Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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207598 Unique Reference Number 12 October 2007 Inspection date Georgina Walker 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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and family including two adult sons. The whole of the ground floor in the childminder’s home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a bowl of goldfish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder drives or walks to the local schools, nursery school and playgroup to take and collect children. She manages a local parent, carer and toddler group, attends another group and takes children to the local library and park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding 11 children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis; six under five during the day; three over five before and or after school; two over eight. The childminder supports children disabilities and 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 health and safety is generally promoted. A first aid box is available and contents are suitable to effectively meet the needs of the children. Written consent to seek emergency medical advice and treatment is in place to ensure children's medical needs are suitably met if a serious injury occurs. The childminder inconsistently follows appropriate procedures when dealing with minor accidents as incomplete details are recorded. Existing injuries a child arrives with are not always recorded to assist in safeguarding children. Written consent to administer medication is given as required.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about personal hygiene through daily routines and are made aware why they wash hands so there are no germs on them. The childminder uses individual wipes as necessary and older children have individual flannels, to prevent the risk of cross-infection. They proudly share information their towel is the one with the lighthouse on and other children have the footballer or blue one. Food handling procedures are good as the childminder washes her own hands before the preparation of snacks and meals, to ensure potential hazards are minimised. If children are ill or infectious a written policy regarding exclusion is implemented effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s dietary needs are met successfully and healthy eating is promoted. Individual needs are discussed with parents and recorded. Meals provided are healthy and nutritious, for example, children enjoy snacks of apple and raisins and choose juice or water to drink. For lunches they have a substantial cooked meal such as mince, potatoes and vegetables. A warm tea or sandwiches are provided and the children particularly enjoy picnics in the summer. The individual routines of babies are appropriately followed and intake is discussed with parents to confirm needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical development is promoted in a variety of ways. Children have well-organised opportunities to play outside and have a wide range of activities inside to encourage a positive attitude to healthy exercise. Wheeled toys, balls and picnic meals outdoors are eagerly enjoyed by the children who access the garden via the conservatory. They learn to negotiate steps carefully as the garden slopes. They go to a variety of parks, parent and carer groups and indoor play centres where they are given many opportunities to develop running and climbing with increasing skill. Inside they have a range of walkers and furniture to move around, puzzles to assist in development of small muscle skills and access to paper, drawing and gluing resources for all ages. Children can have rest periods in pushchairs, placed outdoors, to effectively meet their individual needs. Consequently, children are able to develop a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has the 'Birth to three matters' framework pack. She has attended training and has an increasing awareness of the terminology and how to promote children's development through everyday activities and is booked on a further course. Activities and which aspect the child has progressed in are not recorded, although the childminder unknowingly presents challenging activities and helps children progress consistently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children's safety is generally promoted as the childminder is aware of potential hazards and actively follows good practices in the home. However, following the recent move to new

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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 premises not all the ivy in the garden has been removed to consistently contribute to safeguarding children. An awareness of safety during a fire is promoted well. Evacuations have been practised and some children have an awareness of the sound of the alarm. Other aspects of indoor safety are carefully followed, such as babies being strapped in pushchairs for sleep-time and cleaning fluids being stored in rooms inaccessible to the children. Children are also developing an awareness of personal safety as they respond suitably to the childminder's expectations when they are on school journeys and outings. They hold the pushchair or hands and older children know they must not run off.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in warm and welcoming, secure and suitable premises where there is ample space indoors to play and learn comfortably. Their individual skills develop competently with the age-appropriate resources. Children independently select activities from the range of good quality toys and equipment. Resources are stored in the shed and brought in depending on who is present. Children eagerly play with the dolls and toy animals and positively enjoy choosing from the wide range of books, independently using the books or requesting a story. Older children can request activities or choose from those presented, depending on the ages and stages of those present. Children are encouraged to pack away before getting something else out. They show respect of property and as they are careful this ensures the toys remain in good condition for use. Older children engage in worthwhile activities at the dining tables

