Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 220540 Inspection date 27 September 2005 Inspector Sarah Harrison

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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 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 has been registered for over eight years. She is registered to care for five children under the age of eight years and she currently cares for one child on a part-time basis. Her registration does not include overnight care. She lives in a semi-detached house close to one of the schools in Brackley. There are other community facilities and shops within walking distance, and the childminder has use of a car during the day. Areas of the house used for minding include a playroom and kitchen on the ground floor. The children do not usually use the lounge or conservatory. The first floor is

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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 used for sleeping and toilet facilities. There is also an enclosed back garden for outdoor activities. The family has two cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health needs are met because the childminder is well informed of their individual requirements and works in partnership with parents to ensure this. There are effective procedures in place to protect children from illness and infection, however the procedures in place for administering medicine to children are unclear. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene and personal care through the daily routine. They have a developing understanding of why they must wash their hands after playing outside and before they eat their lunch. Generally, children enjoy a range of outdoor activities, including playing in the garden and walking to and from school on a daily basis. They benefit from access to a range of large apparatus and enjoy playing on the trampoline and ride-on toys set up in the garden. Through this they understand the importance of being active and develop their enjoyment of

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Helping children to be healthy

physical games. Children have a balanced and nourishing diet. They eat healthily and drinks are available throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to move around safely and independently within the safe environment of the home and garden. Appropriate procedures are in place when taking children on outings, and children benefit from learning about road safety. They are becoming aware of how to keep themselves safe from harm as they are guided to use toys and equipment safely. Appropriate safety equipment is provided within the home and children are aware of the emergency evacuation plan and know that they must remain calm in the event of fire. Resources are available but access to them is limited and this has an impact on the quality of play experiences that they can enjoy. Children's welfare is partially safeguarded through the childminder's general knowledge of child protection issues although her knowledge of local procedures and what to do in the event that she should become concerned about the well-being of a

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

child in her care, is not as good. The childminder maintains appropriate written records and procedures to promote the children's welfare. For example, accident records are shared fully with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the care of the childminder. Older children use

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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 initiative by being able to decide which activities they would like to do. Younger children are limited because there are not the range of toys or activities available for them and they are not set up around the room to offer them the chance to select them and lead their own play. This limits their ability to acquire new knowledge and skills and build on their natural curiosity as learners. However, children make positive relationships with the childminder as she communicates with them sensitively and appropriately, according to their age. Their personal and social skills are developed through this and by having the chance to interact with other children. Children ask questions. They have confidence in the childminder and feel comfortable enough to ask her for things that they need. They begin to distinguish between right and wrong

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

as they play and they know and understand many positive ways of playing with each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Individual children’s needs are met as a positive partnership with parents means that key information about the care of each child is shared with the childminder so that she may care for children accordingly. Children have access to a very limited range of resources which reflect diversity but they are developing their understanding of the wider world through discussions with the childminder about issues they encounter when out on walks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are kind and caring towards each other as they develop their understanding of the needs of others. They begin to share and play together as they are encouraged to take turns with toys. Their achievements are valued and praised and their behaviour is good. Information is exchanged on a daily basis with parents regarding children's care and routines which helps to ensure continuous and consistent care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the children in her care. She enjoys childminding and has a flexible routine which results in opportunities for children to enjoy free play. Children benefit from a suitably organised home environment where they are able to move around freely and confidently. A range of documentation is used to support the childminder’s practice although some, such as the daily record of attendance, lack sufficient detail.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain written permission for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment when caring for children. She has since secured this and as a result, children's health and safety is significantly enhanced. She was also asked to plan a range of activities to develop children's

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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 development as a whole and to promote their understanding of equal opportunities and diversity within society. This has not be done and therefore a further recommendation has been made to secure this. At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection in order to secure children's safety and welfare and she continues to develop in this area of her practice.

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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 written records are kept of medicines administered to children and the parent signs the record book to acknowledge the entry • obtain the Area Child Protection Committee's publication, 'Recognition and Referral of Possible Child Abuse' and use it to enhance knowledge of current practice • plan a range of activities and play opportunities to meet the children's overall developmental needs and organise resources so that they are readily accessible to children in order to support their play and learning • develop an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice so that children have access to them • develop further, the system for recording the children's attendance at the setting.

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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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