Childminder in Leicester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 226611 Inspection date 19 December 2005 Inspector Alison Edwards

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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?

This childminder has been registered since 1984. She lives with her husband on a residential road on the outskirts of a city. Minded children use the ground floor of the house with access to the first floor bathroom and small bedroom as needed. There is an enclosed courtyard for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to provide care for six children under eight years. There are currently six children on roll. Tropical fish are kept as family pets.

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THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION

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 cared for in clean and well-maintained premises where sound hygiene arrangements help promote their good health and minimise risks of cross-infection. They begin to learn about simple self-care practices within daily routines, such as when they talk with the childminder about using 'magic soap' to get rid of germs, and when they are encouraged to dry their hands thoroughly after washing to prevent them getting sore. The childminder's sound understanding of how to apply most current health and hygiene guidelines, such as obtaining professional training to administer any specialist medical treatments, helps ensure children's continued good health and well-being. However, arrangements to deal with a serious unforeseen incident are not yet fully effective as the childminder does not seek parental consent to obtain emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder helps promote children's physical well-being by taking account of

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Helping children to be healthy

individual children's preferred routines, for example for sleep times. Daily activities regularly enable children to extend their large muscle skills, for example by walks to the local park to use large equipment or play ball games. Children develop increasing hand-eye coordination when handling toys like shape sorters, or colouring and cutting out displays such as a paper nativity scene. Arrangements with parents regarding responsibilities for provision of meals and snacks help ensure children receive balanced and nutritious meals regularly including healthy ingredients such as fresh fruit and vegetables. Drinks are readily accessible to encourage children to take sufficient fluids.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are confident and relaxed in the warm and secure family home. Use of the ground floor enables children to move freely between a varied range of easily-supervised activities in the lounge and breakfast kitchen. Children's preferred sleep and rest routines are accommodated by use of either a sturdy cot in a first floor bedroom or use of comfortable sofas downstairs. Direct access to a fully-enclosed rear courtyard, or supervised visits to local facilities such as the park, enable children to safely access a range of outdoor and large physical play activities. Toys and play materials are clean and in good condition for children's use. They are organised so children can safely and independently access resources offering appropriate challenge to their individual level of maturity. For example picture books, large plastic bricks and inset puzzles are kept in low storage units which younger

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children can reach, whilst smaller craft items are stored separately for supervised use. The childminder promotes children's safety well by offering good supervision taking account of their stage of development, as when monitoring a pre-school child using the first floor bathroom facilities. Suitable safety precautions, such as use of

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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 stairgates to prevent access to other areas of the house, help minimise potential hazards. Children begin to develop awareness of issues such as road safety through discussion and use of resources like posters and games. The childminder has a working knowledge of what child abuse and neglect mean and is aware of her responsibility to act on any child protection concerns. Current details of agreed local child protection procedures are readily accessible for reference, so enabling her to safeguard children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are usually happy and confident in the childminder's home, readily interacting with other family members or with less familiar adults. They begin to develop their social skills and show sustained interest in their activities, for example as they play alongside each other sorting out play food and plastic utensils to make simple pretend meals. Practical play activities help them develop their learning and skills, for example when a child accurately counts how many pieces of railway track he has fastened together, or when a younger child experiments with the magnetic fastening between carriages. The childminder spends time playing and talking with children and helps them extend their play and ideas, for example by encouraging them to think about what combinations of play food would make an appropriate meal. The childminder is familiar with materials such as the 'Birth to three matters'

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

framework and is beginning to consider this in her provision for younger children. Children's daily activities are informally planned to take account of individual routines like sleep times and to include outings in the neighbourhood. This enables children to experience mixing with other children, for example when visiting other childminders, and to learn about their local community, for example when they visit parks, shops or toy library. Within the home children are usually able to independently access and choose from a broad variety of resources and activities such as pretend play, books and games helping to support their development and interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder's calm and affectionate approach helps children develop confidence in their dealings with adults and peers and show enjoyment and interest in their activities. Consistent expectations, taking account of children's level of maturity, help them begin to care for themselves and begin to show concern for others. For example they learn to wash their hands after using the toilet, and to cooperate in sharing toys with each other. They begin to understand their own needs and how to meet these, for example when recognising they are thirsty and accessing drinks independently. Effective organisation of resources helps encourage them to show responsibility in their actions, for example by tidying toys away in low storage units. Appropriate arrangements are in place to enable parents and childminder to work

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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 together to meet children's needs. Initial meetings and use of written contracts establish shared expectations for care and business arrangements. On-going informal discussion enables parents and childminder to share relevant information about children's daily activities, experiences and development and have regard to this. The childminder seeks relevant information on children's individual health, cultural and dietary needs enabling these to be met. She recognises the importance of careful liaison with parents to establish the care requirements for any child with identified special needs. Children begin to recognise and respect different abilities and lifestyles as they use resources such as jigsaws showing festivals and foodstuffs linked to different cultures, or playpeople reflecting different age groups and levels of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

mobility. The childminder has attended short courses covering aspects of equal opportunities and disability awareness, helping her to treat children with equal concern.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are relaxed and confident in the comfortable family environment where they learn to relate well to others and develop enjoyment in their activities. Available space and resources are organised to enable children to independently access and use a good range of play materials. The childminder has developed her awareness of childcare issues through attendance at various relevant courses ranging from food hygiene to disability awareness. Participation in a quality assured childminding network and study for a level 2 childcare qualification demonstrates her commitment to further develop her knowledge and understanding of good childcare practice so helping her effectively support children's needs. Children's welfare and care are usually promoted effectively by the use of clear records, policies and procedures which are shared with parents. Overall the provision meets the needs of children who

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder should develop her awareness of incidents and events of which Ofsted must be informed. The childminder is now aware of the need to notify Ofsted of changes to the premises and provision, people in the household and of any other significant matters affecting the welfare of children, so helping her safeguard children's welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • seek written consent from parents to obtain medical attention or advice in the event of an emergency.

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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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