Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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201157 Unique Reference Number 25 September 2006 Inspection date Lynn Morris 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 1993. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Rugby, Warwickshire. The ground floor and first floor bathroom of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time when working alone and seven children when working with an assistant and is currently caring for four under fives on different days and six school aged children. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends several toddler groups. The family has no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds an early years qualification.

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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 a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. They enjoy frequent outdoor activities, for example they visit local playing fields and parks, where they play football, cricket and other games, often with other children cared for by local childminders. They go out for nature walks and collect items to make models and pictures. They use local soft play facilities to improve their physical skills and they access a good range of physical equipment in the childminder's garden. Older children show creativity by making obstacle courses using their own ideas.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn about hygiene routines and personal care. They are increasingly aware of keeping their bodies healthy and by following good visual clues in the bathroom they know that they need to wash and dry their hands and flush the toilet. They are becoming skilled in attending to their own personal care. Their health is addressed because the childminder has a current first aid certificate and clear recording procedures for accidents and giving medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about healthy eating. They bring their own food to the childminders, which is dated and appropriately stored to reduce the risks of contamination. They choose from a good range of sugar free drinks, milk and water and can access a drink at all times. Healthy snacks including fruit, raisins and breadsticks are available daily. Children's dietary needs are discussed with parents and the childminder takes account of their wishes. Particular attention is given to ensuring that children do not have foods containing E numbers and parents are given advice about healthy packed lunches.

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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 home where their needs are given priority. Risks to children have been identified and minimised and thorough daily checks ensure that children move around the home safely and freely. However, large glass doors in the lounge have no visual clues for children to see when closed. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe. They have borrowed a road safety kit and used the zebra crossing, beacons and cones to learn how to cross a road safely. They practise and reinforce their learning when out and about with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children choose from toys of good quality and the childminder provides a good range of safety equipment. Children regularly practise emergency evacuations from the premises and they know what the whistle means when it is blown to signal an emergency. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has all required documentation and additional written policies and procedures, for example risk assessments, which help to keep children safe. Documentation to take children out in the car is up to date and ensures children are transported safely.

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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 Children are protected from risk of harm by the childminder's secure knowledge of procedures to safeguard children and she attends training to keep up to date with any current developments.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well in the childminder’s home. They are encouraged to make good relationships with each other and they have very good relationships with the childminder. They socialise frequently with other children when they attend regular organised activities and groups outside of the home. They try new activities there, such as movement, songs and stories at the Giggle and Wiggle group and they develop their physical skills through climbing, playing ball games and being able to run around freely when they visit the park and playing fields.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become independent as they choose from a good range of toys. They choose where to play and select toys and materials, for example magnetic books, developing their fine motor skills. They use a range of toys in a learning environment, for example they borrow equipment which develops their knowledge and understanding of a visit to the dentist or learning how to cross a road. Number concepts and colours are skilfully introduced into their play and their language is developing well. They learn new words during play and they can talk confidently about things that they know. Children play creatively. They make pictures from things they have collected and follow themes planned by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children choose from a good range of resources, which include toys and books to develop positive understanding of different cultures and people with disabilities. For example, children join in festival celebrations and listen to stories about the celebration during story sessions at the library. They can see pictures of nursery rhymes displayed in the room where they play, some of which are in different languages. They play with dolls, figures and books representative of different cultures and abilities and as a result they learn to appreciate and value each others’ similarities and differences. Children with special needs are welcomed and activities for other children help to develop understanding ensuring that all children feel included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to play together and how to respect each others feelings. They learn to share well and are encouraged to be kind to each other and can talk about their feelings. They respond to the childminder's kindness and spontaneous cuddles. They are told when they are being good and unacceptable behaviour is clearly explained to them. They know the 'house rules' and are encouraged to behave well. The childminder is consistent in her management, a good role model and takes account of different levels of children's development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's information is sought and exchanged with parents through daily communication diaries, which ensure that good care is given in consultation with parents. They receive written information about the setting and they receive copies of written policies and procedures, for example emergency evacuation procedures are displayed in the hall. Parents show their

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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 satisfaction with the service provided through numerous letters and thank you cards given to the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at ease in a well-organised homely environment. They benefit from the childminder's good organisational skills, which promote a learning environment. They use the conservatory and other rooms and garden in the home to enjoy a wide variety of activities. They are confident and comfortable in the childminder's care and they invent and extend their own games and play. Regular visits outside of the home contributes to children's social and physical skills.

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Organisation

A very good range of written policies and procedures are used to keep children safe and healthy and ensure that parents understand the aims and objectives of the setting. Communication with parents is good. They have daily opportunities for discussion and consultation about their child's development and well-being. Regular attendance at training courses to improve skills and knowledge has good impact on the care of the children and overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to draw up and practise a fire evacuation procedure. Children regularly practise emergency evacuations from the premises and can see the written emergency procedure displayed on the wall.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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.

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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): • ensure large glass doors are safe and visible when closed.

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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 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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