Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 201595 Inspection date 27 April 2006 Inspector Jan Burnet

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1992. She lives with her husband and 14-year-old daughter in a residential area of Rugby. She uses the ground floor of the house for childminding, the bathroom is on the first floor and a back bedroom is used for play by older children. There is an enclosed rear garden. The family has 4 dogs. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time when minding alone and 8 when childminding with an assistant. She is currently caring for 4 children under 5 years and 9 children under 8 years. Children are cared for on a full-time and a part-time basis, some older children are cared for term time

p.2

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 only and some during holidays only. Children over 8 years also attend. The childminder walks to a local school to take and collect children and attends a parent and toddler group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's good health is appropriately protected because they are aware of good practice with regard to hand washing and because the childminder's cleaning routines are thorough. Risk of infection passed on by others is minimised because children benefit from a verbal policy that the childminder shares with parents, informing them of illnesses that will mean their child should not attend, and that they will be contacted and will be expected to collect their child if he or she becomes ill. Children's best interests are served in case of accident because the childminder holds an in-date first aid certificate having attended training in 2004. Children's individual dietary needs are known by the childminder even though parents provide meals. The childminder is aware that best practice to avoid stomach upset would be to store protein and perishable food in the fridge, but she does not

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

have enough room to do so. She has not asked parents to take responsibility for ensuring that food is kept cool. The childminder provides biscuits and fruit for snacks. Children's emotional well-being is assured as the childminder arranges a gradual settling-in period enabling the children to feel secure and settled. They are developing physical skills and confidence with play equipment in the childminder's garden and during trips to the park.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play, eat and sleep in satisfactorily safe and healthy premises. The main playroom is a ground floor room at the front of the house and a back room is used for quiet activities. A back bedroom is also registered but other bedrooms have not been made inaccessible. Children are safe because their toys, equipment and furniture are safe, clean and in a good condition. Storage is well organised on low-level shelving so that children are able to select their own resources. Risks to children are minimised because they play in a satisfactorily safe environment and learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, road safety when out walking. The childminder is alert to her responsibilities with regard to supervision at all times and children’s risk of injury in the home is minimised because she has identified and appropriately addressed potential hazards. For example, sockets are covered,

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

kitchen knives and hazardous substances are inaccessible, low-level glass is safe and the house and garden are secure. Children have some awareness of the fire drill as the childminder has discussed it with them, however, it has not been practised.

p.3

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 Children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded because the childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and is aware of local referral procedures.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for as individuals with different needs and the childminder ensures that an adequate variety of activities and resources are available for all. Routines are consistent and include activities inside and outside the home. Children are learning and developing as a result of appropriate experiences. Children are developing physical skills at the park, they enjoy local walks and parent and toddler group sessions on a Tuesday afternoon. Children are able to enjoy activities because the childminder ensures that resources are appropriate for different stages of development. Young children develop manipulative skills with regular use of threading, posting and building toys, play dough, scissors, pencils and crayons. They count and learn numerals, colours and shapes. The childminder encourages language development and children express themselves confidently. Activities inside the home include imaginative and domestic

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

play and use of books. Older children enjoy art and craft activities and have access to construction and small world toys, puzzles, games and board games. Relationships are good. Children are happy, sociable and confident. Independence is developing as they have easy access and can choose resources from well organised shelving, they are encouraged to tidy away and then choose something else to play with.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s different needs are met appropriately by the childminder. Admission forms are thorough and consistency of care between home and childminder is assured with a daily share of information. Parents always visit before care of their child begins and the childminder learns as much as possible about the child. Parents are expected to gradually settle their child in. The childminder's experience of caring for children with special needs is limited but she is happy to provide a service if asked and would find out as much as possible about the child from the parent. All children are encouraged to feel good about themselves and enjoy activities. The childminder provides a book about how children live in different countries but opportunities for them to learn to appreciate and value each others’ similarities and differences are limited. They are able to choose books and toys that reflect positive images of culture, disability and gender.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are aware of rules regarding behaviour and learn to share and take turns. They benefit from the childminder's consistent methods of behaviour management

p.4

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 which include praise in recognition of good behaviour, talking to children and explaining why behaviour was inappropriate, distraction and moving children away from each other or the situation if necessary.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and made welcome in the childminder’s home. Thorough admission information and verbal communication with parents ensures that children's needs are known and appropriately met. Children's developmental needs are satisfactorily addressed with consistent routines, the choice of toys and a balanced range of activities. Storage is well organised. Documentation and records are kept up to date and are generally well organised. Permission to administer medication is included in parent contracts but is not obtained each time medication is provided, and so the detail on time and how much to administer is given verbally but not in writing by parents. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that children are listened to and have opportunities to talk about what they are doing and to feel valued. She was asked to provide activities and resources, play opportunities and first-hand experiences which allow children to build on their natural curiosity as learners, develop their mathematical thinking and use their imagination. Evidence gathered during this inspection identifies that these recommendations are being satisfactorily addressed. The childminder was asked to ensure that children have opportunities to access a range of resources which reflect positive images of gender, ethnicity, disability and culture. Children now have access to books, dolls and small world resources that address diversity. She was asked to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. This has been satisfactorily

p.5

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 complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

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 On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.6

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): • develop ways in which children learn to appreciate and value each others’ similarities and differences • ensure that permission and detail from parents is obtained for medication • make the bedrooms that are not registered, inaccessible to children • practise the fire drill.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6