Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY298023 Inspection date 06 July 2005 Inspector Caroline Sharratt-Smedley

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and two years in Derbyshire. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom of the childminder's house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and currently has four children on her register. She works with an assistant on occasions. Children are taken to the local park and soft play areas.

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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 The childminder has a dog, three cats and fish in the pond. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and a local childminding support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children are learning about personal hygiene routines as the childminder supports them through toilet training. Independence is promoted as they are able to tend to their own toileting needs with some support, praise and encouragement from the childminder. Good health is promoted through good hygiene practices and the childminder's home is clean and warm. Children are well nourished and the childminder tries hard to achieve five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet the children's individual dietary needs, discussing and recording these in each child's file. The children enjoy fresh air and exercise as outdoor play is provided daily in the childminder's garden and they are regularly taken to the local park. Other physical activities are enjoyed by the children as they are also regularly taken to a soft play area where they are able to socialize with children of other childminders. The children

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Helping children to be healthy

rest and sleep according to their needs and are able to recognise when they are tired and choose to go for a rest. The childminder encourages children to identify and make wants known to her and her assistant. The childminder has all relevant documentation and consent forms in place to support the service provided. The children are healthy, happy and well cared for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a safe, secure environment where risks are identified and minimised both in and out of the home. They are able to move around safely indoors and out and are learning to keep themselves safe as they are constantly supervised and checked by the childminder and her assistant. The children are able to crawl and pull themselves up using furniture and learn to take their first steps safely. They have access to suitable and safe equipment which is regularly checked and cleaned. The home is well maintained and offers good space and a welcoming environment for children to play comfortably. The children independently select activities that are easily accessible, helping to create a stimulating environment. The childminder maintains child/adult ratios and has an assistant working with her on occasions when she has four children under the age of five years. The emergency

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedure that is in place is supported by local childminders and agreed with parents, this is to ensure the safety of the children at all times.

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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 The children are protected as the childminder has a secure understanding of her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into place. There is a clearly written child protection policy in place, which is available to parents to read.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are happy and settled at the childminder's home. They enjoy lots of contact with the childminder who has a very soft, gentle manner. The children are able to confidently approach the childminder and her assistant to make their wants known and are learning to communicate using language and expression. They show much enjoyment and interest in what they are doing, listening to a story with enthusiasm and naming body parts while gently tickling one another. The children's individual needs are met as they are able to access a good range of toys and resources, they are able to make choices around play and personal needs with support and encouragement from the adults. They take turns, share and are encouraged to have regard for one another for example they were shown how to be gentle with the baby. The children are acquiring new knowledge and skills, one little girl has recently learned to ride a bike with support from the childminder. The

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder has a good selection of play suitable for the age and development of the children and will be having training in Birth to Three matters in October which will help her to plan activities around children's individual progress. The childminder is a member of a local childminding support group, they support each other in many ways, sharing equipment and ideas, taking part in activities and events together and covering for one another during emergencies and holiday times. The children enjoy forming positive relationships with others and enjoy taking part in a variety of activities in and out of the home, they recently took part in a fun day dressing up as pirates and princess fairies. This means that children are engaged in purposeful activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children are well cared for as the childminder works closely with parents to meet their needs. She talks about each child with pride and is aware of their different levels of development. The childminder encourages parents to stay with the child until settled and has implemented ways of helping children deal confidently with different situations for example starting nursery school. This means that children are happy and settled at the childminder's home. The children behave well and respond well to the boundaries set by the childminder. The childminder has written a clear behaviour management policy that is shared with parents. Reward systems are in place to promote good behaviour along with lots of praise and encouragement. The children play happily together, they share toys, interact well and are beginning to show consideration for one another.

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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 The children's experience of the wider society is limited as the childminder lives in a predominantly white area where diversity is not evident. The childminder has a written equal opportunities policy that is not implemented to the full and there is a limited range of resources that reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability. However the childminder and her assistant have a positive attitude, use correct terminology around the children, have celebrated Diwali and use the internet for information. This means that children lack understanding about the wider world.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home in the childminder's house, they are positively supported and individual needs met. The childminder provides a stimulating and relaxed environment, children are confident as they access and choose activities. The children's well being is held in high regard by the childminder and her assistant, both are keen to extend their knowledge, they work well together, are aware of individual roles and both dedicate their time to caring for the children. The children are developing adequately at their own individual levels. However records of children's individual developmental needs and abilities are not maintained so that play and activities can be planned and structured to monitor children's progress. The childminder has written and implemented a number of policies and procedures to support the service provided and most are effective in ensuring children are safe and

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Organisation

well cared for. Overall the needs of the children are met.

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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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that knowledge, play provision and the activities provided reflect the society we live in and promote anti-discriminatory practice • develop and maintain records that highlight children's individual development and progress

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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