Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY302741 Inspection date 28 October 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 a residential area of Kenilworth, approximately a mile from the town centre, with her husband and 3 children aged 12, 8 and 6 years. The main playroom is the family lounge/dining room but children are also able to play in the children's bedrooms and a separate spare room is used for sleeping children. A safely enclosed garden is at the back of the house. The family has a dog, a hamster and fish. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children under 8 years at any one time and is currently minding 3 school age children. She walks to a local

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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 school to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are aware of good practice with regard to hand washing before meals, after playing in the garden, touching pets and after using the toilet. Children are well protected because the childminder provides anti-bacterial liquid soap. Standards of hygiene are good with thorough routines and preventative measures in place to ensure minimal risk to children. Parents are aware that their child should not attend if he/she has a contagious illness or sickness and diarrhoea and that they will be contacted if the child becomes ill. The childminder holds an in-date first aid certificate and ensures that her first aid box is well stocked. Children benefit from a healthy diet and the childminder’s good food hygiene practices. Individual dietary needs are catered for and close attention is paid to health and nutrition. The childminder provides a light lunchtime meal and a more substantial meal if children attend in the evenings. Her aim is to include a good

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Helping children to be healthy

balance of fruit, vegetables, proteins and carbohydrates. Children’s emotional well-being is assured because the childminder builds good relationships with parents and children so that children feel happy and secure in her home. Children are developing physical skills and confidence using equipment at the park and at home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play, eat and sleep in satisfactorily safe and healthy premises. They play in the family lounge/dining room and in two bedrooms. One bedroom is used for sleeping children. Toys, activities and equipment are safe, clean and in a good condition. Storage is appropriately organised to enable children to choose and select resources. Children learn how to keep themselves safe; for example, when outside the home they walk nicely and not out of view, stop at the road, hold hands whilst crossing, leave adults to close the car door and put seat belts on. The childminder is alert to her responsibilities with regard to supervision and children’s risk of injury in the home is minimal as she has identified and satisfactorily addressed potential hazards and ensures that her home and garden are secure. Children are aware of procedures if evacuation is necessary because they have practised the fire drill.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded appropriately because the childminder is aware of her responsibilities with regard to child protection and local referral procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and confident. They are cared for as individuals with different needs and the childminder ensures that a good variety of activities and experiences are available for all children. Routines are good, consistent and include activities inside and outside the home. Children are learning and developing as a result of stimulating and challenging experiences and their views and opinions are valued. In school holidays children enjoy local nature walks and trips to Hatton Country Park and soft play centres. Children confidently talk about favourite activities in the childminder's home. These include creative activities, for example, art and craft, dancing, dressing-up and role play. They like to "put on shows" for other children and the childminder. Children use a good variety of resources to make greeting cards for different events, model with clay, and make a range of pictures and toys including, for example, kaleidoscopes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They are sociable and keen to play and be involved. Relationships are good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s individual needs are known and met appropriately by the childminder. Admission forms are thorough and consistency of care between home and childminder is assured with a daily share of information. Parents always visit before care of their child begins and in order to address children's emotional needs, parents are expected to gradually settle their child in. The childminder has no experience of caring for children with special needs but if asked to do so, the childminder would ensure that she and the parent felt that she was able to satisfactorily meet the child's needs. Children are learning to appreciate and value each others’ similarities and differences by sharing information on family and weekend events. They are able to choose from some books and small world figures that reflect positive images of culture, but these are limited and there are no resources that reflect gender or disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are aware of the childminder's house rules, which include no name calling, no swearing and no running indoors. They are expected to share and take turns. Children respond positively to praise and the childminder provides stickers which state, for example, "really kind", "I helped", "good boy" and "good girl". The childminder is consistent in her management.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and made welcome in the childminder’s home. Ratios are currently good. Daily routines are consistent and activities are varied. Children's independence is developing well and activities are organised to meet different needs.

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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 Admission information and verbal communication with parents ensures that individual needs are met. The organisation of resources, activities and routines is good. Parents are initially shown a folder containing insurance information, registration certificate, Ofsted requirements, Criminal Records Bureau forms and the first aid certificate. Required documentation and records are generally well kept and are up to date but written consent has not been obtained for emergency treatment consent or for transporting children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this was the first inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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 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): • develop resources that reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability • obtain written permission from parents for transporting children • obtain written permission for emergency treatment

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

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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 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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