Home Childcarer in Coventry

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY296520 Inspection date 06 May 2005 Inspector Jan Burnet

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives in the Binley area of Coventry, to the east of the city centre, with her two-year-old son. A lounge/dining room is used for childminding, access to the back garden is through the kitchen and the bathroom is on the first floor. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child aged under five years. She attends local parent and toddler groups. She does not have any pets.

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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 Childminder Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning about the importance of hand washing before eating and after using the toilet. Hygiene is addressed well by the childminder in the kitchen and the bathroom and whilst nappy changing. Children benefit from a healthy diet and the childminder’s food hygiene practices. Individual dietary needs are catered for and three meals daily are available if requested by parents. The most substantial meal is lunch which consists of vegetables, meat or fish and potatoes or pasta. Fruit is available during the day and children are encouraged to drink milk. Children enjoy physical play activities at the local parent and toddler group, in the park and they also play in the small back garden. Parents are aware that their child should not attend if he/she has a contagious illness and that they will be contacted if the child becomes ill. The childminder has been offered a place on a first aid course in June 2005. A first aid box is easily accessible

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and eat in the childminder’s lounge/dining room. A secure back garden is used for outside play and the bathroom is on the first floor. Children’s risk of injury in the home is minimal as the childminder has identified and properly addressed potential hazards in the play room, hall and stairs, kitchen, bathroom and garden. Children play with toys that are safe and clean and in a good condition. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities with regard to child protection and referral procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder began caring for children very recently. Her own child is aged two years and the minded child is aged eighteen months. Children of family and friends are also occasionally cared for. The children enjoy a good variety of activities available at a local parent and toddler group including messy and creative play, imaginative play, physical play and books. The childminder is building up a collection of resources at home to meet the

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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 developmental needs of the children in her care but choice is currently limited. This is addressed in part by borrowing from the local toy library. The minded child is settled and happy and confidently selects from toys available in the play room. The interaction between the childminder and the child is good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s individual needs are fully known and met by the childminder. The minded child and other children occasionally cared for are from different cultural backgrounds and the childminder is able to speak to them in Swahili, French, English and Linguala – spoken in Congo. Often only the minded child and the childminder’s own son are present and so the ratio is good but children also benefit from socialising with other children of different ages. Children are able to choose some resources that reflect positive images because the childminder borrows these and other resources from the local toy library. The resources available meet the developmental needs of the minded child but are still being developed. Children play happily and co-operatively and are sociable and secure. They respond very positively to the childminder who ensures that behaviour is managed with the use of praise, explanation and distraction. Children are well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures that written information from parents is thorough so that she is aware of the child as an individual and the child has settled very well. The childminder offers a flexible service, thus ensuring that the parent’s as well as the child’s needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and made welcome in the childminder’s home. Daily routines are consistent and activities inside the home and at groups are varied. Parents are well informed and admission information is thorough. Although registered to care for five children, the childminder is currently offering a service to only one child and so the ratio is good. Within her registered number she cares for other children to help out family and friends but is still able to offer a flexible service for the minded child to fit in with the parent's shift patterns. She began caring for the child very recently and has completed all required documentation with the parents. The child's individual needs, likes and dislikes are known and addressed by the childminder. Documentation is kept in good order. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the child who attends.

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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

Not applicable as this was the first inspection.

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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): • re-stock the first aid box, check contents frequently and replace as necessary • develop the range of toys and activities, in order to meet the developmental needs of minded children

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The quality and standards of the care

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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