Childminder in LeicestershireOfsted inspection, 14 Nov 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 225428 Inspection date 14 November 2005 Inspector Patricia King

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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 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 1992. She lives with her husband, a child aged 6 years and 2 adult children in the small town of Shepshed in the north of Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family pets are a cat and a rat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and currently has four children under five and four children over five on roll. She drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local preschool groups with the children, takes them to the park, library and local shops.

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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 are developing clear understanding of their personal care and describe knowingly how washing their hands before eating, after using the toilet or handling animals prevents the spread of germs and infection. They automatically put their hands in front of their mouths when coughing and sneezing and explain this stops germs spreading to others. They are well protected from health risks because the childminder has good systems in place to handle food, promote good hygiene and guard children from the dangers of exposure to the sun's rays. For example, children have their own washing and sun screen equipment and there are clear agreements with parents that children are not minded whilst infectious. They are protected from cross infection and illness by the childminder's good information and policies to inform parents that children will not be minded when infectious. Their health and

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Helping children to be healthy

welfare are promoted by the clear systems and records kept to take appropriate action in the event of an accident, seek emergency attention and to administer any necessary medication. Children understand the importance of eating fruit and vegetables daily to be healthy and grow strong. Their daily dietary needs, personal choice and preferences are established with parents and the childminder plans nutritious meals including fresh fruit and vegetables to provide a balanced diet. The children are encouraged to try new tastes and ingredients and are learning about different diets and food at mealtimes. Children have daily outside play in the garden weather permitting. They use the slide and swings to balance and climb, ride on bikes and cars and play with balls and games. They are taken to the local parks and preschool groups to play on other large physical equipment. They rest and sleep according to their needs and as agreed with

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Helping children to be healthy

their parents. For example, a child settled on the childminder's knee for a comforting cuddle before having a sleep in his pushchair.

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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 secure, stimulating, comfortable home where risks are identified and made safe. This means that children move around safely, freely and confidently making good use of the areas used for childminding. They independently select activities from a broad range of quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards, that are stored within easy reach. Children are developing safety awareness. For example, they describe the safety codes they follow when out with the childminder, such as looking for the green man to signal when it is safe to cross the road, being watchful and listening for traffic, which helps keeps walkers safe. They show their regard for the different levels of understanding and capabilities of other children in the childminder's care. For example, they are careful to keep small toys away from the babies and explain that babies could choke if they put these into

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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 their mouths. Children's safety and welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's secure understanding of child protection issues in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. Children are kept safe when travelling as the childminder has established good systems to use appropriate safety equipment and has documentation to establish the suitability of her transport. The childminder ensures that children are only collected by their parents or named adults by prior written arrangements and children are never left alone with other adults.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and comfortable in the environment. They take part confidently in the routines and good range of activities offered to promote their play and learning inside the home and outside. For example, they enjoy acting out familiar experiences such as playing with the farm, naming the animals and where they live. They happily talk about their favourite animals and the pets the childminder and their families have. The children enjoy using the resources, such as the good range of books, to learn about themselves and others. For example, they selected a book about everybody being different to share with the childminder in a comfortable learning environment. They chatted about the pictures pointing out differences, such as height, culture, age and ability. Children have real opportunities to try new skills, such as the French Skipping activity which was adapted by the childminder to make it safe and suitable

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

for them to try. Children benefit from regular outdoor play and outings into the local area where they meet with other children at preschool and childminder's groups. They are finding out about the environment, their community and the wider world through their play and the activities the childminder provides to celebrate significant events, such as Bonfire Night, Diwali and Halloween. Children's learning and personal needs are well met because the childminder recognises each child as an individual and is careful to treat them with respect. Children under three are beginning to benefit from the childminder's developing understanding and use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to offer interesting and stimulating learning opportunities appropriate for their care and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are warmly welcomed into the home and are encouraged to learn about their own and other cultures because the childminder works effectively to promote their understanding. There are lots of trips out into the local community and festivals are celebrated so that the children feel a sense of belonging and learn to respect each other. Children's care and welfare is discussed and agreed with the parents, establishing a close working partnership to keep them fully informed and included in

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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 care of their children. This means that the children's individual needs are carefully considered, ensuring that they feel comfortable and confident with the childminder. She shows good understanding of how to manage the situation positively when recognising health or special needs of minded child. Children are learning to behave well and respond positively to the childminder's consistent guidance and praise, which promotes a sharing and caring environment. For example, older children recognise that being tired changes behaviour. They are satisfied that if this causes a dispute the childminder manages behaviour fairly to ensure that they play harmoniously. This gives children the confidence to express their needs such as a story and comforting cuddle when tired. The childminder has

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Helping children make a positive contribution

established sensible house rules, such as no jumping on the furniture which means they learn to take responsibility for their own behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure and settled in the childminder's home. This means they have confidence to make choices, express their needs and make good progress in their overall development. Their individual needs are well met by the childminder who has completed a range of appropriate training to inform and promote the safe management of her services. She maintains most of the documentation required on a daily basis, however the record of attendance is not always up to date which could impact upon the emergency escape procedures. All adults in the household have been cleared and the children are well protected from visitors by the childminder's secure systems and procedures. Parents are kept informed and included in the care of their children by daily discussion which means they can contribute to their child's continued development. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to develop resources to promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children and to improve safety by providing working smoke alarms, which conform to BS EN standards, at every level of the house. Children are learning about the wider world and diversity by using the good range of resources and opportunities provided by the childminder. Children's safety is promoted by appropriately installed smoke alarms that are tested weekly.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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

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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 the daily record of attendance is accurate and kept up to date

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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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