Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 225348 Inspection date 15 November 2005 Inspector Patricia King

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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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 15 years in the town of Loughborough in the north of Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor, 2 bedrooms and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's home are used. 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 currently has three children under five on roll. She walks to local groups to take and collect children and attends the local childminder's group on a regular basis. She

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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 is a member the National Childminders Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are developing clear understanding of their personal care and describe knowingly how washing their hands before eating, after using the toilet or handling animals prevents the spread of germs and infection. They automatically put their hands in front of their mouths when coughing and sneezing and explain this stops germs spreading to others. They are well protected from health risks because the childminder has good systems in place to handle food, promote good hygiene and guard children from the dangers of exposure to the sun's rays. For example, children have their own washing and sun screen equipment and there are clear agreements with parents that children are not minded whilst infectious. They are protected from cross infection and illness by the childminder's good information and policies to inform parents that children will not be minded when infectious. Their health and

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Helping children to be healthy

welfare are promoted by the clear systems and records kept to take appropriate action in the event of an accident, seek emergency attention and to administer any necessary medication. Children's daily dietary needs, personal choice and preferences are established with parents who provide food to be prepared and served by the childminder. Children are encouraged to eat their meals in a comfortable social setting. They are to beginning understand the importance of eating fruit and vegetables daily to be healthy and grow strong. Older children encourage the younger ones to eat well. Children have daily outside play in the garden weather permitting. They use outdoor equipment to balance and climb, ride on bikes and cars and play with balls and games. They are taken to the local parks and pre-school groups to play on other large physical equipment. They rest and sleep according to their needs and as agreed with their parents. For example, they may sleep in the travel cot upstairs or in

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Helping children to be healthy

their buggy if requested by their parents

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a secure, stimulating, comfortable home where risks are identified and made safe. This means that children move around safely, freely and confidently making good use of the areas used for childminding. They independently select activities from a broad range of quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards, that are stored within easy reach. Children are developing safety awareness. For example, they describe the safety codes they follow when out with the childminder, such as looking for the green man to signal when it is safe to cross the road, being watchful and listening for traffic, which helps keeps walkers safe. They show their regard for the different levels of understanding and capabilities of

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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 other children in the childminder's care. For example, they are careful to keep small toys away from the babies and explain that babies could choke if they put these into their mouths. Children's safety and welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's secure understanding of child protection issues in line with the local child protection requirements. Children are kept safe when travelling as the childminder has established good systems to use appropriate safety equipment and has documentation to establish the suitability of her transport. 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. Children are settled and comfortable in the environment. They take part confidently in the routines and good range of activities offered to promote their play and learning inside the home and outside. For example, they enjoy acting out familiar experiences such as cooking and creating imaginary meals whilst describing their preferred tastes and textures. The children enjoy using the resources, such as the good range of books, to learn about themselves and the wider world. For example, they selected a story about animals from around the world, their homes and habitats. They enjoyed the experience of a favourite tale told in a comfortable group which successfully involved all the children who anticipated events and joined in eagerly with their comments and suggestions. Children under three benefit significantly from the childminder's informed and creative use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to offer interesting and stimulating

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

learning opportunities appropriate for their care and development. Children's activities and progress are observed and recorded in individual profiles which are shared with their parents. Children are proud to show others their personalised folders and eagerly chat about the activities they have completed and the photos that chart their growth and developing skills. For example, they describe playing with baby toys when they were younger and compare this with recently collecting leaves to make their own Autumn pictures. This means that children feel valued, have confidence to acquire new knowledge and skills and show good levels of self-esteem. Children's individual learning and care needs are well met because the childminder takes care to establish and regularly review these with their parents. This means that children flourish in the caring, stimulating, creative environment where they are valued as individuals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are exploring and experiencing the wider world, increasing their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others through stories, games and role play. Children's care and welfare is discussed and agreed with the parents, establishing a

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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 close working partnership to keep them fully informed and included in the care of their children. The childminder is careful to consider confidentiality when discussing children's progress and making any arrangements with parents. The childminder shows good understanding of how to manage the situation positively when recognising health or special needs of minded children. This means that their individual needs are carefully considered, ensuring that they feel comfortable and confident with her. Children are learning to behave well and respond positively to the childminder's consistent guidance and praise which promotes a sharing and caring environment. They understand and have regard for others with different levels of understanding and ability, for example, by making allowances for the younger or less able children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

They have real sense of belonging and say they look forward to and enjoy being with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure and settled in the childminder's home. They have confidence to make choices, express their needs and make good progress in their overall development. Their specific needs are well met by the childminder who has appropriate qualifications and relevant experience in childcare. She uses her skills effectively to support children's development and learning. Children's welfare and safety is positively promoted by the comprehensive set of polices, guidelines and information accessible to parents. These ensure that details and records necessary to identify their individual needs for daily care are maintained. Children's progress is shared with their parents by daily discussion and records. This means that parents are kept informed and included in the care of their children and they can contribute to their child's continued development. Overall the provision meets the needs of the

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to develop resources to actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children. Children are learning about the wider world and others in their own community by having good opportunities to use toys, books, pictures and activities promoting positive images, representing different cultures, lifestyles and differing levels of abilities.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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 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): • continue to develop outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with "Birth to three matters".

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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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