Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 207748 Inspection date 04 October 2005 Inspector Sharon Dickinson

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and two adult children. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding nine children over five before and after school and during school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a pet cat.

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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 supports children with special educational needs. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through consistent daily routines such as hand washing after petting the cat. The childminder has appropriate documentation and training to support children’s health needs, including a current first aid certificate. However, parents do not sign short term medication records to acknowledge the entry. Children have regular access to fresh air and outdoor play facilities and equipment, they walk to and from local schools on a daily basis and are beginning to develop a healthy attitude to being active. The childminder takes account of children’s individual dietary needs providing nutritious meals and snacks, therefore children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. Drinks are readily available to children at all times in individually labelled beakers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy and at ease in the welcoming setting. There is adequate space and suitable furniture in place for children to rest and play in comfort. Named chairs and coat pegs develop a sense of belonging as well as minimising potential conflicts. The childminder provides a wide range of toys and equipment which are safe, stimulating and fun, consequently children are well occupied, challenged and interested in their play. Toys and play resources are made accessible to children, and they enjoy being able to self-select, and make choices about their play. The childminder has put in place a number of steps to ensure that the welfare of the children remains paramount, for example security alarms are fitted to exits and low-level cupboards containing cleaning materials. Children’s attention is drawn to safety rules such as ‘The Green Cross Code’ when walking to and from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Additionally, they are encouraged to tidy away toys and games after play to prevent accidents. As a consequence they are beginning to develop a greater awareness of personal safety. Fire evacuation procedures are in place and are discussed with the children; however they have not been practised during busy periods. A steady knowledge of child protection, in line with Area Child Protection Committee procedures, enables the childminder to protect the children she cares for.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children clearly enjoy and benefit from warm, friendly interactions with the childminder. They are confident and can play well on their own or with others and are

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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 given space and freedom to choose what they would like to do with their time. They are interested in a broad range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities which provide good levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children develop good social and communication skills as the childminder takes time to talk and listen to them. They enjoy exchanging thoughts and ideas and reflecting upon their day enabling them to feel valued and secure. There are areas available for children to relax if they choose or they can partake in group games and activities, for example board games where older children sensitively support younger ones with rules and turn taking. Access to television and electronic games is limited, particularly when children attend all day, and they are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

encouraged to participate in more practical play experiences such as arts and crafts. Time constraints before and after-school at times limit the availability of more structured activities, however these are planned for children during holiday care, for example a trip to the American Adventure theme park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected as individuals and their ideas and choices are valued. All children are included and have equal opportunities to access toys and resources. The childminder has a good knowledge of the care needs of all children including those with additional needs. She effectively liaises between school and home promoting consistency of care. Children profit from clear ground rules established by the childminder, they are well behaved and polite. There are appropriate strategies in place to manage unwanted behaviour. The childminder discusses the impact of unwanted behaviour on others, helping children to understand right from wrong and begin to resolve minor conflicts independently. Parents are kept informed about their child's activities through daily discussions. Children have contributed to a useful portfolio which has been developed for prospective parents outlining the provision

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and service provided. This contributes to the continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s care is enhanced by the childminder's efficient and effective organisation skills. All documentation is in place and is generally in good order; however times of children’s arrival and departure are not recorded accurately. Documents are stored securely and safely in order to ensure children’s privacy. Children have good levels of support and supervision to enable them to feel secure. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There was one recommendation made at the last inspection in 2003 relating to the development of information available to parents regarding routines and childcare practices. This has been successfully addressed by the childminder. A useful

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Improvements 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 prospectus has been introduced outlining the provision and is made available to prospective children and parents. The childminder effectively shares information about the children’s day with parents on a regular basis, ensuring messages are passed on from school where applicable, this promotes to the continuity of children’s care and welfare.

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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): • devise and practice an emergency escape plan • ensure children's attendance is recorded accurately • obtain parents signature on short course medication records to acknowledge the entry.

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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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