Childminder in Coventry

Inspection report for early years provision

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504798 Unique Reference Number 13 September 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 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 1996. She lives with her husband, adult son and children aged 15 years and 14 years. They live in a residential area of Coventry to the north-east of the city centre. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Family pets are fish, kept in a pond that is in a secure area of the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding four children under five years, one on a full-time basis, and five school aged children, one of them under eight years. She walks to the local school to take and collect children and attends local parent and toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds an early years qualification.

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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 outstanding. Children's good health is assured due to the childminder's excellent hygiene routines. A high priority is given to the nutritional value of children's food and comprehensive food hygiene practices mean that they are unlikely to suffer stomach upset due to unsafe food. Children are learning how to keep themselves healthy and are aware of good practice with regard to hand washing. The childminder protects children by completing a daily health and safety check list, including for example; content of the first aid box, the temperature of the fridge and freezer, the organisation of raw and cooked food in the fridge and the safety of waste bins.

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Helping children to be healthy

The risk of cross-infection is minimal 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. Children's best interests are served in case of accident, emergency or illness because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has kept a certificate in date for several years.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy and nutritious food. The childminder provides three healthy meals daily and teaches children about the benefits of eating good food. Lunch is a light meal and a cooked tea includes an excellent variety of protein foods, carbohydrates and vegetables. Snacks are fruit and raw vegetables and children learn that these foods are also good for their teeth. Children develop knowledge of the link between their own growth needs and those of other living things, for example, by planting and caring for sunflowers and beans. At the supermarket they choose healthy food and they learn about how their chosen fruit and vegetables grow.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's emotional well-being is assured because they receive outstanding support from the childminder and their emotional security begins with a meeting and gradual settling in according to their different needs. Children are confident, secure and happy. They are developing skills and confidence during physical play activities and when using large equipment at home, other childminders' homes, at the park and at toddler groups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are able to move around the ground floor of the childminder's home freely and safely as all potential hazards have been identified and comprehensively addressed. Their different needs are thoroughly met in well-organised space as one room is a designated children's room, the family sitting room is used for quiet activities and a large table in the kitchen is used for messy and creative activities, as well as for meals. The organisation of storage encourages children's independence and photographs of children enjoying a wide range of activities decorate play areas. Children use an outstanding range of stage appropriate, safe, high quality resources and equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risks to children are minimal because, as a result of the childminder's robust procedures, they play in a very safe environment and learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, when out walking children under five years always hold hands, they look and listen when crossing the road, gain an awareness of 'stranger danger' and learn rules regarding use of the trampoline. Older children used the internet to compile a, 'How to keep safe' booklet and this includes internet and mobile phone safety, bullying, why cyclists should wear safety helmets and safe

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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 use of electricity. The childminder is alert to her responsibilities with regard to supervision at all times. She has identified and comprehensively addressed potential hazards inside the home and in the garden and security is given a very high priority. The children are fully aware of procedures in case evacuation is necessary because the childminder has superior precautions in place and the fire drill is regularly practised. The childminder keeps a record of the fire drill and completes a daily risk assessment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is excellently safeguarded because the childminder has a working knowledge of the signs of abuse and neglect. She is fully aware of her responsibilities with regard to local referral procedures and has drawn up a comprehensive policy for parents to explain her responsibilities with regard to protecting children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy, interact and learn from the very good range of activities provided by the childminder. She is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, is using it effectively to provide for young children and is developing her knowledge of the educational needs of three and four-year-old children. She attended 'Birth to three' training in 2005 and 'Foundation Stage awareness for childminders' training in 2006.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and settled. The childminder offers good support and encourages children to think and extend their vocabulary as she asks open-ended questions. Children are cared for as individuals with different needs and the childminder ensures that activities meet the needs of all. They are learning and developing as a result of stimulating and challenging experiences. Routines are good, consistent and include activities inside and outside the home. These include activities that develop manipulative skills, the link between sounds and letters, colours, shapes and numbers. Independence is encouraged and children are encouraged to choose their toys. Children's creative development is good as they enjoy a variety of art and craft activities and have continual access to role play resources. Relationships are very good and children are sociable and confident.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s individual needs are fully known by the childminder. They benefit from good communication between the childminder and parents that ensures consistency of care. Children's emotional security is addressed well and begins with a gradual introduction. Good information for parents is contained in a portfolio and included are policies and procedures. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to assessing and improving her service as she has developed a complaints procedure for parents. However, this does not include information on how the childminder must respond to written complaints and parents' rights to access records. Potentially this impacts upon the overall quality of the service provided. Admission forms are thorough and information is shared verbally on a daily basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children choose from a range of books and toys that reflect diversity and they are learning to appreciate and value each other's similarities and differences. For example, they celebrate festivals, discuss different religions and talk about events at home. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and ensures that all children are valued and included. She provides written policies on equal opportunities and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 special needs and identifies that all children are treated as individuals and that she provides an environment that supports every child's equal chance to learn and develop.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's self-esteem is very well fostered. The childminder has drawn up a managing behaviour policy and aims to encourage self-discipline and consideration for each other by praising children and acknowledging positive actions and attitudes. House rules have been drawn up with the children's help and include, being kind, treating belongings and furniture with respect, sitting at the table when eating and drinking, playing outside only with adult supervision and using the sitting room for quiet activities only. The childminder is a good role model and takes account of different levels of development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are settled and made welcome in the childminder’s home. Daily routines are consistent and activities are varied. The organisation of play space and resources is good and encourages children's independence as they are able to see and easily select toys. The childminder uses her knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to provide effectively for young children and also ensures that pre-school and school children experience stimulating activities that promote their development. Thorough admission information and good communication with parents ensures that individual needs are met.

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Organisation

Documentation is well organised and information for parents is good. The childminder provides good written information that includes policies on equal opportunities, special needs, child protection, sick children, confidentiality and behaviour management. Written complaints information is also provided, although this is not currently up-to-date. All required records are kept in good order. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to improving her skills and knowledge. She recently added an early years level 3 qualification to level 2 gained in 1996 and achieved the National Childminding Association Quality First at level 3 in 2005. Between 2005 and 2007 training courses include a range linked to play and learning, safeguarding children, equal opportunities, first aid, food hygiene, autism awareness and speech and language. 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 parental agreements are regularly updated and reviewed. Children's care needs are met because this has been satisfactorily addressed.

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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 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 the complaints procedure provided for parents to include revised regulations 2005.

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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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