Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY219226 Unique Reference Number 11 September 2006 Inspection date Kate Bryan 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2003. She lives in a house in the area of Braunstone Frith in the city of Leicester. There are local shops and parks within walking distance. The lounge, bathroom and kitchen are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for four children and currently has three children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and takes and collects children attending Braunstone Frith Primary School.

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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 satisfactorily protected from the risks of infection and cross contamination as they use wet wipes and sensible hygiene practices, such as hand washing, as part of their daily routine. Babies are changed using disposable gloves to ensure all children's health is suitably maintained. The children are encouraged to be responsible for their own health through discussion of issues such as germs. Children are suitably cared for, should they become ill, in a warm, clean house until they can be collected by parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's routines are agreed with parents so that they have their needs for rest and sleep met in a consistent fashion. For example, they can rest on the settee or in pushchairs which suitably promotes their emotional well-being. Children enjoy a good range of physical activities daily in the garden or park which promotes their health well. Access to equipment such as slides and swings ensure children have challenges which develop their physical abilities well.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a suitable awareness of healthy eating through discussion and their health needs are suitably met as the childminder works closely with parents to ensure that their dietary and physical needs are fostered. Children enjoy healthy snacks of fruit and have access to drinks all day, older children may help themselves to these as they learn to be responsible for their own needs. The childminder does not provide food for children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a good awareness of child protection issues and is secure in reporting these to the appropriate authorities in order to promote children's well-being effectively.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe in a warm, clean environment because the childminder has identified most risks and taken suitable measures to minimise these. For example, they are suitably protected from the risks of fire because appropriate detection and prevention measures are in place and an emergency escape plan has been practised with them. Children are also aware of sensible rules, such as not to jump on the furniture, and the childminder talks to them about the dangers of objects, such as hot cookers, so their safety is suitably maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected when they are outside because the childminder is vigilant about their safety. Young children are managed by the use of reins or they hold onto the pushchair, the childminder always takes her mobile phone so that emergency contact is possible. Children are made aware, by discussion, of safe road crossing practices and the hazards of stranger danger so that they learn to be responsible for their own safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is suitably organised so that the childminder can monitor children in all rooms and ensure they are safe. This means in practice that children mainly use the lounge for activities, quiet time, table activities and sleeping. Children can make their own selections from a suitable

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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 range of easily accessible resources which are bought new and regularly checked and cleaned to ensure safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel secure and valued because the childminder has very warm relationships with them. They happily accept cuddles and enjoy sitting on the childminder's knee. The childminder has a sound awareness of supplying activities which are age appropriate. This means older children can choose what they would like to do after school from a range which includes, play, homework, reading or relaxing, and so maximise their enjoyment. However, the childminder does not use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to plan young children's play and learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have suitable opportunities to learn to be skilful communicators because the childminder spends time talking and listening to them so that they know she is interested in them. Children's number skills are well promoted as the activity of counting is built into routine activities, such as counting cars when outside. The childminder has also devised flash cards and is working with 'Jolly Phonics' to promote children's recognition of words.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have suitable opportunities to develop their creativity and imagination as the childminder offers a range of activities to promote this, such as dressing up and pretend play. They also create collages and work with feathers and beads which allows them to explore different textures. Children enjoy making dough figures and observe changes in objects as the dough is mixed and cooked. Children's awareness of the wider world is suitably promoted by a range of trips to places such as the park, the zoo, the Guild Hall and Twin Lakes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's behaviour is suitably managed by the use of age appropriate strategies. Older children receive' time out' on the stair where the childminder sits with them and explains the consequences of their actions which appropriately promotes their sense of self. The childminder ensures she is consistent in dealing with children's behaviour. For example the use of sensible house rules, such as no bullying, means children learn the boundaries for their behaviour which suitably promotes their self-assurance. Children make a positive contribution to the routines of the home as they help to tidy away after activities, this promotes their sense of belonging effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are warmly welcomed to the home and this enables them to feel a good sense of belonging and self-worth. Children have their needs suitably met because the childminder works closely with parents and uses satisfactory records to ensure this. Parents are spoken with daily so that they are aware of their child's progress and children enjoy taking home work they have completed to share with their parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a suitable awareness of promoting equal opportunities and children learn about other cultures and festivals through discussion. Festivals are also acknowledged and children have been to see the Diwali lights. However, insufficient resources show positive images

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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 of race and disability which means children may not receive a balanced view of the world. Children with learning disabilities receive an appropriate service which encourages them to be suitably involved in all activities. The childminder has a sound awareness of working with parents to ensure that her home is suitable for children with physical disabilities.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder ensures children are suitably protected at all times as they are never left with anyone who has not been police checked. The satisfactory organisation of the home also ensures that children are within sight or sound of the childminder at all times. Children have good levels of adult support due to their attendance patterns which ensures they are supported in their play and learning.

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Organisation

Children are confident to explore the environment and experience a range of activities such as quiet time in the lounge area or a craft activity at the table in the lounge. Children's physical health is well promoted by daily use of the garden or local park where they have access to a good range of equipment which offers challenges and enjoyment.

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Organisation

Children's welfare, learning and care are appropriately fostered by the use of sound policies and procedures which are shared with parents. All required records are in place to ensure children's needs are suitably met and these are maintained up to date and easily accessible. The childminder also has a current first aid certificate which enhances safety measures in place for children. However, the childminder has not completed an Introduction to Childminding Practice course which means care for children may not be current. Overall the provision does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, ensure that any persons over 16 living in the household undergo required checks and ensure that children have access to an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti discriminatory practice. Appropriate records and checks are now in place which has enhanced existing safety measures for children. However, the provider is still required to ensure that children have access to an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti discriminatory practice.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • complete a local authority approved childminder's course These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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