Childminder in Leicester

Inspection report for early years provision

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258224 Unique Reference Number 11 July 2008 Inspection date Alison Putnar 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 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 1993. She lives with her husband, and four children in Leicestershire. Children can access the whole of the childminder's house, although main play areas are on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. There are currently three children on roll attending part-time during the week. Schools, parks, shops and places of interest are within easy walking or driving distance. The family has a pet rabbit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows appropriate good hygiene standards. The home is cleanly maintained and suitable for children to access. Individual's medical needs are well documented and the childminder holds a current first aid certificate ensuring she is able to support children in the event of minor accidents. Systems are in place for safely administering medication. Appropriate hand washing methods ensure that the risk of spreading

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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 infections are minimised. Children learn about important hygiene routines when caring for the family's pet rabbit. The cage is kept clean and as a result pets do not have a negative impact upon children's health. The childminder talks to parents about excluding those who are unwell to help maintain a healthy environment for those in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are catered for as the childminder works closely with parents, records of allergies are maintained. Snacks and refreshments are provided and include healthy options such as fresh fruit. The childminder serves packed lunches provided by parents. Young children independently access drinks to ensure they do not become dehydrated. Meal times are a sociable occasion, children are encouraged to sit at the table and use good manners. Children benefit from good opportunities to access fresh air and physical exercise. They regularly visit local parks and outdoor spaces and use equipment in the garden to support their physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children access a spacious room for indoor play, with adequate space provided for activities both on the floor and table. Domestic furniture is well maintained and provides a comfortable environment. A safe environment is provided both indoors and outdoors with appropriate use of equipment, such as stair gates and electrical socket covers. The childminder checks areas before children arrive to ensure they remain safe but has not yet fully assessed risks relating to potentially more hazardous equipment such as the trampoline or when on trips out of the home. The childminder organises activities to ensure all children are within sight and hearing at all times, further reducing the risk of accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children begin to learn about safe practices, taking part in practising fire evacuation drills and talking about safely crossing roads when out in the community. Children use age- and size-appropriate car seats when being transported in the car, maintaining their safety. However, written permission has not been obtained from parents in relation to the use of the car. Children select and request activities of their choice; a satisfactory range of safe toys and activities are available. Those available are maintained in a suitable state of repair. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They have fun and enjoy the range of activities provided. The childminder is keen to provide toys and activities that she knows the children like. All are equally encouraged to access the range of resources and to make choices in play. This ensures older ones freely relax after a busy day at school or become engaged in some adult-led activities, for example, baking or craft, playing in the garden or watching television. During the day appropriate routines ensure younger children are happy, well cared for and making some progress in development. The childminder has a suitable understanding of what children can learn through play, but, has not yet used this knowledge to plan worthwhile activities that help children to make further progress. For example, children demonstrate their imagination when playing with the train track, cars and road mat, but, rarely explore early

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

mathematical skills of counting or comparing the size of the cars.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Opportunities are provided for exploration and play in the home and younger ones benefit from visits with the childminder to local toddler groups and 'Stay and Play' sessions. Here they

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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 access an increasing range of craft activities and listen to stories. These sessions also promote their social skills as they mix with others of a similar age. Good relationships exist between the children, the childminder and members of her family, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere. Children comfortably approach the childminder for close physical contact which is appropriately shared. Younger ones enjoy the verbal interaction with the childminder, which helps to build their language skills. They exchange conversation during play and read books together, promoting concentration and early reading skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and their individual needs are respected and catered for as the childminder follows their individual daily routines, in-line with parents' wishes. As a result, children feel secure and develop a sense of belonging, having their own place at the table for meals and using their individual coloured cups. Children's self-esteem is fostered and developed as the childminder is calm and positive with the children. She regularly offers praise and encouragement. The childminder has a suitable awareness of behaviour management techniques. As a result, the children are well behaved and respectful of the childminder and her home. Young ones are sensitively encouraged to develop skills of sharing and taking turns. The childminder has a good awareness of systems to support children with additional needs. She develops clear lines of good communication with parents and works with relevant professionals to meet the individual

