Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY270706 Unique Reference Number 23 April 2007 Inspection date Kashma Patel 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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and one adult child in Coventry. The childminder co-minds with her husband who is also a registered childminder. The whole of the ground floor, the bathroom and one bedroom on the first floor is also used for childminding. There is an 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 nine children and has currently 13 children on roll who attend various sessions both full and part-time. When minding with the co-minder they may care for a maximum of nine children of whom six may be under five-years-old. Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks and transports children to local schools to take and collect them. She also takes children on regular outings to the local toddler group, library and the park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She has a Level 2 in the National Vocational Qualification in childcare and a certificate in the Quality First Assurance Scheme.

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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's health is well promoted in the home because they are learning the importance of good personal hygiene through well-planned routines. Children are reminded to wash their hands before food and after using the toilet. They are provided with liquid soap and paper towels to reduce the risk of spreading infection. All records for accidents and the administration of medication are completed accurately and parents' signatures are obtained to ensure they have been fully informed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to fresh air and exercise whenever possible to help maintain a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy daily outings to shops and the local parks where they are able to run and play freely. Time spent in the garden area using climbing equipment and ride-on toys enables them to learn and practise physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with nutritious snacks and meals which ensures that their dietary needs are well met. Snacks consist of fresh fruit and vegetables such as apples, peaches and tomatoes. Children enjoy the interaction that takes place when they sit round the table for their snack and are learning good manners as they are encouraged to say 'please'. They are well hydrated because they all have individual bottles which are filled with water or diluted juice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a home which is clean, well maintained and child-friendly. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments round her home to ensure that any hazards are identified and addressed to minimise risks to children. The garden is used frequently to offer active play and the pond is fenced off which promotes children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a wide range of good quality toys which are safe, clean and appropriate for the children being cared for. A wide selection is freely accessible, and the childminder also rotates equipment from a larger selection to ensure children are kept motivated and interested. Children are developing their imagination as they play with small world toys, books and role-play equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is effectively promoted as the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues through recent safeguarding training. She has the relevant information for contacting agencies and the childminder is fully aware of the procedures to be followed should she have any concerns. Parents are made aware of this duty of care being an integral part of her practice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder is skilled at planning a wide range of stimulating and challenging activities which are based on the 'Birth to three matters' guidance. Toys and equipment are well organised to allow children to make choices and promote their independence. They help themselves to equipment and enjoy messy play such as cornflour and play dough which develops their creativity.

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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 Children are learning right from wrong and are forming positive relationships. They engage easily in conversation with the childminders and visitors, making requests for different activities. There is consistent adult support which helps the children to develop appropriate skills. They are learning to share and take turns with toys and activities. For example children help each other to make towers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities outside the home where they learn about the natural world, they enjoy feeding the ducks in the park and are extending their vocabulary as they learn about the names of different birds. They also enjoy growing their own vegetables and herbs in the garden which promotes their understanding of how food is grown from seeds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children work harmoniously with others and make choices and decisions about their play. Their individual needs are discussed with parents and carefully adhered to. Children are becoming aware of diversity and their community as they celebrate various festivals and engage in activities which raise their awareness of differing lifestyles. For example, they have made 'divas' for the cultural festival 'Diwali' and tasted food from different worlds. The childminder has a good practical awareness of how to include and appropriately care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to manage their behaviour and are involved in setting up 'rules'. This encourages good behaviour as their achievements are valued and rewarded with praise. Younger children are learning to take turns, share toys and equipment as they play cooperatively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s individual needs are met because the childminder works well with parents to develop close partnerships so that all children achieve to their full potential. Parents are provided with written information and receive daily communication to keep them informed of their children's progress. Written policies and procedures are in place to ensure that parents are involved in their children’s care and fully aware of the ethos of the practice. The complaints log is in place and shared with parents to ensure that they are kept well informed of any childcare issues. However the complaints policy has not been updated to include the contact details of the regulator, which means parents are not kept updated with recent information and this potentially impacts on their children's well-being.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder works well with her co-minder to ensure that appropriate adult to child ratios are met and maintained to allow children to receive good individual attention. At times the childminders also work with an assistant when necessary. Children benefit because the childminder is well organised and plans her day to ensure children have a variety of good quality activities and opportunities whilst in her care. The childminder expands her knowledge in many areas and attends regular training to support this. She has completed the National Vocational Qualification to level 2 in child care and taken part in the Quality First Assurance scheme.

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Organisation

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care, and as a result they move around the room with ease, selecting toys and activities of their choice. Their needs are well met and supported by good quality written documentation, which is well organised and shared with parents. The childminder takes overall responsibility for maintaining appropriate records.

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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 Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to improve documentation to support an effective partnership with parents. Children are safeguarded because the childminder has written consent in place for all the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 there have 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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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): • update complaints procedure to include the contact details of the regulator.

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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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