Childminder in Coventry

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 224288 Inspection date 21 June 2005 Inspector Karen Eunice Millerchip

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and 5 children aged between 20 and 8 years. They live in a house on the North side of Coventry. The whole of the ground floor, first floor bathroom and front bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder currently cares for two children under five and three children over five on a part-time basis. At the time of inspection one child aged three years was present. She takes children to and from local schools, pre-school groups and local community groups. There are shops, a community centre and local parks within

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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 walking distance. The family have chickens that are kept in an enclosure in the rear garden and two dogs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about being healthy through regular daily routines for example hand washing after playing in the garden, touching pets, toileting and before eating. Surfaces and equipment are kept clean, thereby providing a clean and hygienic environment. Children access regular physical activity by going for walks, going to the park or playing in the garden. Children who become sick or injured are appropriately cared for until parents collect them. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and suitable procedures and documentation is in place and used to keep parents informed. Children are provided with regular drinks, snacks and meals in accordance with their individual preferences and parent's wishes. Children are offered a suitable range of snacks and meals for example sandwiches, fruit, crisps, yoghurts. Food that is provided by parents is appropriately stored, reheated and served.

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Helping children to be healthy

Time to sleep or have quiet times are planned within the day and all children are able to relax on the settee; younger children sleep in their buggy or in a travel cot.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into a warm and friendly home where they feel secure and confident. They can freely explore their surroundings and have access to a good variety of age appropriate toys and equipment. Children's risk of injury is minimised as the childminder carries out daily visual checks on toys and equipment to ensure they are safe for the children to use. Children are given clear guidance on why some areas of the home or garden are temporarily out of bounds because of renovations, the childminder demonstrated sound procedures for minimising potential hazards. Children are kept safe when out and about as they are always closely supervised and discussions about boundaries and expectations are discussed prior to going out. Within the home children's safety is met appropriately and the written emergency evacuation procedure is discussed with children. The childminder demonstrated a satisfactory understanding of child protection issues

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and the necessary procedures to follow to ensure children in her care are kept 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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in a relaxed and supportive environment. Children's development is encouraged through the individual support offered to them for example children receive ample one to one attention as the childminder limits the number of children cared for at any one time. This allows the children to benefit from individual time spent talking to the childminder and receiving support when experimenting with new activities. These activities include painting activities using roller paints, painting with large and small brushes, different sized chalks that can be used indoors on a board or outdoors on the pavement, play dough, drawing, colouring and physical play in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children demonstrated their growing independence and confidence during their daily routine, they confidently express their needs and make attempts to address them with help from the childminder, where necessary for example toileting, hand washing, mealtimes, selecting their own toys and resources. Positive relationships have developed with both the childminder and each other. Children are given opportunities to socialise at local community groups or at pre-school sessions and other daily events compliment these experiences for example visiting the shops, parks, other childminders, family members or relaxing within the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to develop a positive attitude towards others through everyday experiences and discussions. They are valued and respected as individuals and are encouraged to access all available play opportunities. However, although children have opportunities to meet people with disabilities and with different cultural backgrounds, resources and play opportunities to support this learning are limited and need to be further developed. Children are well behaved and are learning about the needs of others. Clear boundaries and rules enable children to learn right from wrong and to play alongside each other happily. The childminder deals with any incidents of unacceptable behaviour in a calm manner using distraction methods wherever possible and providing clear explanations in line with the child's level of understanding. Praise and encouragement is used to promote good behaviour and encourage children's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

independence. Children are supported in getting to know the childminder, her family and the environment through a planned settling-in period which includes visits with and without the parents. Information sharing between the parents and childminder takes place at the beginning and end of sessions to ensure that children are cared for in line with their needs and parent's wishes.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder maintains low adult to child ratios which allows children time for individual support and attention. Children are at ease in her care and as a result are happy and confident during the day. The required paperwork is in place and kept safely but is not well ordered. Children's records are in place and although the childminder stated that she has verbally checked that children's details are accurate and up to date, there is no system in place to ensure this is so. Overall, the provision meets the needs of all children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to accurately maintain a daily attendance register, this is now in place and ensures that ratios and numbers of children being cared for are documented. She was also asked to improve the variety of resources to promote older children's awareness of equality of opportunities and their knowledge and understanding of people from minority groups in society. Although some improvements have been made this remains an area for development.

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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): • continue to develop the variety of resources and play opportunities that promote positive images of minority groups in society • ensure that children's details are reviewed regularly.

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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 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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