Childminder in Leicestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 225914 Inspection date 15 September 2005 Inspector Justine Ellaway

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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 1988. She lives with her partner, 2 adult sons and 2 daughters aged 14 and 9 years in Oadby, Leicestershire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding one child under 5 all day and 6 children at various times before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has rabbits and hamsters.

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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 enjoy regular opportunities for physical activity including playing in the garden and walking along the local nature trail. As a result children's physical needs are met. Children begin to learn at an early age about good hygiene, as the childminder is proactive in encouraging this through the daily routine, for example washing hands before eating. Children's good health is promoted and the risk of cross infection minimised as there are suitable procedures to exclude infectious children. Children receive appropriate care if they are ill to ensure they are comfortable, however the childminder has not yet updated her first aid qualification to ensure children receive the most appropriate treatment in an accident. Also, permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice has not been requested for all children, to ensure their individual health needs are met in the event of an

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Helping children to be healthy

emergency. Medication records are not currently signed by parents, although the childminder informs parents orally of the last time it was administered to maintain the good health of children. Children are well nourished, they enjoy healthy meals and snacks in adequate quantities. They understand about being healthy, as the childminder discusses this with them and provides cooking activities where the children learn about healthy foods. Children's social skills are developed as they sit together at meal times. Children's health and dietary needs are met well because the childminder gathers information from parents regarding allergies and preferences and introduces new foods to vary their diet. Younger children's individual feeding and changing routines are known and respected to promote contentment and ensure they feel secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment, where there are photographs of the minded children on display. Space is well organised so that children are able to play safely and freely indoors. Children's independence and decision-making is promoted by the accessibility of the toys and resources. They are able to play safely with the toys and resources as they are checked and cleaned regularly. Children are kept safe indoors as all reasonable steps have been taken to minimise risks and hazards. Children's safety is further promoted as the childminder has given careful consideration to her emergency evacuation procedures which she practises with the children. They can play safely in the rear garden which is fully enclosed and child friendly. However there is a pond in the front garden which is accessible to children and permission for transporting children and taking them on outings has not

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

been obtained, as a result their safety is not fully promoted. Children understand how to keep themselves safe, for example they learn how to cross the road safely. Children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection issues and procedures.

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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 happy and settled with the childminder and have a good relationship with her which she encourages with her friendly manner. They are confident and develop good self-esteem as the childminder shows a genuine interest in them. Children show an interest in the toys and activities and will engage in play for long periods of time. Their independence is promoted effectively, for example they are able to choose what they want to play with. Children have a good understanding of right and wrong, they are encouraged to share and take turns in their play. Appropriate support is offered when necessary to ensure children are comfortable and secure, for example the childminder will get down to their level and join in games. Children's needs are met well as the childminder uses information gathered from parents and her own assessment to establish what children already know and can do. She then provides an appropriate

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

range of challenges and activities that build on this, for example younger children learning how to eat and drink themselves. As a result children acquire new knowledge and skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met well because the childminder has regular communication with parents and accommodates any changes to the children's routines. The effective partnership with parents also helps children to feel settled and secure. Children develop a sense of belonging because the childminder provides items for them to use whilst they are in her care, for example a blanket for younger children. Children receive a good level of support to enable them to feel comfortable and safe, for example the childminder will join in their games. The childminder demonstrates an understanding of issues regarding additional needs to ensure that children receive appropriate support and feel included. Children play well together and have a good relationship with the childminder. Appropriate use of praise and encouragement fosters their self-esteem. Children are able to make choices and take decisions about what they do, for example, what they

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Helping children make a positive contribution

make during cooking activities, which promotes their independence and decision-making. Children have opportunities to learn about the wider society, through discussion, appropriate resources and the celebration of festivals.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and secure and have a good relationship with the childminder. Their care is supported by the childminder's effective organisation of time and space. Children are comfortable and settled in the welcoming environment. They receive a

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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 good level of support whilst they play. The childminder obtains additional information to ensure consistency of care for children. Paperwork is effectively organised, and mostly promotes children's health, safety, enjoyment, and achievement, although permission has not been obtained for outings, transporting children and seeking emergency medical treatment or advice for all children, and a parental signature has not been obtained to acknowledge medication administered. The childminder has undertaken a number of additional training courses to develop her knowledge and skills, to positively support the care she provides to children. Overall the range of children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that all persons over the age of 16 years living in the household submit necessary documentation to enable vetting procedures to be carried out. This was completed and the welfare and safety of children is maintained. The childminder was able to present documentation to confirm she is suitably covered to transport children in her car. The garden is fully enclosed and the childminder has devised appropriate procedures for evacuation in the event of a fire, which promotes children's safety. Effective procedures for hand washing have been implemented to promote the good hygiene of children and she has established appropriate records relating to accidents and medication to promote children's good health. Children are able to access an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity to increase their understanding of diversity and the wider world. Information is obtained

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Improvements since the last inspection

regarding children's cultural and religious needs to enable appropriate care to be given.

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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):

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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 • ensure that you obtain an appropriate first aid qualification • ensure that the pond in the front garden is made inaccessible to children • ensure that all the required permissions are in place for outings, transporting children and seeking emergency medical treatment or advice • ensure that medication records are signed by parents to acknowledge medication administered.

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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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