Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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225561 Unique Reference Number 06 July 2007 Inspection date Kate Bryan 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 outstanding. 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 1992. She lives with her husband in a house situated on the outskirts of the town of Melton Mowbray which is located in the north of Leicestershire. Within the home children have access to the hall, lounge/dining room, kitchen, utility room and toilet. On the first floor a bedroom is used for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for six children and has nine children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and belongs to the Leicestershire Childminding Network. She attends local carer and pre-school activities on a regular basis.

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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 outstanding. Children's health is positively promoted as the childminder has highly effective measures in place which promotes their health, physical and dietary requirements well. They are cared for in a warm, clean environment and gain an excellent awareness and understanding of hygiene through discussion with the childminder, consequently children learn about germs and why hand washing is important. Cross contamination is reduced effectively as children use liquid soap and paper towels. A comprehensive policy is in place to ensure nappy changing is clean and hygienic. The childminder uses a changing mat, anti-bacterial spray and wears gloves to ensure the health of all children is extremely well promoted. A clear written procedure for looking after sick children ensures that their health and emotional well-being are given top priority. This means parents are contacted to collect any child who may become ill and the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder ensures the child is well cared for until collection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an excellent awareness of promoting children's physical development and her considerable knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework ensures that she presents a wide range of stimulating indoor and outdoor experiences to enhance this. For example, children enjoy using large equipment at the park such as a climbing frame, an obstacle course, an enclosed ball area, a slide, swings, remote controlled cars, ball games and ribbon play. Indoors children can engage in games such as Twister and giant snakes and ladders, and activities like dancing and using musical instruments so their physical well-being is imaginatively promoted throughout the year.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a considerable awareness of healthy eating through the imaginative use of activities such as shopping, cooking and topic work. Children also have lots of fruit and vegetables as snacks which they help to cut and prepare. Drinks of water, low sugar juice and milk are always available so that children learn effectively to be responsible for their own health needs and the childminder constantly reminds children to take drinks so that their physical health is consistently well promoted. Children bring packed lunches and the childminder supplies parents with a very good range of information which includes ides for making food fun and recipes to ensure children eat well. The childminder also makes comprehensive use of explanations to provide the children with the reasons why certain options are not healthy and children have a secure understanding of what constitutes healthy food. For example, children

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Helping children to be healthy

know that milk contains vitamins and makes them strong which encourages them to think positively about their own health. A very good healthy eating policy is in place which underlines the childminder's commitment to establishing good eating habits with children which will set them up for life. Children's dietary needs are discussed with parents to ensure that they are well protected from allergies and their health actively promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder ensures children are always kept safe because she is vigilant about the home. She has organised the home well so that children are always under supervision in the kitchen and within sight or sound of her when they are in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children confidently access a very wide range of interesting and stimulating resources which are supplemented by the use of the toy library. The childminder ensures these meet all safety

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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 standards and regularly cleans them so children's safety is always extremely well promoted. Children are encouraged to make their own selections during free play which promotes good decision making and confidence as they experience making their own choices. This was demonstrated as the childminder asked a child what she would like to do and then supplied the equipment for the activity of making a meal which the child thoroughly enjoyed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from risks because the childminder has undertaken meticulous risk assessments on the home and resources. These include procedures for outings so that children are always very well protected. An emergency back-up plan and a personal safety plan for dealing with accidents contribute to the very effective measures which are in place to keep children safe. Children's safety is given top priority and the childminder promotes this very effectively by discussing with them the need for safe practices such as road crossing. Children can talk confidently about how they keep safe when walking to school and they have completed topic work on issues such as using zebra crossings and stranger danger. Within the home children are very well protected from the risks of fire because regular fire drills ensure that all children participate and are aware of procedures to keep them safe. They have also undertaken topic

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

work on this so they have a very good awareness of how to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and has a very good written policy in place which states that her primary concern is for the children. She has undertaken a range of training in this area and ensures that parents are well aware of how she will keep children safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has a comprehensive understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework which enables her to provide high quality care and learning experiences to children. Excellent observations allow her to highlight a child's individual points for development so activities can be planned to progress their learning. This is achieved through a stimulating and varied range of activities which include making fridge magnets, growing cress, junk modelling, lots of crafts and child initiated play. Older children can make choices about relaxing, completing their homework or choosing work to add to their folder of achievements. Older children often help younger children with reading as sharing and helping are systematically promoted at the home. A written weekly planner shows the excellent range of activities offered to children to promote their enjoyment and achievement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very skilful in using numbers and routinely and spontaneously use these in activities such as counting snacks. The childminder uses innovative games such as dominoes to encourage children's awareness of mixing and matching numbers and children thoroughly enjoy this. They receive a great deal of praise for efforts such as making connections between tiles which delights them and increases their confidence and self-esteem. Children can recognise a variety of letters and the childminder is resourceful in providing practical activities to help the children practise writing. This means they go to the shop with a list they have made and actively look for items which promotes their learning very effectively.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a very wide range of activities which successfully increases their opportunities to learn through play. This is very effectively supported as children are able to choose their own activities in free play and the successful balance between this and adult-led activities ensures they are able to make very good progress at their own pace. Children enjoy an excellent range of trips out which include feeding the ducks, riverside walks, visiting the park, the library,

