Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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268432 Unique Reference Number 15 February 2007 Inspection date Paula Hunt 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 registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and two adult children on the Waterside estate in Rugby, Warwickshire. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder attends the local toddler group, takes children to the local park and is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family has a pet dog to which minded children do not have unsupervised access.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding four children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and well-maintained home. They are learning about the importance of good health and hygiene through daily routines for hand washing. For example, after using the toilet and before eating which helps them to stay healthy and reduces the risk of spreading infection. Independence is encouraged as children have easy access to the ground floor toilet. Children are protected from the spread of infection because a sick children's policy is made available for parents and the childminder does not provide care if children are unwell. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and all medication and accident records are up to date. However, parents have not provided written consent for emergency medical treatment or advice to ensure children's welfare in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and often assist in the preparation of their food. The childminder has a clear understanding of promoting healthy eating and ensures balanced meals and snacks are provided to meet individual needs. Children are able to have drinks throughout the day as the childminder offers and provides them on a regular basis ensuring they do not become thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy being taken for walks to the local parks, shops and toddler group. They have daily opportunities to experience active play both indoors and outside to promote their well-being. Toddlers are given enthusiastic encouragement to walk and are gaining control over their bodies through effective support to manipulate a good range of attractive toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to independently select activities from a stimulating, varied range of toys, books and equipment which give children opportunities to develop skills in all areas of learning. All toys and equipment are safe and in a good condition. They have access to resources that are appropriate to their ages and abilities and play in a comfortable environment helping them feel confident about what they are able to do.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from the childminder's priority for keeping them safe in her home and on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken some steps to ensure a safe environment for children. For example, the premises are secure, a stair gate prevents young children accessing the stairs and cleaning materials are inaccessible. However, the garden shed is not secure in preventing children accessing its contents and there is a gate missing to the side of the premises. Children are able to experience travelling safely in a vehicle as the childminder provides appropriate car seats and insurance cover for the vehicle, although she has not obtained parents' written consent to enable her to transport the children in the vehicle. Children are also encouraged to keep themselves safe when they play outside or are taken for walks. For example, the childminder

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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 carefully supervises children when they are outside the home. She ensures that they are holding her hand or safely strapped into a buggy while talking to them about crossing the roads safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are satisfactorily protected as the childminder demonstrates an adequate understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of her responsibility in relation to child protection and of how to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed and engage freely in a wide range of activities that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. They are developing independence and confidence as they freely make choices and these are supported appropriately by the childminder. They begin to socialise well as they play happily alongside each other. They relate to each other particularly well when they play imaginatively. For example, with the kitchen and play food. Toddlers enjoy exploring the bright colours, different sounds and textures of manufactured toys and messy play to encourage them to explore using their senses. For example, rice and pasta play. Children show a lot of interest in what they do and thoroughly enjoy the preparation for decorating Valentine's Day biscuits. For example, sorting the coloured tubes of icing and types of toppings on the table and discussing the textures and smells.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children are helped to acquire new knowledge and understanding through the childminder's sensitive support. For example, she sits with children as they attempt to form recognisable letters of their name or play imaginatively and chats about what they are doing. Children's learning is reinforced as they answer questions that make them think, such as 'What noise does a tiger make? What does a giraffe eat?' or 'What colour is this?'. Good relationships are evident between the childminder and the children contributing to the children's sense of belonging. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder, increasing their self esteem and the clear routines in place promote their sense of security.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are warmly welcomed into the setting ensuring they feel valued and the childminder promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. Children have good opportunities to learn about their own community and the wider world through a good range of resources in the home and outings in the local community. They have access to suitable resources including books, dolls and small world toys which contain positive images of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and are encouraged to share and take turns. The childminder supports, praises and encourages them in daily routines and activities, which helps children develop their self-esteem, confidence and sense of belonging. Children respond well to guidance from the childminder and the range of suitable strategies she has in place for dealing with inappropriate behaviour, including distraction and explanation. However, at times the strategy of putting children behind a chair does little to promote their positive behaviour.

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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 Relationships with parents are very strong. Children's individual needs are able to be met as the childminder discusses and records parent's wishes for their care. This starts with an initial visit and flexible settling-in procedure. Children's continued well-being is assured through the valuable two-way flow of information between the childminder and home. The use of several written polices and procedures advise parents of the care that is provided and ensures all remain well informed to meet the children's needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's well-being is supported by the effective organisation of resources together with the childminder's knowledge as she continues to train and update her skills. The childminder demonstrates having a high regard for the well-being of all children in her care and she has a very calm and caring manner. She ensures that all adults caring for children are suitable to do so. For example, both she and her family have been vetted.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to improving the service and most of her records, policies and procedures support good practice, safeguard children's welfare and ensure parents are well informed of their children's progress. However, the registration certificate is not currently displayed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure the times of arrival and departure of children are recorded accurately, to increase the range of resources reflecting positive images of culture, ethnicity, disability and gender and to ensure that all low-level glass was safe or inaccessible to minded children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Attention is now given to recording children's hours of attendance, improving record keeping and the efficient and safe management of the provision. Children's safety has been improved as the childminder has sought advice about the low-level glass in her home and has confirmed it is all laminated or toughened and does not pose a risk to the children in her care. Opportunities to learn about the wider world has been increased through the purchase of further resources including a black doll, some books, small world figures and jigsaws to increase children's awareness.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there has been no complaints made to Ofsted 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

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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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): • ensure behaviour management methods promote children's welfare • ensure written consent is requested to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for all children • ensure the garden is safe for children and obtain written consent from parents to transport children in a vehicle • ensure certificate of registration is displayed during childminding hours.

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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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