Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY221990 Inspection date 21 July 2005 Inspector Patricia King

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 2 and 3 years in the village of Birstall, which is situated close to the city boundary, north of Leicester. All of the ground floor, the two children's bedrooms and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's house are used. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children under 5 years, 2 under 8 years and 1 child over 8 years out of school. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder takes children to local preschool groups, parks and on outings around the local community. The family has a pet dog

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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 and a rabbit

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children understand the importance of eating fruit and vegetables daily to be healthy and grow strong. They enjoy a good variety of healthy meals planned by the childminder to meet the nutritional and dietary needs, personal choice and preferences agreed with their parents. Children have a clear understanding of their personal care. They describe knowingly how washing their hands before eating, after using the toilet or handling animals prevents the spread of germs and infection. They are well protected from health risks because the childminder has effective systems in place to handle food, promote good hygiene and safeguard children from the dangers of exposure to the sun. For example, children have their own washing and sun screen equipment and there are clear agreements with parents that children are not minded whilst infectious. Children play, rest or sleep according to their needs in a

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Helping children to be healthy

clean, comfortable environment which is well maintained by the childminder. They recognise and enjoy a wide range of activities to promote their physical development. They enthusiastically describe skipping games, obstacle courses, climbing, and physical activities. These are enjoyed individually and cooperatively to include the differing ages and levels of ability. Outings to local parks, the swimming pool and places of interest also enable them to explore and develop their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a secure, stimulating, comfortable home where risks are recognised and made safe. This means that children move around safely, freely and confidently making good use of the areas. However, the childminder has not practised her emergency escape plan. Children independently select activities from a good range of quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards and are stored within easy reach. They are developing safety awareness. For example, they describe the safety codes they follow when out with the childminder, such as being watchful and listening for traffic, which helps walkers to be safe. They demonstrate their understanding of dangers in the home such as hot drinks, broken and sharp items. They show their regard for the different levels of understanding and capabilities of other children. For example, they describe keeping babies and young

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children safe by making sure that they cannot put small objects into their mouths. Children are kept safe when travelling as the childminder has established good systems to use appropriate safety equipment and has documentation to confirm the suitability of her transport. She ensures that children are only collected by their parents or named adults by prior written arrangements and children are never left alone with other adults.

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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 good. Children are settled and comfortable in the environment and take part confidently in the routines and activities offered for their care and welfare. They are included equally because activities are carefully planned and well resourced. For example, they independently measure and mix their ingredients to ice and decorate biscuits choosing different toppings from a wide selection. Older children offer help and support to younger ones as they play together happily. They enjoy taking part in physical activities, such as an obstacle course set up in the garden. They eagerly describe stepping into hoops, going over and under sheets and obstacles and through tunnels. They welcome the chance to work individually and as teams of different ages and abilities to help and encourage each other to be successful. Children play an active part in choosing activities and use their imagination well to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

devise different ways to act out stories. For example, they extended a discussion about taking action in an emergency into a highly descriptive and expressive play, waving clean orange dusters to represent flames. They are motivated and interested in creative and purposeful activities, such as cooking, making lists, shopping and preparing picnics for outings. Children are finding out about the environment, their community and the wider world through play and outings into the surrounding area. Their learning and personal needs are well met as the childminder recognises each child as an individual and is careful to treat them with respect. Children under 3 years benefit from the childminder's knowledge and experience of working in childcare and her planning and daily practice is in line with the Birth to Three Matters framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are exploring and experiencing the wider world, increasing their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others through stories, games and role play. Children's care and welfare is discussed and agreed with the parents, establishing a close working partnership to keep them fully informed and included in the care of their children. The childminder shows good understanding of how to manage the situation positively when recognising health or special needs of minded children. This means that their individual needs are carefully considered, ensuring that they feel comfortable and confident with her. She is careful to consider confidentiality when discussing children's progress and making any arrangements with parents. Children learn to behave well and respond positively to the childminder's consistent guidance and praise. For example, they shared their ingredients and worked harmoniously to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

decorate biscuits and played cooperatively to include younger children in their shopping game. Children understand and respect the needs of others, describing ways to help the elderly with their daily life, such as with their shopping. They have real sense of belonging and say they look forward to and enjoy being with the childminder.

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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 The organisation is good. Children feel secure and settled in the childminder's home. They have confidence to make choices, express their needs and make good progress in their overall development. Their specific needs are well met by the childminder who has appropriate qualifications and relevant experience in childcare. She uses her skills effectively to support children's development and learning. Children's welfare and safety is positively promoted by the comprehensive set of polices, guidelines and information accessible to parents. These ensure that details and records necessary to identify their individual needs for daily care are maintained. Children's progress is shared with their parents by daily diary or discussion. This means that parents are kept informed and included in the care of their children and they can contribute to

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Organisation

their child's continued development. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's welfare and safety are positively promoted because, since the last inspection, the childminder has ensured that she meets the approved adult to child ratio at all times and appropriate records are retained on the premises for a minimum period of two years after the children have left the provision.

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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): • make sure that you practise your emergency escape plan.

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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:

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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 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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