Childminder in Leicester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY219922 Inspection date 29 November 2005 Inspector Kate Bryan

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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 has been registered since 2002. She lives with her partner and two children aged eight and seven years in a house in Leicester with shops and parks within walking distance. Within the home children have access to the lounge and kitchen. Children also have access to the family bathroom and an enclosed garden. The childminder is registered for three children and currently has four children on roll.

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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 and regularly attends a carer and toddler group.

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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 sound personal care and good hygiene. They are encouraged to wash their hands as part of a daily hygiene routine and have a step to reach the sink which promotes independence. The childminder promotes children's awareness of health and hygiene by suitable discussion about issues such as not spreading germs by coughing. This encourages children to be responsible for the maintenance of their own health. Children are suitably cared for, should they become ill, in a warm, clean house until they can be collected by parents. This ensures that their emotional well-being is met and they are made comfortable Children's routines are agreed with parents so that they have their needs for rest and sleep met in a consistent fashion which allows them to feel secure. Children enjoy a sound range of physical activities daily, for example, they walk to school and have

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Helping children to be healthy

opportunities to visit local parks where they use equipment, such as climbing frames, which promotes their health and development. Children gain a sound awareness of healthy eating through discussion and the provision of healthy snacks, such as fruit. They have their health needs suitably met as the childminder works closely with parents to ensure that their dietary and physical needs are fostered. Sound policies and procedures are in place to ensure that children's well-being and health are suitably promoted and the childminder has a current first aid qualification.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept safe in a warm, clean environment because the childminder has identified most risks and taken suitable measures to minimise these. Children are always supervised within the home although the garden is not secure which may mean children could exit unsupervised. Appropriate detection and prevention measures are in place in case of fire but an emergency escape plan has not been practised. This may mean children are not aware of safe procedures in an emergency. Children are encouraged to be vigilant about their own safety when out by suitable discussion of issues such as safe road crossing and stranger danger. Children are confident to select activities and resources from a good range which meet safety standards. The childminder carefully monitors children's toys to ensure that they are safe for their stage of development. Therefore, the childminder rotates

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

resources for younger children so they do not have access to small pieces which may harm them.

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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 Children's welfare is appropriately promoted by the sound use of policies and procedures. The childminder has a good awareness of some child protection issues and who to report these to in order to protect children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a suitable range of activities which promotes play and learning. Older children are able to make their own decisions about what they wish to do before and after school although the childminder does undertake topic work with them. This ensures that a sound range of activities such as leaf printing, collage making, hedgehog making are linked to the topic of Autumn which encourages children to make connections. Children are learning suitable communication skills because the childminder spends time talking with them and letting them know she is listening to them. This ensures that older children have their requests for activities, such as watching television, responded to appropriately. Younger children are encouraged to repeat words and receive lots of praise when they do this. This suitably promotes their confidence and self-esteem. The warm relationships in place between the children and the childminder means that

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the children feel secure and trusting. They happily engage in activities, such as looking for objects, and show the childminder this so she can join in. Children expect to be listened to and acknowledged which makes them feel valued and promotes their self-esteem. Children can make choices about their activities and there are many opportunities for child initiated activities, such as playing with transformers and looking at catalogues, which they enjoy. This fosters their independence and self-assurance. The childminder is not currently using the 'Birth to three matters' framework to promote outcomes for children, consequently these are not fostered as effectively as possible.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are warmly welcomed to the home and this enables them to feel a sense of belonging and self-worth. The childminder provides a good range of resources and activities to promote a positive view of the wider world. Therefore, children celebrate festivals, such as Diwali, which increases their awareness of other cultures and diversity. Children develop a good awareness of the wider community by trips out to places such as local toddler groups and by activities such as shopping. This promotes a strong sense of self as they learn about their place in the world. All children have equal access to all resources which ensures they develop confidence and self-assurance in their play and learning.

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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 Children's behaviour is suitably managed by the use of age- appropriate strategies. They behave well and positive behaviour is encouraged by praise and the responsibility for small jobs, such as tidying away. Older children receive 'time out' to encourage them to reflect upon their behaviour whilst younger children are distracted. The use of sensible house rules, for example, no running, provides children with acceptable boundaries that they use to regulate their own behaviour and develop self-assurance. Children have their needs suitably met because the childminder works closely with parents to ensure this. Parents are spoken with daily so that the childminder is aware of the changing needs of the children which makes them feel valued. Children proudly take home work they have completed so that parents can share in and

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children receive a good level of adult support which promotes their safety and makes them feel secure. They are cared for in a home that is satisfactorily organised so that they are always under the supervision of the childminder and are kept safe. Children experience a good range of activities and can initiate their own play and learning which increases their confidence and ability to make decisions. They have access to a good range of resources, which are suitable for the ages of children looked after, and which engage them. Children's welfare, learning and care are appropriately fostered by the use of sound policies and procedures which are shared with parents. The childminder has attended an Introduction to Childminding Practice course, a Developing Childminding Practice course and an Extending Childminding Practice course which demonstrates her commitment to providing a quality service to children. Overall the provision meets

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. An appropriate range is now in place which ensures that children's awareness of diversity is effectively promoted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents which they can see on request. The complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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): • ensure that an emergency escape plan is practised • ensure that children cannot leave the garden unsupervised • improve outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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