Childcare on Domestic Premises, Full day care in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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201186 Unique Reference Number 27 June 2006 Inspection date Shirley Delaney 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 1976. She lives with her husband and mother-in-law in Water Orton, close to local parks, shops and schools. The whole of the childminder’s 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 childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She works alongside two other registered childminders and together they can care for up to twelve children at any one time. When working by herself, she is registered to provide care for up to six children. She holds a level 3 qualification, is a member of the children come first childminding network and is the Vice Chair of the County Childminding Association.

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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 balanced meals; they routinely have fruit and vegetables in their daily diet. Children have snacks such as cucumber and enjoy wholesome and nutritious home cooked meals made with fresh produce, such as shepherd’s and cheese and potato pie which are firm favourites with the children. A vast array of fresh fruit is made readily accessible to the children in a large basket and children have a routine ‘fruit time’ during the day, at which time a wide selection of fruit is chopped up for children to try. Drinks are made readily accessible to children in cups and bottles that children recognise as their own. Children’s individual dietary needs are met well as the childminder makes sure she works closely with parents when gathering information about children’s dietary needs and parents' wishes, provision is made to cater for particular requirements, for example, vegetarian diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children largely develop good personal habits; for example, older children are in a routine of washing their hands and face after lunch and young children are aware of the sleep and nappy changing routines. However children’s health is not thoroughly promoted as they are not always reminded to wash their hands after coming into contact with contaminants in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular physical exercise which contributes to their good health. Through routine access to a good range of outdoor equipment in the garden and regular trips to the park they develop an awareness of their body and what they can do, developing skills and dexterity whilst they play with equipment for balancing and swinging, wheeled toys for pushing, pulling and peddling. Children enjoy playing in the garden in the large sand pit under the supervision of the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to move around the ground floor of the property safely, as the childminder effectively identifies and minimises most risks for children through the use of safety precautions such as; cupboard locks and stair gates; and checking areas of the house before children arrive. However first floor windows present some risks to children who have access to bedrooms for sleep.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about staying safe, as the childminder discusses road safety and stranger danger with the children when they are on walks to and from school or outings to the park. Children develop a good awareness of fire safety as the childminder practises fire drills to help children learn how to get out of the house safely in an emergency and further develops their interest by involving them in a fire safety visit conducted by fire fighters, when children were able to sit on the fire engine and have a choice of looking at photographs of the event and completing follow up activities to enhance their understanding of fire safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to make choices from a broad range of toys and resources stored at their level, developing children’s independence. Children can make safe selections from accessible

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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 toys as good care is taken that resources are suitable for children’s age/ability and meet safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s protection from harm is promoted positively, as the childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibility for protecting children. She has experience of working alongside other professionals, with regard to child protection issues. The childminder has completed a child protection course and shares her written child protection procedures with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from a well organised routine, which offers them a wealth of experiences; and provides them with challenges to enhance their development in all areas. They have good opportunities to take part in a wide variety of play activities in the home, supported by an extensive range of resources. Children also take part in good range of activities outside the home, which enables them opportunities to develop an awareness of the wider environment and develop their social skills. Children are aware of the range of opportunities available to them and make suggestions for activities which the childminder facilitates.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are comfortable, settled, relaxed and busily involved in play and learning experiences. The range of play opportunities available enables children to explore and develop their curiosity and imagination. Children are keen to play with the available resources and eager to take part in activities. They are well supported by the childminder who provides them with a range of choices and offers them encouragement to take part in activities and try new experiences. Children develop creativity and imagination and this is positively promoted as they have access to a vast array of materials with which to design and create; and their achievements are valued and displayed on the wall by the childminder. Older children have an interest in dance and put on shows for the other children and childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence in communication skills as the childminder spends her time playing, listening, reading and talking to children, extending their language skills. Children’s developmental needs are met with flexible arrangement for activities organised with the children’s needs and interests in mind; flexibility allow children to make choices and follow their own lines of enquiry and develop and extend their interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are valued as individuals. They thrive in an environment where their differing needs are recognised and met. Children’s routines, needs and family customs are discussed with parents and daily routines accommodate their individual requirements. Children have access to a wide variety of resources which promote positive views of other cultures and disability, increasing children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. The childminder’s positive attitude to differences and discussions with children about valuing others is evident in the children’s spontaneous art work, for example older children have created pictures which

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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 are on display of ‘people around the world’ depicting people of different races and ‘people of different shapes and sizes’ with the message to value all people. Children also develop an interest in nature through discussions with the childminder and daily routines such as helping to feed wild birds by placing food on the bird bath. The childminder is registered as a community childminder and has a positive approach to caring for children with special needs to ensure that their needs are met alongside other children through shared experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a secure environment where parents are kept comprehensively informed. Parents are provided with information about their child’s care, play and learning experiences on a daily basis and the childminder shares written information with parents about her practices, policies and procedures. The childminder build strong relationships with parents, parents are supportive of the childminder and provide her with all the required information she needs, they work closely in partnership to ensure continuity in the children’s care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved, they are confident and secure and learn to share and show consideration for others. Positive behaviour is encouraged by the childminder who encourages the children to be kind and generous in their interaction with others. The childminder has a positive approach to behaviour management; she leads by example, providing the children with a positive role model. The childminder focuses on children’s good behaviour, praising and thanking the children when they display kind and considerate behaviour, building their self-esteem. Children’s self-esteem if further promoted by the display of their creative work around the home and the childminder acting on their suggestion for activities they wish to have made available.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend. The childminder maintains clear and largely accurate records and has written policies and procedures in place which underpin the service she provides. However, records of adults in attendance caring for children are not always in place. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to professional development and keeps her knowledge up to date, which she uses to promote children’s safety, welfare, care and learning.

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Organisation

Children are secure in a homely atmosphere where they call the childminder ‘Aunty’. They have a familiar routine and receive good adult support. The home environment has been organised to allow children freedom to explore and take part in a range of play experiences. Children are relaxed in a welcoming, child centred environment which is promoted through accessible toys, bright and colourful displays and photographs.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to, ensure that parents give written permission for taking children on outings and ensure that children’s records of attendance include hours of attendance. The childminder has obtained parents' written consent for children to take part in outings and children’s times of attendance are now detailed in the attendance record, further promoting children’s welfare.

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Improvements 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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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. There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004.

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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): • further promote children’s health by improving procedures for maintaining good hygiene standards when making use of the garden • vigorously promote children’s safety by ensuring that upstairs windows do not pose risks for children • improve records of attendance by recording adults caring for children.

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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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