Childminder in Coventry

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY310082 Inspection date 05 July 2006 Inspector Angela Dyer

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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 has been registered since 2005. She lives with her two children aged nine and six years in Eastern Green, Coventry. The house is within walking distance of shops, parks and schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and children have access to the upstairs bathroom. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding two children who attend on a part-time basis. The family have a cat.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are beginning to learn about the importance of simple health and hygiene practices through daily routines and gentle reminders from the childminder. Appropriate procedures are in place to minimise the possible spread of infection, including the childminder wearing disposable gloves for nappy changing. The childminder has a reasonable understanding of the records she is required to keep to ensure parents are informed of their child's health and well-being. However, parents have not given written consent for her to request emergency medical treatment for their child and the childminder does not have a current first aid certificate, therefore children's health and safety may be compromised in the event of an accident. Children's individual dietary needs are met as the childminder discusses them with parents. She provides nutritional meals and snacks and children know that they can

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Helping children to be healthy

help themselves to fruit from the bowl throughout the day. The childminder ensures that children are offered regular drinks throughout their time in her care, however, drinks are not accessible for children to help themselves to if they become thirsty. Although the childminder does not use her garden, children have regular opportunities to visit the local park where they are able to enjoy physical activities, which contributes to their good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder has a suitable understanding of health and safety. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe because the childminder discusses some safe practices with them, including road safety when on outings and the evacuation procedure. Children also have opportunities to practise the fire drill to enhance their knowledge of what to do in an emergency. Children are protected from most hazards within the home because the childminder has installed safety equipment, including a fitted fire guard and stair gates. However, there is currently only one smoke alarm in the home which is not fitted appropriately to promote the early identification of fire and smoke risks to children. The childminder checks toys on a daily basis to ensure they are safe and suitable and disposes of any

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

damaged toys that pose a risk to children. The childminder ensures that she uses relevant car seats and belts when transporting children in her car. However, parents have not given written permission for their children to be transported in a vehicle. Children are suitably protected by the childminder who has a basic understanding of

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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 child protection procedures and is aware of her role and responsibility to protect the children in her care. The childminder discusses child protection procedures with parents so that they are aware of the actions she will take if she has concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, settled and enjoy their time with the childminder. Children form positive relationships with her due to the close attention they receive. Throughout activities and routines, the childminder interacts with the children playing, listening and talking to them. The childminder encourages children to select toys and resources independently and to tidy up when they have finished. Children's confidence and self-esteem are enhanced due to the childminder's use of praise and encouragement. Planning is very flexible as the childminder responds daily to the children’s moods and individual requests for their favourite activities. Children have opportunities to take part in a satisfactory range of activities, including jigsaws and role play. Older children also engage in creative activities including hat making, modelling and sticking. However, younger children have limited opportunities to engage in creative

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and sensory activities and therefore do not benefit from play experiences including painting, play dough and water play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are beginning to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through activities, including making crafts linked to different festivals. Children also have access to a satisfactory range of equipment that reflect positive images of culture, race and disability. The childminder has a basic understanding of how to include and appropriately care for children with special needs. The childminder has a suitable range of strategies in place to deal with behaviour, including distraction, praise and encouragement. Children receive gentle reminders of the 'house rules' and are praised when they respond positively to the childminder. Children benefit from the positive relationship that exists between the childminder and parents. Children's needs are established through discussion with parents and are met as the childminder follows their daily routines. Parents are kept informed

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Helping children make a positive contribution

about the childminder's practices and the progress their children are making, through daily verbal feedback. However, they do not have access to a complaints log to inform them of previous complaints.

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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 Most required documentation, which contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being, is in place. Children's records are suitably organised and confidentiality is maintained, while ensuring that parents are well informed. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. Overall, the range of children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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.

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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): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children and obtain written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice • provide smoke alarms, which conform to BS EN safety standards, at every level of the house and obtain consent from parents for children to be transported in a vehicle • continue to develop the range of activities for younger children, for example, by using the 'Birth to three matters' framework • maintain a record of all complaints made by parents, which they can see on request • ensure that children have access to drinking water at all times.

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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 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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