Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY249058 Inspection date 22 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 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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and young child, not far from the town centre of Rugby, Warwickshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and the bathroom and rear bedroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children under 5 for parts of the day and a maximum of 3 children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local pre-schools and uses the car to take and collect children from schools in the area. The

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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 childminder attends the local toddler group. The family have 2 cats. The childminder is able to support children with additional needs and is a member of the Warwickshire Childminding Network. She is also a member of the National Childminding Association and has a relevant childcare qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about healthy living as they have daily access to fresh air and exercise when calling in at the park or when running around at toddler groups. Older children are aware of the benefits of exercise due to the almost daily outings during the holidays. They are all able to be in charge of cleaning their own hands, with young children using a wipe at lunch time or going to the bathroom to wash after a messy activity, while older children access the bathroom independently. This gives them all a good understanding of simple personal hygiene, although the hand towels are only changed weekly. Children stay healthy because the childminder has a policy of not admitting children when they are infectious and she ensures that she is aware of any local contagious outbreaks. There are satisfactory measures in place to ensure that infections do not spread in the house. Children rest and sleep according to their

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Helping children to be healthy

need, which the childminder finds out from their parents. Children are well nourished due to the varied, healthy meals that are provided, with menus available for parents to see. They have satisfactory access to drinks which are offered throughout the day. Children have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder provides a suitable diet and only gives medication with parental permission.

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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 where the only accidents recorded are minor and consistent with the stages of development of the children attending. They are under direct supervision most of the time, with the childminder making sure that particular care is taken when accessing the rear garden. Children use suitable and safe equipment with appropriate furniture available for the younger children to sleep and eat and they are only able to access toys which are safe and age appropriate. Items such as safety gates and cupboard locks are fitted in some places to prevent them from accessing unsuitable places or activities, although the cat's bowls are not always out of reach. Children are kept safe on outings by the use of harnesses and reins for the younger ones with the childminder using her own fitted car seats. Parents are always made aware of the destination of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

trips further afield. Children learn to protect themselves through the practising of the emergency evacuation drill and discussions about the use of hats and sun cream during the summer. Children are also protected because the childminder understands her role in Child Protection and knows what procedures to put in place when necessary.

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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. Young children develop confidence and self-esteem as they choose with the childminder which activities they want to participate in, with older children able to self-select resources. Even children new to the setting know where things are kept and have favoured activities such as using the karaoke cassette. Children are interested in what they do and spend long periods engrossed in craft activities such as painting items today, which will be made into fridge magnets tomorrow. They decide when they have had enough of the activity. Older children particularly enjoy outdoor play and outings during the school holidays. Children ask questions often showing curiosity about how things work. They use their initiative wanting to know such things as what is inside the garden shed and where the paints might be. Children acquire new knowledge and skills, remembering how to use the cassette

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

from the previous week and discussing with the childminder the 'wheels' on the tape spools. They have good first hand experiences such as cooking, shopping and attending local groups appropriate for their ages and access resources which meet their developmental needs. They respond well to challenge as the childminder is careful to explain to them exactly what they need to do. Their daily routines are used well to encourage independence in the younger children, for example they help to get ready for lunch. Children have positive relationships with each other and with the childminder which result in their language, thinking, imaginative play and social skills being well fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have their individual needs met well as the childminder is careful to select resources specifically for the age and stage of development of those attending. Their personal needs are fully discussed with parents before they attend and kept updated through an ongoing verbal and written exchange of information. During the day the childminder is attentive to the individual routines of the younger children, such as making sure their nappies are changed before they go home. Children have a sense of belonging, including those fairly new to the setting, who join in happily with all the activities. They are frequently able to make decisions for themselves about what to play with and are offered choices such as whether to wear an apron when painting. They make regular use of facilities in the area, particularly the parks and toddler groups. Children understand reasonable behaviour and respond positively to praise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

They are given reminders such as to be careful when climbing on the chairs and have a positive role model provided by the childminder. They are treated with respect and have any incidents consistently dealt with and explained to them to help them understand why something is unacceptable. Children get on well with each other and are beginning to develop respect for others, with the older children enjoying ' helping' the childminder to look after those who are younger. Children are aware of their own needs, which they confidently and persistently bring to the childminder's attention. They become aware of wider society as they play with resources which provide positive images of diversity.

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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 good. The childminder has regard for the well being of the children in her care and she organises her time and the space within her home to provide a child centred environment for them. She has contingency plans in place for the provision of additional resources or cover for her own sudden unavailability. Written policies and procedures are in place which work to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment and achievements and ensure that they are able to make a positive contribution to the setting. All necessary permissions and information are gained from parents who are well informed about what their child has been doing. Paperwork is accurately maintained and confidentially stored. Thus the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection the childminder was asked to make improvements to some aspects of her paperwork, to her first aid supplies and to some safety issues. Since then she has added an additional record of accurate times of attendance to her register and obtained evidence of completion of her childminder training; she has also purchased additional first aid resources. Safety has been improved by the practising of the fire evacuation drill, the removal of the slide from the garden and increased security at the front door.

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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): • ensure that towels are changed frequently enough to prevent the spread of infection • ensure that the cat's bowls are inaccessible to prevent accidents to young

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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 children.

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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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