Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

201580 Unique Reference Number 07 October 2007 Inspection date Paula Hunt Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 2001. She lives with her three children aged 12, nine and five years in the town of Atherstone in Warwickshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and park.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding three children on a part-time basis and one child full time.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has some pet goldfish and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminder having efficient hygiene routines, which help to prevent the spread of infection. Her home is clean and tidy and she ensures work surfaces and children's

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 equipment are cleaned regularly. Children are made aware of the need to wash their hands regularly to minimise the spread of infection. The childminder maintains a current first aid certificate as required, keeping her knowledge up to date and ensuring children's welfare in an emergency. However, although she maintains records of any accidents that occur, some lack detail and they are not confidential. Children are protected from illness and infection through a suitable exclusion policy.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to understand that some foods are good to eat. They enjoy eating the fruit and vegetable snacks that the childminder prepares. Children are able to have drinks throughout the day ensuring they do not become thirsty, through the childminder offering and providing them on a regular basis. The childminder respects parents' wishes to provide packed food for their children but she takes opportunities to discuss suitable diets within the daily routine to ensure that children develop an awareness of nutritious foods.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in activities which promote their physical well-being. They play on bikes and wheeled toys at the childminder's home to help them develop control. They go regularly to the local park to use the climbing equipment and run around to improve their physical skills. They attend a local Sure Start group with the childminder where they take part in physical activities.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into a clean and well maintained-home. They have space for movement and play and have access to a satisfactory range of toys and equipment that promote their development and learning. The childminder makes use of local loan schemes to supplement and extend her current selection of resources. The majority of toys are stored at child height and are easily accessible to children, thus encouraging freedom of choice and independence. Risks to children from broken or unsafe toys, furniture or equipment is minimised as the childminder carries out suitable visual checks on all equipment used. Children are kept safe when out and about as they are always closely supervised and the childminder demonstrated a sound understanding of how to minimise possible risks when at the park or using local community resources.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder ensures that parents complete a comprehensive range of paperwork that enables her to act quickly if children become ill or there is a medical emergency. Children are suitably protected from risk of harm as they are never left alone with persons who have not been vetted. The childminder also has a clear awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She keeps local child protection guidance to hand so that action may be taken as soon as she has concerns about a child.

p.3

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 have a strong bond with the childminder, who is warm and kind in her approach to them. Children benefit from plentiful one-to-one interaction and as a result they feel secure and are developing their confidence.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are helped to acquire new knowledge and understanding through the childminder's sensitive support. For example, she sits with children as they build, draw or play imaginatively and chats about what they are doing. Young children are learning to count, name colours and

p.3

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 extend language. Their learning is reinforced as they answer questions that make them think, such as 'How many bricks are there in your tower?' or 'What shape is this?'. Children are beginning to develop social skills by having opportunities to play with other children of a similar age through attending local toddler groups.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's self-esteem and confidence is well promoted as they develop their play with interest and enthusiasm. They have the freedom to explore and develop skills appropriate to their individual needs and respond positively to appropriate support. The childminder makes effective use of praise to help children persevere with challenges such as completing puzzles and constructing a wooden train track. Children increase their independence as they make choices about their play and carry out individual tasks, for example getting their drink from the kitchen.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are met through the childminder working closely with the parents. They are looked after according to parents' wishes and parents are kept informed about the provision and the progress their child is making, through daily verbal feedback. Children attend groups with the childminder where they learn about other cultures and take part in festival celebrations. They choose from a range of toys which help children develop a positive view of differences and they choose books during trips to the local library.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing personal independence as they make choices and take decisions within their play. They self-select toys and materials to use and older children access the toilet independently. Children play happily and co-operatively and are sociable and secure. They respond very positively to the childminder who ensures that behaviour is managed with the use of praise, explanation and distraction. Children are well behaved and are learning to share. Children's independence is encouraged and is developing well.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and happy in the childminder's home. They play in the rooms on the ground floor and make use of the space and toys available in the garden. They make choices of play and use accessible toys and resources, developing confidence and self-esteem. Information regularly exchanged with parents helps to make sure that care meets their wishes and they know about their children's progress.

p.4

Organisation

Most of the legally required documentation is suitably maintained to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. However, children are unable to be fully protected because the register of attendance is not always up to date and does not accurately reflect the numbers attending.

p.4

Organisation

Most records kept contribute to appropriate care and provision for children's welfare. However, some information documents, such as the written agreements with parents, are not updated to reflect changes in legislation and guidance to ensure that the welfare of children is fully safeguarded. Overall, children's needs are met.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has developed her knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities through attending a relevant training course and devising a written policy.

p.4

Improvements 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 She has also purchased further resources reflecting positive images of culture, gender and disability which develop children's knowledge and understanding of the wider community. The childminder also completed a recognised first aid course and now holds a valid first aid certificate to ensure children's welfare in an emergency.

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 accident records are completed in sufficient detail and are confidential • ensure the record of children's daily attendance is accurate and up to date • ensure the written agreements with parents and other information documents reflect changes in legislation and guidance.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5