Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349199 Unique Reference Number 15 April 2008 Inspection date Alexandra Brouder Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged 21 months, 10 and six years, close to the centre of a market town in Leicestershire. The whole ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's house is used for childcare purposes and there is a small enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. Currently there are two children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Schools, parks, shops and places of interest are within easy walking distance and the childminder attends a number of local toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a dog, two cats and a rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and has completed a number of short courses relevant to childminding.

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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 satisfactory. Children's healthy practices are promoted well and their skills increase as the childminder ensures that children wash their hands before main meals, after toileting and when children have played in the garden. However, this is not always consistent as children did not wash their hands before eating a snack and a child was observed to drop a piece of banana on the floor, pick it up and continue to eat it. This impacts on the risk of cross-contamination. Documentation, such as accident and medication records, are in place supporting children’s welfare. However, consent for emergency medical advice or treatment has not been sought from parents, which may impact on children receiving prompt treatment should a serious incident occur.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s diet and health is supported appropriately. All food given to children is supplied by the parents, in the main, ensuring that they can monitor the foods their children eat. However, the childminder does offer foods to children, should parents not bring any, which is healthy and balanced. For example, fresh fruit, meat and vegetables, prepared appropriately for each individual child. Records are maintained regarding any dietary requirements or allergies that children have ensuring that they are not exposed to foods that may harm them. Children remain hydrated within the setting as drinks are offered or made accessible to them, enabling them to monitor their own thirst and gain independence.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s physical skills develop appropriately as they use all available space well within the childminder’s home; babies are observed to crawl and roll around the floor, reaching for toys to increase this skill. Further to this, children access shape sorters, building blocks and musical toys to enhance their small muscle skills. Children’s large muscle skills are promoted as older children walk to and from school with the childminder each day and younger children attend music and movement sessions each week.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enter a bright and welcoming environment in which there is sufficient space to play, eat and relax within the home, ensuring that they remain safe and supervised at all times. A suitable range of resources are on offer to children, promoting their individual needs and stage of development. These are appropriately stored in boxes and on shelves, ensuring that children can begin to access them independently, therefore increasing their decision making skills. Less able children have their toys rotated to ensure that they do not become bored of the same toys. For example, today a child present played with books, shape sorters, musical toys and push and pull toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children remain safe within the setting as a number of precautions have been taken to reduce the risk of harm to them. For example, stairgates are in place within various areas of the home, denying children access to the kitchen, stairs and front room. In addition to this, smoke detectors are in place on each level of the home, covers are fitted to low level sockets and an identified emergency evacuation plan helps to minimise the risks of fire. However, hazards in the garden have not been fully addressed as there are plants that may potentially harm children if eaten. All consents necessary to support children’s welfare when out and about with the childminder as well as consent for sun-cream, are in place.

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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 Children are protected from harm as the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection and the procedures to be followed should she have a concern regarding a child’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled within the childminder’s home and receive good levels of adult support which allows them to explore their environment and resources in safety. Good relationships exist between the minded children and the childminder helping them to feel confident and settled as they play. Children participate in a range of activities that are suited to their age and stage of development and that support their interests. For example, younger children enjoy playing with a range of cause and effect toys or engage in one-to-one play with the childminder whilst more able children access construction toys or craft materials to challenge their thoughts and ideas. All toys and suitably organised to ensure that children can make choices as they play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is familiar with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and changing legislation and guidance. She considers the needs of children against such legislation and endeavours to ensure that the activities offered reflect their individual stages of learning and development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s social skills are enhanced as they attend local toddler groups, ‘wriggly’ reader sessions and music sessions with the childminder on a regular basis. This increases their confidence, which is reflected as they approach visitors with ease.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. A welcoming environment is offered to all children that attend the childminder’s home, supporting their sense of belonging. Information on children’s wants and needs is obtained before they begin ensuring that the childminder has a clear understanding of the child and their routines, from day one, helping them to feel secure and settled. Some resources exist that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, such as dolls, a globe and books. However, these are minimal, inhibiting children’s knowledge and understanding of the wider world and the local community. The childminder is aware of the information she would need to obtain to ensure appropriate care could be provided for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well within the setting which is enhanced through good role modelling and praise offered by the childminder, supporting their confidence and self-esteem. For example, the childminder describes how she ensures that children are given clear and consistent boundaries as well as explanation regarding why certain behaviour is not acceptable. Age and stage appropriate methods are used when managing inappropriate behaviour. For example, a child had a tantrum and tried to gain the attention of the childminder as she fed a younger child. The childminder saw that they were safe and ignored the behaviour, which led to the child calming down and playing again. This supports children’s learning and understanding as they begin to manage their own behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Sound partnerships with parents and carers is in place helping children to feel confident. Written agreements which cover most aspects of routine business and care arrangements are in place, so helping to establish the expectations of both parents and childminder. Daily verbal exchange

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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 takes place each day ensuring that parents are kept fully informed of their child’s day. In addition to this, the childminder keeps a daily diary for younger children, recording what they have eaten, how much sleep they have had and any relevant progress, enabling them to feel a part of their child’s day.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and content in the childminder’s relaxed family home in which she offers good support and care to them. Sound organisation of the environment enables children to explore their surroundings in safety and with growing confidence. However, it is not clear if all plants in the garden are safe, compromising children’s welfare.

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Organisation

Most documentation to support children’s care, learning and play is in place, however, the childminder has not sought consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, which may delay any intervention required should an accident occur to a child. The childminder has attended a range of training and uses the information gained to improve her service to both children and parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints 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

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): • ensure that consistent hygiene practices are followed with regard to hand washing and snacks offered to children and obtain written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for all children • ensure that all plants in the garden area are made safe or inaccessible to children

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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 • ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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