Childminder in Leicester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 258224 Inspection date 07 October 2005 Inspector Kate Bryan

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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 satisfactory. 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 1993. She lives with her husband and four children aged 14, 11, 4 and 2 years. They live in a house in Leicester within walking distance of shops and parks. Within the home children have access to the hall, lounge, kitchen and three bedrooms. They also have access to the family bathroom and an enclosed garden. The childminder is registered for four children and currently has two children on roll.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and Pre-School Learning Alliance. She also regularly attends a carer and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing a satisfactory awareness of healthy eating as the childminder discusses with them healthy eating options. For example, fruit is given as a snack and milk as a drink to promote healthy physical development. Children have their health needs suitably met as the childminder works closely with parents to ensure that their dietary and physical well-being is promoted. Children are protected from the risk of infection by the sound measures in place to maintain and promote their health. For example, they are reminded to wash their hands after using the toilet to prevent the spread of germs. Children's medical needs are also satisfactorily met as the childminder has in place appropriate measures for recording medication and looking after them in the event of an emergency. Children are suitably cared for should they become ill, they are looked after in a warm, clean house and parents are

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Helping children to be healthy

contacted to collect them. This ensures that their emotional well-being is met. Children's needs for rest and sleep are appropriately met which makes them feel secure and promotes their physical well-being. Children have access to a sound range of physical activities which promotes their health and development. For example, children use the garden daily and have access to a good range of resources for activities such as riding, pedalling and bats and balls for hand-eye coordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are looked after in a home that is suitably organised to ensure that their safety can be maintained. Activities and rest times for young children take place in the lounge where the childminder can always see children and ensure their welfare is soundly promoted. Children are kept safe at the childminder's because she has appropriate measures in place to ensure this, for example, there is a stairgate to prevent children accessing the stairs. However, there are no socket covers in place to minimise risks from electricity and the childminder has not obtained public liability insurance. Children are soundly protected outside the house because the childminder constantly supervises them and they learn sound procedures for keeping safe such as stranger danger and road safety. They are suitably protected from the risks of fire because appropriate detection and prevention measures are in place and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

an emergency escape plan has been practised with them which increases their chances of responding quickly to danger. Children can make their own selections from a good range of easily accessible resources that the childminder ensures are safe for their use. Children's welfare is appropriately promoted by the sound use of policies and procedures. This includes a suitable awareness of child protection procedures, the childminder is aware of signs of abuse and knows who to contact to

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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 ensure that children's welfare and safety are promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children receive good levels of adult support which encourages them to initiate their own activities and develop confidence. For example, older children can choose what they wish to do after school so their own needs are met, they may play or relax. Younger children have access to a suitable range of activities which promote learning and play, however, activities could be further enhanced by, for example, the use of the 'Birth to three' framework. This would ensure that children's learning is effectively promoted to meet the outcomes within the framework. Children receive lots of praise for achievements which increases their self-esteem, for example, a child was praised for trying to say words which pleased her very much. The childminder and the children have a warm relationship with children receiving lots of cuddles which allows them to settle quickly and feel secure. For example, a child was allowed to sit with

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the childminder until she felt ready to leave her and play with the toys. The child was also confident to show the childminder what she was doing and to explore a range of resources. Children expect to be listened to as the childminder spends time interacting with them and this fosters their sense of being valued. Children are beginning to develop language skills and the childminder promotes this appropriately as she encourages children to repeat words and introduces words for objects they point at. Children's imagination and creative skills are generally promoted by the use of activities such as dressing up.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's self-worth and confidence are suitably promoted as the childminder works closely with parents to ensure that children's individual needs are fostered appropriately. All children are warmly welcomed into the home which means they feel valued and a sense of belonging. Their emotional well-being is suitably promoted as consistent use of their routines ensures they settle well and feel acknowledged. For example, children's needs for sleep and food are arranged with parents so that the children feel secure. Children develop a satisfactory awareness of the wider community and other cultures by frequent trips out to places such as the library and toddler and carer group. A range of appropriate resources are also in place to promote children's awareness of difference and how this is to be valued. Children's behaviour is suitably managed by the use of age appropriate strategies. For

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Helping children make a positive contribution

example, older children receive 'time out' to encourage them to reflect upon their behaviour whilst younger children are distracted. Children have the opportunity to develop self assurance as they receive lots of praise for good behaviour. Children's self-esteem is suitably promoted as the childminder ensures that parents are able to share in their child's achievements as they take home examples of their work. Children's changing needs are identified appropriately by working closely with parents who receive a daily report of their child's progress and development.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home that is suitably organised to promote their safety, they are under the constant supervision of the childminder both indoors and outdoors. This allows children sufficient opportunity to explore the environment and initiate their own activities which promotes confidence and self assurance. They are never left with uncleared people so they are protected at all times. Younger children receive good levels of attention from the childminder as their attendance patterns mean they are the only children present. Children's physical well-being is appropriately promoted by daily use of the garden. They have access to a good range of resources to encourage them to develop skills with equipment such as bikes and ride on toys. Children's welfare, learning and care are appropriately fostered by the use of sound policies and procedures which are shared with parents. This

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Organisation

enables parents to be aware that the service is provided in the best interests of the 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 provider agreed to maintain attendance records for children, make the garden safe, obtain a first aid qualification, provide a smoke alarm on the first floor and obtain consent from parents for emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has put all measures into place which has enhanced existing safety measures for children. The childminder also agreed to obtain public liability insurance but has not yet done this.

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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 satisfactory. 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 public liability insurance is obtained

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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 • ensure that electric sockets are fitted with socket covers • develop activities and play opportunities to develop children's capabilities by, for example, using the 'Birth to three' framework.

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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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