Childminder in Cornwall

Inspection report for early years provision

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201107 Unique Reference Number 14 December 2007 Inspection date Jan Burnet 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 satisfactory. 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 1992. She lives in a residential area of Nuneaton with her husband, adult stepdaughter and 15-year-old daughter. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has two dogs and a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children aged under five years and one school aged child. She walks to a local school to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is assured because the childminder's cleaning routines are thorough and because she ensures that children are aware of good practice with regard to hand washing.

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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 Their best interests are served in case of accident because the childminder holds an in-date first aid certificate. The risk of cross-infection is minimised because parents are aware that their child should not attend if he or she has a contagious illness or sickness and diarrhoea and that they will be contacted if the child becomes ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are known and well met by the childminder. She ensures that meals provided are healthy and nutritious and that fruit and yoghurts are provided for puddings and snacks. Children are unlikely to suffer stomach upset due to unsafe food because they benefit from the childminder's good food hygiene practices, for example, she wears gloves when handling raw meat, has separate chopping boards for raw and cooked food, controls the temperature of the fridge and pays close attention to 'use by' dates and time scales for use of packet food once opened.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's emotional well-being is given a high priority by the childminder. They are happy and settled. The childminder ensures that children receive individual time and attention. She organises trips to a variety of parks so that children are able to develop skills and confidence with use of large physical play equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play, eat and sleep in satisfactorily safe and healthy premises. The childminder creates a warm and welcoming environment. The family sitting room and adjacent conservatory are used for play. There is a ground floor toilet. Children are safe because their toys, equipment and furniture are safe, clean and in a good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risks to children are minimised because they play in a safe environment and learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, holding on to the buggy or holding hands when out walking and crossing the road safely as they, 'stop, look and listen'. The childminder is alert to her responsibilities with regard to supervision at all times and children’s risk of injury in the home is minimised because she has identified and properly addressed potential hazards. For example, sockets are covered, hazardous substances are inaccessible and a fire guard is fitted. Children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded because the childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and is aware of local referral procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for appropriately as individuals with different needs and the childminder ensures that a satisfactory variety of activities and resources are available for all. Routines are consistent and include activities inside and outside the home. Children are learning and developing as a result of varied experiences. The childminder encourages children to be independent and resources are stored in boxes in the play area so that they are able to self-select and help to tidy away.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop manipulative skills with a range of toys and drawing materials; they enjoy art and craft and messy play activities and have access to role play resources. The childminder ensures that resources are appropriate for different stages of development and daily routines include times when children count and name colours and shapes. The childminder ensures that children are settled and happy.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s individual needs are known and appropriately met by the childminder. Parents visit before care of their child begins and in order to address children's emotional needs, parents are encouraged to gradually settle their child in. Children develop an awareness of diversity as they have access to books, dolls and small world figures that reflect positive images. The childminder has not yet been asked to care for a child with learning difficulties or disabilities but she is fully aware of the importance of working in partnership with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from satisfactory communication between the childminder and parents that ensures consistency of care. Written information includes policies, however parents are not informed of complaints information in line with revision to criteria October 2005 with regard to required response times following a complaint and parents' rights to access records. A behaviour policy is provided and acknowledges the importance of being a good role model, building children's self esteem and encouraging appropriate behaviour by always rewarding wanted behaviour, for example sharing. The childminder is consistent and ensures that strategies are age and stage appropriate.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and made welcome in the childminder’s home. Thorough admission information and verbal communication with parents ensures that children's needs are known and appropriately met. Children's developmental needs are satisfactorily addressed with consistent routines, the choice of toys and a balanced range of activities.

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Organisation

The childminder provides written policies and procedures on child protection, lost child and child not collected, accident and emergency, confidentiality and equal opportunities. Required documentation is generally well organised. However, parents are able to read recorded information on children other than their own because the same accident and medication sheets are used for all children. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that a current first aid certificate is maintained. This has been addressed and children's well being is satisfactorily addressed because the childminder completed an approved first aid course in June 2007.

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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.

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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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Complaints 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

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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 satisfactory. 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): • make sure that all parents are aware of the procedure for complaints with regard to response timescales for written complaints and their right to access complaints records • ensure that records are confidentially maintained.

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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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