Childminder in Derbyshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY225219 Inspection date 21 February 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 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 three children aged six, five and eighteen months. 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 first floor. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five. Placements are varied. The childminder attends local parent and toddler group and undertakes outings.

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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 home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through consistent daily routines. They understand why they must wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet by responding to the childminder's established practices and through discussion about hygiene. Independence for older children is promoted as they have their own flannel and towel and actively take part in appropriate hygiene routines. Nutritious food which promotes children’s good health is offered, for example; raw vegetables, fresh and dried fruit. They are offered appropriate meals, snacks and drinks, with emphasis placed on promoting healthy choices and respecting parental preferences or dietary requirements. Daily outdoor experiences develop children's physical control and well-being. They are able to progress in their skills by the childminder supporting and meeting

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Helping children to be healthy

individual needs to enable them to learn about themselves and their bodies through activities, for example swimming, visits to the park and local activity centres where they are able to run and climb.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The appropriate range of toys and equipment are clean and safe. Children are able to move around freely and independently in a home where risks are sufficiently identified and minimised. Toys and play resources are made accessible to children, and they enjoy being able to self-select, and make choices about their play. Children follow safety rules in the home and on outings. They are encouraged to tidy away toys after play to prevent accidents. As a consequence they are beginning to develop a greater awareness of personal safety. Children are protected by the childminder who has an understanding of her role and responsibilities for child protection. However, to fully protect the children she cares for the childminder must ensure she obtains the current local procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and relaxed in the care of the childminder. She supports them well and builds good relationships with them. They enjoy free choice and planned activities playing independently and with the childminder. The childminder suggests activities and encourages children to participate, for example creative play and games. Unplanned events are enjoyed by the children including picnics and teddy

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 bear parties. A main focus of the provision is daily outings to local groups, activity centres and places of interest. Outings are purposeful and aim to develop children's learning. Visits to local children's groups are undertaken to develop children's socialisation and encourage them to build and develop friendships. Children's potential is well supported and they are given stimulating challenges by the childminder including individual focussed activities, for example a child is in the process of copying the alphabet and drawing related pictures. This is displayed on the wall until completed. Themes are undertaken, for example Chinese New Year was celebrated and included creative activities and on a visit to the library children had their own tickets and selected their own books. Children have opportunity to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

experiment and develop their own play as they access toys and resources freely. Daily routine includes times to be active and for quieter activities, including creativity sessions, for example, junk-box building and baking. Children's self-esteem is developed as their art work is displayed until the end of the week and then it is taken home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has awareness of children's individual needs through suitable systems to share information with parents regarding preferred care routines. She understands her role in promoting equality of opportunity and children have opportunity to access sufficient resources, which enable them to learn about the wider community. Children are becoming socially aware as they begin to understand about responsible behaviour, encouraged by the childminder's consistent boundaries. Overall, they respond well as they are treated with sensitivity and their age and stage of development is appropriately taken into account. An incident record must be maintained to ensure parents are kept fully informed and children's well-being is protected. To contribute to continuity of children's care parents are kept appropriately informed about their child's activities and care by daily verbal discussion and by monthly

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Helping children make a positive contribution

written updates. Overall, children are protected as most required documents are in place, however, some are not completed or signed by the parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides. Children are cared for in a well maintained environment that enables them to relax and enjoy themselves. Their needs and routines are discussed on a daily basis with parents, which contribute to continuity in the children’s care.

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Organisation

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 well-being and security is supported by the childminder's documentation meeting regulatory requirements. However, some documentation is not appropriately completed, therefore parents are not kept fully informed and children's welfare is compromised. Documents are stored securely but in order to ensure children’s privacy they must be well organised and confidentiality maintained.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no actions or recommendation from the last inspection.

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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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure appropriate signed consent forms are kept regarding, seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and for transport in a vehicle. • ensure records are organised appropriately and confidentiality is maintained • ensure any significant incidents are recorded, including any form of physical intervention and the parent informed of the incident on the day.

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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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