Childminder in Luton

Inspection report for early years provision

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155814 Unique Reference Number 15 May 2007 Inspection date Sarah Catherine Jex 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and eight years in the town of Luton in Bedfordshire.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 four children at any one time and is currently minding four children, all of whom attend on various days throughout the week. The childminder walks to school to take and collect children.

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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. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children's health is promoted. She describes how children learn about their personal hygiene through daily routines, discussions and the good examples that the childminder sets. For example, she encourages children to wash their hands after using the toilet, playing outside and before meals and cooking activities. The children have separate towels to use which help prevent cross infection. The childminder has excellent systems in place to gain information from parents regarding children’s health needs, such as dietary requirements, immunisations and allergies. All records are kept in an organised manner to assist her when providing care for the children. Appropriate policies are shared with parents with regard to the control of illness and required incubation times. Although entries have been made in the medication book the childminder has no written parental

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Helping children to be healthy

permission for administering medications to the children. This potentially compromises children’s well-being. Her first aid certificate is up to date and she is confident she can provide care for the children if they have an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the importance of a healthy, balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and healthy snacks. Children have access to drinks at all times. In discussion the childminder shows that she respects parents' wishes regarding the food given to children. She indicates that she takes time to learn about children's preferences and introduces new fruits and vegetables to encourage them to extend their tastes. She has clearly recorded details of children's allergies, likes and dislikes to ensure their individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder talks about how she encourages children to keep fit and healthy as they walk to and from school each day. Within the home there is some outdoor equipment to further develop their skills such as soft balls, bean bags, along with games like hopscotch and skipping. Indoors children have a wide range of toys and equipment to develop their hand and eye coordination and dexterity.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a clean, safe and secure environment for children. She has created a child-friendly home where children can play safely and gain a sense of belonging. They are able to access the resources which are plentiful and easily accessible on shelving and in drawers. Children have access to all of the ground floor of the home and use this for free play and messy activities. A bedroom is available on the first floor to provide children with a quiet area to rest or sleep.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken action to ensure that risks in and outside her home have been minimised so that children can play safely. The childminder talks about conducting an informal risk assessment each day to ensure children can play in an environment which is generally safe. She explains how she helps children gain an understanding of road safety and has developed strategies to keep the children safe while learning about the dangers of the road. The childminder has a system in place for evacuating the home in case of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder verbally demonstrates a clear understanding of her responsibilities within child protection procedures, which enables her to safeguard children's welfare appropriately. Parents

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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 are informed of her duty to report any concerns quickly to prevent a child from suffering further harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. At present children only attend for short periods throughout the week. The childminder is able to demonstrate the range of activities children can take part in. They have opportunities to play freely accessing the many resources or to join in some structured activities with the childminder such as playing with jigsaws, art and craft, imaginative play such as dressing up playing doctors and blowing bubbles. Through discussion evidence suggests that children are settled and move confidently around the setting. A routine has been developed which can help the children relate to the time spent with the childminder and helps the childminder fit the varied activities into the short time span the children are with her.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder spoke about her enjoyment with the children and feels this has a positive impact on their care, play and learning because she tries to make the experiences fun and interesting. She describes how she encourages children to behave well, by offering lots of praise, encouragement and being very clear about expectations. She aims to offer a warm and caring environment so that children are happy and secure in her care. She describes about how she encourages children to share, take turns and be considerate to each other's needs. She feels children are usually very contented and fully occupied in their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Observation of resources and equipment suggests they are organised and used well. The childminder talks about the provision of activities that offer appropriate levels of challenge, suitable to children's ages and stages of development. For example, how she involves herself with children's play, encouraging problem solving, introducing mathematics, new vocabulary and social skills. The childminder has an awareness of the 'Birth to three matters' framework as uses it as a reference guide.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a secure and positive knowledge of promoting equality of opportunity with children. She spoke about how she organises the daily routine so that it is flexibly responsive to their individual needs and takes parents' wishes into account. She ensures that she treats all children with equal care, concern and respect and helps children learn to respect her home, each other and themselves. The childminder demonstrates she has a sound knowledge and understanding of caring for children with additional needs and promotes inclusion for all children and how she would ensure activities would be adapted to meet each child's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder showed a sound and positive knowledge of behaviour management. She explained her expectations for children to behave well and how she helps them learn to manage and control their own behaviour with praise and support and discusses her approach fully with parents. This means children begin to understand right from wrong through consistency, achievable boundaries and explanations and are learning to develop a positive attitude towards others. She takes time to get to know them well and understand their likes and dislikes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder spoke about the secure relationships which have been developed with parents and feels these impact on the confidence and security of each child. She has time for each

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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 parent to discuss their child's day and progress. Parents are encouraged to participate in their child’s care, sharing information between them to ensure a smooth transition between home and the childminder through a home daily diary system. Contracts and children’s information sheets are in place which contributes to the well-being of the children whilst in her care. A clear complaints policy is in place and the childminder has introduced a system to record any concerns a parent may have.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Through discussion and documentation evidence suggests that children are cared for in an environment that is well resourced. Space and resources are arranged appropriately to encourage children's independence. Verbal information is provided regularly about children's progress and achievements. This contributes to a trusting relationship which the childminder feels impacts positively on the children. The childminder has developed an important awareness of maintaining ratios in order to be able to fully support each child and meet their individual needs. Children’s personal records are up to date and strategies are in place to ensure that they are regularly reviewed. Policies and procedures contribute effectively to the safe running of the setting, promoting the care and welfare of all children. The childminder described the daily routines in place which can be rearranged to meet the individual needs of the children. She indicates that

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Organisation

children feel at home and at ease in the setting and that they are confident to initiate and extend their play.

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Organisation

Overall, the evidence suggests the needs of all children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to complete the following actions; that sleeping babies are monitored regularly, to increase her knowledge and understanding of people with disabilities and/or special needs and to put into practice home-link book.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has implemented systems which allow all children who sleep to be monitored through a baby intercom system. Each child has a home-link book which allows parents to know how their child is progressing and what they are doing throughout the day with the childminder. Her knowledge and understanding has increased through reading various literature and experiencing caring for children who have additional needs. These impact positively on the children’s overall well-being and the partnership with parents ensures the welfare of the children is not compromised.

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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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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 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 a record of any medication administered to a child and the written consent from parents to do so, is retained for a reasonable period of time.

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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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