Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 207339 Inspection date 09 January 2006 Inspector Yvonne Layton

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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 was registered in 1992. She lives with her family, including adult children. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Toilet facilities are on the ground floor. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 6 children under five and 3 children over 5, 1 of whom is over 8 years. Placements are varied and includes after school care. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local parent and toddler groups, runs a local childminder group and undertakes outings. She works

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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 with her daughter who is a registered childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows effective procedures and practices which meet children's nutritional, physical and health needs. The childminder's strong knowledge of effective hygiene practices and good guidance helps children gain a clear understanding of hygiene and develop a desire to become increasingly independent. Children are learning from an early age the importance of good hygiene through the childminder's consistent routines that are part of everyday practice. They participate in discussion and creative activities to enhance their understanding of positive hygiene and develop independence in personal care. Children have their dietary needs met because the childminder works together with parents and individual needs discussed. The children are developing a positive attitude to healthy eating because the childminder offers them a varied diet including;

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Helping children to be healthy

fresh fruit, pasta and rice dishes. Daily indoor and outdoor experiences develop children's physical control. They are able to progress in their skills by the childminder supporting and meeting individual needs to enable them to learn about themselves and their bodies through activities, for example one to one swimming sessions. A range of outdoor resources, activities including dancing, regular walks and outings to local groups and amenities enhance children's physical well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are warm, welcoming and in a good state of repair. Children benefit from the available space being well planned, with allocated space for creative and imaginative play, a book area and a separate room for quiet play and rests. They use quality equipment which is safe and hygienic, and appropriate to their age and stage of development. The childminder has safety equipment and detailed procedures in place, which are shared with the parents, to ensure children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted. Risks of accidental injuries to children are minimised because the childminder is vigilant, has consistent safety arrangements and undertakes risk assessments; for example, there are robust safety procedures to ensure children are kept safe on outings and risk assessments are undertaken prior to visits and outings. Children are protected by the childminder who has a clear understanding of her role

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and responsibilities for child protection. This is supported by her child protection

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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 policy, which is shared with the parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, eager to participate and relish their time in a setting which puts them first. They achieve well because the childminder is skilled and uses her good knowledge of children's development to provide quality care and education. Daily routine includes times to be active and quiet times, including story time, outings and creativity sessions, for example, baking. Children's potential is fully supported and they are given stimulating challenges by the wide range of planned, focussed and free choice activities. Themes are undertaken, including a theme for American Independence Day focussed on Native American Indians, involving creative activities, stories, pictures, posters and discussion. Babies make good progress as they learn and develop through well considered activities and resources; including a soft surface play area where they can roll and crawl freely. They have opportunity to experiment and develop their senses, for

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

example; texture and feel is developed using every day items including, packets of crisps and plastic bottles. Children become confident and self-assured, working and playing effectively on their own, with others or with the childminder. Close and caring relationships with the childminder increase children's sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. They develop good social and communication skills as she takes time to talk and listen to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good awareness of children's individual needs and children are respected as individuals. Their ideas and choices are valued. Equipment and resources meet the needs of individual children and reflect diversity. International festivals, and festivals from other faiths, are celebrated, beginning to raise children's awareness of the wider world. Children benefit from the sensitive manner adopted by the childminder to manage children’s behaviour. They profit from clear ground rules established by the childminder as she finely balances the demands and care needs of the children to ensure that all their individuality is respected. However, children's welfare and protection is compromised as the recording of specific issues, including incidents of the physical restraint of children, is not maintained. A positive partnership between the childminder and parents contributes to children's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

well-being. Parents receive detailed written and verbal information that ensures they are fully informed of their child's day and progress. Each parent has access to an

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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 information file which includes written policies and procedures. However, parents are not fully aware of the complaints procedure as they are not provided with contact information regarding Ofsted.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides. The premises are well organised and space is used to maximise play opportunities for children. Children’s care and welfare is enhanced by the childminder's good understanding of children's needs and her efficient and effective organisation skills. The joint working of the two childminder's greatly benefits the care, welfare and development of the children as they work very well together. They have clear knowledge of their individual roles and responsibilities, each recognise and respond to their individual strengths. There is a warm positive working relationship between them. Children's safety and well-being benefit from the presentation of written policies, procedures and information for parents. All required documentation is in place and the majority is maintained correctly. The childminder has good awareness of

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Organisation

confidentiality. Information is regularly exchanged with parents about the setting and their child’s daily activities contributing to continuity in the children’s care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to; request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. Children's safety and parents confidence is enhanced as the childminder has devised an emergency medical advice or treatment consent form, which parents have completed.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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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

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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 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 any significant issues including, any form of physical intervention, is recorded and the parents informed of the incident on the day • ensure the complaints procedure includes how parents are provided with the name, address and telephone number of Ofsted.

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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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