Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY311225 Unique Reference Number 14 September 2007 Inspection date Mark Evans 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?

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives on the outskirts of the City of Leicester with her partner and adult son, and her six-year-old daughter. Within the home children have access to the hall, lounge, dining room, conservatory, toilet room, utility room and kitchen. The first floor is not used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden area for children's physical play and activities. The family has no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to receive a maximum of five children under eight years and currently has four children on roll. She can take and collect to and from a local school; she takes children on local outings and visits a childminding group and parent and toddler group, where the children can partake in a range of activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder uses suitable hygiene practice to reduce cross-contamination and maintain children's health. For example, when changing children's nappies she uses disposable gloves

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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 and disinfects the changing mat after each use. Children have a clean home environment for their care and play, which helps to keep them healthy. They begin to learn about personal hygiene as they are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after toileting. When children are unwell there are suitable arrangements for them to be cared for at home, which also reduces the risk of cross-infection. There is clear agreement with parents for seeking any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment and systems in place for the recording of medication and accidents. These aspects help to maintain and monitor children's well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide a packed lunch to meet most of their children's dietary needs. The childminder supplements this with snacks and drinks, which include various fruits and fruit juices to help promote healthy eating and dietary health. Children have regular access to drinks to ensure that they are well hydrated and comfortable. Children enjoy the outdoor environment and have regular play in the childminder's garden. Children use play equipment, which includes swings, slides, push-along toys and balls, and have extended physical play opportunities when visiting the park. As a consequence, they develop skills for coordination and balance, and they benefit from the fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is a welcoming and comfortable environment for children's care and play. Children are well supervised at all times by the childminder and she takes action to reduce most risks in the home to keep them safe, for example, she uses a stair-gate and has locks fitted to kitchen cupboards. However, the outdoor decking area is not complete, some glass panes in the greenhouse are accessible to children and the arrangements for securing the main entrance are not fully suitable. These aspects potentially compromise children's safety. Children begin to learn about safety when talking to the childminder about fire evacuation and when tidying away toys to keep safe order.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access various types of play resources and activities because the childminder stores toys in accessible areas and she uses space effectively for the children to play. The childminder maintains the condition of equipment to make sure that it is suitable and safe for children to use. Children's welfare is soundly supported by the childminder, who has completed child protection training and has satisfactory knowledge of safeguarding children procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children show that they are secure and confident whilst in the care of the childminder. For example, they will occasionally seek close interaction, such as sitting with the childminder for a story, and at other times they explore the environment and play independently with role play. Children play with purpose and enjoy their interactions with the childminder when involved in activities, for example, when sitting at a table with play dough. They are able to shape and mould with malleable materials and they enjoy creative activities where they can use paints and craft materials. Young children develop enjoyment in using books and have the ability to use them appropriately because the childminder sits them close to her, involves them in the pages of the book and stimulates their interest through asking questions about the pictures, encouraging their communications and associated sounds. For example, she asks "What's this?"

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

when pointing to a picture of a sheep, to which the child responds "Baa".

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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 Children experience a warm, caring relationship with the childminder who shows interest in them. She uses supportive contact, gesture and voice intonation to show value and help them feel secure. This enhances their confidence and ability to play independently. Young children start to develop awareness of being cooperative because the childminder encourages them to be fair and share play items.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are made welcome and are treated individually. They have access to some items that reflect diversity, such as dolls and books, and the childminder engages children in activities that support other cultures, for example, to make Diwali cards for the Hindu celebration. This develops awareness and helps them to become familiar with the wider community. Children experience equality of opportunity, having equal access to toys and activities. They are confident and secure and young children start to develop social awareness, being supported by the childminder through praise and being encouraged to be cooperative with each other. Children's behaviour is managed positively because the childminder explains consequences to children, for example, to pick up the toys after using them so not to fall over them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has positive relationships with parents and discusses their children with them each day. This helps continuity of care for the children. Children benefit from the stable care arrangements being supported by the childminder and parents establishing some verbal and written details to agree business terms and parental consent. However, specific records related to each child, which include details of their General Practitioner, are not kept and this potentially compromises their welfare.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Organisation of space within the lounge, dining area and conservatory provides children with suitable space for their care and play. The childminder maintains suitable adult-to-child ratios and this gives her more available time to interact individually with children and helps them to feel secure and settled. Children are always supervised and the childminder does not allow unsupervised access by adults who are not vetted. Children benefit from the childminder's developing knowledge and practice through undertaking relevant training, for example, food hygiene, safety and child protection.

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Organisation

Most documents are in satisfactory order and made available for inspection. The childminder has organised a suitable filing system with record forms for various aspects, such as attendance registers, medication administration and written parental consent for care agreements. These documents, in conjunction with the regular exchange information between parents and childminder, help to support the care, welfare and continuity of care for the children. Overall, children's needs are met.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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

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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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 that glass panes in greenhouse are safe or inaccessible to children and that the outdoor decking area is safe • make sure that there is suitable arrangement for keeping the premises secure so that children are unable to leave unsupervised • ensure that all relevant information is recorded for each child, including details of their General Practitioner.

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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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