Childminder in Nottingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY305096 Inspection date 25 November 2005 Inspector Diana Pidgeon

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and adult son on the outskirts of Nottingham, within walking distance of local parks and a leisure centre. Children access the ground floor of the home which includes the lounge, office, conservatory, kitchen and toilet. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time. There are currently 2 children on roll, both of whom attend before or after school on a part-time basis. One of these children is over 8 years of age.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They wash their hands after using the toilet and dry them on individual towels, which minimises the risk of cross infection. Suitable arrangements are in place to ensure sick or injured children are appropriately cared for, as the childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of first aid and has an appropriately equipped first aid box. She is aware of children's individual medical needs and has taken appropriate steps to ensure she fully understands these. This enables her to deal with any minor injuries or illnesses so that children's health is safeguarded. Food and drink is offered to children in agreement with parents' wishes and meeting any individual dietary needs and preferences. Although the childminder offers children fruit and cereals at breakfast there is less emphasis on promoting healthy

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Helping children to be healthy

choices after school. Consequently, children are not routinely encouraged to eat healthily. Children participate in some regular physical exercise, when they go for walks locally. Use of a nearby park enables children to play vigorously and increase their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Suitable steps are taken to ensure children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Appropriate safety equipment, such as a fixed fire guard and safety gate, is in place to protect children from identified hazards. Children have good space in which to play and relax, enabling them to move around freely or to sit and play a game comfortably. Some toys are readily accessible at the side of the room, allowing children to make independent choices in their play. Items are in good, clean and safe condition. Children's awareness of their personal safety is raised through everyday practices and discussions when travelling to and from school. For example, they begin to understand about road safety and not talking to strangers. They understand how to evacuate the childminder's premises in the event of a fire, because this has been discussed with them. As a result, children's safety is suitably promoted. The

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder has a sound understanding of the current child protection procedures and who to contact if she is concerned about a child. She has relevant reference materials to guide her practice and makes these available to parents. Consequently, children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded.

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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 satisfactory. Children are generally happy and settled within the childminder's home. They enjoy a warm, friendly relationship with her that boosts their confidence and self-esteem. This helps them to feel secure and at ease. Children's play is enhanced through the childminder's involvement with the children. For example, they play games together, practise reading and writing and plan baking activities. As a result, children are learning to respect and co-operate with one another. Children choose what they wish to do when they attend before and after school. They become happily engaged with electronic games, watching television or playing with small figures. However, the breadth of their experiences is limited by the small range of toys and resources available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are warmly welcomed into the childminder's home. They begin to take some responsibility for their own behaviour and care as they remove their shoes and hang up their coats sensibly. Children generally behave well and respond positively to the reward system used by the childminder. They understand what is expected of them in order to be awarded a star, and are pleased when this is achieved. This encourages their good behaviour. Children have their individuality acknowledged as the childminder understands their own needs and interests. She helps them to learn about the wider world through her positive attitude towards equality and inclusion. Consequently, children learn to respect their own and other cultures. Relationships with parents are friendly and mutually supportive. They spend time daily exchanging information about the children that supports the continuity of care. A satisfactory range of written information is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

shared with parents, including some policy statements, which ensures they are well informed.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are content in the comfortable environment created by the childminder. They benefit from the good levels of attention she gives them, which helps them to feel secure and confident. Their care is generally supported through the use of appropriate documentation which is readily available and satisfactorily organised. However, parents' wishes are not clearly recorded, as written consent for the children to travel in a vehicle and consent for emergency medical advice or treatment is not in place. Also, children's information does not include emergency contacts in the event of the parent being unable to collect the child. These gaps in the communication with parents may adversely affect children's welfare. Regulatory documentation, such as

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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 attendance registers and medicine records, are clearly maintained. In addition the childminder is building a bank of information relevant to the care of children, which she shares with parents and uses to improve her practice. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve children's awareness of healthy eating by providing healthy choices for meals and snacks, especially after school • extend the range of planned activities and resources for children, appropriate for their stages of development and interests • improve the records held on the children, in relation to having written consent to carry children in a vehicle, requesting prior parental consent to obtain emergency treatment and having emergency contact numbers.

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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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