Childminder in Derby

Inspection report for early years provision

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206011 Unique Reference Number 19 March 2007 Inspection date Sheena Gibson 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 2000. She lives with her husband and children aged seven and 17 years in a suburb of Derby. It is within walking distance of shops, the local schools, parks, the woods and library. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with toilet facilities in this area. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years at any one time. Currently there are eight children on roll, who attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds an appropriate early years qualification. The family has two cats and two guinea pigs.

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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's good health is appropriately maintained because the childminder employs suitable hygiene procedures. They gain an early understanding of the importance of good hygiene through daily routines. For example, they are reminded to wash their hands after going to the toilet, before meals and after touching pets. Parents are encouraged to keep children at home if they have a contagious illness, to minimise the risk of cross infection. Children receive appropriate care, if they have an accident or are unwell, to ensure they are comfortable. The childminder has an up to date first aid qualification to ensure children receive the most appropriate treatment in an accident. Detailed medication records are kept to promote children's health when they are ill. Also, permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice has been requested for all children, to ensure their individual health needs are appropriately met

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy varied and regular opportunities for physical activity including playing in the garden and going to local parks. They enjoy the outdoors during different times of the year, due to accessing a suitable outside area. As a result their physical development is well promoted. Children learn about a healthy lifestyle through discussion and activities. They are well nourished and their dietary needs effectively met. They enjoy a wide range of meals that are primarily home-cooked and balanced; healthy eating is encouraged. Snacks are healthy and include, for example, dried fruit or a choice of fresh fruit. The childminder gathers information from parents on children's health and diet to ensure they enjoy food and drink appropriate to their specific requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to feel comfortable in an environment that is warm and suitable for the purpose. They are cared for in a welcoming, secure and homely environment where they are always within sight or hearing of the childminder. As a result, they are able to move around safely and independently, managing their own personal needs, also increasing their confidence and independence. They enjoy an ample supply of toys and play materials, suitable for their age and stage of development, which are of good quality and in very good condition. Effective and safe storage of equipment enables them to make choices and develop decision making skills safely. Children's safety is well maintained because the childminder carries out risk assessments of the environment on a daily basis to ensure that they are not exposed to potential hazards. The childminder takes great care and consideration over the safety of the children in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the home environment and discusses this with them, contributing to their understanding of safety within the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are also beginning to learn how to take some responsibility for their own safety when, for example, carrying out an enjoyable road safety project, where activities in the home are linked to activities outside. For example, they talk about the pelican crossing, colouring in pictures and then learn how to safely use it when out of the house. Written permission has

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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 been obtained from parents to take children for walks. However, it has not been sought to transport children in a car, which potentially impacts upon their welfare. Children's well-being is effectively maintained in relation to child protection. The childminder has a good working knowledge of the indicators of child abuse. Not all relevant documentation is in place, which potentially has an affect upon children's care, although the childminder is very confident in her understanding of what to do if there is a concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's care and development is effectively supported as the childminder plans and organises activities in consideration with their individual needs. They are happy, settled and keen to join in and play. They show curiosity and are interested in what they do. They confidently move around their identified play areas and develop their independence and self-esteem as they freely choose their toys and play equipment. They access a good range of activities, developing new skills when taking part in, for example, painting, baking and drawing activities. Children have opportunities to play freely and to join in some focused activities, such as topics and projects, which are organised for them by the childminder. They make choices and selections from a good range of toys and activities that encourage their decision making skills. They play creatively, developing their own imaginative games, playing independently and alongside each

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses developmental assessments, in conjunction with 'Birth to three matters', to effectively promotes children's learning and skills. Their language skills are promoted well and they are becoming confident communicators. The childminder interacts effectively with the children, talking about subjects that interest them, such as their home life. They are beginning to make marks when they write their name on their picture, sounding out the letters as they do. They enjoy craft and learning about other countries. For example, older children can remember German week, when they learned some German phrases. Children play cooperatively together and understand about sharing, supporting their developing social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are able to feel respected and valued as individuals; the childminder knows them well and is interested in what they say and do. She engages with them in a positive manner and consequently, children are happy and at ease in the setting. Their individual needs are catered for effectively with regard to, for example, specific dietary requirements. Children's backgrounds are valued and this helps them to gain from learning about other places and people. Children are beginning to learn generally about the wider world through the provision of appropriate toys and activities and through discussion with the childminder. For example, they access toys and books that depict positive images of race, disability, gender and ethnicity. The childminder has a suitable awareness of systems to support children with an additional need or learning difficulty and demonstrates a willingness to work in partnership with parents and relevant

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Helping children make a positive contribution

professionals to promote the welfare and development of all children.

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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 Children learn to get along with other people through the positive strategies employed. These acknowledge their good behaviour and provide suitable explanations where necessary, so that children learn right from wrong in a supportive, non-blaming environment. Consequently children are happy, they relate well to their carer and are keen to interact with her and other children in the setting. Children benefit from a good working relationship that the childminder has with their parents. Good written records and ongoing dialogues with parents ensure that children's individual needs are met effectively. A portfolio of information provided for parents ensures they understand how the childminder organises her business and how the children spend their day. This provides consistency of care for children, which increases their sense of

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care and welfare is effectively promoted as the childminder presents a professional and enthusiastic attitude to her childminding. Their safety is well supported as all required persons have undergone Criminal Records Bureau checks. The childminder is very proactive in improving her own practice through continued training and using creative methods to gain relevant information that effectively promotes children's care and development. Good consideration given to organising the environment to make it welcoming for children and the use of time so that children feel valued and cared for.

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Organisation

Children receive care that meets their individual needs because records are well organised and shared with parents as appropriate. All regulatory records are in place and used to support the effective management of the provision, which has a positive impact upon children's care. Confidentiality is maintained to ensure children's privacy. The childminder's development of comprehensive policies and procedures promotes consistency and contributes effectively to children's welfare. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Children Act inspection the provider was given recommendations around: improving fire safety precautions by practising the comprehensive emergency escape procedures; ensuring consistent good hygiene practices are in place regarding hand washing. These have been suitably addressed and as a result children's care and safety is effectively supported.

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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. 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

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 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 written permission is obtained for transporting children in a vehicle • ensure that the local and government documentation with relation to child protection is obtained.

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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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