Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 221233 Inspection date 11 October 2005 Inspector Jan Clarke-Potter

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and three children, twins aged seven and a one-year-old in the village of Little Harrowden. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five and four children five to eight part-time. The childminder walks to the local school to take and to collect children. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler and childminding support groups.

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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 family has two cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children are effectively cared for when they are unwell which helps them to feel secure and comfortable, however the childminder was unaware of the need to have written consent in place, from parents, to allow emergency treatment. The childminder maintains records of medication to ensure the children's medical needs are met. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Their clear understanding of why they must wash their hands before eating and after messy play reduces the risk of cross contamination. Children understand the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder uses discussion with the children about their choice of snacks to introduce healthy choices, taking into account the wishes of parents and the children's preferences to provide snacks that appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Visits to local parks and playing in the back garden on the climbing frame helps improve children's physical skills. The children have an awareness of their own need to rest and are given regular drinks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a well maintained, welcoming home where risks are identified and minimised. Children access a wide range of safe, good quality and well maintained toys, equipment and resources which supports their development. The childminder is aware of children's developing abilities and ensures appropriate safety measures are in place to avoid dangerous situations, such as keeping the small pieces of toys out of bounds for small children. The premises are secure and the side gate is kept locked. The childminder understands how to keep the environment safe inside for babies, such as providing socket covers and medicines and cleaning materials are kept in locked cupboards out of the way. Children are able to move freely and develop their play in a safe environment as a result. Children are safely escorted on outings, for example, the childminder ensures that children are strapped

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

in the buggy or car seat and she talks to the older children about road safety. Children are protected because the childminder is aware of her responsibilities and has an understanding of the 'local area child protection' committee procedures.

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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 The provision is satisfactory. Children are very comfortable and settled in a childminder's home. They are confident and relate well to each other. There is a range of toys and resources and this encourages the children's learning and development in all areas. For example, children play on the climbing frame in the back garden to help develop large motor skills. The childminder responds to the children's requests and interests by providing activities that contribute to promoting their creative, cooking and gardening skills. For example, they enjoy activities using cutting and sticking to make masks for Halloween, and mobiles to hang from the ceiling for the babies. They enjoy playing on a computer with appropriate educational games, they talk about how seeds grow and grow pumpkins in the back garden. Tomatoes, runner beans and other

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

vegetables are grown in the back garden and children use them in their cooking, for example, making pumpkin pie. The children go on outings to extend their social skills when they attend local childminding support groups and carer and toddler groups in the community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder uses discussion and the children's own experiences to promote a positive and sensitive view of the wider world and to increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children's toys and resources that reflect the positive images of culture and disability are limited, but children are aware of others and know that they may have different beliefs, cultures and traditions. Children are valued and respected and there is a commitment to ensuring all children feel secure and are included. The childminder knows the children well and talks to them in a warm, caring manner. Routines help children feel secure and settled. Children are confident in their relationship with the childminder who acknowledges and cuddles the children. This increases their sense of well-being and promotes their emotional development. Their individual needs are met because the childminder has developed positive working

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Helping children make a positive contribution

relationships with parents. The childminder seeks parents views about the child's preferences and information about their routines are regularly shared. This ensures that parental wishes are respected and the individual needs of the children are met. Children are generally well-behaved and are learning to understand boundaries. They learn to play harmoniously with each other and are aware of their own needs and the needs of others.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled in the childminder's home. They are confident and relate well to each other. The childminder has an understanding of child development and has a high regard for the well-being of all children, she supports children's care, learning and play which contribute to children's enjoyment and achievement, although she has yet to up-date her paediatric first aid certificate.

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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 Policies and procedures are informal and most work in practice to promote children's health, safety, and ability to make a positive contribution. However, not all permissions and written agreements with parents are available. The childminder is able to promote children's achievements because she has good relationships with parents and children are happy and secure in the setting. 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 improved her knowledge of child protection issues having the relevant documentation and guidance. She now records times of children's attendance in a daily diary, and keeps a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children. She has established some written agreements with parents that sets out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child and business arrangements which have contributed to the care and welfare of the children.

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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): • obtain written consent from parents for permission to seek emergency treatment or advice • devise and practise an effective fire evacuation plan and ensure all minded children are aware of appropriate actions to take in case of fire • devise a complaints procedure and record for parents • develop the range of resources that promote equality of opportunity with regard to different cultures and disability • complete a paediatric first aid course.

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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 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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