Childminder, Out-of school day care in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

207512 Unique Reference Number 12 December 2007 Inspection date Yvonne Layton Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1994. She lives with her family. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child under eight and six children over eight. She provides after school and holiday care only. The childminder walks/drives to local schools to take and collect children. The family have two dogs, a cat and four guinea pigs.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows effective procedures and practices which meet children's nutritional, physical and health needs. The strong adult support and guidance helps them to gain a clear understanding of hygiene and desire to become increasingly independent. For example, children are learning the importance of good hygiene through the

p.2

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 childminder's consistent routines that are part of everyday practice. The children respond naturally, supported by her consistent reminders. They are protected as the childminder has clear, effective hygiene routines for the pets in the home.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is protected as all required medication and accident documentation is in place and maintained. However, prior written consent for some non-prescribed medication is not in place, therefore, potentially, children's personal welfare needs may not be fully met. The required documentation is well-supported by supplementary health and safety policies which are accessible to parents.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have their dietary needs met because the childminder works well with the children and their parents, for example, she responds positively to children's requests for favourite foods. Children's health is well-protected and they are developing a positive attitude to healthy eating because the childminder offers them a varied nutritious diet. She offers home-made foods, including, fresh soup and bread. She closely monitors preservatives in food.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Daily outdoor experiences develop children's physical control. They are able to keep fit and progress in their skills by the childminder supporting them to learn about themselves and their bodies through activities. Children have access to a wide range of outdoor play equipment at the home where they are able to balance and climb. Their physical well-being is enhanced as they visit the park and undertake walks. They have access to a quiet area where they are able to rest and relax.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are warm, welcoming and in a good state of repair. Children benefit from the available space being well-planned, with an allocated room for play and use of the sitting room for quiet play and relaxation. The environment is bright, with displays of children's own creative work and craft projects. Children use quality equipment which is safe and hygienic, and appropriate to their age and stage of development.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

To ensure children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted the childminder has safety procedures in place, including, detailed information about the breed of dog she has. These are shared with the parents. Risks of accidental injuries to children are minimised because the childminder is vigilant and has consistent safety arrangements. These include children consistently being reminded and given explanations of safety rules. They learn about personal safety and self-care through discussion with the childminder. There are robust safety procedures to ensure children are kept safe whilst using the outdoor equipment.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected in the event of an emergency situation as fire safety equipment and evacuation procedures are in place. They take part in fire evacuation drills to ensure they are well-prepared in the event of an emergency situation.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder who has a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities for child protection. This is supported by her child protection policy, which is shared with the parents.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder focuses on promoting children's choices and activities are generally child-initiated. They are enabled to make their own choices, enriching their personal development. Children are purposefully occupied as they freely select, request activities and develop their own games. They are able to self-select books, construction sets and board games. They play with computer games, time monitored by the childminder, access a well-resourced outdoor play area and have space for quiet play. Some activities are planned, for example, themed creative, including, making penguins within a project. Plans are flexible and readily adapted to meet children's ideas and requests. Self-expression is well-promoted as children have opportunity to participate in varied creative activities, for example, craft projects include salt-dough decorations and cards for celebrations. Individual interests and stages of development

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are readily responded to as the childminder offers and/or suggests appropriate activities, such as, varied skill levels of puzzle and colouring books. Therefore, children are motivated and interested in a broad range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities that provide good levels of challenge.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A good partnership between the children and childminder ensures they are happy in a welcoming setting. They benefit from a positive relationship with the childminder and their peers, helping to develop their confidence. Children are busy and enjoy their play. They play independently and in small groups very well, supported sensitively by the childminder. She is skilled in assessing when the children need her involvement and stepping back when they do not.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good awareness of children's individual needs and they are respected as individuals. Their ideas and choices are valued. Equipment and resources meet the needs of the children and there is a variety of resources that reflect diversity, including, a range of story and reference books. Children's awareness of the wider world is enhanced by the celebration of individual events, national festivals, festivals from other faiths and by discussion with the childminder.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Although there are no children currently attending the setting who have learning disabilities and/or difficulties a written policy is in place which details how the service will be provided to children. This is supported by the childminder's clear understanding of providing care which includes them in the life of the setting through discussing their needs with parents. She is confident to judge how well individual children's needs can be met within existing routines. All children are included in activities which are adjusted to ensure that all are able to enjoy and gain from the experience.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder supports the children to develop a strong sense of independence and self-worth. They are encouraged to make their own decisions, resolve their own issues and take responsibility for their own actions. They are very settled and confident in the setting. Children benefit from the sensitive manner adopted by the childminder to manage their behaviour. The use of praise, encouragement and positive reinforcement contributes effectively to the children developing good social skills and a sense of belonging to a wider family group. They readily help, share and assist each other. The methods for dealing with behaviour are appropriate and take into account children’s age and stage of development. Children’s self-respect is promoted and they learn about self-protection as they are supported by the childminder to explore and discuss

p.4

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 their feelings and emotions. For example, discussions are held within a secure, safe environment about ‘good’ and ‘bad’ secrets.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

A positive partnership between the childminder and parents contributes to children's well-being. Each parent has access to policies and an information file. The written documentation is supported by daily discussions with the parents. Most required documentation is in place. However, although, there is a written complaints procedure, there is not a system in place to record any complaints from parents. Therefore, there is potentially an impact on children's well-being as parents are not fully informed.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides. This is a strong provision. The premises are organised well and space is used to maximise play opportunities. Children’s care and welfare is enhanced by the childminder's sound understanding of their needs and her effective day to day organisation skills.

p.5

Organisation

Children's safety and well-being benefit from the presentation of files with policies and information for parents. Generally, documentation is maintained correctly. However, parents are not fully informed and there is a potential impact on children’s welfare as the register of children’s attendance is not consistently maintained; there is not a system in place to record any complaints from parents and the childminder’s registration certificate is not on display. The childminder has good awareness of confidentiality. Information is regularly exchanged with parents about the setting and their child’s daily activities, contributing to continuity in the children’s care.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure children's arrival and departure times are recorded in the attendance register.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder does maintain a register of attendance. However, the actual times of arrival and departure of children is not consistently completed therefore this issue has been carried forward to this inspection.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 consistency in obtaining prior written parental permission to administer medication or other treatment • ensure a system to record complaints is in place in the event of a complaint from a parent, children's arrival and departure times are consistently recorded in the attendance register and the registration certificate is on clear display.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6