Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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268427 Unique Reference Number 19 July 2006 Inspection date Christine Holmes Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 2000. She lives with her husband and four children aged 16, 14, 10 and 2 near Tamworth, Staffordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminders house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The child minder is registered to care for five children at any one time. Currently she is minding one child full time and four children before and after school. The childminder also cares for children over eight years. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children.

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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 benefit from being cared for in a clean and ordered environment. Their well-being is actively supported through the implementation of good health and hygiene procedures. Procedures such as, children using individual towels, cups and plates, and using liquid soap, helps to reduce the risk of cross contamination. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene. They are taught to use and dispose of tissues and wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. In warm weather children play in the shade outdoors, put their sun hats on and sun cream is applied. This further safeguards their good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary requirements are met well as the childminder works in partnership with parents. Children are developing their understanding of healthy eating. They take part in topics looking at foods that are healthy and important to sustain good health. They continue to develop this understanding on a daily basis as they are encouraged to drink fresh drinking water from the water dispenser and choose from healthy snacks such as fruit and vegetables at snack time.

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Helping children to be healthy

Good emphasis is placed on children enjoying fresh air and exercise. They benefit from walking to and from school on a daily basis. They are able to play in a large garden with a good range of equipment such as a swing; slide; swing ball and ball pool. These types of activities help children develop a healthy lifestyle.

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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 very secure safe environment where potential risks are identified and minimised. This means that children's risk of accidental injury is minimised and they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Children's awareness of safety is promoted through their everyday activities within the home and while on outings. The childminder reminds the children the importance of staying safe and the precautions they can take to protect themselves. For example, all children are taught road safety. Younger children know how to negotiate the step down from the patio safely. Older children know what they must do in the event of an emergency evacuation, although children have not yet practiced this. This helps children to develop an awareness of how to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from having good access to a wide range of toys which are age-appropriate and of good quality. This enables children to choose the direction of their play and helps to develop their independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is secure in her understanding of child protection and as a result children's welfare is safeguarded.

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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 settle very quickly with the childminder and benefit from the high levels of attention she gives them. This enables children to develop a sense of well being and trust which results in them being happy and contented with the childminder. Children are able to explore a wide range of activities that are interesting and stimulating. Very young children become engrossed in imaginative play. In the play kitchen they set out plates and cook food. The childminder is always on hand to help to get dolls clothes off so that children can give them an iron. They show surprise and interest in the patterns on the childminder makes with the play torch and show good levels of perseverance to make the patterns themselves. This helps to promote children's independence and allows children to follow their own interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Good emphasis is given to listening, talking and singing. Children enjoy looking at books learn to name colours, are introduced to concepts such as big and small and take part in a wide range of craft activities. These types of activities contribute to children making progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Letters from older children not present describe how they enjoy spending time with the childminder. Children describe her as kind, helpful and friendly. They say they particularly like all the interesting things they get to do with her.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued, respected as individuals and treated with equal concern. The childminder takes care to include all children and shares her time appropriately between them. Children are developing good self-esteem because the childminder values and rewards their individual efforts through consistent verbal praise and encouragement. Children are learning to behave appropriately. There are clear expectations and rules contributing to children feeling secure knowing what they can and cannot do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities to increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of other. For example the childminder uses sign language with the children. This helps them to recognise and learn different ways of communicating. Currently there are no children with learning difficulties or disabilities but the childminder has past experience and has worked with parents to meet each child's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes positive relationships with parents and works in partnership with them to meet the individual needs of all children very well. Parents are made welcome in the setting. Information is displayed and shared daily, to ensure that they are aware of the provision and the activities that their child participate in. Written statements from parents demonstrate they are very confident in leaving their children in the childminders care. They feel she is committed and genuinely cares for the children. They feel their children are very happy in her care and benefit from the wide range of activities she plans and provides.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's needs are met effectively through the good use of space and resources. Their care is enhanced by efficient and effective organisation. The childminder has a routine and prepares for each session with relevant age appropriate resources. Free play, messy time, play and learn and outdoor play are included to ensure children have a good balance of educational and developmental experiences. Children are able to access resources and toys to initiate their own play and learning because the childminder has organised all toys and resources in children's reach.

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Organisation

All policies, records and procedures, in place, are used well in practice. This promotes the welfare, care and learning of all children, according to the wishes of their parents. The childminder provides a number of written policies and procedures which ensure parents are well informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to the continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

The childminder continues to attend training to ensure she is aware of current childcare practice and regulation requirements. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved her documentation which further safeguards the health of children. Emergency medical consent is now completed for all children. This ensures children receive appropriate care in the event of illness or injury. She has also further ensured children's safety through keeping visitors details and covering the heater which was in children's reach.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Complaints 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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • practice the emergency escape plan.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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