Childminder in Derby

Inspection report for early years provision

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205919 Unique Reference Number 21 August 2007 Inspection date Sheena Gibson 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 1989. She lives with her husband and two children aged 19 and six years in a suburb of Derby. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding and children have use of a bedroom on the first floor for rest periods. There is supervised access to a garden area for outside play. The family has a cat, rabbit and hamster.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and when working with an assistant is registered to care for six children at any one time. Currently there are five children on roll. The childminder also cares for children over eight years. The childminder has a level three qualification in childcare and has British Sign Language stage two. She 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 good. Children's good health is well supported as they are cared for in a clean environment. They are beginning to learn and can communicate the importance of good hygiene. For example, they routinely wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before snack. They can explain that it is so that they 'don't get germs' in their tummy. An effective written statement informs parents of the sickness exclusion procedure. As a result children's health is promoted as cross-infection is minimised. Children are well cared for if they have an accident. The childminder has a good understanding of how to effectively manage and record accidents. First aid training has been successfully completed and appropriate information recorded for parents who sign to acknowledge. As a result all of children's first aid needs are appropriately met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children who are unwell are suitably cared for. The childminder supports their health through the administering of medication, where required. However, permission is not always sought prior to each incident of medication being administered, which potentially impacts upon children's care. Children have many opportunities to be active and further develop their physical skills. For example, they play in the garden with trikes, scooters, bats and balls. They enjoy outings and trips to the park where they are able to use the larger equipment. Children's dietary requirements are effectively met through information sought from parents and through the childminder offering mainly healthy snacks and meals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, spacious and secure environment. The designated play room is bright, well-organised and welcoming for children and parents. There are colourful posters on the walls that include numbers, letters and maps; children's craft efforts are displayed around the room. Children are always within sight or hearing of the childminder and as a result, they are able to move around safely and independently, which increases their confidence. They have suitable places to play, rest and eat because the areas used for childminding are effectively organised to meet their needs. They enjoy accessing an ample supply of toys and play materials, suitable for their age and stage of development. These are of good quality and safely stored so that children can easily make their own choices. For example, there is a variety of toys suitable for children under three, such as imaginative small world, sensory toys and puzzles, which are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

stored at floor or low-level. For older children there are board games and more complex craft activities, which are stored at a level where they can reach but younger children cannot.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe from most potential hazards because the childminder takes care to minimise risk on a daily basis through, for example, locking the back gate, also wiping the floor immediately after finishing playing with the cornflour and water. Practical steps have been taken to promote safety such as having locks on cleaning cupboards and closing the doors to areas that are not suitable for children to use. Children are beginning to learn about safety through practising fire drills and understanding the importance of safe play. Children's welfare is well maintained in regard to child protection. The childminder has a sound understanding of the indicators of child abuse and the procedure to follow if there is a concern.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children show interest in what is on offer and are keen to join in and play. For example, they demonstrate excitement when the childminder brings out the cornflour and water activity. They recognise themselves within the setting and each morning place their name label against their photo on the wall so that all of the children know who is present that day. They have a warm relationship with the childminder and are confident to approach her to ask for support or for something else to play with. Children are very confident and settled, moving freely around the areas used for minding, choosing toys. They demonstrate good independence such as going to the toilet on their own, accessing their drinks and choosing their own toys and activities. The childminder has a sound understanding of the different stages of development of the children in her care. She effectively uses 'Birth to three matters' to support her practice, which

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

benefits children's learning and development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

New skills and learning are promoted through a broad range of activities and games that meet the needs of the ages of children. They enjoy the sensory experience of playing with shaving foam and also cornflour and water. They confidently use descriptive language such as 'gooey', 'squidgy', 'nice' and 'horrible'. They also enjoy a wide range of activities such as pebble painting, making grass caterpillars and clay models. They are looking forward to their International Food Day topic when they have the opportunity to taste samosa, croissant and noodles; they enjoy making the flags for the different countries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect and their individual needs given regard and valued. The childminder ensures that she is aware of their needs and often asks for their opinion, for example about what they want to do; they are encouraged to be involved with all activities. Detailed written information is obtained from parents at the point of registration and then on an ongoing basis verbally. Children gain a sound understanding of other people in the world through having access to a variety of books and toys that depict positive images of different people and through celebrating other nationalities and cultural festivals. The childminder has a sound understanding of caring for children with special needs or learning difficulties. She takes positive steps to support children. For example, through learning British Sign Language and working closely with parents to ensure that their needs are effectively met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder takes steps to promote positive behaviour through praise and encouragement. Signs are displayed about the importance of being nice to each other and using manners, which help children to realise the expectations for behaviour. Children play co-operatively together and demonstrate good behaviour. They are able to feel proud when receiving a certificate for success in an activity, boosting their self-esteem. Children benefit from a positive working relationship that the childminder has with their parents. Working agreements are in place. Comprehensive policies and procedures are displayed explaining the childminder's procedures, promoting consistency.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's wealth of experience of working with children. She has achieved a level three childcare qualification and has undertaken many further training courses,

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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 which positively impacts upon children's care and learning. The home environment is effectively organised to enable children to freely move around, independently managing their own play and needs. This supports them in developing confidence and feeling secure within the setting. Furniture resources are organised to effectively support their decision making.

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Organisation

All required documentation is in place and shared with parents to support the appropriate care of children. Children's ongoing care needs are discussed daily with parents to provide consistency of care. Confidentiality is maintained to ensure children's privacy. 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 given an action around keeping appropriate records and documentation required for the safe management of the provision, in-line with National Standard requirements, such as accident and medication records. This has been suitably addressed. The childminder has developed comprehensive documentation and records, which effectively support children's safety and well-being. However, the documentation in relation to medication does not always provide sufficient detail in regard to always obtaining prior parental permission and therefore this is a recommendation at this inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received one complaint relating to National Standard 1 (Suitable Person) and National Standard 2 (Organisation), National Standard 6 (Safety) and National Standard 14 (Documentation). The complaint related to two minded children having been left unsupervised in the garden and they had left the garden and headed along a public road to the park without the childminder's knowledge. The complaint also related to possible over-minding. We carried out an investigation and there was evidence found to suggest breaches in these standards. As a result Ofsted issued a compliance notice. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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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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 permission is always sought prior to the administration of medication.

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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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