Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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207808 Unique Reference Number 17 May 2007 Inspection date Tara Street 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 1996. She lives with her family in Chesterfield. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five all day on a part-time basis. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local childminding and carer and toddler groups. The family has two pet rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is a member of the Derbyshire childminder network.

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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 health and hygiene is effectively protected and promoted. Through the implementation of good hygiene procedures the childminder helps to protect children from any cross-infection. Babies and toddlers experience hygienic nappy changing routines, and are assisted to wash their hands before and after meals. Older children confidently go to the toilet unaided and dispense their own soap. The children are developing an awareness of personal hygiene because they have individual toiletry bags which contain a flannel and toothbrush. Children are appropriately cared for in an emergency as the childminder holds an appropriate paediatric first aid qualification and regularly updates this to ensure she is working to current best practice when caring for children. Written permission for the treatment of accidents and seeking treatment in an emergency also supports children's welfare. All care given is recorded

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Helping children to be healthy

and parents appropriately informed. Medication permissions and records are in place and ensure children's medical requirements are effectively met. A detailed sickness policy offers parents information about exclusion periods for children who are unwell, ensuring children are not placed at risk of infection and illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular drinks of fresh water throughout the day in age- and stage-appropriate cups and beakers. Older children confidently pour their own drinks from a jug which is placed within easy reach. Snacks and meals are varied and nutritious and sample menus are available for parents. The childminder takes time to get to know the children's preferences and provides food that they will enjoy. For example, children are offered fresh fruit, vegetable sticks, toast and cooked meals such as shepherd's pie. Information is obtained from parents about any special dietary requirements or food allergies the children may have, and menus are adapted to meet these needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing a good awareness of physical health and fitness. A good range of opportunities are provided for the children to be active and to enjoy fresh air and physical exercise. They enjoy playing in the garden using equipment to balance and climb, ride on bikes and play with balls. Children experience regular visits to local parks and childminding groups to experience large play equipment. Indoors, younger children are developing an awareness of their own bodies through music and movement activities and action songs such as 'Row row row your boat'. Older children enjoy making their own dances to music and creating plays which they perform to other children attending. Children enjoy participating in a variety of physical games, such as children's Olympics, where they participate in sack and running races. They are learning to become aware of their bodies' needs, such as using sun screen on sunny days and

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Helping children to be healthy

putting on coats and hats in cold weather to keep themselves warm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from vigilant procedures including a systematic risk assessment and health and safety policy to provide a safe and secure environment. Effective arrangements ensure the outside play area is safe and excellent security ensures children are not able to leave the premises unsupervised. Appropriate safety equipment minimises potential hazards within the home, such as fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and effective organisation of equipment and resources allow children to access these freely and safely to promote independence and choice. Older children select toys and resources for themselves from a comprehensive range of good

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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 quality equipment and resources. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises younger children's choices of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder uses discussions effectively to promote and safeguard their welfare. Children are never left alone as the childminder is meticulous and shows a very clear understanding of constant supervision of the children. This includes never leaving children unattended in a car and ensuring they are transported in age and weight appropriate car seats in line with current legislation. Appropriate fire safety equipment is available and vigilant arrangements for emergency evacuation, including regular fire drills, equip children with the knowledge of what to do if the need arises. Excellent arrangements are established for outings including taking a book of relevant details, emergency contacts and procedures to be followed in the event of a child becoming lost.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding of child protection issues in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and how to take any action required to protect children. She has established a comprehensive written policy to ensure parents are fully informed of her responsibility to protect children from harm. The childminder ensures that children are only collected by their parents or named adults by prior written arrangements and children are never left alone with other adults.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children experience an extensive range of suitable and challenging activities across all developmental areas. The childminder has attended training in the 'Birth to three matters' framework and has implemented an effective and flexible planning system to enhance children's learning and ensure activities meet the children's individual needs. Ongoing observations and assessments are used effectively to inform future planning, such as pictorial development records. This ensures that each child has the opportunity to progress at their own rate with appropriate and timely support and guidance. Children's suggestions and requests are valued and planned activities are adapted to suit their interests, stimulating their play, learning and enjoyment. The childminder has a good awareness of child development. She organises the space and activities well to give babies, toddlers and older children space to play and develop

