Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY304288 Inspection date 27 September 2005 Inspector Sheila Dawn Flounders

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and 2 young children in Boughton Vale, to the north of the town of Rugby, Warwickshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, with the small bedroom on the first floor available for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 3 children at any one time and is currently minding 1 child under 5 during the day and is able to care for children over 5 before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and

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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 collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler groups. The family has no pets. The childminder is able to support children with additional needs. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy physical activities when they attend a range of groups, where they can run around in large halls and they have soft play sessions at the sports centre. They also frequently use local parks and go out walking. They learn about healthy living through this daily fresh air and exercise. Children understand simple good health and hygiene practices and take themselves straight to wash their hands after toileting, at other times they use individual wipes. They stay healthy because measures are in place to prevent the spread of infection, such as robust nappy changing routines and a sickness exclusion policy. Parents are made aware that they must collect children when they are ill and first aid supplies are kept at hand. Children rest and sleep according to their needs, with the childminder finding out their routines before they attend. They are well nourished due to the healthy meals which are provided, often

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Helping children to be healthy

including home grown vegetables and they are offered drinks throughout the day. Children have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works with parents to ensure she is aware of any allergies and she will not give any medication without parental consent.

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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 safe environment. Suitable measures have been put in place to prevent them harming themselves, such as a gate so they cannot reach the stairs, a fitted fire guard around the fireplace and a harness used in the highchair. They use suitable and safe equipment in the house and garden, which is appropriate for the ages of those attending and regularly checked. They remain under the direct supervision of the childminder for most of the time, although not when she pops out to the garage. Children are kept safe on their frequent outings either on the bus or on foot, with reins used if they are walking. Children learn to look after themselves during hot weather with the use of sun creams and hats. They are protected because the childminder understands her role in child protection and knows what procedures to put in place when necessary and her policy

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

has been discussed with parents. Children are also kept safe by the written fire evacuation plan which is in place, although they have not practised it.

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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 Children develop confidence and self-esteem as they are easily able to select toys for themselves and decide how long they want to continue with an activity. They are interested in what they do and able to play for extended periods at activities which they enjoy, such as spending time together playing with the tent. Children ask questions, such as asking the childminder where a particular book is as they had been talking about it. They use their initiative during their imaginative play, for example putting the crocodile to sleep in the doll's house. Children acquire new knowledge and skills at the setting and also during their regular use of local resources. These achievements are well documented and shared with parents. Equipment and activities are available which encourage them to be independent.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They have a positive relationship with the childminder and her family and the children play very well together. Children begin to distinguish between right and wrong as they are given reminders of the setting boundaries, such as not to jump on the furniture, to which they respond positively. Thus their language, thinking, imagination and social relationships are satisfactorily fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children‘s individual needs are adequately met with snacks, meals and toileting taking place to fit in with their routines, for example an early lunch to enable a child to get to an afternoon nursery on time. They are able to access resources and areas of the ground floor independently and the childminder is attentive to their physical needs. They have a sense of belonging and are happy, with new children settling in well and they all make regular use of local facilities. Parents are informed daily about their contribution during these activities in a written diary. Children understand reasonable behaviour due to the boundaries, which are consistently applied and the positive role model provided by the childminder. They are praised when they behave appropriately. The children get on with each other and share toys readily, with the younger children keen to join in with the older ones. They make choices about their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

play all the time such as where to play and for how long with any particular items. They are encouraged to help tidy things away and then are able to go and find other items to get out for themselves. Children develop self-esteem and are able to inform the childminder of their needs, such as wanting to get changed and she is responsive to their feelings. They learn respect for others as they allow them to join in with their games and they are reminded to play nicely with younger children. They become aware of wider society as they play with resources which provide them with positive images of gender and ethnicity, but there are limited images of disability.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has regard for the well-being of children and organises her time and resources well to provide them with a child-centred environment which encourages them towards independence. They have freedom of movement across three rooms and are able to play freely, without having to constantly put things away. Activities are planned to fit around the necessary routines of those attending, such as cooking

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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 lunch while younger children sleep. Written policies and procedures are in place which work to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment and achievements and their positive contribution to the setting. These are shared with parents. All other paperwork is well organised, very accurately maintained and readily to hand, although stored confidentially when not in use. The childminder continues to attend relevant training to expand her knowledge and skills. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At registration the childminder was asked to ensure that low level glass was safe. Since then she has obtained written confirmation from the manufacturer that it is.

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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): • ensure that children have access to images of disability which promote equal opportunities • improve children's safety by practising the fire evacuation drill • improve children's safety by ensuring they are under supervision at all times.

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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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