Childminder in Leicester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 226524 Inspection date 15 July 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 adult son and another adult in the Westcotes area of Leicester city. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. She is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time and is currently minding 4 children under 5 and 1 child aged over 8 years out of school hours. The childminder walks or travels to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 understand the importance of eating fruit and vegetables daily to be healthy and grow strong. They take turns to choose from a variety of healthy meals planned by childminder to meet the nutritional and dietary needs, personal choice and preferences agreed with their parents. Children a have 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 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. Children play, rest or sleep according to their needs in a

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Helping children to be healthy

clean, comfortable environment which is well maintained by the childminder. They enjoy a wide range of activities to promote their physical development, such as climbing, riding on wheeled toys and playing on the slide in the garden area. They are also taken on outings to local parks and places of interest to explore and develop their physical skills.

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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 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 her care. For example, they remind younger children to walk not run indoors and explain why litter must be placed in a bin to prevent falls and accidents. Their safety and welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's secure

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of child protection issues in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. Children are kept safe when travelling as she 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children are settled and comfortable in the environment and take part confidently in the routines and activities offered for their care and welfare. For example, they enjoy acting out familiar experiences such as mixing and cooking pretend cakes in the play kitchen, building a farm out of the extensive range of Lego and planning what to wear and take on their holidays. They regularly play in the garden on wheeled toys, the slide and climbing frame and toys they take outside to enjoy in the fresh air. They use their imagination, work together and eagerly share their skills, knowledge and experience with others. For example, children describe their observations and reasons for everyday practise such as wearing protective clothing to prevent accidents in the kitchen. Children are finding out about the environment, their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

community and the wider world through their play and outings into the surrounding area. Their learning and personal needs are well met as the childminder recognises each child as an individual and is careful to treat them with respect. Children under three benefit from the childminder's understanding and good use of the Birth to three framework to offer challenging 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 exploring and experiencing the wider world, increasing their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others through stories, games and role play. 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 the care of their children. This means that their 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 learn to behave well and respond positively to the childminder's consistent guidance and praise, which promotes a sharing and caring environment. They are given the opportunity to reflect upon their own behaviour and develop self-awareness and a positive sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have the confidence to express their needs such as a story and comforting cuddle when tired.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. 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 but has not requested parent's written permission to seek any necessary emergency medical treatment. 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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Organisation

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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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's welfare and safety is positively promoted and parents have clearer communication and understanding because, since the last inspection, the childminder has improved most of her documentation. Records, agreed and signed by parents, include accidents, medicines given to children, permission to take children on outings, use public transport and carry children in a vehicle. The childminder has appropriate first aid equipment which is checked frequently and replaced as necessary.

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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 that records promote the welfare of the children by requesting written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future.

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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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