Childminder in Luton

Inspection report for early years provision

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155802 Unique Reference Number 24 April 2007 Inspection date Susan Tuffnell 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two grown up children aged 24 and 26 years. There is also an adult family friend who resides at the childminder's house.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family live in a residential area of the outskirts of Luton, Bedfordshire. The house is a three storey residence and the first two floors of the property are used for childminding purposes. There are four parks close to the family home. The childminder regularly attends parent and toddler groups. The shops and schools are within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There were no minded children present during the inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children’s good health is promoted. She can respond to accidents appropriately because she has a current first aid certificate and

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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 the first aid box is maintained and easily available in the kitchen. Accidents are clearly recorded and shared with parents. However, the childminder does not have parental permission in place to seek emergency medical advice and treatment, in order to fully protect children in the event of an emergency situation. The childminder describes how she would ensure children learn about personal hygiene through their normal daily routines. For example, she encourages children to wash their hands after toileting, when they finish messy play and before they sit down to meals. The childminder has all the necessary documentation to ensure that children are protected from infectious diseases and appropriate procedures are in place should a child become unwell. There are good systems in place to gather information from parents regarding

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Helping children to be healthy

medical needs, dietary requirements and allergies.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the importance of children taking part in regular physical play outside. There are good opportunities provided for children to have exercise in the fresh air, for example, visits to the park to play on large equipment such as slides and climbing frames, also dancing and movement to music to practise a variety of body movements. The resources available provide sufficient challenge for a varied age group of children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder shows a sound knowledge of the importance of children being able to learn about healthy living. She said she encourages the children to talk about healthy eating as they help with the shopping and mix ingredients for cooking. Children have opportunities to take part in the preparation of food by making their own sandwiches and fruit salads. Most food and drink is supplied by parents, however, the childminder will provide a varied, nutritious menu if required. The childminder has knowledge and experience in preparing food for different cultural and dietary needs. She describes how children enjoy tasting food from her own cultural background and how she introduces different fruits at snack times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home has adequate space for children to play and rest and suitable toilet facilities. The childminding area is arranged to give children space to move freely and safely and sit comfortably to play. There is a suitable variety of toys and resources that are stored in accessible boxes or on shelves that allow children independent choices. The childminder said that children are also encouraged to suggest activities and outings and their ideas are valued and acted upon.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has identified possible hazards and has taken action to ensure that risks inside and outside her home have been minimised. For example, the ground floor playroom is being decorated and the garden renovated so children will not be permitted to use these areas until they are safe. The childminder has reduced the number of children she minds while work is in progress, to ensure that children have adequate space to play. The childminder ensures that all safety features are in place by regularly checking the childminding area. For example, barriers are used appropriately at the stairs, hazardous materials are locked away from children and electric sockets are covered safely. An excellent fire safety precautions statement gives clear information on escape routes and assembly points and fire safety has been further improved with smoke alarms at each level of the childminder's home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of her responsibilities to protect children. She has a good level of knowledge about the correct procedures to follow should she have any concerns. The childminder

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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 continues to update her knowledge by attending further training to ensure that the safety of children in her care is of the utmost priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of how children learn and develop. She talked about encouraging children’s learning by offering a range of activities to extend and challenge their understanding. For example, children learn about shapes, colours, differences and opposites through a variety of appropriate structured activities. Children also have free access to play materials and equipment that encourage imagination and creativity. They are involved in routine tasks such as shopping and preparing food, which gives them opportunities to learn about the world around them and take part in everyday events. The childminder is developing her knowledge of the needs of children aged under three years. She has obtained the details of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. This framework underpins the care of younger children to ensure they develop to their full potential. However, there is

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

no current evidence of the impact of activities and play on children's development, as there were no children present during the inspection.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has an equal opportunities policy to share with parents. The childminder goes to a great deal of effort to ensure that the individual needs of all the children in her care are met. For example, she explained that she interests the children in different cultures by introducing multicultural food and has a very good range of books showing positive images of the wider world. She describes how all children would be treated with equal concern.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder showed a sound knowledge of behaviour management, giving good examples of how she would approach a variety of situations for children of different ages. She describes how she would meet children's individual needs by ensuring a consistent approach to behaviour, with firm boundaries and careful explanation. The childminder discussed how she would encourage the children to play together, take turns and share. She describes how she creates an environment that encourages children to respect boundaries and begin to control their own behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents includes a range of policies and procedures about the setting and documentation that covers the day-to-day organisation of the childminding service. The childminder describes a friendly, informal relationship with parents which contributes to the children’s well-being and helps the parents understand the childminder’s aims and practices. Daily conversation with parents, together with the written policies, keep parents fully informed about the children's care and development.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children benefit from the childminder's very good knowledge and understanding of childcare and education. She has a high regard for the well-being of all children. Play resources are organised in a manner which helps to promote children’s free choice. They are sufficient in quality and easily accessible in the childminding area. The childminder makes best use of the

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 space and resources, to ensure children have stimulating activities and are cared for appropriately. The furniture is arranged to ensure maximum space for children to play safely. The childminder ensures that there is time in the daily routine to allow children to play safely in the park. The childminder keeps good records on the children she cares for. This includes detailed information on the children’s needs. Most policies and procedures are available to parents. Overall, evidence suggests that 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 childminder was asked to: obtain written permission from parents for transporting children in a vehicle; improve fire safety precautions by fitting and maintaining a smoke alarm on the third floor; ensure all persons over sixteen years have updated their CRB clearances; ensure children cannot access areas of the house which are out of bounds, this refers to the third floor and bedrooms; ensure the safety of the children from trailing telephone wires, and the debris and tools in the garden; ensure there are sufficient play materials for imaginative activities, this refers to dressing up clothes; and ensure there are sufficient play materials to promote an awareness of disabilities. Written consent from parents is now in place for transporting children in a vehicle. A smoke alarm is now fitted on the third floor ceiling. All persons over the age of sixteen and living in the childminder's house have CRB clearance. A

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Improvements since the last inspection

barrier is put across the lounge doorway when small children are present to stop them entering the landing area that leads to the stairs that go up and down to the ground and third floor. The childminder has taped up the telephone wires to stop them trailing and the garden is out of bounds to children. The dressing up box contains a range of costumes to give different opportunities for children and the childminder uses books from the library to promote an awareness of diversity.

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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 the 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): • request parental consent for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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 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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