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Helping children make a positive contribution

needs of those who attend. The childminder is beginning to learn some simple signs, used by the children, to enable her to communicate more effectively with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has begun to provide some resources that promote a positive view of the wider world. Children learn about their own beliefs, such as, birthdays and Mother's day. They explore aspects of the local community through trips to the local park and visits in the community. A range of books are used to enable children to explore peoples' similarities and differences in a positive way and support children to begin to understand about those with additional or different needs to themselves. Good relationships are formed with parents to ensure that relevant information is shared. Records relating to the care of the children are maintained and include the majority of the required details.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are generally well cared for in the provision. Their safety is protected as household members are appropriately vetted, ensuring they are suitable to be around children. The majority of records required are in place and are maintained in a clear and confidential manner. However, the organisation and storage of records means that in the event of an emergency they may not be to hand quickly. Some are less secure in promoting children's safety and well-being, such as, the lack of a system for recording parents' permission to transport children in a car.

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Organisation

The children are comfortable and relaxed in the child-friendly environment created by the childminder and her family. This means they are confident to initiate play and voice their needs. Children eat, sleep and play comfortably as part of their own routine, due to the effective organisation of the home. They receive good levels of attention as the childminder organises her time effectively. She ensures the home is safe and ready for children prior to them arriving. The childminder shows a commitment to improving her provision and skills as she has attended courses on first aid, child development and childminding practices. Since the last inspection

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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 she has achieved a level 2 qualification in childcare and education. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has made some pleasing progress in addressing the recommendations to improve practice. She now holds public liability insurance, meeting requirements for her childminding business and has improved safety for the children in relation to ensuring that any accessible electrical sockets are covered. Previously, the childminder also agreed to provide activities and play opportunities to develop children's capabilities by, for example, using the 'Birth to three matters' framework. The childminder continues to provide an adequate range of activities in the home and now visits local play sessions with children to offer wider learning experiences. She has little knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. More positively she has recently made a start at developing her knowledge of the stages of children's development described in the new Early Years Foundation Stage document.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder intends to use her new knowledge to plan some next steps for children's progress. As such this issue remains an area for improvement.

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Complaints since the last inspection

On 01 August 2007 concerns were raised about over minding and behaviour management. These concerns relate to National Standards 2: Organisation, 6: Safety, and 11: Behaviour Management. Ofsted conducted an unannounced visit to the premises on 09 August 2007. The provider was found to be in breach of the regulations with respect to attendance registers and accident records, there was non-compliance with the conditions of registration and the provider was not meeting National Standard 1. A monitoring visit was undertaken on 15 August 2007 where the provider was found to be in breach of the conditions of registration. In respect of the breach in the regulations the provider was issued with a compliance notice to be completed by 27 August 2007. In respect of the breach in the conditions of registration the provider was interviewed under PACE on 29 August. In respect of the breach in National Standard 1 the

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Complaints since the last inspection

provider was issued with an action to ensure that any person over 16 living at the premises undergoes checks.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder cooperated fully with the processes. A satisfactory response to the action was received. Further monitoring visits were carried out on 20 August 2007 and 30 August 2007. At the visit on 30 August 2007 the inspector was satisfied that the provider had met the compliance notice. At the PACE interview conducted on 29 August the provider admitted to the breaches in the conditions of registration. As a result a final warning letter was issued on 04 September 2007. The provider remained qualified for registration.

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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

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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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • review organisation of records to ensure that records are all available for inspection with particular regard to permission for transporting children in a car • plan and provide a further range of activities to enable children to build on the skills they already have, for example, through using your observations of what children can do and where they need support • take positive steps to promote safety in the setting with regard to considering conducting risk assessments of the premises and when going on outings.

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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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