THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE
On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:
The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.
WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?
The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with her partner and one child aged 2 years. They live in a house in Derbyshire. 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding three children on a part-time basis. She attends the local toddler group and walks with children to the local park.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION
Helping children to be healthy
The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very clean and comfortable home where they are encouraged to follow good health and hygiene practices. They are given opportunities to develop an early understanding about personal hygiene as the childminder helps them to clean their hands before eating with individual flannels and towels. She cleans her own hands regularly with antibacterial gel and the children imitate her actions as she rubs the gel in. Their health is promoted as the childminder obtains appropriate information from parents about children's individual health care needs and all the written consents are in place to support this. The childminder has suitable procedures in place to record accidents and she has attended first aid training. Children are protected from the spread of illness as the childminder has a clear policy which she shares with parents about the exclusion of children if they have a contagious illness.
Individual health care is promoted as the childminder provides children with nutritious snacks and meals which are mostly home made and feature fruit, toast, baked potatoes with cheese or beans and roast chicken with seasonal vegetables. The childminder carefully plans and records what the children eat and informs parents of this each day. Children are frequently offered drinks to ensure they do not become dehydrated and are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs.
Physical play experiences that contribute to a healthy lifestyle are enjoyed regularly by children. They go out each day to a local toddler group or they visit parks where they can access some large play equipment which promotes their physical development and provides them with lots of fresh air. There is a small, secure garden which the children will use once the weather improves. Babies have plenty of space indoors to pull themselves up and move around safely. The childminder provides a stimulating range of appropriate toys, for example, there are many 'noisy' battery operated toys that light up and make sounds. The toys have big chunky pieces which are easier for younger children to manipulate.
Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe
The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very safe and secure environment where they can move around freely and independently under the childminder's close supervision. Children's safety is enhanced and the risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder has taken effective steps to reduce possible risks. For example, covering all electrical sockets, using safety gates appropriately and carrying out daily risk assessment checks of areas used by children. Fire safety precautions are in place and the childminder has developed an emergency evacuation procedure to follow which she practises regularly. There are smoke alarms on all levels and they are tested each week.
There is an extensive range of high quality toys and equipment that meet safety standards. These are mainly stored in the playroom and lounge and are freely accessible. Some additional equipment is available for outside play and the childminder rotates the toys available indoors, providing a range which is appropriate to the ages and interests of children attending. Toys and equipment are checked regularly to ensure that they are safe. Children are learning about simple safety procedures when the childminder suggests that some toys are packed away so that no one falls over them.
Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted appropriately because the childminder has attended child protection training. She can describe the different types of abuse and the signs and symptoms of them, and she is aware of the local safeguarding children procedures to follow and who to contact should she have any concerns about the children in her care.
Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do
The provision is good. Children are happy and well settled in the clean, warm and very welcoming environment. They enjoy spending time exploring the stimulating range of toys and equipment provided by the childminder based on her good knowledge of child development. Although she has some resources to promote physical skills and an understanding of the wider community, the childminder is aware that these are rather limited and intends to broaden the range in the near future. When the children are playing, the childminder gets down to their level and joins in, constantly supporting the development of their language and curiosity by pointing out and talking about the toys they are using. Through carefully planned activities the childminder ensures that children's vocabulary is positively extended and their learning consolidated as she discusses the shapes they are sorting or the hand prints they make with paint. The children feel a sense of belonging when they see their names and birthdays brightly displayed on the wall. They go out regularly and exchange visits with other local childminders so that children have further opportunities to develop their social skills. The setting is taking part in an initiative where they link up with another childminder in Bradford and the children write or send drawings to each other which helps them develop an awareness of self and others.
Children develop their confidence as the childminder knows them well and recognises their sense of achievement when they take work home or see it displayed in the setting. They are encouraged to learn about their environment during their transport topic as they go out and identify different types of vehicles and borrow books from the local library. Quiet times are enjoyed by the children and the childminder when they sit closely with her and share a story together. The childminder gives the children lots of praise when they try to repeat what she says and she tells them that their talking 'is really coming on'. Younger children enjoy a wind up radio that plays music which the children and childminder both sway to and there are lots of giggles when the childminder allows balls from the ball pool to slowly roll down a child's face. This is very sensory and the child waits eagerly for the childminder to do it again and again. Older children use toys with smaller parts when younger children sleep and this ensures safety as well as giving the older children opportunities to improve their manipulative abilities. A good understanding of the individual needs of children is shown when the childminder explains how she puts some resources in a raised tray to encourage younger children to stand, balance and develop walking skills. The childminder is very aware of the needs of young children and continually draws their attention to different resources, for example, musical toys, activity centres and the fire station, which helps them to remain challenged and interested.
The childminder reflects all aspects of the 'Birth to three matters' framework in her practice and uses it well to record the development of the children in her care. She is studying for a qualification in the Early Years Foundation Stage and regularly accesses further training to increase her knowledge.
Helping children make a positive contribution
The provision is good. Children develop a good sense of belonging as the childminder ensures they are all valued and included. They have equal access to toys and equipment that meet their individual needs and this helps them to become confident and independent. Positive relationships between the childminder and the children have been built up and she responds to them with obvious care and affection.
The childminder has a positive approach to caring for children with additional needs, and would seek specific training, and professional advice to enable her to become more aware of how she might support a child in her care.
The childminder has a cheerful and lively manner and she has lots of laughs with the children which ensures a happy and relaxed atmosphere. She uses appropriate simple explanations to promote children's understanding of responsible behaviour, this helps them to develop an understanding of the needs of others. For example, she gives lots of praise when children share nicely and agree to take turns. Children benefit from her positive role modelling. There is a clear behaviour management policy, which is shared with parents, to help promote a consistent approach.
Parents are able to share all the childminder's written policies and information is provided to ensure children are looked after according to their parents wishes. A positive relationship exists with parents as the childminder is very proactive in sharing information about what children have been doing, either verbally or in exercise books. Social events, such as a Christmas Party with other settings, and a charity sponsored 'toddle' build links with the wider community. Parents are very satisfied with the care their children receive, and are very complimentary about the setting. Connections between home and the setting are further developed when children take home some of the art activities they have completed. The childminder makes parents aware of how they can make a complaint and maintains a complaints log for parents to view on request.
Organisation
The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home to provide a welcoming and child-friendly environment in which children can take part in a wide range of activities to support their care, learning and play. Space and resources are well-organised to provide children with a good balance of interesting activities. The childminder always follows appropriate procedures to promote children's good health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.
The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards which ensures children are well protected. Appropriate checks are in place to ensure children are cared for by a suitably vetted person and children are never left alone with any person not vetted. The childminder has attended relevant training to support her registration and is very keen to develop her knowledge and skills further. The adult to child ratio effectively promotes children's development and the childminder's supportive manner ensures that children feel at home and at ease. They are confident and can initiate their own play.
Overall children's needs are met. Their well-being is consistently promoted by the documented information kept, this is well-organised to support the care and welfare of children and all children's details are kept confidential and the childminder ensures children are cared for in accordance with their parent's wishes.
Improvements since the last inspection
Not applicable
Complaints since the last inspection
Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.
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.
THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE
On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:
The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.
WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?
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):
further develop the range of resources available to promote children's physical development and understanding of the wider community.