Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY239958 Unique Reference Number 01 March 2007 Inspection date Janice Rizvi 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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and daughter aged nine years in Ashby De La Zouch. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor, the upstairs bathroom and rear bedroom for childminding. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years. There are currently seven children on roll, of these two children are under five years and five over eight. Children have access to a secure outside play area. The family have a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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. Young children are establishing good routines in respect of personal hygiene. They are cared for in a clean and orderly environment. Parents are informed that the family have a cat. The childminder ensures children are fully supervised when handling the cat. She teaches children the importance of personal hygiene and hand washing. Sick children are cared for sensitively and parents called if needed. Children with infectious illnesses are kept away from the other children where possible and excluded. This helps to protect others from the spread of infection. The childminder records any accidents and has recently renewed her first aid training. The first aid kit is ready to hand and fully maintained. However, there is no prior written parental consent in place for her to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for future emergencies, which potentially compromises children’s health and safety. The childminder has records available to

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Helping children to be healthy

obtain parents' prior consent for medication, ensuring she is fully informed prior to administering any medication to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are met. The childminder discusses these with parents. Children enjoy healthy savoury meals and snacks of fresh fruit and fruit juice. Older children are confident to request their choice of snacks. They sit in comfort and are given time to complete their meal. Younger ones are offered frequent drinks. This ensures their fluid levels are maintained and provides older children with opportunities to take some responsibility for their own needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children and parents enter into a welcoming environment where the childminder displays her relevant certificates, thus reassuring parents of her qualifications and experience. Children enjoy sufficient space in which to play and can freely move around between activities. Good provision is made for children to rest according to their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy using resources that are safe, in good order and suitable for the ability of the child using them. These resources are regularly checked for safety. All this helps in providing a safe environment for children. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder has a good understanding of potential hazards and takes steps to address these. She ensures children are properly supervised at all times, both indoors and while on outings. The premises are secure to ensure children are unable to leave unsupervised and any unknown persons cannot enter the house without being vetted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe. The childminder talks about different dangers with them. For example, school children wear a fluorescent safety tabard to ensure they can be seen when walking to and from school. Although the childminder ensures she is always present in good time to collect children, they know the rule that if they cannot see her they must go back into school. When on walks they learn to stay within sight and hold hands, when crossing the road they look for the green man and stop, look and listen.

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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 Children's welfare is promoted. The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues and her responsibilities in this area. She has devised a procedure which she shares with parents and has the latest guidelines to hand for reference.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young children enjoy a good range of activities which promotes their all-round development. They experience interesting activities to promote their mathematical thinking and imagination. Young children are aware of simple numbers and know what comes after one. They are involved in basic counting of everyday objects, listening and recognising sounds, using shapes and sorting different objects. Very young children enjoy musical pop-up toys; they learn to turn the knobs using different shapes to make the light and shape come on. They learn simple nouns and objects as they look at picture books with the childminder. As they climb the stairs they start to count. Older children are confident to ask for their choice of activity and talk about their experiences. Their imagination is promoted through using a variety of craft materials and games. One of their favourite activities is bead work, making intricate patterns and small objects

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

out of ‘Harma Beads’ Children are well behaved.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Interaction between the childminder and children is good. The childminder gets down to the children's level. She initiates and responds to children’s overtures and extends their thinking by asking questions and involves herself in their play where appropriate. Children are happy and confident with the childminder. Older children are able to relax after school in a quiet area. All age groups play well together with older children having care and concern for younger ones. Children enjoy a harmonious and family atmosphere within the childminder's home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enjoy respect from the childminder and consequently learn to respect others. The childminder listens to children and finds out about their likes and dislikes. Children are introduced to visitors, such as the inspector. All this shows them they are valued. Children learn about diversity from the good range of resources available to them. The childminder also talks about differences with the children. This helps them to accept and respect others who are different from them. The childminder welcomes all children into her service and is happy to work with parents and other agencies in order to support children's learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good. This is influenced by the childminder's calm approach and the fact that they are well occupied. Although there are no children currently attending the setting who have learning difficulties or disabilities, the childminder is able to provide care which includes all children in the life of the setting through discussing their needs with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good information is exchanged with parents. For example, the childminder records all contact and emergency contact details for the children, their likes, dislikes, allergies and phobias. Parents have regular access to their own children's records and sign to say they have seen them. The childminder has a very good understanding of the importance of working with parents and

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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 endeavours to accommodate their wishes and routines wherever possible. This helps to provide consistency for children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well settled with the childminder. Space is used creatively to allow them good opportunities to move around, choosing their activities. They receive good support in their play. Most of the required records are in place and easily accessible when needed. The childminder ensures that all persons who have access to children are suitable to do so. All this underpins the smooth running of her service. She maintains the required first aid training and has undertaken other relevant short courses in order to extend her knowledge and improve her practices. She continually looks for ways to improve her service for the benefit of the children. All this assists in providing an environment that promotes children's welfare and learning. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to; develop her knowledge and understanding of the Area Child Protection Committee procedures; ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote diversity and make sure that the stairs and landing areas are made safe.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has referred to the National Standards for Childminding, and has booked on the earliest child protection course to come available in her locality on 21/05/2007. She is aware of where to report any concerns should they arise. The childminder has increased the range of resources/activities to represent diversity and disabilities available to children. The materials are suitable for different age ranges of children, ranging from a variety of books and small world people and dolls. The open plan stairs have been made safe with a wooden board secured to the top of the stairs to restrict children from climbing over the banisters. The existing stair gate remains in place as before. The childminders attention to the above issues has improved the outcomes and standards for children in her care.

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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.

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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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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): • request written parental consent for seeking medical advice or treamtment for any future emergencies.

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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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