Childminder in Coventry

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 510472 Inspection date 26 May 2005 Inspector Jan Burnet

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven years and two years in a residential area of Coventry, to the south of the city centre. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is direct access to a fully enclosed garden at the rear of the house. The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding a total of eight children aged from nineteen months to seven years, all on a part- time basis. The weekly routine includes attending parent and toddler groups, walks to the local school to take and collect children and trips to

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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 parks. The family has no pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminder Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are aware of good practice with regard to hand washing before meals, after playing in the garden and after using the toilet. The childminder supports young children in doing so and provides anti-bacterial liquid soap. Standards of hygiene are good throughout with thorough routines and preventative measures in place to ensure minimal risk to children. Parents are aware that their child should not attend if he/she has a contagious illness or sickness and diarrhoea and that they will be contacted if the child becomes ill. The childminder holds an in-date first aid certificate and ensures that her first aid box is properly stocked. Required documentation and records are kept but medication records are not consistently signed by parents. Children benefit from a healthy diet and the childminder’s good food hygiene practices. Individual dietary needs are catered for and currently the childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

provides breakfast and a nutritional cold lunch which includes some kind of protein on sandwiches, salad, yoghurt and fruit. Children are offered drinks of milk, water and fruit juice throughout the day. Children are happy and confident in a very friendly and welcoming environment. They are developing an awareness of growing and developing by planting bulbs and seeds and making comparisons with their own growth. They are developing skills and confidence with a range of sit and ride and climbing equipment in the childminder's home and at the park. The childminder ensures that all are appropriately challenged by providing different sizes for different ages/stages of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play, eat and sleep in safe and healthy premises. They play in a "through" lounge and dining area of the kitchen. Low-level and well organised storage encourages self selection with resources not suitable for young children stored so that only older children can reach them. A plentiful amount of toys, equipment and furniture are safe, clean and in a good condition and are of a very good quality. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, for example whilst climbing, using seat belts in car, road safety and whilst walking. "Stranger danger" is discussed and also the possible danger from adults that they may know. Children know that they must not answer the door. The childminder is alert to her responsibilities with regard to supervision and children’s risk of injury in the home is minimal as she has identified and thoroughly addressed potential hazards. A written fire procedure has been drawn

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

up with the help of older children and is practised periodically. It has been made easy

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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 for children to read and is displayed. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities with regard to child protection and local referral procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and confident. They relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at local toddler groups. The childminder ensures that a good variety of activities and experiences are available for all children. Routines are good, consistent and include activities inside and outside the home. Children are learning and developing as a result of good questioning and stimulating and challenging experiences. They are cared for as individuals with different needs as the childminder is fully aware of children's family situations, personalities, likes and dislikes, stage of development and the differences between them. Children are developing independence as a good choice of resources is offered and storage is well organised. They are sociable and keen to play and be involved. Young children particularly enjoy playing with sand, paint and play dough

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and they learn shapes and colours and count and recognise numerals during daily activities. They are learning pencil control with daily practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s individual needs are fully known by the childminder. Admission forms are very thorough and daily conversation with parents ensures needs are consistently met. Parents always visit before care for the child begins and they are encouraged to settle their child gradually so that the childminder is able to get to know the child and parent and share as much information as possible. She is currently developing a prospectus and her own written policies on behaviour management and equal opportunities. Children choose from a range of books and toys that reflect diversity. They learn to appreciate and value each others’ similarities and differences by celebrating different cultural festivals, for example Chinese New Year and Diwali. To improve her knowledge the childminder has used the internet to obtain information. All children and parents are aware of the childminder's house rules, which include no

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Helping children make a positive contribution

running, respect other people’s things, share and take turns, sit down to eat and drink, eat in the kitchen and good manners. Behaviour management is discussed with parents and the childminder is aware of methods used at home. Distraction/diverting attention is used effectively in different ways for different stages, for example by giving older children important tasks to do and distracting younger children to avoid a tantrum. The childminder is consistent in her management and is a good role model. She

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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 ensures that behaviour is managed with the use of praise and explanation. Children are well behaved and are encouraged to show consideration for others.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and made welcome in the childminder’s home. Daily routines are consistent, resources are well organised and activities inside the home and at groups are varied. They are confident and initiate and extend their own play and learning with easy access to toy storage. Activities are organised to meet different needs and thorough admission information and verbal communication with parents ensures that individual needs are met. The childminder is linked to a quality assurance scheme and is currently developing a prospectus and written policies and procedures. Documentation is kept up to date and in good order. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to record detail as part of the written medication record. This has been satisfactorily addressed but at the time of this inspection, records of medication have not been consistently signed by parents.

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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 all records of medication administered are signed by parents.

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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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