Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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201256 Unique Reference Number 03 January 2007 Inspection date Jayne Clarke 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 1995. She lives with her husband and two children aged over 16 years in Atherstone, Warwickshire. The whole of the ground floor 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 registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five and three children over five years. Children attend before and after school, at variable times throughout the week and during school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group. She takes children to the local library and park.

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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 develop understanding and awareness of good health and hygiene routines. They use liquid soap to learn how to wash their hands before meals and after going to the toilet. Children use individual items for personal hygiene and hand towels are changed daily. Good arrangements are in place for the exclusion pf children who are ill. This encourages children to keep themselves clean and prevents the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered regular drinks throughout the day and know that they can help themselves to water at any time. They have meals at routine times which are healthy and nutritious. Sweet and savoury snacks and drinks are kept to a minimum so that children develop good awareness of a healthy lifestyle. Children's individual needs are respected with regard to dietary requirements and personal preferences.

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Helping children to be healthy

Effective use of the outside area promotes children's physical development. Children enjoy a variety of active games indoors and outside. They regularly walk to and from the school bus and visit the local park. Children have opportunities for rest and sleep to meet individual routines throughout the day and at quiet times so that they can relax according to their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe because the premises are secure. Rooms are effectively checked through daily risk assessments so that children play safely in a warm and welcoming environment. All reasonable steps are taken to ensure that children have safe access to a full range of interesting and stimulating activities indoors and outside which promote their development. Children benefit from a good range of resources which are safe and suitable for their age and stage of development. All equipment is checked as it is used and good attention is given to make sure that children play with good quality toys that remain in suitable condition. Appropriate furniture and equipment is in place to keep children safe inside and outside the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder provides good encouragement and support to help children learn about safety procedures. Children confidently explain rules and procedures which teach them how to cross the road safely such as 'press the button, hold hands, look and listen, and ask an adult to help them'. They practice how to leave the building in an emergency and know where they have to meet outside. Children are well supervised within sight and sound of the childminder at all times. Sleeping babies are frequently checked. Good arrangements are in place for the safe arrival and collection of children and transporting them safely in a vehicle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety and well-being is mostly safeguarded because the childminder has good knowledge of procedures to protect children from harm. She recognises the indicators of abuse and knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child, or if there were any allegations of abuse whilst children were in the care of the provider. She has attended child protection

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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 training in the past and knows that she needs to develop her knowledge of current safeguarding children guidelines to ensure that the welfare of children is fully safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of child development. She is familiar with the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses it to provide a range of stimulating activities and ideas to help babies and young children make good progress in their development and learning. She provides a variety of action toys to help children find out how things work and a good range of imaginative play equipment for younger and older children. Children's comforters and familiar routines are recognised as important to enable children to settle and separate happily from parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are involved in active games indoors and outside. They play games with the train set and delight in the noises and sounds made on the track. They use dolls, small world toys and role play equipment in their imaginative play. Children delight in singing 'Happy Birthday to all of us' and talk humorously about the 'delicious cake' which they have made out of play dough. Children have regular opportunities to use a variety of materials and tools in their creative play including rolling pins. scissors and cutters to make play dough sausages, snakes and people models. They cut out Christmas cards and use glitter glue, spatulas and paintbrushes to create exciting and interesting pictures and posters. They make seasonal decorations with pom-pom figures which they proudly show and display. Children take part in a variety of role play games together indoors and outside. Children learn new skills which promote language

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and mathematical learning through counting and board games. They talk to each other about special events such as birthdays and recall the days of the week.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to make decisions about what they want to do and play with. They know what is available and make independent choices out of the toy cupboard in their play room. Toys and equipment are changed regularly to meet children's interests and personal preferences. Younger children move freely between play areas and are actively encouraged to be part of group activities with others. Children make their own suggestions for future activities and know what is available if they want to play with resources of particular interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop a sense of pride in their achievements. Their art work is seen as important and is proudly displayed on the wall or taken home as preferred. Children are happy and settled and are familiar with consistent routines. They know each other well, play happily together and are considerate towards each other. Children learn to socialise with others during a variety of family and pre-school visits. Older children learn to help with the routines of younger ones. Children of different ages enjoy each other's company and are happy to share toys and equipment. This helps children to develop positive relationships and contributes to their self-esteem. Children have strong and trusting relationships with the childminder. She takes time to create a happy, family atmosphere and is interested in what each child likes to do. She provides stimulating activities and resources to develop their interest and learning.

