Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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225948 Unique Reference Number 24 August 2007 Inspection date Paula Hunt 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 1998. She lives with her husband and son aged ten years in Broughton Astley which is located in the south of Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder walks and uses her car to take and collect children from local schools. She attends a variety of local toddler groups and places of interest on a weekly basis.

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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 13 children, all of whom but one attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a pet dog, cat, three guinea pigs and an aquarium of fish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning about the importance of good health and hygiene through well established daily routines for hand washing, for example, after using the toilet and before eating. Children's

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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 continued good health is promoted through the childminder's consistency in wearing disposable gloves for nappy changing to maintain the high level of hygiene in her home. Children are further protected from the spread of infection because the childminder does not provide care if children are unwell. A suitable first aid box is readily available. Medication, accident and incident records are maintained and the childminder has written consent from parents for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment. However, details in the recording of accidents such as the nature of the injury are limited.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to understand the benefit of a healthy diet. They are able to have drinks throughout the day ensuring they do not become thirsty through the childminder offering and providing them on a regular basis. The childminder respects parents' wishes to provide packed food for their children but does not store perishable food appropriately which compromises children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to be involved in physical activity. For example, they spend time in the garden, where they use equipment like pushchairs to develop their co-ordination and control. They go on trips outside the home outside the home on a regular basis, for example, to the local park, where children can run and climb. Children have appropriate opportunities to rest and sleep according to their individual routines.

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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 warm and welcoming environment where resources are readily accessible for them. They have access to a good range of suitable and safe play materials and equipment and the childminder makes regular use of the local toy library. The outdoor play area and equipment are also checked for safety before children are allowed outside to play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken good steps to ensure a safe environment for children. For example, the premises and outdoor play area are kept secure, a stair gate is available plus smoke alarms and a fire blanket. Cleaning materials are inaccessible to children. Children are kept safe when outdoors or on outings with appropriate use of car seats and seat belts and good supervision at all times. Children are also encouraged to keep themselves safe as they practise fire drills to help them understand the importance of escaping quickly and safely in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of her responsibility in relation to child protection and of how to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed and engage freely in a wide range of activities that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. They benefit from plentiful one-to-one interaction and as a result children feel secure and are developing their confidence. Children relate to each other particularly well when they play imaginatively, for example, with the dolls and pushchairs. Older children begin to socialise well and are competent in initiating conversations with adults as well as their peers. Children are developing independence and confidence as they freely make choices and these are supported appropriately by the childminder. A child pretends to be going to the seaside shares her ideas with the childminder and they talk about what she may need and who is going with her. Playing a game together shows the children

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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 using their reasoning skills and learning how to take turns and play fairly. Children are praised effectively to help them to persevere with challenges and fulfil their full potential. They understand that what they do and say is valued so helping to promote their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world through resources and activities available to them to develop their awareness fully regarding diversity. They learn about the local community as they make visits to local groups. Children are treated as individuals helping them to develop a sense of worth and value others. They benefit from the childminder knowing them well and responding to their personal needs and character. This is achieved through a good partnership with parents which starts with an initial visit and continued daily exchange of information ensures all remain well informed to meet the children's needs. Parents receive useful, written information about the childminder and her provision including hours of care, equal opportunities, behaviour management, health and safety, child protection and complaints/comments.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to be independent, make choices and take decisions within their play. For example, they self-select toys and materials to use within their play and older children access the toilet independently . They are beginning to take turns with adult support and to show care and concern for others. Children are well behaved and learning right from wrong because the childminder explains why she asks them to change their behaviour. Children respond well to the childminder's polite, consistent approach and are learning to model their behaviour on her positive example.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are welcomed with a familiar daily routine; children are confident and at ease in the childminder's home and care. The childminder's good organisation skills enable children to promote all areas of their development in a calm atmosphere. Children are involved in planned activities with appropriate resources and include going out and about within the community.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is promoted by the childminder's use of well considered policies and practice statements. The childminder shares them with parents and as a result parents have clear expectations with regards to the service being offered and the level of care and attention their children should expect to receive. Children are suitably protected from risk of harm as they are never left alone with persons who have not been vetted. Children's documentation contains the required information which enables the childminder to meet their individual care needs, which results in continuity of care for children. Confidentiality is maintained and children's personal information is kept secure. However, the daily record of children's attendance is not accurate and up to date. The childminder is keen to attend ongoing training which will enhance her childminding practice; she has completed her NVQ 3 and is currently doing quality assurance

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Organisation

scheme. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has taken positive steps to improve children's safety as she has valid and appropriate insurance in place for the vehicle used to transport

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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 minded children and has installed cupboard locks or removed dangerous substances to a high shelf out of the reach of children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 record of accidents is completed in sufficient detail • ensure food provided by parents is appropriately stored with regard to sandwiches and other perishable food stuffs • ensure the daily record of children's attendance is accurate and up to date.

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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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