Childminder in Coventry

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 510424 Inspection date 08 June 2005 Inspector Carol Johnson

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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 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 has been registered since 1993. She lives in the Wyken area of Coventry with her adult daughter and two children who are aged 16 and 14 years. It is within walking distance of shops and a local park. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for three children on a part-time basis and two further children before and after school and during school holidays. The family have a dog.

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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 has an early years qualification and runs a local carer and toddler group for minded children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is a childminder representative on the West Midlands Regional Committee and also a member of the Coventry City Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection by ensuring that that children learn about good hygiene practices through following everyday routines such as washing hands before meals, after visiting the toilet and after touching animals e.g. the family dog. She has also attended a food hygiene course. Children’s best interests are served should they become ill as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate, maintains well-stocked first aid supplies and ensures that parents are clearly informed with regards to her policy for sickness. Parents provide food for mealtimes and the childminder provides children with frequent drinks and a range of nutritious snacks, which include fruit on a regular basis. Children learn about the benefits of a healthy diet through discussion and well- planned activities. Children took part in an activity where they compared the contents

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Helping children to be healthy

of their lunchboxes, talked about healthy and unhealthy foods and then drew pictures of their favourite fruit. This was followed by a visit to the local supermarket where they were encouraged to find and buy a variety of fruit and vegetables to try at the childminder’s house e.g. kiwi and mango. The childminder talks to parents to ensure that dietary needs and preferences are met and noted. Children benefit from a wide range of activities that contribute to their good health and enjoy regular physical exercise e.g. dancing to music, walks in the local environment and they have regular access to a large range of outdoor toys within the garden. Children benefit from flexible routines which allow them to have a quiet time or sleep that reflects their individual requirements and parental wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a homely environment where there they are secure and confident. They are provided with a wide range of clean and safe resources that offer a balance of activities e.g. construction, imaginary play items, a computer and board games. Children are able to choose from a selection of toys and equipment, which is accessible within the lounge and in the garden. Further resources are available and brought out to meet children's needs and interests. The childminder carries out daily visual checks on all toys and equipment to ensure that they are safe and suitable for the children in her care. Children are generally cared for in safe and secure environment and some safety

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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 precautions are in place e.g. stair gates, smoke alarms and a fire extinguisher. Children are kept safe on outings and are beginning to learn about their own safety through rules, explanations and planned activities e.g. they talk about 'stranger danger' and are regularly reminded of road safety rules. However, children are inadequately protected in the event of a fire as the childminder does not have a fire blanket and children are unaware of emergency evacuation procedures, as these have yet to be practised. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to protect the welfare of the children in her care and demonstrates a clear knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's individual needs and welfare are met by the provision of appropriate and well-planned play opportunities and activities, together with a flexible daily routine. The childminder has attended training courses to develop her knowledge of planning for children’s play and as a result activities offered reflect the interests and abilities of the children in her care and include a good range of stimulating play and experiences both indoors and outside the home e.g. access to a computer, messy play and visits to local events and attractions. Children are kept well occupied and entertained during school holidays as the childminder plans a range of interesting activities around a chosen theme e.g. 'The Farm' and plans include outings, dressing up, craft activities, songs and rhymes. Children have an active social life and regularly have the opportunity to mix with other children and adults in group situations, which helps

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to increase their social skills and range of play and experiences. Children have good relationships with the childminder and each other. They are secure and at ease to seek reassurance and comfort from the childminder should it be required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s individuality is valued and they are helped to feel good about themselves through praise, encouragement and access to suitable activities, experiences and equipment. Children are offered a varied range of resources and activities that help them to appreciate the wider world e.g. books and puzzles showing positive images of a variety of people within society. Children are given the opportunity to explore different festivals e.g. Chinese New Year through food tasting, stories and craft activities. Children behave well and have good relationships with the childminder, her family and each other. The childminder uses a range of positive and appropriate methods for managing behaviour and as a result children are aware of expectations and understand rules and boundaries. The childminder works in partnership with parents and through daily verbal

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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 communication they are able to exchange and express views. This ensures that children's needs are met and they receive consistency of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy, secure and cared for in a friendly and homely environment. Space within the home is effectively used to provide children with different areas for a range of experiences including craft, floor play and quiet activities. The childminder offers a flexible service to meet the needs of children and their families. She ensures ratios are met and maintained and that her day is organised to enable all children to receive a good level of support and a degree of individual attention. Children and parents benefit from the childminder’s experience and her commitment to improving the quality of her provision. The childminder has attended a variety of workshops and training courses e.g. Business, Developing Childminding Practice, Language and Play and Everyday Maths and as a result her documentation is well organised and maintained and she has gained a greater knowledge and understanding of caring for

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Organisation

children. The childminder is currently working towards the National Childminding Association’s quality assurance scheme, ‘Quality First’. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to complete a first aid course and she now has a current first aid certificate. She was also asked to review the maintenance and organisation of her documentation and she has addressed this through attending a business course and purchasing relevant National Childminding Association publications, which she uses alongside other existing paperwork e.g. permission forms. As a result documentation is now organised and well maintained.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve fire safety precautions by ensuring that a fire blanket, which conforms to BS EN safety standards, is provided in the kitchen and that the emergency escape plan is practised.

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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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