record was up to date and that parents' written instruction was obtained for any medication administered to children. The childminder was also asked to ensure the garden was safe and secure. A secure side gate and sturdy high boundary fences and hedges surrounding most of the garden reduce the risks of children leaving the rear garden unsupervised. However, the garden is not yet fully secure because there are a few low gaps in the clipped laurel hedging to an adjacent garden. A further recommendation has therefore been raised regarding this issue.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Systems are now in place regarding written parental instruction regarding the administration of any medication, so improving arrangements to support children's health and well-being. A daily register is now in use clearly showing children's full names and hours of attendance. However, because some recent dates have been incorrectly entered this does not yet form a fully accurate record to underpin the organisation of children's care. A further recommendation has therefore been raised regarding this issue.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints to report 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): • ensure children's records include dates of birth and that daily registers accurately show the date. • ensure the security of the rear garden is appropriately maintained with regard to the hedging.

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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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