Childminder in Coventry

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 504784 Inspection date 22 November 2005 Inspector Lynn Morris

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and one adult child in Coventry, West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor and three bedrooms of the childminder's home are used for childminding and overnight care and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and currently cares for 3 children under 8 years (full days) and 2 children over 8 before and after school and during school holidays. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends toddler groups

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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 on a regular basis. The family has no pets. The childminder holds an early years qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Coventry Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contributes to their good health. They enjoy frequent outdoor activities, for example they visit local parks to play football and use bats and balls. They regularly go to toddler groups with physical play facilities. They use local soft play facilities to improve their physical skills and access a good range of physical equipment in the garden, which helps them develop control and co-ordination. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn about hygiene routines and personal care. They are increasingly aware of keeping their bodies healthy and know that they need to keep their hands clean. Each child brushes their teeth after meals, with good support from the childminder. Children’s health is safeguarded because the childminder has a current first aid certificate and several well stocked first aid boxes are easily accessed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about healthy eating. They have a good range of freshly prepared healthy and nutritious meals planned by the childminder and displayed for parents to see. Children's meals take account of individual and dietary needs. The childminder discusses children's dietary needs with parents and takes account of their wishes. Children know when they are hungry and thirsty; they choose from a range of drinks available to them and have fresh fruit daily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a home where their needs are given priority. Risks to children have been identified and minimised and daily checks ensure that children move around the home safely and freely. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe. Children know about 'stranger danger' and talk about how to cross a road safely before they leave the childminder's home to walk to school. Additional safeguards, for example, an anti-trap device for fingers on the patio door and safety corners fitted to tables ensure that children are protected as far as is possible from harm. However, the garden gate has a gap at the bottom through which a young child could squeeze. Children choose from toys which meet British safety standards and the childminder makes daily checks of equipment. They practice fire drills and written procedures for emergency escape from the premises are displayed. The childminder has all required

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

documentation and many additional written policies and procedures, which all help to

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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 protect and safeguard children's welfare. For example, the childminder has a current first aid and food hygiene certificate. Children are protected from risk of abuse or harm by the childminder's secure knowledge of child protection procedures and she attends regular training courses to update her knowledge.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle very well in the childminder's home. They make good relationships with each other and the childminder. Children socialise frequently with other children. They attend regular organised activities and groups outside of the home with the childminder. They are supported well to try out different activities. For example, children meaningfully occupy themselves. They play intensely and enjoy what they are doing. The childminder involves herself to extend children's play by adding further resources to develop their chosen activity. Children's learning is planned and each child has an individual play plan. Children become independent as they choose from a diverse range of toys. They select toys and materials, for example resources, which develop fine and gross motor skills. Children use a range of toys in a learning environment, for example they count, match and colours are introduced during every day play. Children's language is

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

developing well. They learn new words during their play and they can talk confidently about things that they know. Children play creatively. A range of photographs evidence the interesting activities children take part in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children choose from an excellent range of resources, which include toys and interesting books to develop positive understanding of different cultures and people with disabilities. For example, children can see pictures, posters and displays in the childminder's home of children and adults with disabilities and cultural differences. They celebrate a wide range of different festivals throughout the year. They make cards and taste foods appropriate to the celebrations and they learn from each other by sharing cultural experiences, facilitated well by the childminder. They have an excellent range of small world figures to choose from and are encouraged during every day play to have meaningful discussions about older people and people with disabilities and special needs. Children play together well and excellent resources help children learn how to respect each others feelings. For example, they use pictures about feelings, which

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Helping children make a positive contribution

they can take out of pockets on the wall to demonstrate when they are feeling sad or happy. They help children understand their own feelings and have a very positive influence on their behaviour. They learn to share and take turns and are rewarded for positive behaviour. They benefit from the childminder's excellent skills in using her own feelings and facial expressions to help children understand the boundaries of good behaviour.

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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 Children's progress is communicated through both written and verbal methods to parents. They can see displayed weekly menus and play plans for their children on the wall of the childminder's home. They receive written observations of their child's play and activities. A range of photographs record every day activities and outings their children take part in. During initial interviews parents receive policy and procedure documents and have in depth discussions about every aspect of the service their children will receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at ease in a very well organised homely environment. They benefit from the childminder's good organisational skills, which promote a learning environment. Children use the playroom and other rooms in the home to enjoy a wide variety of activities. They are confident and their emotional well-being is met through an excellent range of resources, which promote feelings and help children understand differences. Regular visits outside of the home contribute to children's social and physical skills. A very good range of written policies 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. The childminder's regular attendance at training courses to improve her skills and

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Organisation

knowledge has good impact on the care of the children and as a result the needs of the children cared for are met well.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to continue to develop her knowledge and understanding with regard to special needs. The childminder has attended special needs training and has added an excellent range of resources to meet individual needs. This contributes to children's understanding of special needs and differences.

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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.

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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

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 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): • make sure that the garden gate is fully secure.

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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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