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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 begin to learn about the wider world. They play with toys which show positive images of people with disabilities. They talk about people who are different from themselves. This helps children respect people's differences and similarities. They take part in activities to celebrate some cultural festivals such as Chinese New Year, although there are few activities, resources and projects within the home to develop and extend children's knowledge and understanding of a range of cultures and beliefs. Children's individual needs are met well. The childminder takes time to find out from parents about children's care and sleep routines, favourite games, toys, and personal preferences. This respects children's individuality and helps them to feel good about themselves. Children are treated with equal concern. Resources are accessible to all children which promotes inclusive activity for boys and girls. The childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

actively promotes anti-discriminatory behaviour which helps children to respect and value each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder understands how to provide appropriate care and support for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She works closely with parents and support agencies to meet any necessary requirements which helps children settle, take part in activities with others and have their care and privacy needs met. She attends any relevant training to learn how to support children's specific needs. This shows a strong commitment to inclusive practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are happy and settled and behave well. They respond with smiles and interest to the childminder's calm and kind voice. Children receive lots of positive praise and good humour from the childminder which helps them feel loved and secure. Good behaviour is promoted well, children spontaneously help each other to make pictures, they share and take turns with play equipment and games, talk pleasantly and ask each other 'what do you need help with?'. Children respond positively to clear and consistent boundaries, rules are clear so that children know what is expected of them. The behaviour management policy and strategies are shared with and understood by parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the strong and trusting relationships between their parents and the childminder. Daily conversation takes place to share information about the children's care, routines and activities. Parents receive relevant information about policies and procedures, including the current complaints procedure and know how to contact Ofsted. This ensures that parents are fully informed about the childminding service provided

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are supervised by the childminder at all times. She demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the National Standards for childcare and uses it well to ensure that all adults on the premises have completed the necessary vetting procedure. She has completed relevant childcare training, including holistic therapy which she uses for baby massage techniques. She is committed to developing and improving her practice to support children's development and learning needs. She understands the need to improve her knowledge of safeguarding children

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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 procedures to protect children from harm and to extend children's knowledge of cultural diversity.

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Organisation

Space and resources are effectively organised so that children can easily reach toys and equipment and choose different areas of play indoors. They have regular opportunities for outside play at the local park and on outings to local areas of interest. Toilet and nappy changing facilities are good. Children's individual care routines are respected. Children are settled in a well-organised environment which helps promote their independence and learning.

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Organisation

All required documentation which contribute to children’s health, safety and well-being is in place. Policies and procedures are shared regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the service provided and their child’s activities. The attendance record is accurately maintained so that children's arrival and departure times are recorded. Children's records are well kept and include relevant details to ensure that children's individual needs are met and parent's wishes are respected. This contributes to continuity of care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve safety procedures regarding low-level glass panels and to obtain appropriate car insurance in order to transport children in a vehicle. She also agreed to develop her knowledge of notifiable diseases. Since then the childminder has taken positive steps to make glass panels safe by covering them with safety film and checking the condition of other safety perspex windows in her home. She has obtained relevant business insurance for her vehicle and has current information regarding a list of notifiable diseases to keep in her records. This keeps children safe and promotes their good health.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the 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

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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): • improve knowledge of current safeguarding children guidelines and procedures • develop children's knowledge and awareness of cultural diversity

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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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