Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY350855 Unique Reference Number 18 April 2008 Inspection date Patricia King 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 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 2007. She lives with her husband, an adult child and a child aged 14 years in the New Parks area of Leicester. All of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder’s home is used. There is no outside play at the premises.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and currently has four children under eight on roll. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children and attends local pre-school groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well protected from the risks of cross-infection because the childminder has effective routines and practices to keep her home clean and parents are clearly informed that children will not be minded when infectious. Children are learning about the importance of good personal care and hygiene routines, for example, they wash their hands after using the

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 toilet, handling pets and before eating and respond well to gentle reminders from the childminder. Children's health and welfare are further promoted by the effective systems and records kept to take appropriate action in the event of an accident and to administer any necessary medication. Appropriate first aid equipment is readily accessible in the home and is taken on outings and the childminder has a current first aid qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder talks to the children about healthy eating and they are learning why it is important to eat fresh fruit and vegetables daily to be healthy and grow strong. Children's daily dietary needs, personal choice and preferences are established with parents and the childminder works closely with the parents to ensure that a nutritious, balanced diet is maintained overall. Drinking water and healthy drinks are within easy reach at all times to promote independence and choice. Children are taken on walks to local parks and to pre-school groups to exercise and play on large physical equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is organised well to provide a safe, welcoming, secure environment offering opportunities for active, quiet and social play. Children can access a good range of quality toys and resources which meet safety standards and are stored within easy reach in the playroom and lounge. The childminder ensures that resources comply with current safety standards so that children's safety is protected. A range of appropriate equipment such as child-size furniture, socket covers and stair gates ensure that children's safety is carefully considered within the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning to keep themselves safe indoors and outside the home. For example, they follow simple rules about not running and climbing on the furniture and respond well to gentle reminders form the childminder when needed. The emergency escape plan is practised and evaluated each month to ensure they know how to take action and keep safe in the event of an emergency in the home. The childminder describes how she ensures that children are learning to keep safe on outings by practising stop, look and listen to cross roads.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding of child protection issues, in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance (LSCB) and how to take appropriate action to report any concerns. 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. The childminder carefully establishes what children can do, their likes, dislikes and all individual needs by discussing these fully with their parents and entering into a detailed agreement about their care. This means she knows the children well and has warm close relationships with them. She recognises each child as an individual and is careful to treat them with respect which means that children are developing a real sense of belonging. They are content and happy in her home, for example, they are confident to select activities or ask for a favourite story. Through discussion, the childminder demonstrates an understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework although this is not fully implemented in her practice. A broad range of activities is provided within the home and the childminder uses daily routines and spontaneous

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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 opportunities to capture children's interest and promote their learning. For example, the use of cooking activities to practice mathematical language, count, weigh and measure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are proud to display their pictures and paintings in the playroom, take their work home and talk about the photographs of themselves at play. Children are confident speakers and enjoy chatting about their families, friends and their plans, for example. they were looking forward to making and decorating gingerbread men in the afternoon. This means that children are developing their skills and self-esteem as they play, helping them to become competent learners and communicators.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder takes care to ensure that individual needs are thoroughly discussed and agreed with the parents establishing an effective working partnership. This is secured and underpinned by clear written agreements for childcare and business arrangements. She makes herself readily available for discussion and actively seeks feedback from the parents. She shows good understanding of how to manage the situation positively when recognising any learning difficulties and/or disabilities a child may have and provides a specialised service to the Local Authority.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about the wider world through a range of appropriate activities such as finding out about and celebrating significant occasions in the lives of others. They are learning about their own community as they explore the local area with the childminder. Children are learning to behave well, for example, they follow the sensible house rules the childminder has established such as no climbing or jumping on the furniture. They listen carefully to the childminder and respond positively to her gentle reminders and consistent use of praise and encouragement.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures that all documents and records necessary for the efficient and safe management of the her services are maintained and readily available. She has established a range of suitable polices and procedures to inform and support her daily practice and responsibilities. She has organised her home to provide a welcoming environment and takes care to establish all the necessary details to provide for children's individual needs. Consequently, children feel secure and settled in her care which means they have confidence to make choices, express their needs and make good progress in their overall development. 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 for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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

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 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 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): • develop existing practice to plan activities that encourage children to make steady progress in their learning, for example, using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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