Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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207643 Unique Reference Number 07 December 2007 Inspection date Jennifer Getty 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 was registered in 1993. She lives with her two adult children near Glossop. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder drives and walks to the local school and playgroup to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She attends the local childminder and toddler group and takes children to the local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding six children, most of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good health is promoted because children follow effective hygiene procedures. For example, they wash their hands at appropriate times in the day, using individual towels and paper towels to dry their hands to minimise the risk of cross-contamination. The childminder uses antibacterial spray to maintain the cleanliness of the bathroom and kitchen. Gloves are worn by the childminder for changing nappies and clean changing mats are used, promoting the health of babies. Children are protected because sick children stay at home or are collected by parents if they become ill whilst in the care of the childminder. Appropriate procedures are in place when children are ill or have accidents. The childminder records accidents and the entry in the book is signed by parents, however, accidents that do not result in a visible injury are not recorded in the book, potentially compromising children's welfare. The administration of

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Helping children to be healthy

medication is appropriately recorded and prior written parental permission is obtained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide children's lunch and the childminder offers healthy snacks such as crumpet, teacake and fruit. Children learn about healthy eating and talk about a variety of foods during play. For example, they colour pictures of healthy foods such as pears and sweetcorn, while talking about their likes, dislikes and where they have seen the food grow.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are regular opportunities for activities that help children develop their physical skills. They visit local parks, soft play centres and local groups such as the childminding group which offer a range of facilities that enable children to slide, climb and balance. Children have supervised access to the garden where they are able to use the slide, ride bicycles and play in the sandpit. Indoors, babies and young children have space to crawl and develop their independence physically in a safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment. The playroom is bright and warm, helping children feel secure and comfortable. They develop a good sense of belonging because their work is displayed on the walls. There is a range of equipment and toys suitable for the children's ages and stages of development. Young babies have access to a range of toys which promote their development, for example, programmable toys, mirrors and books. Older children enjoy choosing from the activities and toys set out for them in the playroom. There is a child-sized table with chairs which allows children to sit comfortably when doing activities such as drawing and sticking. Toys and equipment are checked regularly to ensure they are safe for use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder assesses risks and takes positive steps to minimise risks both indoors and outdoors, ensuring children are cared for in a safe environment. For example, there are socket covers and a fireguard in place. However, there are some items such as knives and bottles stored in cupboards and drawers in the kitchen which are at child height. The risk to children is minimised because they are always supervised in the kitchen and there are safety gates in place to prevent access at other times. Outdoors, younger children hold hands and learn about road safety when they are on outings or walking to the local school, and they are supervised when playing in the garden. There is an appropriate emergency evacuation procedure in place to protect children in the event of a fire. They learn about fire safety when visiting the local fire brigade museum. Children are also protected because the childminder has a good awareness

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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 of her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into place if necessary. There is detailed policy which contains the contact numbers for the relevant authorities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and developing good levels of self-esteem. The childminder plans activities that promote children's development. They are developing good independence skills as they self-select activities from those on offer. They happily make dinner at the toy kitchen, asking the childminder what she would like to eat and preparing it for her. Children read the numbers on the skittles and laugh loudly and cheer as they knock them down. They develop respect and show concern for others, for example, they say 'good job for trying' as the childminder misses the skittles and then offer her more balls so she can try again. Young children laugh and smile, enjoying lots of cuddles. They are able to participate in a full range of age-appropriate activities which include creative, imaginative and physical play. The children enjoy their time with the childminder and show an interest in the planned activities and toys

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

available. They enjoy regular trips to the local toddler and childminding groups which promote children's social skills. Children's needs are met well as the childminder offers good support through her interaction and appropriate questioning during play. The childminder's plans are flexible and she responds to children's interests, for example, they enjoy going on the train. Children are able to relax as they wish, at the end of the school day, as they are able to read stories with the childminder or watch television.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met to ensure they are fully included in the setting. The childminder obtains relevant information about children's likes, dietary requirements and contact details to ensure they receive appropriate care. Children learn to respect each other and learn about different cultures and faiths through activities and a good range of books and toys. They have access to all the toys and equipment available which promotes their independence. They enjoy using words from various languages as part of everyday life. The childminder shows an appropriate awareness of meeting the needs of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop good relationships with the childminder and each other. They understand responsible behaviour and respond well to the childminder's praise and encouragement. There are effective strategies in place for managing behaviour, for example, discussion and distraction. Children learn how to manage their own behaviour as they talk about their own and other people's feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership with parents. There is a daily exchange of information about the children's routines and care when parents collect children. The childminder ensures that information is shared and discussed on a regular basis and offers parents the opportunity to have a written record of children's daily activities. There is an appropriate complaints policy in place and parents have access to all the policies and procedures, ensuring they are fully informed of their child's care routines.

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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. Policies and procedures generally work well in practice to promote children's welfare, care and learning. The childminder ensures that children are protected from those not vetted, promoting their welfare and safety. Time and space is organised well to promote children's independence and provide a range of experiences which meet the needs of the different age groups. The childminder is committed to the improvement of children's care as she has recently completed a wide range of appropriate training relating to safety, behaviour and children's development. Children's health is promoted because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. A daily register is maintained of the children's exact times of arrival and departure which ensures the childminder maintains the appropriate ratios and provides activities to meet the age range of the children attending. Written permissions from parents are obtained to ensure children

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Organisation

are cared for in line with parental wishes. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve knowledge about child protection procedures and improve the range of toys in order to meet the developmental needs of babies.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attended appropriate training and demonstrates a good awareness of her role and responsibilities with regard to child protection. Babies' developmental needs are met because the childminder has a range of toys that promote their enjoyment and learning, for example, rattles and programmable toys.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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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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): • ensure all accidents are consistently recorded in detail • ensure the kitchen is made safe, with reference to the contents of the cupboards and drawers.

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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 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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