Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY293183 Inspection date 20 December 2005 Inspector Sheila Dawn Flounders

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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 2004. She lives with her 3 young children in the Overslade area of Rugby, Warwickshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding together with the first floor bathroom and a bedroom for sleeping young children. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 3 children at any one time and is currently minding children over five after school only, but is also able to mind children under 5 during the day. The childminder uses her car to transport children from several local schools. The childminder attends the local toddler group when

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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 caring for children of an appropriate age. The family have a cat. The childminder is able to support children with additional needs. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have some opportunities for physical play when they use the local park, with younger children attending toddler group and visiting an adventure playground. They learn about healthy living during the summer months when they spend a lot of time outdoors getting fresh air in the garden, with the childminder ensuring they use sun cream. Children understand simple health and hygiene practices with liquid soap available, with the childminder doing occasional checks to ensure they use it. There are satisfactory measures in place to limit cross infection, such as cleaning routines, which help children stay healthy and they do not attend when they have infectious illnesses. The childminder puts systems in place when young children are present to ensure the cat does not pose a health risk. Young children rest and sleep according to their need, with the childminder finding out their routines from contact with parents

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Helping children to be healthy

before they attend. Those children who have meals in the setting are sufficiently nourished and have been encouraged to extend the range of foods that they eat. All children have satisfactory access to drinks. They have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works with parents to ensure she knows what these are. Suitable systems are in place for the recording and storage of medication, although written consent has not been obtained from parents for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure environment where measures are available to ensure their safety, such as cupboard locks and protection for low glass when young children are present. They mainly remain on the ground floor of the premises and the childminder is careful to ensure they do not all go upstairs at once. Supervision is necessary when they use the garden, due to the slope and when they access the adjoining garden to provide more play space. The childminder takes care when preparing and serving food to ensure that the children are not in the cooker area. Children use suitable and safe equipment relevant to their ages, with items such as stair gates and booster seats available when needed for the younger ones. All the children are involved in a complex daily school run, with suitable procedures in place which ensure that the children are all collected safely. Written permission to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

take children in a vehicle has not been obtained from parents, although they are aware it happens. Children learn to protect themselves as the emergency escape plan has been discussed, but it has not been practised. They are further protected because the childminder has sufficient understanding of her role in child protection

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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 and knows what procedures to put in place when necessary. She has obtained the necessary first aid qualification, but does not maintain a suitable first aid box for minded children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy playing together when they come home from school. For example, they develop confidence and self-esteem during a dressing up activity as they show each other the various outfits they have created. Children are interested in what they do and are happy to spend over an hour with the dressing up box, using their initiative in choosing what they want to wear, discussing who they look like and finding out what is the most bizarre combination they can create, such as a monster mask with a tutu. As they are playing they interact with each other, generally well, although the childminder has to give some reminders if they get too excited or do something which is potentially dangerous, such as waving a wand around. This helps them to begin to distinguish between right and wrong. More structured activities are planned for younger children. Children ask questions sometimes and discuss with the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder what they have been doing at school, often in the car on the way home. They acquire some new knowledge and skills through the satisfactory first hand experiences they are offered and the childminder is able to provide support for those who want to do their homework or practise their reading. All children are provided with activities that provide suitable challenge for their age and ability and encouraged them towards independence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have their individual needs met adequately and those with additional needs are fully integrated into the activities and have their routines respected. The childminder has sought additional professional advice, as well as collecting information from parents to ensure she is fully aware of all their needs. All the children know that they have a choice and do not have to join in the specific activity on offer, but can if they prefer watch television or spend time drawing for example. Children have a sense of belonging in the setting and are encouraged to be responsible for their own belongings and personal hygiene. Although they have only attended for a short period they are all familiar with the premises, the boundaries set by the childminder and the daily routines. Children generally get on well together, understand the need for reasonable behaviour and usually respond positively to the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

reminders given. The childminder is careful to explain to them all what they are going to do and why, for example that they should all help to tidy away. Suitable strategies are in place to manage any unwanted behaviour. Children develop self-esteem and respect for others as they play co-operatively, for example taking pride in showing each other their dressing up creations and being accepting of everyone else. Those currently attending are all old enough to be aware of their own needs, able to communicate these to the childminder and are sensitive to those of others being different. Children become aware of wider society as they interact with each other

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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 and use resources which provide positive images, particularly of other cultures.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder makes adequate use of the space within her home to provide children with sufficient play space and has arranged use of the adjoining garden for older children to provide more suitable outdoor space. She organises the hectic school run to ensure that all the children are collected at the appropriate time. She has regard for the well-being of the children in her care, although the structure of the daily school run limits some of the interaction and activities which might otherwise take place during term-time. Most of the required paperwork is in place, although some has not been needed yet and necessary written parental permissions are not kept. All the paperwork is stored together and is readily available when needed. There are some verbal policies and procedures in place which work to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment and achievements and help them to make a

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Organisation

positive contribution in the setting. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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

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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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):

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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 • ensure that written parental permission is gained for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure that parents give written permission for their child to be transported in a vehicle • ensure that a suitable first aid kit is maintained • ensure the emergency escape plan is practised.

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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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