Collins Sarah Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 226664 Inspection date 29 November 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 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 1999. She lives with her partner and 2 children aged 11 years and 6 years in the city of Leicester. The whole ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder’s house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children over five and under eight before and after school and during school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a clean environment where effective hygiene practices prevent cross infection and maintain health. They learn the importance of personal hygiene routines as house rules, regarding washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating, are established. They explain that it is important to wash their hands to get rid of the germs before they start a cooking activity. Arrangements agreed with parents regarding the care of sick children ensures that their health and emotional well-being are fostered. Children are encouraged to play outdoors regularly and they enjoy a good range of activities which promote their health and development. Frequent trips to local parks and use of the garden provide children with many opportunities which promote confidence in their growing physical skills. For example, they enjoy playing games of football, cricket and rounders together and

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Helping children to be healthy

take turns on equipment such as a trampoline. In the winter months they stay active by enjoying dancing and movement to music indoors. Children develop a good awareness of healthy eating and the childminder ensures that any meals and snacks she provides are nutritious and wholesome. They enjoy fruit and other healthy options for snacks and a choice of lunches during the school holidays. This promotes their physical well-being and maintains their health. Their dietary needs are discussed with parents to ensure that any allergies, specific requirements and preferences are accounted for. Older children help themselves to drinks and fruit and help younger ones demonstrating their growing independence and concern for others. Good access to drinks ensures the children do not get thirsty or become dehydrated. Written permissions from parents and records are in place to safeguard the children's well-being and the childminder has a current first aid

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are confident to move around the well organised home where they are kept safe by the close supervision of the childminder. They move freely between the house and the garden and experience a good range of activities in a secure environment. They are looked after in a warm and clean home where the childminder is very vigilant about reducing risks both inside and outdoors. For example, children are supervised in the garden and are encouraged to develop responsibility for their own safety by discussion and promotion of house rules. The use of the trampoline is closely supervised by the childminder but not all aspects of its safe use have been considered. Within the home children are suitably protected from the risks of fire because appropriate detection and prevention measures are in place. The emergency escape plan has been discussed and practised with the children so they

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

know what to do in the event of a fire. Children are able to make their own selections from a wide range of easily accessible

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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 resources which promote both play and learning. This encourages them to make their own decisions about their activities and promotes self-assurance. They learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder reminds them of stranger danger and teaches them how to cross the road safely. Older children remind the younger ones of the importance of following rules such as holding hands as they cross the road, staying together and not wandering off. The childminder has a very good awareness of local child protection procedures and how to put them in to practice. This ensures that children's safety and welfare is effectively promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children really enjoy their time at the setting. They make choices from a wide range of activities and opportunities made available to them. All the children particularly enjoy being outdoors. They develop stamina and physical skills as they choose to play games of football or cricket together and take turns on the trampoline. The children are involved and make a positive contribution to choosing venues and planning trips, which they can all enjoy, during school holidays. They visit parks and other attractions which contributes to their learning about the community in which they live and a wider world. On wet days or dark evenings children have good access to a wide range of toys, equipment and materials for indoor activities. The play station and cooking activities are very popular. Most of the children spend time at the setting after school so value the opportunity to choose how they spend their time. They also appreciate support

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

with homework and activities planned by the childminder, such as cooking and craft projects. The focus of their time with the childminder is play and relaxation but they learn through their play and make good progress in most areas of their development. Regular visits to the library give the children an opportunity to appreciate books, learn how to look after them and how to use them to gain information for school projects. All the children have their needs met well as the childminder develops positive relationships with them, encourages them to have fun and accommodates their needs for rest and relaxation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are warmly welcomed into the home and play an active part in the setting. They enjoy making choices about their activities and care after a structured day at school. Many of the children are enthusiastic to take part in physical activities whilst others prefer some time for rest and relaxation. Older children demonstrate their developing responsibility as they remember house rules and remind others of what is expected. For example, rules regarding safety as they walk to and from school. They are happy to support younger children in their play and enjoy the sense of belonging and involvement it brings. Their help provides their younger playmates with reassurance further building their confidence. All the children learn to respect each other. They are effectively acknowledged as individuals because the childminder

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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 ensures that all the children are included and have the same access to opportunities and resources. Children are well behaved and play side-by-side and together harmoniously, good manners are promoted and children receive lots of praise for acceptable behaviour which increases their confidence and self assurance. They sort out minor squabbles themselves and learn to take turns on the trampoline and during other activities. Children's individual needs are met well as the childminder collects information from parents when they enrol. She speaks to parents daily and works closely with them to promote their daily routines and celebrate their progress and achievements. However, there is little information shared in writing to ensure parents are fully informed about the setting and their child's progress. Children develop a close bond

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Helping children make a positive contribution

with the childminder as she takes the time to get to know them well. This ensures they feel confident, secure and develop a sense of self-worth. They proudly take home items they have created during craft and cooking activities to share with parents which further supports their developing self-esteem.

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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. The childminder has a very high regard for the well-being of all the children in her care, enjoys the time she spends with them and takes pride in their achievements. As a result the children develop confidence and high self-esteem. Children feel secure and at home in an environment that is well organised to provide for their care and promote a range of experiences for play and learning. Children's welfare and care are promoted effectively by the exchange of verbal information with parents on a daily basis. This ensures that children's needs are met well according to the wishes of parents and in children's best interests. All mandatory documentation is in place. The childminder is seeking to undertake a number of

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Organisation

courses relating to child care which will enable her to develop further knowledge and understanding to improve further the quality of service provided for children. 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 childminder was asked to improve her records with regard to the attendance record, a record of any medicines given to children and the details of any assistants working with children. The childminder no longer works with an assistant and the records produced at inspection provided evidence that records are now maintained to promote the welfare and care of children. The childminder was also asked to ensure all aspects of the garden were safe for children.

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Improvements 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 Safety issues have been addressed and the children are now able to enjoy a range of outdoor activities in a safe secure environment.

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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 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): • improve risk assessment with reference to the trampoline to ensure children can play safely outside • ensure parents are fully informed about routines and child care practices, prompt action is taken on any concerns raised and a record of complaints is maintained.

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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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