Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY283925 Unique Reference Number 24 August 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 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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her sister and nephew aged nine years in a house in Leicester with shops and parks within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Within her home children spend their time on the ground floor, they have access to the hall, kitchen, lounge and toilet. Children also have access to an enclosed rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for five children and has four children on roll, she also looks after children aged over eight years. The family has a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is also a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding network.

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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 is well-maintained because routine and effective hygiene practices prevent infection and maintain health. For example, children routinely wash their hands and use liquid soap to minimise any spread of infection. They also know why they must wash their hands as the childminder has involved them in discussion and topic work on good hygiene. Nappy changing takes place on a changing mat which is wiped down with anti-bacterial spray, the childminder also wears gloves so hygiene is well maintained. If children are infectious there is an exclusion period of 72 hours to ensure that all children's health is promoted. This is discussed with parents at admission so they have a clear understanding of the arrangements. If children become ill when they are at the home then the childminder contacts parents to collect them. In this way their emotional well-being is fostered. The childminder works closely with parents

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Helping children to be healthy

to ensure that babies routines for sleep and rest are maintained so that they are secure and settle well. All records relating to maintaining children's health are kept. However, parents have not always signed to acknowledge medication given to children which means their health may be compromised.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to be outdoors regularly and they have access to a varied range of resources which include ride on toys, a slide, tunnel, hoops, bean bags and a play house. Frequent trips to the park provide children with many opportunities to use equipment which promotes confidence and offers challenges, such as a climbing frame and swings. The childminder also uses a soft play centre and musical games to ensure that children have access to exercise throughout the year.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a good awareness of healthy eating because the childminder is aware of the importance of promoting this through discussion and activities. For example, children shop for fruit and cut this up to make rainbows. The childminder provides home cooked meals for children and fruit is offered as a snack to ensure children have a balanced range of healthy options. Children really enjoyed their snack of bananas, grapes, strawberries and apples and knew they must eat fruit because it makes them healthy. Children's dietary needs are taken at admission to ensure that they are protected from allergies and their health is actively promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are looked after in a warm and clean environment which is effectively monitored by the childminder to ensure it is safe. For example, children are always supervised in the kitchen and garden and a good range of equipment, such as socket covers and a stair gate, are used to promote safety. Daily checks of the premises and equipment also ensure that the environment is safe. Children have easy access to a good range of resources and can make their own selections to promote both play and learning. For younger children resources are rotated so that they have a good variety to stimulate their interest. Older children can make their own selections and follow their interests.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a written fire evacuation plan, smoke detectors and a fire blanket in place which ensures the risks of fire are minimised effectively. The emergency escape plan is also practised with children which means they learn effectively about keeping themselves safe in the event of a fire. Children are also encouraged to think about keeping themselves safe within

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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 the home by discussion of hazards, such as running and the consequences of this. This effectively encourages children to think about their own safety as does discussion about safe road crossing and stranger danger when they are out.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is clear about her responsibility to keep children safe and has attended training in child protection. She has a good awareness of signs of abuse and knows who to contact to ensure children are always well protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a very good awareness of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the Foundation Stage and uses these well to promote children's enjoyment and learning. She plans topic work for the children which covers areas such as 'under the sea, people who help us and outer space' so they have a wide variety of themes to stimulate and interest them. The childminder makes observations on children and completes assessment records so she knows what children have learnt and need to learn next. In this way she can ensure children make good progress. Children also enjoy a varied range of trips which promotes their awareness of the wider world well and provides them with opportunities to socialise. For example, they attend a soft play centre, carer and toddler groups, the library and museum and they also go on shopping trips.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder responds to children's individual interests well and provides lots of resources for child-initiated activities. For example, they chose to play with magic wands and make a train track. This is supported by a good range of activities which includes making cards, junk modelling, finding colours, playing games, play dough, mini beasts and small world play. Older children can relax, watch the tv, complete their homework or play with a range of games so they have good opportunities for age-appropriate activities. They can also make choices about how they spend their time so their enjoying and achieving is well promoted at the home. Children have their awareness of numbers and letters well promoted as the childminder uses name cards and has words taped to objects, such as the television, so children learn to recognise these. Shapes and number recognition are included in topic work so the children learn through fun

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities, such as making pictures using shapes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Good levels of adult support allow children to develop their communication skills well. The childminder is aware of the importance of listening to children and letting them know they are valued. She uses stories to ask them a range of questions which sustain their interest. For example, what is the man wearing? Children knew it was a helmet and that he wore this to keep him safe. Warm relationships between the childminder and the children ensure that the atmosphere is happy and relaxed and children enjoy their time at the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met well as the childminder takes all relevant information about them at admission. Parents are kept well informed of their child's progress through the use of a daily diary and by folders of work the children take home. This ensures parents can share in their achievements. The childminder has a good understanding of the need to work closely with parents and involves them in work she undertakes with the children. For example, asking them to supply photos for topic work on families.

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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 A written policy regarding behaviour management states that children's behaviour will be managed according to their age and level of development. In practice this means that the childminder explains to children what is acceptable behaviour and re-directs them, 'time out' is then used so children can think about the consequences of their actions. Good behaviour is rewarded with lots of praise, certificates and stickers so children know their efforts have been acknowledged. Children are involved in routines, such as tidying away after activities, and a special helper is designated daily so they develop a good sense of belonging and feel that they have made a positive contribution to the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are warmly welcomed into the home and are encouraged to view differences positively because the childminder strives to incorporate these into daily routines. For example, by using resources, such as books and acknowledging a range of festivals children gain a good awareness of the wider world. An informative equal opportunity policy states that each child will be treated as an individual and this is demonstrated as the childminder responds to the needs of each child. For example, cuddling a crying child until he felt settled. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities would receive an appropriate service because the childminder would ensure that they have the same opportunities to join in with activities as the other children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare, learning and care are promoted effectively by the use of clear policies and procedures which are shared with parents when they visit, these include an equal opportunities policy and a behaviour management policy. All required records are in place to ensure that children's needs are met effectively although a recommendation has been made to promote children's health.

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Organisation

Children receive good levels of adult support which promotes their confidence. This means they are able to safely explore their environment, moving from outdoors to indoors whilst always under the childminder's supervision. Children enjoy a range of activities in a well-organised home that is designed to provide opportunities for play and learning. For example, the lounge is used for quiet time and floor play whilst messy and table activities take place in the kitchen. The garden is used daily and is a stimulating and interesting place for children to enjoy as it contains bird boxes and a range of well displayed, colourful flowers.

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Organisation

The childminder has completed the Introduction to Childminding Practice course, Developing Childminding Practice course and courses on 'Do Dough', child protection, the 'Birth to three matters' framework, festivals, communication, food hygiene and using signs and symbols. These show the childminder's commitment to providing a quality service to children and she also has a level 3 qualification in childcare and a current first aid qualification. 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 improve fire safety precautions by practising an emergency escape plan with children. A written emergency escape plan is practised regularly with children so they have a good understanding of keeping themselves safe in the event of a fire.

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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

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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. 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): • make sure parents sign to administer medication given to children.

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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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