Childminder in Coventry

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 510441 Inspection date 09 February 2006 Inspector Lynn Morris

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1996. She lives with her partner, 1 adult child and 2 children aged 3 years and 14 years in Coventry, West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom of the childminder's house are used for childminding. The garden is not currently used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children under 5 during the day and 4 children for various sessions before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends several toddler groups.

p.2

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 The childminder is currently working towards an early years qualification.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children take part in activities which contribute to their health. They use bikes, scooters and wheeled toys during visits to local playing fields with the childminder to help them develop control because they do not have access to the childminder's garden. They attend toddler groups with the childminder where they take part in physical activities and they walk every day to local schools. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn about the importance of hygiene and personal care. They learn to wash their hands after using the toilet and can access wipes for themselves. Their health is safeguarded because the childminder has a current first aid certificate and fully stocked first aid box. Children bring their own food to the childminder's home, which is appropriately stored to reduce risk of contamination until children require it. They have access to fruit

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

snacks and a range of drinks at all times. Children's individual dietary needs are met.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home where most risks have been identified and addressed. However, older children use the upstairs bathroom and there is currently no banister fitted on the stairs. They move around the home independently, using the lounge and dining room for play activities and play confidently with toys of good quality. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they use reins, wrist bands and straps in the buggy or when out walking. They learn about road safety and know they have to cross roads with the crossing warden or by using the green man on the traffic lights. They practise monthly emergency evacuation procedures and can see the procedure displayed on the wall at the back and front of the childminder's home. Children's safety is adequately met through the childminder's procedures and documentation. For example, she checks that safety equipment is in place before

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children arrive. She is attending courses for health and safety and risk assessments. Children are adequately protected from risk of harm or abuse by the childminder's knowledge of local child protection procedures.

p.3

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 settle very well in the childminder’s home. They make good relationships with each other and the childminder. They socialise frequently with other children when they attend regular organised activities and groups outside of the home with the childminder. Whilst there trying new activities, such as painting, printing and have singing and dancing sessions. Children become independent as they help with little jobs and confidently choose from a good range of toys. They choose where to play and select toys and materials for themselves. They enjoy interacting with the childminder and are supported well to develop their fine motor skills. For example, children learn how to use threading cards with the childminder's help. Children show a great interest in books and their

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

language is developing well. They confidently explain what they are doing and constant exchanges with the childminder encourages new vocabulary to be used. Children play creatively and their pictures and creations are kept in a folder and displayed for them to see in the kitchen.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children choose from a good range of resources, which include toys and books to develop positive understanding of different cultures and people with disabilities. For example, children join in festival celebrations at the childminder's home and at toddler group. They make pictures, taste different foods and make celebration cards. They play with dolls, figures and books representative of different cultures and abilities and as a result they learn to appreciate and value each others’ similarities and differences. Children learn to play together and how to respect each others feelings. They learn about the house 'rules', which are kept simple for children to understand and are displayed on the wall to remind them about good behaviour. Children are constantly praised, thanked and told that they are good building their confidence and developing their self-esteem. The childminder is consistent in her management, a good role

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

model and takes account of different levels of children's development. Children's information is sought and exchanged with parents verbally at the end of each session. Parents are provided with a welcome pack, which contains information about the setting and service. Information received from parents includes questions about each child, which helps the childminder to provide good individual care.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at ease in a well organised homely environment. They benefit from the childminder's good organisational skills, which promote a learning environment. They use the two rooms downstairs to enjoy a wide variety of activities. Children are confident and can verbalise their needs well. Regular visits outside of the home contributes to children's social and physical skills.

p.4

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 A good range of written information and procedures are used to keep children safe and healthy and ensure that parents understand the aims and objectives of the setting. Communication with parents is good. They have daily opportunities for discussion and consultation about their child's development and well-being. Attendance at training courses to improve skills and knowledge has good impact on the care of the children. Overall the needs of the children cared for are met well.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to maintain a signed record of children's accidents and medication given and to obtain written permission from parents to administer medication. The childminder now uses records obtained from the National Childminding Association, which contain all the required information. They are fully maintained. The childminder was also asked to complete a first aid course, obtain information on local child protection procedures and review contracts with parents regularly. The childminder has completed first aid and holds a current certificate. She has obtained and has ready for use information on child protection procedures and now uses contracts obtained from the National Childminding Association, which are reviewed annually.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 can use the stairs safely.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.6