Childminder, Out-of school day care in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 225287 Inspection date 19 December 2005 Inspector Kate Bryan

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1992. The childminder lives with her husband and three sons aged 18, 16 and 12 years in a house in the village of Barrow upon Soar. Within her home children have access to the lounge, conservatory, kitchen and toilet. Children also have access to an enclosed garden area for outside play. The childminder mainly provides before and after school care for children at the local primary school.

p.2

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 registered for three children, aged over five years, and has one child on roll. The childminder has a cat.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are suitably cared for, should they become ill, in a warm, clean house until they can be collected by parents. A child was observed to be settled for a sleep on a settee and covered with a blanket while the childminder considered contacting his parents. Children are satisfactorily protected from the risks of infection and cross contamination as they use a clean towel daily and use sensible hygiene practices, such as hand washing, as part of their daily routine. The childminder promotes healthy practices by discussion with the children which encourages them to be responsible for the promotion of their own health. Children have access to a good range of daily physical activities, such as walking to and from school, which promotes their health and development well. A good range of resources are in place to support this, such as bikes, scooters and skateboards that

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

the children enjoy using. Children's awareness of healthy eating is suitably promoted by discussion, and by practice, as fruit is offered as a snack. 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. The childminder has completed a first aid course.

p.3

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. Within the home they are well protected from the risks of fire because appropriate detection and prevention measures are in place, however, an emergency escape plan has not been practised with children. Children are kept safe when they are outside because sound procedures are in place to minimise any danger. This is accomplished by discussions about issues such as road safety and stranger danger. Children are able to make their own selections from a good range of easily accessible resources and daily use of the garden promotes confidence in their developing physical abilities. The home is suitably organised to promote children's safety whilst allowing them to experience a good range of experiences. Children enjoy activities in the conservatory and lounge which are easily monitored so that the

p.3

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. This includes a suitable awareness of child protection procedures. The childminder is aware of signs of abuse and knows who to contact to ensure that children's welfare and safety are promoted.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children receive good support from the childminder which encourages them to feel secure about making choices. They can select activities from a good range which promotes their social and intellectual capabilities. Therefore, children were observed to be enjoying a board game together and then were able to make individual selections about what they wished to do. Children are relaxed and feel content because warm relationships are in place between the childminder and themselves. Children trust her and are happy to involve her in their activities, explaining to her what they are doing, such as making cars from construction pieces. The childminder spends time interacting with them which promotes their sense of enjoying and achieving well as their accomplishments are acknowledged and praised. Children are skilful communicators and this is effectively promoted by the childminder as she listens to and speaks with the children, letting them know that she is

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

interested in them. A good range of activities ensures that children have ample opportunity to enjoy play and they are able to make choices about their activities which increases their enjoyment and independence. Children work well together and happily play games, such as 'Monopoly.'

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are warmly welcomed to the home and 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 and can respond to these appropriately. Children proudly take home work they have completed so that parents can share in their achievements and they feel acknowledged. Children develop a satisfactory awareness of other cultures and learn to respect each other by discussion and the provision of suitable resources. All children have equal access to all resources which ensures they develop confidence and self-assurance in their play and learning. Children's behaviour is suitably managed by the use of age appropriate strategies. They behave well and are polite, using 'please' and 'thank you' appropriately. Older children receive 'time out' to encourage them to reflect upon their behaviour whilst

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

younger children are distracted. Children are given time to negotiate issues with each

p.4

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 other so that they learn to develop good strategies for resolving disputes. The use of reasonable house rules provides children with acceptable boundaries that they can use to develop confidence and a sense of belonging.

p.4

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 and secure. Children can initiate their own activities and have good opportunities to do this which increases their sense of enjoyment and achievement. They experience a good range of activities which are carried on in different parts of the home so they can make informed choices about what they wish to do. Therefore children can opt to have quiet time in the lounge area or enjoy a craft activity in the conservatory. Children's physical well-being is well promoted by the daily use of the garden, walking to and from school, and by a good range of resources such as bikes, scooters, skateboards. Children's welfare, learning and care are appropriately fostered by the use of sound

p.5

Organisation

policies and procedures which are shared with parents. This provides continuity of care for the children and enables parents to be aware that the service is provided in the best interests of their child. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to ensure that a written agreement is in place with regard to business arrangements, keep a record of children's details, ensure that a daily record is kept of the names of the children looked after and their hours of attendance, complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children, ensure that any person over 16 years of age living in the household has submitted to vetting procedures and keep appropriate signed consent forms and a record of emergency contact and GP contact details. All required records are now in place which has added to existing safety measures in place for children. The provider also agreed to make sure that any hazardous or building materials in the garden area are inaccessible to the children and make sure that the garden area is secure with regard to the perimeter fencing so that children are unable to leave

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

unsupervised. All hazardous or building materials have been removed from the garden and fencing made secure so that children are kept safe in the garden.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. The provider is

p.5

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 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 has been practised with children.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6