Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 225161 Inspection date 25 August 2005 Inspector Sheila Hartley

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2000. She lives with her husband and child aged 9 years in a village in north Leicestershire. The whole of the childminder’s house, except for the main bedroom, is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 1 child under 5 years and 5 children over 5 years before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family has 2

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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 pet dogs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very clean environment where effective hygiene practices and good arrangements for pets prevent cross infection and maintain health. They learn the importance of personal hygiene routines from an early age as house rules, regarding washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating, are established. Arrangements agreed with parents regarding the care of sick children ensures that their health and emotional well-being are fostered. Children are encouraged to play outdoors regularly and they enjoy a good range of activities which promote their health and development. Frequent trips to local parks and use of the garden provide children with many opportunities which promote confidence in their growing physical skills. For example, they enjoy playing games of football together and take turns on equipment such as climbing frames and a trampoline.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children's needs for rest and sleep are met well because the childminder works closely with parents to ensure that routines are in place which support their well-being. Children develop a good awareness of healthy eating and the childminder ensures that the meals and snacks she offers are nutritious and wholesome. They enjoy fruit and other healthy options for snacks and a choice of freshly cooked meals which include fresh vegetables. This promotes their physical development and maintains their health. Their dietary needs are discussed with parents to ensure that any allergies, specific requirements and preferences are accounted for. Older children help themselves to drinks and serve little ones demonstrating their growing independence and concern for others. Easy access to drinks ensures the children do not get thirsty or become dehydrated in warm weather. Written permissions from parents and records are in place to safeguard the children's well-being and the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder has a current first aid qualification.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are confident to move around the well organised home where they are kept safe by the close supervision of the childminder. They move freely between the house and the garden and experience a good range of activities in a secure environment. They are looked after in a warm and clean home where the childminder is very vigilant about reducing risks both inside and outdoors. For example, children are supervised in the garden and are encouraged to develop responsibility for their own safety by discussion and promotion of house rules. They are able to make their own selections from a wide range of easily accessible resources which promote both play and learning. This encourages them to make their own decisions about their activities and promotes self-assurance. Within the home children are suitably

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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 protected from the risks of fire because appropriate detection and prevention measures are in place. The emergency escape plan has been discussed but has not been practised with the children. Children learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder reminds them of stranger danger and teaches them how to cross the road safely. Older children remind the younger ones of the importance of following rules such as holding hands as they cross the road, staying together and not wandering off. The childminder has received child protection training developing a very good awareness of local procedures and how to put them in to practice. This ensures that children's safety and welfare is effectively promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children really enjoy their time at the setting. They make choices from a wide range of activities and opportunities made available to them. All the children particularly enjoy being outdoors. Young children relish the opportunity to play in the sandpit or with a bat and ball. They develop skills whilst they scoop and dig in the sand and hand-eye coordination as they try to fill a bucket with sand or hit the ball with the bat. Older children develop their stamina and physical skills as they choose to play games of football together and take turns on the trampoline or climbing frame. Their imagination develops as they revel in new experiences and delight in developing new skills playing on bales of hay in an adjacent field. They cooperate well together hauling each other up and helping each other down. The childminder is at hand to ensure they are safe and takes pleasure in their enjoyment. The children are involved

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and make a positive contribution to choosing venues and planning trips, which they can all enjoy, during school holidays. They visit farm parks, museums and other attractions which contributes to their learning about the community in which they live and a wider world. On wet days or dark evenings children have easy access to a wide range of toys, equipment and materials for indoor activities. The play station and materials for craft activities are very popular. Most of the children spend time at the setting after school so appreciate the time to choose how they spend their time but also appreciate some planned activities, such as baking and craft projects, organised by the childminder. The focus of their time with the childminder is play and relaxation but they learn through their play and make good progress in most areas of their development. Very young children find delight in playing with every day objects such as saucepans and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

wooden spoons before they progress to more structured play and activities. All the children have their needs met well as the childminder develops positive relationships with them, encourages them to have fun and accommodates their needs for rest and relaxation.

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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 Children are warmly welcomed into the home and play an active part in the setting. They enjoy making choices about their activities and care after a structured day at school. Many of the children are enthusiastic to take part in physical activities whilst others prefer some time for rest and relaxation. Older children demonstrate their developing responsibility as they remember house rules and remind others of what is expected. For example, rules regarding safety as they walk to and from school. They are happy to support little ones in their play and enjoy the sense of belonging and involvement it brings. All the children learn to respect each other. They are effectively acknowledged as individuals because the childminder ensures that all the children are included and have the same access to opportunities and resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and play side-by-side and together harmoniously, good manners are promoted and children receive lots of praise for acceptable behaviour which increases their confidence and self assurance. They sort out minor squabbles themselves and learn to take turns on the trampoline and climbing frame. Children's individual needs are met well as the childminder collects information from parents when they enrol. She speaks to parents daily and works closely with them to promote their daily routines and celebrate their progress and achievements. Children develop a close bond with the childminder as she takes the time to get to know them well. This ensures they feel confident, secure and develop a sense of self-worth. They proudly take home work they have created during craft activities to share with parents which further supports their developing self-esteem.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children enjoy a range of activities at the home and receive good levels of adult support which encourages them to initiate their own activities and explore their environment. The childminder has a very high regard for the well-being of all the children in her care, enjoys the time she spends with them and takes pride in their achievements. As a result the children develop confidence and high self-esteem. Children feel secure and at home in an environment that is well organised to promote a range of experiences for play and learning. Children's physical well-being is effectively promoted by use of the garden and younger children have their need for rest and sleep met well which fosters their emotional well-being. Children's welfare, learning and care are promoted very effectively by the exchange of verbal information with parents on a daily basis. This ensures that children's needs

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Organisation

are met well according to the wishes of parents and in children's best interests. All required documentation is in place. The childminder has undertaken a number of courses relating to child care which has enabled her to develop further knowledge and understanding to provide a good quality service to children. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve fire safety precautions by practising the emergency escape plan with children. She has devised a very clear

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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 escape plan which she has discussed with the children but it has not been practised. This means that children now have some understanding of what to do should they need to escape from the house but they are not yet familiar with escape routes. A further recommendation has been raised.

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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 fire safety arrangements by practising the emergency escape plan • develop and maintain records, policies and procedures which are shared with parents to promote the welfare care and learning of the children.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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