Childminder in Coventry

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 224342 Inspection date 19 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 satisfactory. 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 2001. Her home is a terraced house in the Stoke area of Coventry, within walking distance of the city centre. She lives with her three children; one aged over sixteen years, a ten-year-old and a seven-year-old. The lounge and part of the kitchen are used for play activities. A safely enclosed garden is at the rear of the house. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for three children under five during the day, a six-year-old after school and three children aged over eight years. She walks to a local school and

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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 attends parent and toddler groups. She has a dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are aware of good practice with regard to hand washing and independence is encouraged for children old enough to use the toilet. The childminder reminds them of the importance of hand washing and paper towels are used for drying. She ensures that floors and all surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms are cleaned every day and preventative measures in place ensure minimal risk to children. Children benefit from a verbal policy that the childminder shares with parents informing them of illnesses that will mean their child should not attend and that they will be contacted and will be expected to collect their child if the child becomes ill. The childminder was issued with a "Heartstart" certificate in 2003 having completed one day of a two-day approved first aid course. She has since been offered further training but was unable to attend on the dates given and so is now on the waiting list

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Helping children to be healthy

for a 12 hour course. She is aware of her responsibilities with regard to children's welfare and her first aid box is very well stocked. Children benefit from a healthy diet and the childminder’s food hygiene practices. She attended food hygiene training before registering as a childminder and now receives regular questionnaires from the Environmental Health Department. If the questionnaire is not answered satisfactorily, an officer would make a visit. Individual dietary needs are catered for and currently the childminder provides a nutritional lunch, a substantial cooked evening meal for children who attend late and fruit is always available. Children are offered drinks throughout the day. They enjoy physical play activities at the park, soft play centres, local walks and are developing skills with equipment at home and parent and toddler groups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play, eat and sleep in safe and healthy premises. Children’s risk of injury in the home is minimal as the childminder has identified and properly addressed potential hazards. Toys, equipment and furniture are safe, clean and in a good condition. Children's needs at different stages are met with younger children playing in one room and older children using a high level table in the kitchen for equipment not suitable for young children, for example small Lego. A secure back garden is used for outside play and the childminder is fully alert to her responsibilities with regard to supervision.

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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 working knowledge of abuse and neglect and is aware of local child protection and referral procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and secure and enjoy their activities in the childminder's home and whilst playing at local parent and toddler groups and visiting the park, soft play centres, library, transport museum, City Farm and Coombe Park where there is a nature trail as well as large climbing equipment. Weekly activities include messy play, art and craft, domestic and imaginative play, construction, sit and ride toys, climbing equipment, books and puzzles. Young children are learning to count, develop pencil control, name colours and shapes and extend their language. They are confident and are developing independence whilst selecting activities and resources. In the home the childminder rotates toy boxes in the play room with ones stored upstairs and encourages children to make their own choices. Children are cared for as individuals with different needs. The childminder ensures that her expectations of children are appropriate and that adequate resources are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

provided and activities adapted for different stages of development. Children receive individual attention and the interaction between the childminder and all of the children is good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s individual needs are fully known and met by the childminder. Admission forms are very thorough and daily conversation with parents and children ensures needs are consistently met. Parents are asked to gradually settle their child in with visits together and then initially only short stays for the child alone. Children choose from a good variety of toys which reflect diversity, for example dolls, jigsaws, small world, dressing up clothes and books. Some books address feelings and abilities. Children 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 obtains information from the library and seeks advice from a local playgroup. One child now speaks English as an additional language but his first language is German. When the childminder began

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Helping children make a positive contribution

caring for him, she made sure that she built a trusting relationship with his parents and that good communication systems were developed. Children play happily and are confident, sociable and secure. They respond very positively to the childminder who ensures that behaviour is managed with the use of praise, explanation and distraction. Children are well behaved and are encouraged to share, take turns and show consideration for others.

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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 satisfactory. Children are settled and made welcome in the childminder’s home. Daily routines are consistent and activities inside the home and at groups are varied. Children's independence is developing well with toy boxes rotated daily and children able to choose and select. Activities are organised to meet different needs and thorough admission information and verbal communication with parents ensures that individual needs are met. The childminder was unable to complete the second half of first aid training in 2003 or a course booked in 2004 and so is on the waiting list and will attend in September 2005 or sooner if offered a cancelled place. Documentation is kept up to date and generally in good order and attention is paid to confidentiality of information. However, written medication consent is not always obtained. 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 two recommendations were made. The childminder was asked to develop resources that reflect culture, gender and disability. The childminder now provides a good variety of resources. The childminder was asked to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children. This recommendation is being repeated because although the childminder has taken steps towards attending training and has completed one day of a two-day approved course, she does not yet hold an in-date first aid certificate.

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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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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 further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • complete a First Aid course which includes training for infants and young children • consistently obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to 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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