University of Leicester

Inspection report for early years provision

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133832 Unique Reference Number 30 October 2006 Inspection date Jill Milton 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 registered in 1993. She lives with her family in a three bedroom semi detached house in Kidlington. The home is within easy travelling distance of local shops and schools. The whole house is registered for childminding though in practice the upstairs is only used for sleeping. There is a small enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for up to six children at any one time and currently cares for six children at various times during the week.

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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. The childminder takes care of children when they are unwell or have an accident. She keeps her first aid training up to date and has a first aid box to hand if needed. The children's health is protected since the childminder works closely with parents and records any special health requirements. The children play in a clean home and the childminder maintains suitable routines to ensure cleanliness in the kitchen and bathroom areas. The children receive reminders to wash their hands after visits to the toilet, though they do share one towel which does not protect very well against cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat a healthy range of foods they bring from their own homes and the childminder provides cold storage as needed. The children respond positively to the childminder's guidance about making healthy choices and fruit snacks are popular. Babies and children receive drinks and milk feeds according to the own routines so that they are all content.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have a balanced selection of toys to play with in the garden areas. The older ones benefit from games suited to their age range with supervised football target practice on the front lawn. In the enclosed small rear garden children access more resources to encourage them to spend time in the fresh air. Equipment like a slide helps to promote physical play and the childminder gives positive messages about exercise with walks to the shops or local park. Younger children who need a day time sleep rest comfortably upstairs, within hearing of the childminder. The travel cot they rest in thoughtfully contains their favourite comforter, though sheets are not always changed between different children's nap times to prevent cross infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play happily, confident in the secure surroundings of the childminder's home. The childminder can observe when visitors approach the house and she eagerly answers the door to welcome the minded children. The children have a spacious, open plan area to play in and they can move freely around making choices. The family dining table is a central point for craft activities and shared snack times. The children access an interesting range of toys which are well suited to their different ages. The childminder builds up her stock of equipment and ensures resources are in good condition and clean.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder closely supervises the children whilst they play and sleep. The childminder shows a good understanding of how to keep them safe by making use of equipment like stair gates, socket covers and window locks. She has also considered fire safety by installing smoke alarms and a fire blanket. A fire evacuation plan is in place, though children are not involved in practising the procedure to ensure everyone knows what to do.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of the area of child protection. She has the necessary contact details to hand and printed information for referral should the need arise. Children play safely since the childminder understands her responsibility to protect their welfare.

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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 good. Children enjoy their time playing at the childminder's home. They are happy and settled, quickly engaging in play when they arrive. Babies have a good range of stimulating toys to encourage them to explore and reach out for colourful objects. The childminder recognises the needs of a wide age range of children and she is careful to provide a good mix which interests them all.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children interact well with each other and there is a homely feel between the group of children attending. Children are confident to choose toys that interest them and the childminder is quick to respond to their requests, for additional art materials for example. The childminder is good at tempting children to take part in creative activities. She prepares well for the activities ensuring coloured card and a pumpkin are ready to start Halloween festivities. The children are cared for by an adult who shows an interest in them and conversations take place about family events or when talking about a finished picture. A child is keen to show the childminder her 'multi coloured animal' and she receives praise for her lovely work.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder welcomes each child on arrival and is warm and caring towards them. Children can make their own decisions and independently choose resources which helps to build their confidence and self esteem. They take part in cultural events through the year and bring items, like a calendar related to Chinese New Year, to show everyone reflecting their growing understanding of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well during their time with the childminder. She acts as a good role model in how she speaks to the children in a calm and pleasant way. As they become older the children are familiar with simple house rules which benefit their safety, for example no running on the wooden floor in case they slip over. The childminder also works closely with families when shared tactics to managing behaviour provide children with continuity of messages. The childminder has a good relationship with the parents of children she cares for. This can be seen in the friendly exchanges that take place when parents drop their children off for the day. Parents speak highly of the childminder's care, noting her helpful feedback on how the day has gone and the interesting items of craft work that the children bring home.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home well to care for young children. She gives thought to the access of resources, for example, to make it easy for children to play. The weekly routine takes into account the patterns of sleep and feeding times of babies, along with the need for older ones to attend their nursery or school classes. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her documentation competently, ensuring that parents complete forms that enable her to have information to care for the children successfully. The childminder

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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 is aware of the need for confidentiality of family information and she stores records for the suggested time scales. She has a positive attitude to improvement and is willing to attend further training to build on her skills and knowledge. Recent attendance at child protection training and promoting positive behaviour are two such examples.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was required to address five areas of concern at the last inspection. She has attended to all these issues. Three aspects of her care that required attention were linked to the maintenance of sufficient documentation. The childminder has obtained new versions of some forms and the important paperwork relating to accidents and administered medicines is now completed correctly. Children's attendance records now show their times of arrival and departure. The impact of these changes is that the childminder is working more closely with parents to ensure continuity of care and that parental wishes are carried out.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The other two issues that the childminder was required to address were linked to keeping children safe. The childminder has removed a trailing wire from the main play area and she has attended a child protection course. All the improvements addressed have made a positive impact on the standards of care for the children which are now judged as good overall.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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. 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 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): • improve some hygiene procedures to safeguard children from potential sources of cross infection • ensure the fire evacuation plan is practised to help children be more aware of safety issues

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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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