Childminder in Coventry

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 510399 Inspection date 10 October 2005 Inspector Carol Johnson

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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 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 has been registered since 1988. She lives with two adult children in the Cheylesmore area of Coventry. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for five children, four on a part-time basis and one full-time. The family has a cat.

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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 satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder takes satisfactory steps to prevent the spread of infection. Children are beginning to develop independence with regard to personal care and they are encouraged to follow appropriate hygiene practices. They wash hands before meals, after playing outside and touching the cat. The childminder has attended a food hygiene course and this is suitably reflected in her daily practice. Her home is kept clean and hygienic and suitable hygiene precautions are taken in relation to her cat. The childminder takes appropriate measures to ensure that children's best interests are served should they become ill or have an accident. She holds a current first aid certificate and maintains suitably stocked first aid supplies. She also ensures parents are clear with regards to her sickness policy and asks that they do not send children who are clearly unwell and could pose a

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Helping children to be healthy

health risk to herself and other children. Children are adequately nourished as parents provide the majority of food and the childminder offers additional snacks of either fruit or biscuits. Children sit with the childminder at the dining table for meals. It is a social occasion and the childminder uses this time to help children to learn about the benefits of a healthy diet. Children are at not at risk of dehydration as the childminder provides regular drinks. Children's allergies and dietary requirements are considered appropriately as the childminder talks to parents about children’s needs and records and respects individual requirements. Children have their physical development adequately supported as they enjoy regular physical activity such as walks in the local environment and outdoor play in the childminder's garden. The childminder does occasionally use her car but as local community groups, schools and amenities are generally within walking distance

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Helping children to be healthy

children are encouraged to walk. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs because the childminder fits in around children's routines and parent's wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and generally safe environment because the childminder generally assesses and minimises most potential risks to children. Appropriate safety and security precautions are in place, for example, a safety gate prevents children's access to upstairs, outside gates are kept locked and all electric sockets are covered. Children’s risk to injury from toys and resources is minimised because the childminder carries out regular safety checks. Resources are stored safely, checked for suitability and broken toys are discarded. Children are kept safe on outings because the childminder takes good precautions and explains safety rules and practices to children. They talk about road safety and children understand that they must follow instructions, stay close and hold hands when crossing the road.

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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 Children benefit from sufficient space and are able to move freely and safely. House rules are shared, for example, children understand that they must not climb on furniture in case they fall and hurt themselves. Children are adequately protected from the dangers of fire as the childminder has considered suitable emergency evacuation procedures. She has a fire blanket available in the kitchen and a smoke alarm on the ground floor. However, in the event of a fire children would not be fully aware of emergency procedures as these are infrequently practised. Also, there are no smoke alarms on the upper floors of the childminder’s home and therefore should a fire break out in these areas children’s safety would be at risk. Children are adequately protected with regards to child protection because the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder sufficiently understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. Children are not left unsupervised with persons who have not been vetted, for example, visitors or workmen and they are only released into the care of known individuals.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are enjoying the provision and are making adequate progress in their learning, leisure and personal development. They are happy and settled. Children have developed good relationships with both the childminder and their peers and they are confident to explore and initiate their own play. Children are learning to share and take turns and they chat happily during play. Children are given access to a general range of activities that help them to develop in all areas of learning. Routines and activities are flexible and based around children's needs and interests, for example, sleep, meal times and school runs. Most resources are freely accessible and children can choose from a variety of toys including cars, books, construction toys and small world play. The childminder supplements her resources with items borrowed from local toy loan schemes. Children know what resources are available and are confident to ask for items that they cannot see.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder joins in with children's play to help reinforce and extend their learning. They talk about colours and numbers when building with bricks or playing with interactive toys. Older children are offered support with their homework. Children are provided with opportunities to socialise and mix with other children and adults as they regularly visit other childminders and local community groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and treated as individuals. They are comfortable and settled in the childminder's home because she talks to parents on a daily basis. She encourages them to share information about children's individual needs and interests

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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 and this contributes to continuity of care. The childminder has limited experience of caring for children with special needs but displays a positive attitude. Therefore, all parents can expect any requests for care to be carefully considered and support sought if necessary. Children are developing an awareness of the wider community as a result of everyday activities and discussions. They have equal access to an adequate range of resources and activities that help them to develop a positive attitude towards others and gain a sense of belonging. For example, children can choose to play with a range of dressing up clothes, multicultural dolls and small world figures. Behaviour is managed effectively through the use of a good range of positive strategies, for example, time out, discussion and distraction. The childminder is a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

good role model and she is calm and consistent. Consequently, children are well behaved, show consideration for others and demonstrate good manners. Good behaviour is valued and children receive frequent praise and encouragement. Therefore, children are motivated, helped to feel good about themselves and are encouraged to persevere with tasks.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children and their families benefit from the childminder’s experience gained over the years that is reflected in the level of care and service that she provides. She has a good local knowledge and is aware of local community groups and support services. She shares this information with parents and attends local groups with the minded children in order to extend their range of play and experiences. She ensures that training requirements are met and is keen to improve her service and extend her knowledge of child care related issues by attending further training courses. She offers a welcoming, calm and homely environment where children can play and relax. Children have sufficient space to provide for their needs and most resources are freely accessible. Ratios are met and maintained and therefore children receive a sufficient level of attention and supervision. Required documentation and procedures to ensure the safe and effective

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Organisation

management of the provision are generally in place. However, it is a regulatory requirement that persons over the age of 16 years living in the household when children are being minded undergo checks, including a criminal records check. One of the childminder's own children has now reached 16 years and we have not received notification in order that such checks may be carried out. The childminder admits this to be an oversight that she will rectify immediately. However, her child is generally at college during the day and would not be left unsupervised with minded children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that her fire evacuation procedure was discussed with older children and practised. Fire safety precautions

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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 still require further improvement because although evacuation procedures are practised, it is done infrequently and does not involve all the children. Consequently, in the event of a real emergency situation children would not be fully aware of the necessary procedures to protect their safety. She also agreed to ensure that incidents and complaints are recorded and although she has had no incidents or complaints to record since her last inspection she has the appropriate documentation in place and ready for use.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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 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): • improve fire safety precautions by ensuring that a smoke alarm is installed on each level of the house and through regularly practising fire procedures with all the minded children • ensure Ofsted are notified of all changes in the persons over the age of 16 living in the household.

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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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