Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY356439 Unique Reference Number 07 July 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 2007. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in the Braunstone district of Leicester. All of the childminder’s home is used and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 aged under eight on roll. The family have a small dog and a guinea pig.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy good health and a healthy lifestyle because they are learning to follow effective personal hygiene routines. The childminder is a positive role model and ensures the children are learning good practice such as washing their hands before eating and after going to the toilet. She talks about how this prevents dirt and germs spreading to make them ill. The childminder has established effective systems and documents to take appropriate action in the event of an accident and to administer any necessary medication. For example, she has obtained

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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 the parent's written permission to seek any necessary emergency advice or treatment and ensures that appropriate first aid equipment is kept within easy reach in the home and taken on outings. The premises are scrupulously clean and there are clear agreements with parents that children are not minded whilst infectious. This means that children are well protected from the dangers of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about the importance of fruit and vegetables in their daily diet through enjoyable practical activities such as growing and harvesting their own crops from their plots in the childminder's garden. The childminder talks to the children about healthy eating and the daily menu provides a balanced nutritious diet to meet children's individual requirements. Drinking water and healthy drinks are within easy reach at all times to promote independence and choice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from daily outside play in the garden, weather permitting. They use outdoor equipment to balance, climb, ride on bikes and cars and play with balls and outdoor games. They are taken to the local parks and pre-school groups to play on other large physical equipment. They relax and sleep according to their needs because the childminder plans her home and routines effectively to offer opportunities for rest and quieter times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder takes care to ensure that the areas used by children are safe and secure, for example, appropriate safety equipment minimises potential hazards within the home and thoughtful organisation of equipment and resources in the playroom encourages children's independence and choice. This means that children move around safely, freely and confidently making good use of the areas used for childminding. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe, for example, they respond well to simple, sensible rules about not running and climbing in the home and practice the emergency escape plan with the childminder. Children are learning to keep safe outside the home by practising stop, look and listen to cross roads with safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety and welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's secure understanding of child protection issues in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. 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 takes care to build positive relationships with the children and their parents. She finds out what children can do and establishes all individual details of the children's needs, their likes and dislikes. This means that children are settled and establish positive relationships with others as they develop their confidence and self-esteem. She plans and delivers an interesting and creative range of activities to promote children's learning and development according to their individual capabilities. For example, the children have used paints and collage to make their self-portraits and revisit these to update with their ages when a birthday is celebrated. She is careful to support the less skilful and challenge the more able and consistently encourages all with recognition and praise for their efforts and achievements. Equipment and resources are carefully selected to be appropriate for the age and needs of individual children

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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 becoming confident speakers keen to talk to visitors about what they have done and show photos and examples of their work and activities. They enthusiastically joined in the story of Red Riding Hood contributing what happens next and acting out the characters' well known phrases. The childminder has sound understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses this knowledge effectively to provide play based activities that support young children to make progress in development. She is skilful at using daily routines and spontaneous opportunities to capture children's interest and promote their learning. For example, counting, language development and learning to be safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children proudly display their work such as collages and pictures and eagerly take these home to share with their families. The childminder observes and records children's progress in their learning record which is shared with parents. Children's overall development is positively promoted by the childminder's caring and informed practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has created a comprehensive information pack for parents to inform of her services and how she works in partnership with them to promote their children’s learning and development in her care. Children's individual needs are thoroughly discussed and agreed with the parents and she promotes effective communications with parents by daily discussion and written records. She informs parents that any concerns are taken seriously and has established an appropriate procedure to follow. The childminder shows good understanding of how to manage the situation positively when recognising any individual circumstances such as learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to behave well, for example, the childminder has established sensible house rules such as no climbing or jumping on the furniture which means they learn to take responsibility for their own behaviour. They listen carefully to the childminder and respond positively to her gentle reminders and consistent use of praise and encouragement which promotes a sharing and caring environment. Children are learning about the community in which they live because they are taken on regular outings around the local area, for example, to the local parks and the library. They are learning about the wider world through a well-planned and organised range of activities and resources have been carefully chosen to increase the children's awareness of diversity.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare and safety are positively promoted by the comprehensive set of policies, guidelines and information accessible to parents. The childminder ensures that documents and records necessary for the efficient and safe management of the provision are maintained, however, the record of children's attendance has not been consistently recorded which means that children's safety may be compromised.

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Organisation

She has organised her home and garden to provide a welcoming, learning 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.

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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 All adults in the household have been cleared and the children are well protected from visitors by the childminder's secure systems and procedures. Parents are kept informed and included in the care of their children by daily discussion and written records of their children's progress 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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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

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): • ensure the daily record of attendance is accurate and kept up to date consistently.

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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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