Childminder in Somerset

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 510393 Inspection date 13 June 2005 Inspector Carol Johnson

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1993. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 14 and 11 years. They live in the Binley area of Coventry. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for minding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five, one full-time and the others on a part-time basis. She also minds children before and after school.

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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 The childminder attends carer and toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and has an early years qualification to NVQ level 3.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder ensures her home is clean and hygienic and encourages children to follow effective health and hygiene routines, for example, washing hands before and after meals or playing outside. Children’s best interests are served should they become ill as the childminder has a current first aid certificate, well-stocked first aid supplies and follows clear procedures for the administering of medication should it be required. Children’s health and dietary needs are met because the childminder offers a good range of well balanced and nutritional meals and does not generally encourage snacks between mealtimes. Children are provided with regular drinks and older children are confident to express their needs. The childminder makes good use of everyday experiences, such as shopping trips and cookery activities, to raise issues about healthy eating and good hygiene. Children’s allergies and dietary requirements

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Helping children to be healthy

are considered appropriately and the childminder consults parents to ensure needs are noted and met. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. They experience regular physical activity both at the childminder’s home and out in the local environment, they enjoy playing in the garden and going on outings to the park and swimming baths.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in warm and welcoming family home where they are secure and confident. They have access to a wide range of safe, clean and good quality toys and resources both indoors and outside in the garden, for example, role play items, construction and large physical play equipment. Children are offered some choices as the majority of toys are stored within children's reach on low shelving or in toy boxes and a selection is set out in the front room by the childminder on a daily basis. Further resources are stored throughout the childminder's home and children are able to ask for those not readily accessible. The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children through carrying out daily safety checks on her home and resources and ensuring suitable safety and security precautions are in place. These include a fireguard, socket covers and the shed is

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

kept locked. Children are generally kept safe on outings by the childminder who takes suitable precautions, for example, she uses car seats, discusses road safety and carries out informal risk assessments.

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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 The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures and is aware of how to protect the children in her care should she be concerned about their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, settled and secure in their environment. Good relationships have been formed and children play with enjoyment and enthusiasm. Children have their emotional needs met by the childminder who takes time to listen to them and find out about their needs and then offers appropriate comfort and support. Children have fun and their all round development is encouraged and promoted by the provision of an exciting and appropriate range of both well planned and spontaneous activities and experiences. They are given frequent opportunities to mix with other adults and children and they regularly visit local community groups and go on outings. Children receive frequent praise and they are encouraged to practise and extend their skills and independence, for example, writing their own name and putting on own shoes. Children are proud of their achievements and the childminder keeps

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

examples of children's artwork, which is either displayed or kept within children’s individual folders. Children are then able to share these with parents and visitors, thus contributing to good levels of self esteem and self confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to develop an awareness of diversity within society through the use of everyday experiences and activities to stimulate play and discussion. Books are used to help raise issues around disability. They have access to a good range of multicultural resources, for example, role play items, books, puzzles and small world figures and the childminder increases their understanding of different customs and cultures though craft activities, food tasting and discussion. The childminder would be happy to consider caring for children with special needs and would work in partnership with parents to assess and meet children's needs. Children are beginning to learn about acceptable behaviour because the childminder uses good strategies to promote their understanding. For example, she has a calm manner, realistic expectations and acknowledges good behaviour. She also encourages children to share and show concern for others. The childminder has a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

written behaviour policy that she shares with parents and methods for managing children's challenging behaviour are discussed and agreed to ensure consistency of care. Children are comfortable in the childminder's home because there is an effective two-way sharing of information between her and parents. The childminder shares her daily routines through plans and photos and she invites comments from parents who have daily opportunities to verbally share information regarding their children's needs, interests and experiences.

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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 inadequate. Children are happy and settled due to the childminder's considerable knowledge and experience, good communication and caring manner. Her home is organised to allow children plenty of space to play and relax safely and comfortably. She has developed a selection of clear policies and procedures that she shares with parents to ensure children receive consistency and continuity of care. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to improving the quality of her service through attendance at a range of training courses and workshops. She is also currently working towards the National Childminding Association's quality scheme, 'Quality First'. However, despite well maintained and organised documentation the childminder freely admits that she has not adhered to the conditions of her registration with regards to required adult: child ratios. She has admitted that on several occasions she has taken her grandchild along on outings whilst minding and

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Organisation

this has compromised her ability to effectively care for children. Overall, the needs of children who attend are not met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop the range of activities and resources that promote disability. She has since increased her current resources to include books and videos that include positive images of disability and these are used, together with everyday experiences to stimulate discussion and help children to appreciate and value others' similarities and differences.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 there has been one complaint that relates to National Standard 2: Organisation. It was alleged that the childminder was witnessed minding in excess of her registered numbers. She admitted caring for children in excess of registered numbers several times in the past. The childminder was given a notice of action to improve requiring her to meet the condition relating to the number of children set out in her certificate and the provider remains qualified for registration.

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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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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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care, the registered person must take the following actions: • ensure required adult: child ratios, as stated on your certificate of registration are maintained at all times. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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