Childminder in Coventry

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 259147 Inspection date 11 May 2005 Inspector Benita Catherine Hart

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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 was registered in 2001. She lives with her son aged six in a suburb of Coventry City. There are two other adults living in the household. They live in a semi detached property in a quiet cul de sac. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There is no overnight care provided. The family have a guinea pig and fish. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and there are currently five children on roll, all part time. The childminder attends a parent and toddler group and uses the local recreational areas for walks with the

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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 children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is registered as a community placement childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. They are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Children understand that they must wash their hands after handling or feeding the guinea pig, going to the toilet and after messy play. They enjoy a well planned range of activities, indoors and outside which promotes movement and exercise, for example using wheeled toys, climbing, walks and music and dance. A safe environment is provided for the baby to crawl, investigate and explore. The childminder's good understanding about different types of activities to promote good health enables the children to try out new skills. Children benefit from the childminder's good awareness about health and hygiene issues. A sick children's policy is made available for parent's which protects other children in her care and all

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Helping children to be healthy

medication and accident records are up to date. Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. Drinking water and fruit juices are available throughout the day. The childminder takes into account the wishes of the parent's and children's choices to provide nutritious meals and snacks. Children are learning about nutrition from activities involving food, for example children grow vegetables and herbs in pots and these are used for cooking in their meals. The childminder encourages the children to talk about the tastes in their food and introduces new foods at snack time. The baby benefits from an individual routine but is included in snack times when appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children benefit from the childminder's high priority for keeping them safe in her home and on outings. She has a keen sense of responsibility and assesses hazards in the home which may impact on the children, for example the upstairs toilet, younger children are supervised and older children go by themselves. Children are aware about safety on the stairs and hand washing. The premises are secure and the children understand where they can play safely and understand the restriction of safety gates and locked gates. Toys, resources and equipment are kept clean and in good condition. Children have space for movement and play and good access to resources. They enjoy an extension of activities set out in the garden, for example sand and water play. The childminder carefully monitors the baby's choice of toys to ensure they are safe and suitable for her age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure

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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 children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee Procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are happy and settled at the childminder's home. They benefit from a broad range of activities which are well planned by the childminder but flexible to children's overall needs. The children have a good relationship with the childminder and relate well to each other and have opportunities to socialise with other children at toddler group. The environment is child orientated and resources are easily accessible. Activities are planned to provide interest and stimulation. The children are developing increasing independence whilst the childminder is a supportive and enabling carer. Activities positively contribute to the children's progress and natural development. They enjoy a wide range of creative play such as painting, sand, water, gardening, cooking and crafts. They have opportunities to dance, listen and move to music, sing and listen to stories. The children benefit from the childminder's awareness of the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

different age groups being cared for together and she is able to meet their individual needs by having a secure knowledge of child development and a good awareness of the children's interests and personalities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children benefit from the childminder's organisation of activities to provide an inclusive provision for all the children. A good range of meaningful activities and resources promote a positive view of their wider environment and an understanding of others. Children are becoming aware of their local community through visiting local amenities. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They benefit from the childminder's positive relationship she has with parents and parent's wishes are taken into account. The children are well settled and have a sense of belonging. Their behaviour is excellent and the childminder encourages the children to share and care for each other. She is a good role model, caring, responsive and receptive to their needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are relaxed and at home in their environment. Policies and procedures effectively promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. Daily information is exchanged with parents, for example, the baby has a day book which records nappy changing, feeding, sleep activities and outings. Older children also have a scrapbook

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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 of art and craft work. Regular shared information and the childminder's flexible routine positively contributes to the children's continuity of care. The childminder's practice is effective in meeting the children's individual needs. The childminder has all required information and permissions from parents. All documentation is well maintained and up to date. She provides a well designed prospectus for parents outlining her childminding practice and terms of business. The childminder is keen to attend ongoing training which will enhance her childminding practice, particularly for birth to three and has attended several individual courses with the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and is currently doing 'Quality First' through the National Childminding Association. She is also doing a part

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Organisation

time degree for Early Childhood and Youth Studies.

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Improvements since the last inspection

From the previous inspection the childminder was asked to improve her outdoor facilities which she has now done by increasing resources and extending her indoor activities to the patio just outside the lounge. Children benefit from increased outdoor play and activities such as growing vegetables and flowers, new climbing equipment and wheeled toys.

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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): • further develop existing knowledge of younger children for example by using Birth to Three Matters Framework.

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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:

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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 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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