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their skills without interruption. Babies enjoy a range of musical instruments, shape sorters and fabric books. Toddlers engage in messy play, construction activities and role play. Older children enjoy access to a computer, painting activities and a range of ball games. They also experience a broad range of topics and themes, for example, travel agents where they look at holiday destinations, cultural dress and spoken language, along with regular activities such as attending the local childminding group, library, farm parks and Matlock bath.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Close and caring relationships increase children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self-worth. Development in all areas is significantly enhanced by the exemplary quality of the childminder's interactions. They receive cuddles, hugs and close contact to provide reassurance. Children relish sitting close to the childminder when playing with shape sorters, stacking blocks and when looking at books together. High quality interactions support children's communication skills. The childminder asks age and stage appropriate questions which offer challenge and stimulate their thinking. Children's imagination and creativity are positively enhanced through a comprehensive range of creative activities, such as plaster of Paris, junk modelling, making necklaces and gluing and sticking activities. Together the children and childminder compile scrap books that include a range of children's art activities, projects, themes

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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 and photographs. Children are listened to as the childminder positively responds to their gestures, requests and questions. Older children eagerly add their own input into planned activities and routines, through a children's questionnaire, and their opinions and are highly valued by the childminder because she changes planned activities or outings to reflect these requests. Children also benefit from a visually stimulating environment, with posters, pictures and displays in the setting to help extend and support their learning, such as a healthy eating display completed by the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are made to feel welcome and are treated as part of the family. The childminder takes time to get to know each child's interests and abilities and therefore ensures they receive appropriate attention to meet their needs. The childminder is in the process of updating her documentation to ensure information about children's home language and religion are recorded. However current children's records have not yet been updated, potentially impacting on their care and learning. Children's awareness of diversity in the wider world is effectively raised through the use of a wide selection of appropriate resources within their imaginative play, books, puzzles and small world toys. Children are eager to research different cultural festivals of the world and enjoy informing the childminder and other children of what they have discovered. The childminder meets the needs of children with learning difficulties and/or

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Helping children make a positive contribution

disabilities as she has an excellent awareness of how to adapt activities to offer suitable levels of challenge. She works closely with parents to discuss children's needs and liaises with specialists to ensure their requirements are met whilst in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Strategies are in place to manage children's behaviour effectively. Children behave well, are polite and they respond well to simple and consistent house rules so that they know what is expected of them, for example taking turns with their toys and saying please and thank you. Children's understanding of right and wrong is increased as they respond to gentle reminders to care for their environment and each other. By understanding how their behaviour affects others, they are learning to play together harmoniously, sharing their toys and are treating each other kindly. Children are valued and respected as individuals and their achievements are encouraged and praised, so that children's self-esteem and sense of identity is enhanced. For example, the childminder has implemented an effective reward chart and certificate system to reward children for positive behaviour such as taking part in group games.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder recognises and values the importance of providing parents with a good range of information about the childminding service and listening to them to ensure children's needs are met. At the time a child is placed in the care of the childminder, parents receive a comprehensive range of documentation and information about the childminding service. This includes the childminder's aims and objectives, a wide range of written policies, for example, regarding behaviour management, equal opportunities, child protection, a sickness policy and parent contracts. Written consent is obtained from parents to allow children to participate in certain activities, for example, to go on walks and outings. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure information is exchanged with parents on a regular basis through conversation, questionnaires and daily diaries. Children therefore benefit from this consistency of care, for

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Helping children make a positive contribution

example, maintaining similar routines and ensuring children's preferences are addressed. Children feel secure and parents develop confidence and trust in the childminder and the service that is offered.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from an exceptionally well organised routine and stimulating programme of activities. The childminder has excellent planning and organisational skills and the environment is well prepared to maximise play opportunities for all of the children she cares for. Children benefit from her enthusiasm and enjoyment in providing a range of exciting and positive experiences. They spend their time purposefully and all activities support play, learning, development, care and take into account each child's individual needs.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of childcare and education, her experience and ongoing commitment to developing and enhancing her practice through attending further training. She is highly motivated and regularly monitors, evaluates and improves the quality of her care through feedback from parents and children. All required documentation that contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being is in place and regularly reviewed. The childminder takes time to ensure that parents are happy with arrangements and all relevant information including child protection is shared and signatures obtained where necessary. Confidentiality is rigorously maintained, whilst ensuring that parents are well informed and involved in the child’s care and learning. 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 inspection the setting agreed to; develop the resources to reflect positive images of culture, gender and disabilities. The childminder has purchased a wide range of multi-cultural resources and regularly incorporates different cultures and festivals of the world within her planning and topics, which effectively promotes children's understanding of the world around them.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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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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):

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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 • ensure children's records contain information which enables appropriate care to be given.

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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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