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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 the fire station, the cattle market, the pet shop, the fun fair, the florist and the museum. They have also visited the pork pie shop so they gain a very good awareness of the local community.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Extremely warm relationships exist between the childminder and the children who are clearly recognised as individuals. The childminder ensures their needs are very well met by finding out what they like to do and responding to these, for example, by celebrating pancake day. This significantly enhances the children's sense of belonging and makes them feel extremely valued.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are excellent communicators and the childminder promotes this because she involves them in constant discussion about what they are doing and by using skilful questioning to encourage them to think about things. For example, 'Why are the children holding hands?' so children learn effectively about safety. Children can choose their favourite books and happily sit with the childminder, looking at pictures and making up a story from these. The childminder enthusiastically becomes involved in the children's story asking them what will happen next

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Very high levels of adult support allow children to develop their creative and imaginative skills very well in a wide range of craft activities which they hugely enjoy. They have created using a very good variety of materials which include pasta, feathers, bubble wrap and crepe paper which has introduced them to a range of textures. This effectively enhances their learning and introduces them to using their senses in art work. The childminder is very enthusiastic about her work and is successful in offering children a wide range of stimulating activities which purposefully engage them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are warmly welcomed into the home and are highly valued and respected as individuals as the childminder acknowledges different beliefs and cultures. The childminder has attended equal opportunities training and a policy regarding equal opportunities effectively underpins practice. This is demonstrated as the childminder provides a very good range of toys, resources and books that reflect culture, gender, race and religion that are accessible to all children. A comprehensive range of festivals are acknowledged which help the children to understand and appreciate others and their differences. Children flourish in an environment that is designed to support their individual needs. This means that children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities can all participate in activities as these are adapted to promote inclusion. The childminder has taken very positive measures to ensure all children have a good

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Helping children make a positive contribution

understanding of disabilities and practical experiences of working with hearing aids and glasses has increased their awareness. The childminder has successfully worked with other professionals to ensure a child's needs are met and has received praise for her helpful attitude and the child's progress. The children can also use basic signs to ensure all children feel a very good sense of belonging. A policy about additional needs and knowledge of the Declaration of Children's Rights show that the childminder has an extensive awareness of promoting children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are extremely well behaved and can use good manners appropriately. They are thrilled with the praise they receive and respond positively by smiles and engagement which significantly increases their confidence and sense of being acknowledged. Children's behaviour is very effectively managed by the use of sensible house rules such as always sharing. The children have also devised their own rules, for example playing nicely with others, which allows them to make a positive contribution to the home and actively fosters a strong sense of self. A useful written policy regarding behaviour management sets out the childminder's aims to provide an environment in which all children are highly valued. Children have undertaken extensive work

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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 on welcoming all children into the home and this is demonstrated by pictures and words about holding hands and helping others to join in with activities. This allows children to reflect upon their behaviour and how it affects others and is very effective in promoting an environment in which children thrive.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are very well met as the childminder has very professional working relationships with parents. The childminder ensures she has all relevant information about children's changing needs and strives to work with them, helping them to understand how to deal with issues such as bullying. Children proudly take home work they have created and each child has a folder of achievements which shows how they have enjoyed their time with the childminder. The childminder continually strives to improve her service and accomplishes this by actively seeking parents views.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children receive very good levels of adult support which supports their play and learning very effectively. This means children can confidently explore their environment whilst knowing they are safe because they are always within sight or sound of the childminder.

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Organisation

Children's welfare, learning and care are consistently promoted by the use of comprehensive policies and procedures which are shared with parents in a welcome pack. The childminder regularly reviews these as she reflects upon her service to ensure children benefit. All required records are in place to ensure children's needs are met well.

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Organisation

Children receive a high quality service because the childminder is committed to extending her practice and knowledge through training. For example, she has completed training which includes the 'Birth to three matters' framework, child protection, advanced food safety, health and safety and she also has a level three childcare qualification. Practically this means children receive a wide range of flexible and stimulating activities in a well organised home. This was demonstrated by a child happily accessing resources in the lounge area and confidently being independent in using the toilet. The childminder spoke to a child about their visit to the toy library to choose toys and the child was delighted as she described some of the things seen there. Overall 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 agreed to continue to develop skills and experience with appropriate training to continue to meet the children's needs effectively. The childminder has made significant progress in all areas by attending training courses and by personal reflection and development. This has ensured her continual progress and demonstrated her commitment to providing a high quality service to 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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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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