Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY312910 Unique Reference Number 27 May 2008 Inspection date Kate Bryan 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 2005. She lives with her husband and child aged 13 years in Leicester Forest East, Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor, except the conservatory, and one room and bathroom facilities on the first floor are used for childminding. The garden is not used for childminding.

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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 five children on roll, she also cares for children over the age of eight. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group in addition to other local facilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and is a member of the National Childminding 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 good. Children's health is well-maintained because they are cared for in a warm, clean environment where routine hygiene practices prevent infection. For example, children routinely wash their hands and use liquid soap and individual clean towels daily to minimise any cross-contamination. The childminder also talks to them about the reasons for good hygiene so they understand how to promote their health. Clear written procedures for looking after sick children are shared with parents and children with contagious diseases are not cared for, this means the health of all children is well promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to be outdoors and have regular access to the park where large equipment, such as swings and climbing frames, present them with a good range of challenges. They also regularly attend a soft play centre so they have access to physical activities throughout the year.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a good awareness of healthy eating because the childminder is aware of the importance of promoting this through discussion and activities. For example, children have baked and helped prepare salads. They also shop for local produce so they learn about buying healthy food. The childminder offers drinks of water, milk and sugar free juice to promote children's health and snacks include fruit and vegetables. Children's dietary needs are taken at admission to ensure that they are protected from allergies and their health is actively promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has organised her home well to ensure that children are always within sight or sound of her, this means that children are always supervised in the kitchen. A good range of resources are also in place to keep children safe, for example, socket covers, a fire guard and a stair gate. Children have easy access to a good range of resources and can make their own selections to promote both play and learning. For younger children these are rotated so they have a good variety to interest them. A daily risk assessment also ensures equipment and resources are safe and clean for children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a written emergency escape plan which has been practised with children, and smoke detectors and a fire blanket ensure children are well protected from the risks of fire. Children are also encouraged to think about keeping themselves safe within the home by discussion of hazards, such as steps. This means they understand the consequences of not following rules about safety. Children are encouraged to think about their safety when they are out because the childminder has discussed road crossing and stranger danger with them. A written policy regarding outings also ensures children are kept safe and the childminder carries contact cards in case of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A written policy about child protection is shared with parents at admission so they understand how the childminder will promote children's welfare. She is clear that the safety and welfare of the children is her responsibility and has attended training in this area.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a good awareness of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and a recommendation has been made to build on existing good practice in this area. The childminder likes to have a flexible structure to the day which allows children to make choices about what they would like to do. Activities include play dough, craft work, baking and small world play, and also quieter activities such as reading and floor play. Children enjoy a wide range of trips which promotes their awareness of the wider world well. For example, they attend a carer and toddler group, visit the library and places of interest and have trips with other childminders. The childminder also ensures that children can experience other activities, such as visiting the zoo.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children can make choices about their activities from a range which includes an x-box, relaxing, watching television or completing homework, this ensures they maximise their enjoyment at the home. Younger children have their awareness of numbers and letters well promoted as the childminder builds these into everyday routines, such as counting steps. Children also choose favourite books for stories and actively count as they enjoy a card matching game.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Good levels of adult support allow children to develop their communication skills well. The childminder is aware of the importance of listening to children and letting them know that what they say is valued. Warm relationships are in place between the childminder and the children and they are happy to involve her in games, such as matching cards.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are made aware of sensible house rules, such as not jumping on the sofa, so they learn to effectively regulate their own behaviour. A written policy regarding behaviour management states that children will be encouraged to learn about self-discipline and this is shared with parents at admission. Children receive explanations about why certain behaviour is unacceptable and time out is used so they can think about the consequences of their actions. Good behaviour is rewarded with praise and stickers so children know their behaviour has been acknowledged.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are welcome at the home and the childminder works hard to encourage children to view differences positively. This is achieved as the childminder uses resources, such as books, dolls and dressing-up clothes to ensure they gain an awareness of the range of people in the community. A range of festivals are also acknowledged so that children develop a strong sense of belonging and learn to respect differences. A policy about equal opportunities states that all children will be given the opportunity to reach their full potential and this underpins the childminder's service. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities receive an individual service because the childminder has a good awareness of promoting inclusion and working closely with parents to ensure all children's needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are well met as the childminder takes all relevant information about them at admission. Parents are kept well informed of their child's progress because the childminder talks to them regularly and children take home work they have completed to share with them. A good range of information is shared with parents at admission so they can make an informed choice about the placement. A written policy about working in partnership with

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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 parents encourages parents to inform the childminder of the children's changing needs so that they can receive appropriate care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare, learning and care are promoted effectively by the use of clear written policies and procedures which are shared with parents when they visit. All required records are in place to ensure that children's needs are met effectively and their safety is well promoted as they are never left with people who have not been cleared.

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Organisation

Children receive good levels of adult support which promotes their confidence. This means they can make selections from a good range of resources and enjoy time with the childminder engaging in activities, such as trips out to places of interest. Children enjoy a range of activities in a well-organised home that is designed to provide opportunities for play and learning. For example, a designated play room is used for activities such as floor play, whilst messy activities take place in the kitchen.

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Organisation

The childminder has undertaken a variety of training which demonstrates her commitment to providing a quality service, these include the Introduction to Childminding Practice course, a first aid course, child protection training, behaviour management training and a food hygiene course. 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

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): • continue to build on existing good practice in the area of the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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 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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