Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY243877 Inspection date 16 December 2005 Inspector Sheila Hartley

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 2 years and 4 years in Shepshed, Leicestershire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five and two children over five after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a pet cat.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from infection because the childminder follows hygiene routines which ensure that the environment is hygienic despite the home improvements that are being undertaken. Individual towels are provided to protect children from the risk of cross infection. They are beginning to learn about personal hygiene, such as washing their hands, through established daily routines. Arrangements for family pets ensure that children are not at risk from infection and do not have access to pet food. Children are further protected because the childminder and parents discuss and agree suitable arrangements, regarding their care, when they are ill. Parents provide information regarding their children's dietary requirements and preferences which ensures that children enjoy food which meets their needs. Healthy eating is promoted and children make healthy choices as they choose an orange at

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Helping children to be healthy

snack time. Young children are offered regular drinks but they are not easily accessible so they may get thirsty. They rest and sleep according to their needs. They do not have a routine sleep but settle for a nap in their pushchair if they are tired. Children enjoy outings to the park and opportunities for physical activity which encourage them to develop healthy lifestyles. They walk to school every day to take and collect other children and have fun on the swings and slide at the park. They develop further confidence in their physical skills as they proudly demonstrate a forward roll and are rewarded with a clap and praise.

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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 homely environment. There is good space for them to move about freely and confidently enjoying a range of activities. All the children have access to a suitable range of toys, materials and books which interest them and help to create a stimulating environment. The toys, equipment and furniture are in good condition and the childminder checks regularly to ensure they are clean, hygienic and there are no breaks which might cause an injury. Children are kept safe and secure because they are supervised closely. They are never left alone with other adults and the childminder takes action to minimise any hazards to protect them. For example, access to the stairs is restricted by a stair-gate and the children only access the kitchen when supervised. However, children may be vulnerable if they need to escape from the house in the event of a fire or other emergency as the childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

has not devised or practised an emergency escape plan. Each time they go out the children learn how to stay safe. They learn to stop at the kerb, look and listen, before crossing safely, remembering to walk and not run. The childminder's knowledge of child protection is sufficient to be able to recognise when children may be at risk and to take some action to protect them but is not consistent with current guidance.

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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 settle very well at the childminder's home, move around confidently and play happily side by side and together. They develop skills in socialising with a wider group, when they go to playgroup together. Young children are able to develop their play, interests and concentration because the childminder manages play and activities with flexibility. For example, when one child wishes to continue a craft activity when others have finished he is encouraged to continue. Children enjoy many opportunities to choose how they wish to spend their time and the toys that they wish to play with during free play time. Adult-initiated activities also sustain their interest and are designed to help to promote their development. For example, children develop skills and hand-eye coordination as they enjoy drawing, colouring, cutting and sticking. The children glow with pride, and their self-esteem

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

develops, as the childminder praises their 'work'. They are learning and their speech and communication skills are developing as they ask the childminder questions during play and she stimulates their interest as they enjoy story and picture books. They point out and name letters and sounds. All the children join in purposeful play as the childminder actively engages with them to support their developing skills and abilities. Children relish the opportunity for outings to the farm park and zoo which develop their knowledge and understanding of the world. They develop stamina and gain confidence in physical abilities as they walk each day and play on large equipment at the park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into the setting and their needs are met because the childminder ensures that relevant information is collected from parents when they enrol. She gets to know the children well and respects them as individuals as she spends time with them supporting their play and interacting with them. Young children enjoy a small range of toys and books which promote positive images of a diverse society. Boys and girls play together and have equal access to all the toys and activities so they do not develop gender stereotypical attitudes of what boys and girls can do and enjoy. Walks and outings offer opportunities for them to learn about the community in which they live and the wider world. Children are settled. The warm relationship they share with the childminder means they are developing self-assurance and a sense of belonging. They learn right from wrong as the childminder uses behaviour

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Helping children make a positive contribution

management strategies appropriate for their age. Young children play side by side and together happily. They receive support from the childminder to help them to learn to share and take turns. All the children behave well and show concern for one another. Their positive behaviour is supported and their self-esteem and confidence grows as the childminder praises them. Children's changing needs are identified and accounted for as the childminder develops a partnership with parents and shares information daily to keep them informed of their children's welfare and progress.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home, safe and secure. Space is organised to allow children to move around the childminder's home with growing confidence and access areas for play and relaxation. Time at the setting is arranged so children receive periods of undivided attention helping them to develop secure relationships with the childminder. Their welfare, safety and care is promoted as the childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all children in her care and implements the knowledge and understanding gained by attending training. However, her first-aid certificate has expired. Most policies, procedures and records are in place to inform parents and to ensure that the provision is managed safely and efficiently. Attendance records are not maintained with sufficient detail. Children are kept safe from people who are not police-checked as the childminder provides constant supervision and does not leave

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Organisation

them alone in the presence of any other adults. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to provide children with access to activities and resources to promote equality of opportunity. She has started to do this by acquiring a small range of toys and books and is continuing to develop her resources and introduce different activities. This means children are beginning to learn about a diverse society . She was also asked to improve safety by ensuring that building materials stored outside are inaccessible to children. Appropriate action has been taken. There are ongoing home improvements which means the childminder has to be constantly vigilant. She assess the risks to children and takes appropriate action to ensure they are safe.

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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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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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • devise and practise an emergency escape plan • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection which is consistent with current guidance to enable procedures to be put into practice to protect children if there are any concerns • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are maintained including an attendance record detailing the time children arrive and leave.

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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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