Patel Bhanu

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 226736 Inspection date 19 July 2005 Inspector Patricia King

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1992. She lives with her husband and three adult children in the east of the city of Leicester. The whole of the ground floor, the bathroom and a bedroom on the first floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time and is currently minding 4 children under 5 years on a part-time basis. She cares for a child aged over 8 years out of school hours. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to shops, libraries and children's groups in the local community.

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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 have their health and dietary needs met effectively because the childminder works well with their parents to establish their individual nutritional and dietary needs, personal choice and preferences. They relish a daily diet of freshly cooked meals such as roti, rice, vegetables, yoghurt, salad and chapattis. They choose from a wide selection of fresh fruit and are learning about eating to promote healthy bodies and growth. Children are beginning to understand why they wash their hands before eating, after using the toilet, handling animals and playing outdoors. They have their own individual towels and flannels and understand the importance of only using their own washing equipment to maintain personal hygiene. They can explain how to wash away germs to prevent sickness and that they wear hats and creams to prevent themselves from being burned by the sun. Children rest and sleep according to their

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Helping children to be healthy

needs. They choose when to rest and are settled for a nap or comforting snuggle by the childminder, who checks frequently to confirm that they are safe and well. They enjoy a wide range of activities to promote their physical development, such as kicking and throwing a range of different sized balls, riding on wheeled toys, climbing and playing on the slide in the large lawned garden. They are also taken on outings to local parks and into the local community to explore and develop their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, secure, comfortable home where most risks are identified and made safe. However, not all dangerous substances have been made inaccessible to children. This means that children move around freely and confidently, making good use of the areas used for childminding. They independently select activities from a broad range of suitable toys and equipment which meet safety standards, are maintained hygienically and are stored within easy reach. Children are developing safety awareness. For example, they are learning how to keep safe on walks and journeys, and some can explain how keeping watchful and listening for traffic keeps walkers safe when outside the home. Children show awareness to personal dangers, for example by wearing suitable footwear outside and they independently collect their outdoor shoes to wear. They wait for their turn on the slide

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and are learning to respect the safety of others when climbing or riding on toys outside. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding of child protection issues in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures and how to take any action required to protect children. 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

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 provision is good. Children are settled and comfortable in the environment and take part confidently in the routines and activities offered for their care and welfare. For example, they enjoy using books, games and colourful posters to develop their language skills in their parent language and English as an additional language. They recognise and name numbers and shapes and begin to develop early reading and maths skills through planned use of books, posters, suitable toys and activities. They move freely with the childminder between activities indoors and outside in the large garden. They play with confidence to develop their physical skills on the outdoor toys such as climbing frame, slide, bikes, scooters, rockers, bats and balls. Children's care and development is promoted by the childminder who is beginning to use Birth to Three

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Matters framework to inform and support her plans and daily practice. Their learning and personal needs are well met as the childminder recognises each child as an individual and is careful to treat them with respect. Children are developing positive relationships with each other and others outside the setting and learning about the wider world. For example, by going out and about with the childminder in the local area, to the library, shops, parks and community groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are exploring and experiencing the wider world, increasing their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others, for example through stories, games and role play. Children's care and welfare is discussed and agreed with the parents, establishing a close working partnership to keep them fully informed and included in the care of their children. This means that their individual needs are carefully considered, ensuring that they feel comfortable and confident with the childminder. For example, she shows good understanding of how to manage the situation positively when recognising health or special needs of minded children. Children learn to behave well, have self-esteem and respect for others. For example, they take turns, share and respond positively to the childminder's praise and encouragement. Children show a sense of belonging and have the confidence to express their needs,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

for example asking for help to negotiate sharing or choosing a time to rest with their comforter when tired.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel secure and settled in this well organised home. This means they have confidence to make choices, express their needs and make good progress in their overall development. Children's safety and welfare is promoted because the childminder has an appropriate first aid qualification and has attended child protection training. She maintains most of the documentation required on a daily basis, but has not always kept her records of children's attendance accurate and up to date and does not display her certificate of registration. Children are protected because all adults living in the household are vetted, visitors are supervised and children are never left alone with other adults. The childminder has some written

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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 information for parents, keeps them informed through daily verbal communication and has careful regard for confidentiality. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's welfare and safety is positively promoted and parents have clearer communication and understanding because, since the last inspection, the childminder has improved her documentation. Records, agreed and signed by parents, include permission to take children on outings and there is clear written information to establish and agree systems for behaviour management. Children's welfare is safeguarded because she has improved her understanding of child protection issues and has the knowledge to put local Area Child Protection Committee procedures into practice to protect children.

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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): • ensure that your daily record of attendance is accurate and kept up to date and that you display your registration certificate during hours of operation. • make sure that dangerous substances are made safe or inaccessible to children.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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