Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 220342 Inspection date 31 August 2005 Inspector Sarah Harrison

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and two in Abington, Northamptonshire. Shops, schools and parks are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for minding as well as an upstairs front bedroom and bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and currently minds eight children on a part time basis.

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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 has a dog and a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because they are developing an awareness of good hygiene practices through daily routine such as washing their hands before they eat and after using the bathroom. Through doing this, they develop their self care skills and an understanding of the importance of healthy lifestyles. For example, even very young children know that germs are harmful and that hand washing helps to eliminate germs. A satisfactory range of policies and procedures ensure that, for the main, children are kept healthy. There are first aid boxes in the car, bathroom and kitchen and the childminder has attended first aid training so that all accidents are dealt with appropriately and children are kept safe. However, not all records relating to the administration of medicines are sufficient and permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is not in place. Children enjoy physical activity through games played in the back garden. They

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Helping children to be healthy

occasionally go to the park. Through this they are beginning to understand the importance of being active and develop their enjoyment of physical games. Children rest and sleep according to their needs. They can either sleep on the sofa or in a pushchair and this reflects that their individual routines and preferences are known and catered for by the childminder. Children are well nourished. They are provided with a packed lunch by their parents and are offered a healthy range of snacks and drinks by the childminder. They have their health and individual dietary needs met adequately as the childminder often discusses dietary alternatives with parents so that children have improved access to healthier options. Older children are confident enough to ask for drinks when they require them and babies and young children are offered drinks regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, friendly and safe environment due to the informal risk assessments the childminder regularly undertakes. They can play in the lounge or outside where the childminder utilizes her garden extremely well to offer an extended playing area where children enjoy a range of activities. For example, when the weather is fine, tables, chairs and activities are set up outside to offer children a choice of where to play. This helps to enrich their play experiences and helps them make simple decisions about where and how they want to play. Children also benefit from trips outside the home but records relating to children's safety whilst doing this and records detailing accidents that have occurred, lack detail Children of different ages use suitable and well maintained play equipment because it is cleaned and checked regularly. There is sufficient equipment for all children, 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 routines may be followed and the children are able to participate fully in all daily activities. Children are guided to playing with age appropriate toys so that they play safely. Toys are bright and stimulating and include a wide range of books, craft activities, small world play and larger apparatus for outside. Toys and resources are stored at child height and children can choose toys freely and safely and their independence is enhanced. Children are aware of safety because the childminder reinforces this through encouraging children to play. For example, they are reminded not to pour water on the floor as it makes it slippy and dangerous for themselves and others. Children are further protected because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and would act appropriately

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to maintain and support children's welfare, should she ever become concerned.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Although there is no formal planning in place, the childminder considers the ages and the children whom she is caring for that day in order to provide activities which suit their individual needs. Therefore children develop confidence and self-esteem because activities and play experiences provided are based on the childminder’s knowledge of their current level of development and understanding. She builds on this in order to help each child develop emotionally, physically, socially and intellectually. Children show interest in what they do. They are practised at creating their own play experiences and do not need the childminder to initiate games or activities for them. They use their own initiative to choose the toys or games that they want to play with and they enjoy making simple choices about whether to join in activities or whether they need a drink, for instance. They develop their sense of self in this way and enjoy

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

making decisions in 'safe' circumstances. This is particularly important for minded children who have particularly low self-esteem. Children ask questions. They have confidence in the childminder and feel comfortable enough with her to ask for things that they or others need, demonstrating that children are developing an awareness of other peoples feelings' and needs'. They begin to distinguish between right and wrong as they play. For example, they know that it is wrong and hurtful to whisper about other people because it can make them sad and worried. Children make positive relationships by opportunities to play independently and with their peers. They are also encouraged to participate in adult led activities such as setting the table or sharing books. As a result, they enjoy learning through a variety of play experiences and their personal and social skills are developed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well cared for by the childminder who works very effectively with parents to meet individual children’s needs and to ensure they are fully included in the life of

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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 the setting. Children feel valued and included because their dietary needs, likes, dislikes, routines, fears and phobias as well as their cultural and family history are known and catered for. Differences and similarities are celebrated and children become aware of wider society through the many resources reflecting positive images of diversity that are available for them to use. There is a good verbal behaviour policy which is shared with parents in order to secure an agreed consistent approach between the two homes so that children clearly know what is expected of them. Behaviour is very good. The childminder is consistent and fair. Children behave well. They understand responsible behaviour through clearly established and well communicated house rules. For example, they

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Helping children make a positive contribution

know that they are not allowed to make or play with guns and know that everyone must share when they play together. A close, informal partnership with parents benefits children because information is shared with parents on a daily basis through detailed discussion. This means that children are confident that their achievements and any key issues occurring, will be known by their parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are comfortable and confident in their surroundings. They are able to move freely between the indoor and outdoor play space and confidently access all areas as part of their play. Well organised storage of toys and equipment allows the children to make free choices and decisions about what they play with. Most of the required documentation is in place to secure children's welfare, however, the daily record of attendance is occasionally incomplete. Children are cared for by a suitably qualified individual who clearly enjoys being in the company of children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was recommended to improve security measures so that children were not able to leave the premises. She was also asked to ensure that all documentation relating to her vehicle were made available to the inspector. She has now addressed these issues and children's safety has improved. Further to this, the childminder was recommended to update her knowledge of child protection issues which she has done and children are now protected and kept free from harm. However, permission for her to seek emergency medical treatment from parents has still not been secured and this is an area which continues to develop. Similarly, the quality of learning opportunities offered to children also continues to develop. As recommended by Ofsted, the childminder now discusses strategies she intends to use for behaviour management with parents at their initial interview and as a result children know that their behaviour is a shared issue between the childminder

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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 There are no complaints to report.

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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): • keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure that accident records are always signed by parents and obtain written permission from parents for transporting children in a vehicle • ensure that the daily record of attendance is maintained.

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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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