Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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225189 Unique Reference Number 15 August 2006 Inspection date Sheila Dawn Flounders 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 good. 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 1991. She lives with her husband and one adult child in the village of East Goscote, north of Leicester. The whole ground floor 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 all day, and three children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good. Children have good opportunities for physical play, with younger children frequently using the rear garden or the local park. At these times they access equipment to develop their large motor skills, such as the slide or see-saw, and their fine motor skills with, for example, a variety of bats and balls. The babies particularly like to crawl around the lawn chasing after the soft balls or explore the contents of the toy box and use it to pull themselves up to stand. The others practise their throwing and catching and develop their skill by rolling a ball down the slide and aiming it between the childminder's legs. These activities help the children to learn about healthy living, together with daily walks to school or pre-school.

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Helping children to be healthy

All the children understand simple good health and hygiene practices, they are able to access the downstairs bathroom independently and do so to wash their hands before eating. They stay healthy through the use of liquid soap and clean towels daily, which help to reduce the spread of infection. Good measures are in place to keep the premises, particularly the kitchen, clean and there is a robust nappy changing procedure in place which ensures they are immediately disposed of. Children are protected from the illness of others by the sickness policy, which informs parents when their children should not attend, although individual circumstances are taken into account. The childminder has past experience of first aid training, although she does not hold a current certificate. However, her co-minder does have one so that the impact on the children is reduced. All of the children are able to rest and sleep according to their need,

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Helping children to be healthy

with the childminder finding out their routines from parents with regular discussions taking place to keep the information updated. Babies sleep in their pushchairs, with parental agreement, whilst older children rest on the settee if necessary.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished as parents currently provide food which is prepared by the childminder, who has a good awareness of food handling procedures. Older children are responsible for serving their own lunch, whilst the childminder prepares the food for the babies and feeds them. They all have good access to drinks, with additional ones available to supplement those children bring from home. Children are encouraged to help themselves and to leave their cups where they can easily reach them. The childminder is vigilant in ensuring that the babies are offered frequent drinks to keep them hydrated, particularly in the warm weather. All details of children's medical and dietary needs are obtained from parents so that any special requirements are fully met. Medication is given rarely, only after parental consent with appropriate storage available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children learn to protect themselves from an early age as they are involved in regular practises of the emergency evacuation drill and they are able to discuss with the childminder how they would get out if the fire was in various parts of the house. They are also well aware of the need to use sun cream and wear hats in sunny weather. The childminder has also taken additional steps to ensure that adequate shade is available in her garden at all times. Children either walk

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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 or use public transport for outings, all with parental consent and are kept safe at these times by the use of harnesses, reins or holding hands according to their ages. The childminder discusses road safety with the children and even the pre-school aged children know the basic rules for crossing the road. The childminder has a secure enough knowledge of child protection and the procedures that she would need to use if necessary to ensure that the children are safeguarded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a welcoming and secure environment where their safety is a priority and constant supervision is possible because there are always two adults present, except for during the school run. For example, the childminder gets boxes of toys out ready in the morning so that children can play as soon as they arrive, and during the day places a large box between the two halves of the lounge so that the older children can have out resources which are not safe for the babies to access in the other part of the room. All accidents, of which there have only been minor ones, are recorded and fully shared with parents. The childminder has a good awareness of potential risks to children and has put measures in place to protect them from identified hazards, for example all low glass is safety glass, a gate is available to prevent access to the first floor if needed and babies use harnesses in the pushchairs. The garden has been

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

laid out so that it is attractive for the children to play in, with grassed and paved areas for their use. There are lots of flowering plants and only one with berries, which the childminder removes as soon as they appear so that younger children are prevented from trying to eat them. Children use only suitable and safe equipment as the childminder is vigilant about checking the recommended age range and that items are from a reputable supplier when making purchases.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children develop confidence and self-esteem as they confidently play with a wide range of age-appropriate toys and resources. They are interested in what they do and become engrossed in their play. The babies for example enjoy feeling the texture of the toys, the older children enjoy long periods at creative activities and engaging in role play situations. The school aged children like to talk to adults in the setting and confidently exchange ideas with each other. Children are encouraged towards independence through the easy access they have to resources so that self-selection takes place as the norm, even for the youngest babies, and they use their initiative and their imagination daily. The younger children invent a whole shopping game from an idea to mimic the use of a laptop computer. The babies try to fit lids on the tubs, turning them over, exploring which way they might fit. They crawl around the garden chasing after a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

ball, then pick it up and consider whether to taste it or throw it. Vocal children ask questions often and constantly talk to the childminder and each other about what they are doing, what they would like to do and what everyone else is doing. Whilst the babies are encouraged to find their voices and praised for sounds that they make and have their babbling responded to appropriately with gestures from the childminder and the older children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is skilled at ensuring all the children are presented with suitable and varied challenge through the resources they access, for example that something slightly harder or of a different type is available for babies; or through the interaction they have with the adults who join in their role play, make suggestions as to things they might like to do or play the game alongside them. This ensures that children acquire new knowledge and skills constantly as they

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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 respond well to the challenge, such as the babies learning to fasten two pieces of duplo together, or what noises various animal make or pre-school children honing up their bartering skills during role play. All of the children make positive relationships with the adults in the setting and with each other, the older children enjoy spending time with the younger ones, particularly doing anything to make the babies laugh and the babies beam with obvious delight when they crawl across the room towards the older children or play 'peek a boo' with them over the arm of the chair. The activities available for the younger children are being enhanced by the childminder's use of the 'Birth to Three Matters' framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have their individual needs met well because the childminder takes time to find out fully from parents what these are. Necessary information is gained and continuing, ongoing contact ensures that this is kept updated as the children grow and develop, which allows them to be cared for in accordance with their own routines as much as possible for example the babies are offered a drink soon after waking. Parents are all given verbal feedback about their children at the end of the day. All of the children have a strong sense of belonging in the setting, with many having attended for several years. They are familiar with the premises and the toys and activities available to them, they help out with getting things ready for lunch or tidying away, and make regular use of resources within the local area. The children all get on well with each other, and the older children particularly are sensitive to the differing needs of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children understand reasonable behaviour as the childminder has a consistent approach. She always keeps calm, uses the tone of her voice to provide explanations or ask children for reasons for their behaviour and will use short periods of time out if necessary. Positive behaviour is encouraged through the use of praise and children respond to this approach well. Children are always able to make choices and have alternative things to do, so that they have good levels of self-esteem. They are all able to make the childminder aware of their own needs, due to the constant supervision which is in place, either verbally or through gestures so that these can be met quickly if appropriate. Children become aware of wider society as they access a suitable range of resources within the provision which provide positive images of diversity.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has ensured that all necessary documentation is readily available, that parents are always fully informed about the provision and that she works very closely with her co-minder. This ensures that children have consistent attention, feel happy and secure, and make good progress. She organises her time and the environment within her home to ensure that the children take priority, whilst learning to respect her belongings. She has devised policies and procedures which enable her to meet the outcomes for children. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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 that children are only released from the care of the childminder to individuals named by their parents. Since that time she has improved children's safety by obtaining permission from parents for children to be released into the care of specific named adults if they wish.

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Complaints 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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection since 1 April 2004.

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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 good. 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 that a suitable first aid qualification is maintained.

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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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