Childminder in Leicester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 226739 Inspection date 16 December 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 good. 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 1989. She lives with her husband and three adult children in a house in Leicester, close to shops and parks. Within the home children have access to the lounge, kitchen/dining room and the upstairs bathroom and toilet. There is a garden used for outside play. The family has two cats. The childminder is registered for six children and has seven 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 regularly attends a carer and toddler group and is part of a local childminding group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is well maintained because the childminder has effective measures in place to promote this. They are cared for in a warm, clean environment where effective hygiene practices and discussion prevent cross infection and maintain health. Routines such as hand washing after using the toilet and touching the cats help the children to maintain their own health. The childminder encourages children to learn effective hygiene practices by being a good role model and explaining to them why she washes her hands after activities such as nappy changing. Clear procedures for looking after sick children ensures that their health and emotional well-being are fostered. Children are encouraged to be outdoors regularly and enjoy frequent trips to parks where they use large equipment which promotes confidence in their growing abilities. They develop a good range of physical skills because the childminder ensures they

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Helping children to be healthy

have access to a good range of resources and opportunities. Young children's emotional well-being is promoted effectively because the childminder works closely with parents to ensure that their routines, for sleeping and eating, are supported. Children develop a satisfactory awareness of healthy eating through discussion about issues such as fruit. Children supply their own packed lunches and drinks although their dietary needs are discussed with parents to ensure that their health is actively promoted. Effective policies and procedures are in place to safeguard children's well-being 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 good. Children are kept safe because the childminder is vigilant about reducing risks both inside and outside the home. The home is organised to ensure that children can move around with confidence whilst also being in sight or sound of the childminder. Children are supervised in the garden and the kitchen and are encouraged to be aware of their own safety by discussion. The use of sensible house rules, such as no running indoors, encourages the children to think about maintaining their own safety effectively. Children are well protected from the risks of fire because appropriate detection and prevention measures are in place and an emergency escape plan has been practised with them. Outside the home safety is effectively promoted, by discussion and practice, of issues such as safe road crossing and stranger danger. Children make their own selection of resources from a wide range that is easily

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

accessible and promotes both play and learning. Resources are rotated so that children have good opportunities to enjoy all equipment. This encourages them to

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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 make their own decisions about their activities and promotes self-assurance. The childminder ensures that all equipment is clean and complies with safety standards to ensure that the children's safety is well promoted. The childminder has a good awareness of child protection procedures and has attended training in this area. Children's safety and welfare are effectively promoted as the childminder can recognise signs of abuse and knows who to contact for help and advice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have a good balance to their day as they have access to a wide range of activities both indoors and outside. Good levels of adult support also ensures that they are able to initiate their own activities and learn through play. The childminder uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework to effectively encourage the children to make meaningful connections. Activities such as counting and colour recognition are built into everyday routines, such as pegging out washing, so that children become familiar with these and learn through repetition and play. Children who attend after school have many opportunities to choose what they wish to do and have access to equipment, such as a play station and a computer, to ensure their needs for play and learning are well met. Children can develop their creative and imaginative skills in activities such as dressing up and craft work. This successfully

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

promotes their confidence and enhances their learning. Children are skilful communicators and the childminder encourages young children to verbalise by activities such as naming objects which they repeat. This extends their vocabulary and also effectively promotes them to make connections between actions and words. Children are confident that the childminder will respond to them and show trust in her as she offers them lots of cuddles and praise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's needs are well met as the childminder works closely with parents to promote their individual daily routines, times for sleep and rest are followed so that children feel a strong sense of self and belonging. The childminder makes effective use of children's records to ensure that she is aware of their changing needs and can provide an individual service which helps them to settle and feel secure. Children enjoy many trips into the local community so that they gain a good awareness of the wider world, they also celebrate festivals and acknowledge other cultures so that they learn to respect each other. All children are warmly welcomed into the home and are encouraged to learn about their own and other cultures because the childminder works effectively to promote this. A good range of resources, showing positive images of race and culture, also provides children with a

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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 routine awareness of others. Children with special needs are effectively included in the daily routines of the home because the childminder ensures that she is aware of their individual needs and anything that may distress them. They are included in all activities because the childminder ensures that these are adapted so they can feel a sense of belonging and self-worth. Good behaviour is well promoted because the childminder is consistent in her use of sensible house rules. Children are encouraged not to run in the home, and are well aware of this, which helps them to regulate their own behaviour and develop self-assurance. They are encouraged to use good manners, such as waiting until all have finished eating before playing, so that the group can work well together. Children's behaviour is effectively managed by the use of strategies such as

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Helping children make a positive contribution

distraction and 'time out' which allows them to reflect upon their actions and the consequences of these.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children enjoy a range of activities at the home and receive good levels of adult support which encourages them to initiate their own activities and explore their environment. They feel secure and relaxed in a well organised home which promotes a range of experiences for play and learning. The childminder has organised the home so that children are always within sight or sound of her in order that their safety is well promoted and maintained. Children's physical well-being is effectively promoted by daily use of the garden and younger children have their need for rest and sleep met well which fosters their emotional well-being. Children's welfare, learning and care are promoted effectively by the use of clear policies and procedures which are shared with parents. This ensures that children's needs are well met and offers continuity of care which helps them to feel secure and

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Organisation

valued. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to provide smoke detectors on all levels of the house. This has now been done which enhances existing safety measures in place for children.

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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

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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 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 good. 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): • develop more awareness of the Disability Discrimination Act and its impact upon children with special needs.

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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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