University of Derby

Inspection report for early years provision

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133811 Unique Reference Number 06 March 2007 Inspection date Sheila Collins 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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and three children aged 16, 12 and 10 in the village of Cholsey in Oxfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property, with the exception of the main bedroom is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden at the back of the property for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five and two school aged children on a part -time basis. The childminder takes to and collects children from the local school and preschool. The family has a pet cat and a rabbit, which lives outside.

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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 follows the children’s own routines, which ensures continuity of care for the children. The childminder has a good understanding of each child's individual needs, which promotes their wellbeing. The children follow good hygiene practices and wash their hands as part of their personal care routine.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents requests with regard to their children's dietary needs are adhered to and these are fully discussed when a new minding agreement begins. The childminder knows the children’s individual health needs and all relevant documentation is in place, which ensures that she meets each child's individual needs. The childminder says she holds a current first aid certificate, but this was not available to check. Items in the first aid kit are limited and need replacing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities for physical play both indoors and outdoors which help them develop their physical skills, and the childminder takes them to places such as the local park and toddler clubs, where there is more space for them to enjoy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children use the space available appropriately and are aware of the areas where they can and cannot play. Children are safe because the childminder is proactive in spotting any potential hazards and has taken action to minimise risks for example having a safety barrier across the bottom of the stairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access toys easily from the box in the living room. Other boxes are stored within the dining area and the childminder rotates these so that the children have a choice. The children are able to direct their own play and the childminder monitors the selection of toys to ensure that they are suitable and safe for the children's age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder says that she holds current public liability insurance but the certificate was not available to check. The childminder promotes the children's welfare through a working knowledge of safeguarding children issues and knows the routes of referral should she have concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children decide which activities they would like to do and direct their own play, supported by the childminder. The childminder consults the children about activities, involving them in the planning especially for the holidays. They select what they would like to do from a range in the boxes put out by the childminder, which she rotates to prevent them becoming bored. They enjoy outings to the park and the younger children go to toddler clubs, which help them to develop their physical and social skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 are encouraged and their efforts praised by the childminder, which promotes their self esteem and allows them to develop their self- confidence. Children’s independence is encouraged and the childminder offers them support when required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children are happy and settled and have a good relationship with the childminder, and generally behave well. The childminder ensures that she discusses her behaviour management policy with the parents at the initial meeting. She discusses with parents each child’s individual needs and keeps up to date with any changes through ongoing dialogue. The children access a range of age and stage appropriate resources, which allows for their individual development, ability and interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

By working in partnership with the parents, the childminder ensures that she meets the children's individual needs. Discussions take place daily with the parents and the children tell their parents what they have done during their time with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is meeting the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

Although there are no written policies and procedures in place, the childminder discusses all aspects of care with the parents. Records relating to the children are in place. However, the childminder was unable to find all the required documents needed to support her childminding, in particular her first aid and public liability insurance certificates. This means that children may be at risk as a result of Ofsted’s inability to check these. The registration certificate was not on display but has been placed in a folder for safekeeping during the anticipated move.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, two actions were made. These were to ensure the registered numbers are not exceeded and make sure the daily record of attendance clearly shows which children are present and when. Also to maintain the premises in a clean and hygienic condition to promote the good health of children. The cleanliness of the premises is adequate. The childminder has a record of the children's attendance in place and records show that she is not exceeding her registered numbers.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a recommendation was made regarding records. This was to organise records to ensure all information is readily available if it is needed. At this inspection, the childminder was unable to find all the required documents needed to support her childminding, in particular her first aid and public liability insurance certificates. This means that children may be at risk as a result of Ofsted's inability to check these, so a recommendation has been made at this inspection.

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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 As a result of a complaint two actions were made. These were to ensure children are under the direct supervision of the childminder at all times and to maintain an accurate daily record of children's attendance and ensure this is available for inspection. The childminder has a record of the children's attendance in place and says that the minded children are under her direct supervision at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, Ofsted received one complaint relating to National Standard 6: Safety. Concerns were received on 6 February 2006 regarding supervision of minded children when taking them to school. A childcare inspector made an unannounced visit to the childminder to discuss.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Actions were set in relation to National Standard 6: Safety and National Standard 14: Documentation. The childminder responded to these actions and no further action was taken. The childminder met the National Standards and remained qualified for registration at the time the investigation was closed.

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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): • ensure that the contents of the first aid box are checked frequently and replaced as necessary • ensure that all records relating to child minding activities are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times.

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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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