Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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201446 Unique Reference Number 27 July 2006 Inspection date Anne Felicity Taylor 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 1989. She lives with her husband and adult son in Hampton Magna, near the town of Warwick. The whole of the ground floor area is used for childminding and the front bedroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available 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 and is currently minding four children under five years, all on a part-time basis and two children under eight years for out of school care. The childminder also offers a service to children aged eight years and over. 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 has regular contact with other childminders in the area.

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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. The childminder is an effective role model as she encourages children's personal hygiene routines. They develop good habits as they wash their hands after playing in the garden and before snack, using liquid soap and individual towels. Younger children stay clean and healthy as clear and effective nappy changing routines are in place, for example, individual creams and wipes. Potty training is completed successfully with the full cooperation with parents. Children learn about healthy living and eating, for example, choosing fruit for snack, and through general conversation and routine activities. Health and safety policies and procedures are discussed with parents and therefore parents are well informed about any events during the day, for example, accident recording. Consent for the administration of medication is in place and medication is stored safely. A fully-stocked first aid box is available and the childminder has

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Helping children to be healthy

current first aid training therefore children are cared for appropriately should they have an accident or become ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a varied diet because the childminder provides drinks and snacks and a cooked lunch and tea. Parents are consulted regarding dietary needs and children's preferences and therefore individual needs are met. Children are offered healthy options including pasta, fish fingers, casserole or picnic lunch with salad. Bottle feeds and weaning food provided by parents are stored in the refrigerator; temperatures are monitored to ensure food safety. Babies follow their individual home routine as far as possible for bottle feeds, drinks and meals, offering continuity of care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and well-being is encouraged as they enjoy varied opportunities for physical play, both indoors and outdoors. They enjoy sand and water play and are challenged effectively as they play ball games. Children get plenty of fresh air as they walk to and from school and invariably spend some time in the local park on the way home. Younger children are supported and are offered plenty of free play space as they become mobile, standing and crawling. Older children are offered activities to help them develop increasing finger and hand control, for example, puzzles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies sleep safely and are checked regularly by the childminder. Their individual needs are met well as they sleep in their pushchairs or in a quiet bedroom upstairs. Older children can have a nap on the settee if they require a rest.

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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 safe and comfortable home. Security measures are good including a locked front door and a secure back garden. The childminder's home is well-maintained and she creates an environment where children and parents feel welcome and children settle down quickly. A daily visual risk assessment is carried out by the childminder when she takes into account the age and development of children attending. Children are actively encouraged to make independent choices with easy access to a wide range of appropriate equipment, much

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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 of it at child height in the play room. Equipment is in place reflecting positive images of wider society. Good procedures are in place for checking and cleaning all equipment and toys regularly ensuring it is all suitable and safe for the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe and monitored effectively as the childminder is vigilant and supervises the children herself at all times. They can easily access all the ground floor, except the kitchen, and develop independence as they use the cloakroom. As the childminder discusses road safety when they are out walking children begin to understand about keeping themselves safe. Fire evacuation plans are in place and are discussed with older children and practised regularly, ensuring the children are familiar with emergency procedures. Fire safety equipment is in place and well-maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from abuse or neglect. The childminder has a professional understanding of her duty to report any concerns. She has not undertaken any recent training in child protection and needs to update her knowledge and understanding. Child protection issues are discussed with parents when initial visits take place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The flexible routine in place enables the childminder to respond to the children's needs well, for example, trips out for older children in the school holidays. They also benefit as they receive individual attention and complete more intricate play as babies sleep, for example, playing with Action Man. The strong open relationships with parents and the regular exchange of information enables the childminder to organise the daily activities around the children's needs, for example, eating and sleeping for babies. Children are confident and secure in the friendly environment, displaying great warmth and affection towards the childminder. They chat as the childminder supports and encourages play, talking about the drawings they are completing. Children decide if they will take their work home or display it in the play room, effectively boosting their self-esteem. Children demonstrate and increase their skills as they create complex models from

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

stickle bricks. Parents are given regular feedback about their child's day, including activities and achievements, for example, completing shape pictures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children are very well supported as they develop their independence feeding themselves and selecting their own play. They are offered valuable opportunities to socialise and to make positive relationships with other adults and children as they attend local toddler groups and meet up with other childminders. Their understanding of the world around them is increased and their social skills developed as they have lunch at the café.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children enjoy the outside playhouse; they cooperate well and have fun. Older children are praised and encouraged as they help younger children with more difficult projects, for example, hunting for wheels to make a car. Children learn effectively as the childminder explains and demonstrates the use of the fan to keep them cool, and explains the noise that it makes. All the children benefit from trips to local attractions including Hatton Country World.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals and all their needs are met well. They develop positive attitudes to others, gaining an understanding of the wider community as they see positive images reflected in toys, books and equipment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop a strong sense of belonging as there is a constant exchange of information between the childminder and the parents regarding their child's general welfare, for example, eating and sleeping routines. The childminder has previous experience of caring for children with special needs and is confident to judge how well individual children's needs can be met within existing routines. All children are included in activities and have free access to the wide variety of toys. Older children develop an awareness of the needs of others and are encouraged to share and to be considerate and helpful. The consistent boundaries which the childminder has in place ensures that the children begin to understand right from wrong. They are comfortable with the age appropriate methods the childminder uses to manage behaviour, for example, distraction and explanation. Children respond positively to the praise offered and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. Children benefit from the strong, open relationships between parents and the childminder, effectively supporting the involvement of parents in all aspects of their child's care and learning. Parents appreciate the daily exchange of information through the daily diaries for younger children and regular chats for older children. Parents are welcomed into the childminder's home to look at children's work, for example, models they have completed. Parents have the opportunity to discuss all the policies and procedures which support the childminder's practice, increasing their confidence in the care offered.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures that she and all the adult members of her household have all the required checks in place and that she complies with all her conditions of registration.

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Organisation

The childminder is very experienced and organises her home and childminding service to ensure children feel happy and secure in her care. Her experience and knowledge enable her to provide a wide variety of interesting activities. She encourages children to develop well and have lots of fun and they thrive in her affectionate care.

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Organisation

The welfare and safety of the children is the highest priority for the childminder and correct ratios are always maintained. Accurate registers are kept. She supervises the children herself at all times. The children have plenty of play space indoors and outdoors, with easy access to equipment.

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Organisation

Effective procedures and policies support the childminder in working very successfully in partnership with parents. There is a parent's notice board and the registration certificate and public liability insurance are displayed. Children benefit as their families are welcomed into the childminder's home and are fully involved in their care. Overall children's needs are met.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure written permission is in place for taking children in the car, to ensure detailed records are in place for the administration of medication and that times of attendance are recorded on the register. She was also asked to ensure the premises are secure, to ensure fire safety equipment is appropriate and correctly sited and to increase the resources available to children to reflect positive images of gender and disability.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Good progress has been made in all these areas. The procedure to administer and record medication is comprehensive, ensuring children's needs are met and parents are fully informed. Written permission for car journeys is in place for all the children and times are recorded on the daily register, ensuring accurate records are kept. Fire safety equipment meets the standard required and is sited and fixed in the kitchen where it can be easily accessed in an emergency. Children are kept safe as the childminder's home is secure, with a mortise lock on the front door and a safely enclosed back garden. The childminder has a positive attitude towards providing children with a balanced view of society and accesses any available equipment to reflect positive images of gender and disability.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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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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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): • Update knowledge and understanding of child protection issues.

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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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