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

without younger children interrupting or having access to hazardous small toys, such as construction toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's well-being is given priority as the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection procedures and how to put these into practice. Information about her duty of care to protect children is shared in written policies with parents. The policy includes reference to the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children experience a wide range of activities which contributes to their development on the premises and on outings away from the setting. The childminder does not formally plan although she has ideas for activities and lets children help themselves to the interesting range of resources. Aspects of the 'Birth to three matters' framework are promoted through the childminder talking to the children as much as she can to encourage language. Children who attend nursery-school or playgroup part-time enjoy going on outings, such as to the library for story-time. They learn to do things on their own as well as share and take turns as they instigate imaginary play, such rocking the doll to sleep in the chair or engage in their particular favourite, drawing and craft activities. Creative play opportunities are good and the children become engrossed for long periods and this gives them experiences of different methods of mark-making. Their art work

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

is valued and displayed in the play-room. Children have good recall and discuss confidently with visitors a story about an elephant which they heard at the library. They make a collage of the elephant and have a good awareness of colour, size and shape as the childminder skilfully promotes learning. Older children relax after school and engage in individual activities such as using the reference books or the electronic games, which successfully meets individual need. They engage in many discussions about school subjects which often result in crafts for festivals or celebrations. Some children are given tea to meet their family needs. Their individual needs are met and their welfare is thoroughly promoted through the childminder providing appropriate support. Children show great interest in the resources as they play. Their independence is developed as they help themselves to books and request a story about animals. Children copy

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

animal sounds and laugh loudly as they enjoy the story. They are very content in the setting.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are treated fairly as the childminder has an open-minded approach to inclusion and meeting individual needs effectively. She encourages all children to access age-appropriate activities and develop life skills. Individual needs are discussed with parents, however children's record sheets do not contain all the detail which enables appropriate care to be given. Children are able to play with a range on non-stereotypical resources and any negative issues are addressed successfully. The children have access to a varied range of toys and resources showing positive images of culture, gender and disability. Understanding and acceptance of the wider community and the development of positive attitudes is effectively increased through activities and celebrations of festivals from around the world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has experience of minding children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and has a solid understanding of potential need. She is well aware of how to adapt activities to ensure inclusion and has a positive attitude to caring for all children, with their individual personalities. To ensure all are included in activities she adapts presentation by putting resources on the floor or low tables. Independence is successfully encouraged. Children’s needs are met through discussion with parents and the childminder has a clear understanding of the need to work with parents and outside agencies to effectively meet needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are effective procedures in place to manage a wide range of children’s behaviour. Children behave appropriately as they respond to boundaries set. Children must apologise for upsetting others and are aware they must only run in the parks and not on the pavement or they must hold the pushchair or each others hands. Consistent management helps children feel secure knowing what they can and cannot do. Good use of praise and encouragement helps to build development of children's self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive relationships with parents and a desire to work in partnership with them to meet children's individual needs ensures the childminder is able to meet their emotional and physical needs effectively. They are settled and happy. Parents are updated on their children's well-being and development through discussion and some photographs, regarding meals, sleep, toileting, play activities in the home and on outings. The childminder ensures parents are fully aware of her policies and procedures and how children will be cared for during discussion at initial visits. Written information is given to parents to retain but this does not include the current process relating to complaints, which must be investigated in within 28 days. The certificate of registration and Ofsted poster are displayed in the play-room to meet requirements, as well as a number of other childcare related documents and children's craft work. This assists in giving

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents a wider picture of the childminder's responsibilities in caring for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's needs are effectively met by the childminder. She maintains their personal records to promote the welfare of the children at all times. Her knowledge of the requirements of registration are sound. Her written policies assist in promoting the care and learning of the children, but require some minor updating to share current information with parents. Children are supported by the childminder as they are under her direct supervision to ensure their time with her is enjoyable. She is well organised as there is plenty of space and a range of resources to meet children's needs. The childminder is caring and attentive to children. They are happy

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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 in the setting and enjoy the range of play opportunities, becoming absorbed in their play. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder agreed to increase knowledge and understanding of working with children and families in need. A range of courses have been attended to develop awareness to a high standard. All children's and parents' needs are considered proficiently as part of the role as a community childminder for the local authority.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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 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 the ivy in the garden does not pose a hazard to children • ensure children's records contain information which enables appropriate care to be given, accident records contain more detail and relevant information is provided to parents, with specific regard to the complaints procedures • further improve outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with ‘Birth to three matters’.

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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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