White, Karen Ann

Inspection report for early years provision

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208047 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2007 Inspection date Joanne Baranek 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 has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband and two children. They live in a house within walking distance of the schools, shops, nature reserve, library and park. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has six cats, three rabbits and a hamster.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Derbyshire Early Years and Childcare Partnership, the local Childminder's Group, the Derby and Derbyshire Childminding Association and is also a representative at the National Childminding Association East Midlands Region Conferences.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is supported by the childminder's consistent hygiene practices. They are able to develop their own independence with regards to their personal hygiene through washing

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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 their hands after using the toilet, before meals and after playing outside. The childminder supports this and limits infection spreading by supplying individual flannels or wipes for the children to use.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is protected through comprehensive policies that support the childminder's good practice and parents are requested to read these to ensure continuity. Medication records are completed and signed by parents prior to medication being administered to certify that the children are receiving the correct medication and dosage. This enables them to remain safe and healthy. However the childminder does not consistently follow correct procedures with regards to accident recording. Accident and injury records do not contain sufficient information about the position, size, and intensity of the injury sustained in order to safeguard children adequately. The childminder has permission for emergency treatment for all children, and ensures this is carried on all outings, enabling the children to receive the treatment they require when they need it wherever they are.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of nutrition and provides the children with healthy balanced meals and snacks such as shepherds pie, pasta, yoghurts and fruit bowls for snack time. Individual dietary requirements are requested upon registration and the she works closely with the parents to ensure that these are implemented. She has plenty of experience of catering for children with allergies or dietary requirements ensuring the children are kept healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

She provides plenty of opportunities for the children to play outside developing their physical skills through a variety of activities. These include a trampoline in the garden, and trips to soft play centres, roller skating and the local parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are welcoming, warm and in good repair. The children have access to two large rooms that provide good space for the children to play, learn and relax. The room is decorated by children's work and has easily accessible resources for the children to choose independently. The equipment is clean and checked regularly for safety and the childminder uses a rigorous routine daily to ensure the rooms are clean, safe and ready for the children. This guarantees the children can play in a safe, secure environment. The resources are abundant and appropriate for the different stages of children the childminder caters for, including a Playstation machine and games for the older children, a dolls house and electronic toys for the younger children, and variety of books for all ages enabling them to play and learn contently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder uses robust safety procedures and checks to ensure the children are safe on outings and walks. A first aid kit is taken on all trips and the she uses consistent routines for road safety or travel in cars or buses. Safety equipment is in place within the home, all electric sockets are covered and safety gates restrict the children access to the kitchen. The childminder has a fire blanket and smoke alarms and these are checked regularly to endorse the safety of the children. She has a good understanding of child protection and plans on improving this further through advanced training, affirming the safety of the children within her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are enjoying their time with the childminder and are experiencing a wide range of activities both within the setting and on outings away. The childminder uses a local centre to

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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 provide a substantial amount of activities providing good opportunities for creative and physical play as well as social development through playing with other children of their own age. However the activities the childminder plans at home do not sufficiently challenge the children. She does not plan for their development and how she will extend their learning to challenge them further, impacting on the overall progress the children are able to make.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are able to experience the wider community through regular walks and bus rides into the town and surrounding areas. They experience plenty of outings to a variety of places including Gulliver's Kingdom, Water Meadows, and the local park. The school age children are also provided with regular outings during the holidays that provide age appropriate activities such as roller skating ensuring they remain interested and stimulated. Before and after school they are able to relax or play with suitable resources which sufficiently meet their individual needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's individual needs are met and their welfare is generally promoted through the childminder offering appropriate support. Their independence is developing well as they are able to initiate their own play and choose their own activities through child friendly storage. The childminder talks to the children as much as she can encouraging language development and the mix of ages she cares for aids the younger children's development in language and other areas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident and comfortable in asking the childminder for support or in working alone to successfully finish an activity. For example the children are able to work together to complete a jigsaw and the childminder is available for support if they need help, but allows them to try and work on their own.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. This provision promotes inclusion well because of the childminder's practice to ensure all children and families are treated with equal concern. She has taken positive steps to guarantee any children regardless of ethnicity, gender, culture, religion or learning difficulties and / or disability is welcomed into her home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

She has experience working with children who have additional needs, and is currently learning how to support children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. She has also received training on helping children with communication difficulties and supporting additional needs, enabling children to be treated as individuals and their needs are met as such.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents and carers to ensure the children have continuity of care and regular updates on their children's progress verbally, including what activities they have been doing during the day and what they have eaten. This helps the individual children's needs to be met and ensures an exchange of information both ways. The parents are well informed of the policies and procedures the childminder uses within her home, and she ensures they are aware of how to complain about her practice if they need to. Complaints are available for the parents to view on request.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages behaviour well within the setting, taking the approach of talking to the children to explain the difference between right and wrong. This allows them to begin to manage their own behaviour and understand consequences for their actions. As a result they

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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 are behaving well and playing safely within the setting and out on visits. Good use of praise and encouragement helps build their self-esteem and confidence.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's needs are met by the childminder. She is qualified to a national vocational qualification level three and has appropriate training in numerous areas to ensure the children are well cared for. She has attended training in first aid, health and safety, risk assessments and child protection, and ensures all the correct documentation is in place to safeguard the children.

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Organisation

She is well organised as she collects children from school and nursery during the day. She has a routine to ensure all children are supported sufficiently during the time they spend in her care. There is sufficient space and resources to meet the children's needs, they are able to have fresh air and exercise daily both in the setting and out and about in the community.

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Organisation

The childminder's written policies assist in promoting the care and the learning of the children within her care, and these are shared readily with the parents. The children are happy and settled in the setting and enjoy a range of opportunities for play and learning. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder agreed to address two recommendations. She has now attended a child protection course, adapted her child protection policy, is confident in identifying signs of abuse. She is confident of the procedure to follow to protect children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has obtained written permission from the parents in order to seek emergency treatment or advice. She takes a copy of this permission on all outings or walks along with parental contact details, ensuring the children's health and safety is promoted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 1 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 to 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 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): • improve documentation by ensuring record of injuries received are more detailed when recorded on the accident forms • develop a range of activities to challenge each individual child to progress further in their learning, for example by using support from the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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