Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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207661 Unique Reference Number 06 March 2007 Inspection date Jennie Lenton 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 has been registered since 1995. She lives with her partner and their one child aged two years old, in Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire. The whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom are used for childminding. The family have a pet rabbit and fish. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years of age. She takes and collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. She attends a toddler group on a regular basis and visits parks and shops in the vicinity.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from cross-infection as the childminder maintains her home to a high standard. She undertakes regular checks and uses anti-bacterial spray to clean surfaces. This

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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 ensures that the home remains safe and hygienic. Children are encouraged to develop sensible personal hygiene routines to further promote their health. The childminder talks with them about the need 'to get rid of germs'. As a result, they learn the importance of regular hand washing. For example, after visiting the toilet and before eating. The childminder excludes ill or infectious children which helps to maintains the health of all. This practice is shared with parents at the start of a placement. Therefore, children who are ill are not brought to the home which prevents the spread of infection. Any child who becomes ill at the setting is appropriately cared for and monitored while they await collection.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are basic procedures in place for the administration of medicine and for recording accidents. This helps to ensure children receive consistent care as their needs are accurately recorded. The childminder demonstrates understanding about the procedures to follow in the event of an injury and has appropriate first aid equipment. However, she has not maintained her qualifications to ensure that children are treated in accordance with current guidelines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Dietary needs are suitably met as the childminder collates information relating to allergies. Children are provided with nutritious and balanced meals. For example, jacket potatoes, meat pie and vegetables or spaghetti bolognaise. Regular drinks are provided for younger children. Older children are able to help themselves independently. This ensures children remain hydrated. Children benefit from active play. They have access to a small garden and regularly walk with the childminder in the local area as they are collected from school or visit local parks. This helps them develop physical skills as they get regular exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children feel safe and relaxed in the welcoming premises. The home is securely locked to prevent them leaving unaccompanied. This also protects them from uninvited visitors. Children are further safeguarded as the childminder provides a safe environment in which they can rest or play. Hazards are minimised as the childminder is vigilant in making sure potential risks are reduced. She stores hazardous products safely and provides children with a good range of developmentally appropriate toys which are fit for purpose. The use of specialised equipment ensures that children's safety is prioritised. For example, there is an extensive fireguard which covers both the fire and hearth to prevent injury.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder also provides constant supervision. She engages with children's activities and ensures that they are well supervised when they access outside play areas or go upstairs to visit the toilet. There are good procedures in place to promote children's safety on outings. The childminder uses pushchairs and reins to keep young children safe and talks to them about road safety and 'keeping together'. Children also learn about how to stay safe in an emergency. The childminder has a comprehensive escape plan and has practised this with the children. As a result, children learn how to respond to an emergency situation in a calm setting. This helps to ensure that they respond quickly to instruction should it be necessary. The childminder's good understanding of child protection procedures also safeguards children from potential future harm. The childminder is clear about her role and responsibilities. She is aware of signs

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of abuse and how to refer any concerns. Children benefit as their welfare is prioritised.

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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 are confident and happy at the home. They have warm and comfortable relationships with each other and with the childminder. They communicate confidently as the childminder listens attentively to them. This promotes their self-esteem as they feel valued. Younger children and babies are provided with plenty of opportunities to snuggle up. This encourages them to develop a strong bond with the childminder and promotes their general well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are a wide range of activities and resources for children to engage in. They can independently choose from a variety of toys, including play-dough, painting, role play, books and games. This promotes their creative, physical and intellectual development. The childminder also provides some planned activities such as visiting toddler groups and taking outings to the park. This enables children to extend their social skills as they have regular opportunities to mix with others. The childminder plays alongside children to further their learning and enjoyment. She uses skilful questioning to assist children in their understanding. For example, asking 'what colour is that?' and 'do you like that?'. Children successfully learn to explore their preferences and increase their knowledge of the world.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

By rotating the plentiful resources, the childminder ensures that all children have a variety of play opportunities. These are stimulating and generally developmentally appropriate. However, the childminder is not consistently planning activities for the younger age range. She is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework but is not using this consistently to ensure that all areas of development are covered. Outcomes for younger children are therefore not fully promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn right from wrong as the childminder encourages them to appreciate the needs of others. They are taught to respect each other and show consideration. They learn to share resources and take turns. As a result, they mainly play together harmoniously. Any inappropriate behaviour is dealt with calmly. This ensures children learn how to behave in a manner which protects their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Through positive partnerships with parents, children receive individualised care which meets their requirements. The childminder successfully adjusts her routine to work in harmony with parent's other commitments. There are daily opportunities for the exchange of information. As a result, children are protected as any changes or concerns are quickly responded to. The childminder also ensures that parents are well informed about the care provided by sharing her policies and procedures. She also collates relevant information to assist her in providing a quality service. For example, she records contact details and obtains parental consent for emergency medical advice or treatment to be sought. This ensures children receive prompt, appropriate care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder treats all children with equal concern. She considers the needs of children from differing backgrounds and encourages children to respect different traditions and cultures.

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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 This helps all children learn to respect and value diversity. The childminder also welcomes children with learning difficulties or physical disabilities. Displaying a good awareness of how to support children with additional needs, she seeks to work with parents to determine how the care provided can meet individual requirements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is well managed. The childminder uses a wide range of safe techniques to discourage unwanted behaviour. These are varied to reflect children's level of understanding. For instance, with younger children she anticipates potential problems and responds quickly to these. For example, she effectively uses distraction or meets children's needs for rest before they get fractious. With more mature children the childminder uses discussion and reasoning to deal with problems. She successfully encourages good behaviour through the skilful use of praise and encouragement. As a result, children learn how to behave in a positive way.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder ensures that children are cared for at all times by an appropriately vetted adult. She is clear about the need to protect children from un-vetted individuals and has made suitable arrangements for their care in case of an emergency. She has an agreement with parents that another designated childminder can offer temporary care. This proactive approach protects children by ensuring that their needs are met should an unforeseeable event occur.

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Organisation

The childminder has not maintained her first aid certificate. While she demonstrates a reasonable knowledge of first aid procedures and is booked onto a course, her skills have not been recently assessed. This impacts on her ability to keep children healthy. In the event of an emergency or accidental injury children receive care from a childminder who is not qualified.

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Organisation

Children receive sufficient supervision. This is of a high level as the childminder consistently maintains appropriate ratios. Children benefit therefore, as the childminder organises her time well to work directly with them. Records relating to children are appropriately maintained and stored. The childminder completes the register accurately, with times of arrival and departure. She has organised children's records so that they are accessed with adequate regard for confidentiality. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to devise a system for recording complaints; gain parental consent for children to use public transport; provide parents with contact details for Ofsted and review the organisation of children's records. The childminder has effectively updated her paperwork and improved the flow of information between her provision and parents. As a result, there is a clear complaints policy, which includes a system to record any complaints that are received. This is shared with parents. It includes the contact details for Ofsted and the childminder also displays this number prominently in the home for parents benefit. Children benefit as any complaints or concerns are efficiently dealt with to ensure their ongoing care. The childminder has also reviewed and improved children's records. She has ensured that parental consent is gained for using public transport and has re-organised the

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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 records so that each child has a separate folder. This helps to ensure that all children receive care in accordance with parental wishes and that confidentiality is maintained.

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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.

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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): • maintain a first aid certificate • plan and provide play opportunities to improve outcomes for children under three in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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