Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 201333 Inspection date 18 May 2005 Inspector Brenda Turner

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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 July 2000. The childminder lives with her husband and three school age children. They live in a cottage in Kineton, Warwickshire. There is a school, pre-school, village shops and a park all within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor area, the bathroom and one bedroom on the first floor of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently caring for eleven children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder

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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 has successfully completed the National Childminding Association "Children Come First" Quality Assurance Scheme. The family have one dog. The childminder runs a local carer and toddler group for minded children and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy and are well protected because the childminder follows good hygiene policies and procedures. Children learn consistent personal hygiene routines for example hand washing before meals and after using the bathroom. Children are helped to be free from the spread of infection by the childminder providing each child with their own cup, individual towels and face cloths. They use play and learning resources that are regularly cleaned and washed and children learn how to be sensitive to animals and their behaviour. Children’s health and dietary needs are well supported by the provision of healthy and nutritious meals, snacks, water and low sugar drinks in accordance with parents' wishes. Children enjoy various healthy meals including fresh vegetables, pasta and fruit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Safety is given a very high priority extremely good attention is given to safety over all. Children are cared for in a welcoming, very secure and safe indoor and outdoor well maintained environment. For example excellent, comprehensive, regularly reviewed written risk assessments are completed for specified outdoor physical activities such as the summer pool, the trampoline and inflatable air slide. Babies and toddlers are kept safe from choking hazards by the secure storage of resources. Children learn to keep safe in the home and when they are out and about through close supervision and guidance and clear age appropriate rules and procedures. They know what to do when walking by busy roads or when the smoke detector goes off. Children are kept safe by using equipment that is regularly and systematically checked and kept in extremely good working order. Children’s welfare is promoted by the childminder’s

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of her role regarding the protection of children and the procedures to follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are safe and well supported they enjoy their time with the childminder and make good progress and development. Settling in procedures are organised to meet

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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 the individual needs of children and parents. Children are well settled and confidently make choices about activities they wish to do. Children are interested in what they are doing. For example a four year old child plays imaginatively with the small world doll's house. Children build good relationships with one another, older children help and support younger children. Children's confidence and self-esteem is well supported and developed by appropriate praise and encouragement. Children's individual rest and meal time routines are well provided for during the day. There are very good opportunities for outdoor physical play during fine weather. As a result of good contact with the local school suitably challenging activities are developed for children moving towards school entry. Children enjoy outings and visits to local

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

places of interest like a farm, stables and the village shops. Children are encouraged to make suggestions and choices about new equipment and resources to be purchased.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children take part in activities appropriate to their age and ability. Children are cared for and well supported by the childminder who works closely with parents to meet children’s individual needs. The children's behaviour is very good, older children help and support younger children in joint activities. Clear age appropriate boundaries are established and children begin to learn what is expected of them. They learn to respect one another and to care for equipment and resources, for example they enjoy taking responsibility for small tasks like helping to tidy up. Children enjoy learning about the wider community through outings and visits to local places of interest. Children of parents who work a variety of different shift patterns are given good support due to the childminder’s flexible working arrangements. Children’s progress, development and information about their care and daily activities

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are discussed regularly with parents. However, business information given to parents does not give details of how Ofsted may be contacted. Frequent newsletters also keep parents well informed of future events and arrangements concerning their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's various daily routines are very well supported by good organisation that ensures individual needs across the age range are met. Children’s varying ages and interests are well catered for by the provision of high quality equipment and resources. Children's health and safety are consistently promoted by extremely well documented, skilfully written risk assessments together with clear policy statements and effective procedures. Useful records are openly shared with parents, regularly reviewed and amended as necessary. All relevant certificates and information are displayed. Children's well-being and constant good quality of care is well promoted by the keeping of accurate records and the implementation of up-to-date policies and procedures.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the childminder has improved fire safety precautions by ensuring that both smoke detectors are maintained in working order. A new system for recording accidents and the administration of medication now ensures confidentiality of children's information.

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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): • review and update business information given to parents in respect of how Ofsted may be contacted.

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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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