Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 252062 Inspection date 10 January 2006 Inspector Anne Walker

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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 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 1995. She lives with her husband and 2 school aged children in Ravenshead, north Nottinghamshire. The lounge and dining-kitchen are used for childminding with toilet facilities at ground floor level. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently caring for 1 child under 5-years-old, on a part time basis. The childminder has use of a car for outings and for taking and collecting children from school but is within walking distance of local schools and village amenities. She is a member of the National Child Minding Association.

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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 are looked after in a clean, comfortable environment. No outdoor shoes are worn within the home which promotes babies and young children's good health as they play at floor level. They learn about good hygiene through the daily routines. This includes the importance of washing hands after using the toilet in order to prevent the spread of germs. Written information shared with parents regarding the care of children who are unwell, ensures they work together in the best interests of all. Daily routines take account of children's individual needs so that they are well rested and fed and therefore able to participate in activities. Parents written consent is obtained for any medication to be administered to children. They are told verbally what has been given during the day but do not sign to acknowledge the entry. Parents currently choose to supply their children's snacks and meals. The children's

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Helping children to be healthy

health is satisfactorily promoted, while in the care of the childminder, because they are provided with food and drink regularly and in sufficient quantities to maintain their energy levels. Clear, written information ensures that any dietary needs children have are addressed. Young children are encouraged to walk short distances when they are in safe environments, such as the park. Although they sometimes use the garden, the park is used more frequently as it has a range of equipment which supports children's physical skills, such as climbing and balancing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The risk of accidental injury to children is satisfactorily minimised as a result of the regard given to supervising them as they rest, play and have their meals. The lounge, kitchen and dining room are spacious and organised so that children can move safely without the risk of trips and falls. Children enjoy their meals at a low table suitable for their stage of development. Cleaning materials and toiletries in a bathroom cupboard are accessible to children and potentially hazardous when they use the bathroom independently. Satisfactory plans are in place to ensure that children can be evacuated from the house safely in the event of a fire. Young children begin to learn about being safe outdoors by holding the childminder's hand when they are out walking. Babies and toddlers are securely fastened in pushchairs for sleeping and when outdoors. They are kept safe when travelling in the car as they are secured in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

appropriate car seats. Parents are fully informed of outings their children take part in but have not given written consent for their child to travel in the childminder's car, or to say they are aware of the level of insurance she has. The children use a wide range of good quality play materials which are developmentally appropriate so that they are not exposed to toys that may cause them harm. They are organised to be safely accessible to children in order that they

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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 can make independent choices. Equipment such as buggies and chairs are in good order so that children take part in the day safely. Children are protected from harm because the childminder has a suitable knowledge of her responsibilities with regard to child protection. There is well organised information readily to hand that she has regard to. Information is shared with parents in order that they are able to work together to maintain the interests of children at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have a warm relationship with their carer. They enjoy the one-to-one attention they receive and readily engage in activities with the childminder, reading stories together and singing familiar rhymes and songs. Children play happily and productively because they are provided with a range of stimulating, age appropriate activities. They play imaginatively with dolls and play food, thread cotton reels onto a lace and build structures with wooden bricks. As they cut up cake for the dolls they are encouraged to count and work out how many pieces of cake they have and whether there is enough for all the dolls. They develop their manipulation skills as they put clothes on the dolls. Young children's language is promoted effectively because the childminder talks with them and asks questions to stimulate their thinking and encouraging them to respond verbally. As a result they are confident to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

make their ideas and needs known, for example, when they need to use the bathroom or would like a snack. Play materials are organised so that children's independence skills are fostered. They choose what they wish to do and the childminder supports them by playing alongside them and helping them to make the most of their games. The daily and weekly routines take account of children's needs and provide them with opportunities to mix and socialise with other children in their local community. They go on outings to the library, toddlers group and friends houses. This fosters children's ability to share, take turns and get along with others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met well as a result of the good information recorded and ongoing dialogues with parents. Parents and the childminder complete daily diaries which enables consistent care to be provided and ensures that children are secure and happy. Children are provided with a friendly environment where they are welcomed into the family. They show confidence in their interactions with their carer and other members of the household and talk freely about them when they are not there. Children also talk readily about their own family and the childminder encourages this by listening and talking with them, so that children have a sense of continuity between the different parts of their lives and feel valued. Children learn how to get along with others because behaviour management strategies reflect the child's level of understanding. Positive praise and encouragement is used to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

acknowledge their attempts and good behaviour. They begin to learn about the world

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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 around them through mixing in their local community. Play materials available to them also support their awareness of other cultures, ethnicity and disability.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children provided with a welcoming environment. They are relaxed and secure because the childminder organises her time and her home to meet their needs ensuring they can play, rest and have their meals comfortably and safely. Required records, such as daily registers and children's details, are well maintained and readily to hand. This enables the childminder to ensure that she is caring for the children as parents wish and is able to demonstrate that she maintains registration conditions regarding the number of children in her care. Records are stored in a satisfactory manner to ensure confidentiality is maintained. Some aspects of organisation do not as effectively ensure children's safety and well-being. Documentation has not been sent to Ofsted to enable relevant checks to be carried out on a person living in the household. The childminder has not renewed her first aid certificate so that she

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Organisation

refreshes her skills and is up to date with current practice. These issues could compromise children's health and safety. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection the childminder agreed to develop her play materials to promote equality of opportunity and increase children's understanding of the wider world. Children now have opportunities to play with a range of toys including small-world figures, books and puzzles which satisfactorily support their awareness of the lives of others.

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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

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

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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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 relevant paperwork is submitted to Ofsted so that checks can be carried out on persons living in the household, to ensure their suitability • ensure a current first aid certificate is maintained, which includes training in first aid for infants and young children • obtain written consent to transport children in the car and an agreement to demonstrate that parents are aware that the car insurance is third party. Ensure that toiletries and cleaning materials are inaccessible to children in the bathroom. • ensure that parents sign the record of medication administered 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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