Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 201674 Inspection date 07 June 2005 Inspector Brenda Turner

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 has been registered since 1989. She lives with her husband and two adult children. They live in a house in the village of Wellesbourne in Warwickshire. There are shops, a school, a pre-school and a park within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor area is used for childminding. There is a large fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is currently caring for four children on a part time basis. The family have no pets.

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 attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis and she is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well supported to be fit and healthy through outdoor activities, physical play and walks to the local park. Children are well cared for in a healthy environment because the childminder takes good steps to prevent the spread of infection, for example, they learn about good personal hygiene, how and when to wash their hands such as before eating, after handling or stroking animals and after using the bathroom. Children are cared for in a light, bright, and clean child-friendly environment. Children's emotional well-being is supported well by settling in procedures and on-going care that meet individual needs. Children’s health and dietary needs are suitably catered for because the childminder works well with parents. Children have good access to healthy drinks like water and no sugar squash.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe and free from harm by the childminder's good awareness of children's constantly developing abilities, ensuring appropriate safety measures are applied to avoid dangerous situations. For example, she makes sure that radiators do not get too hot, and carries out regular safety checks on toys and equipment, although the absence of a secured guard around the gas fire means that the controls are accessible to children. Good security indoors and out ensures that children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised. Children learn about keeping safe when out and about through close supervision, guidance and clear safety rules and procedures for outings, walks and when crossing roads. Children's welfare is promoted by the childminder's understanding of her responsibility regarding the protection of children and suitable awareness of the procedures to follow.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children’s development is well promoted as they enjoy of a good variety of age appropriate play and learning activities that suit their individual needs and interests. They paint, listen to stories, sing songs and rhymes and pretend play. Children are well supported to try new activities and challenges such as threading, shape sorting and jigsaw puzzles and young children begin to learn about sharing and what is right and wrong. Children are helped to be successful by receiving genuine praise and encouragement for effort and achievement. They have fun and enjoy their time with the childminder who is actively involved in play and works alongside the children.

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 There are good opportunities for physical outdoor play, walks and visits during fine weather, to the village pet shop, the library and to look for ducks and swans on the river. Children's individual needs including rests, meal times and general daily routines are given high priority by the childminder when planning activities. Young children build good relationships with one another and with appropriate adult support play well together. Children develop independence by learning to do things themselves, for instance using cutlery at meal times and putting on their outdoor clothes.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued in their own right by the childminder who works well with parents to meet individual children's needs. Children are given good support to appreciate and value each others' similarities and differences. All children have free access to the full range of age appropriate activities. For example children enjoy stories, looking at pictures and watching appropriate television programmes that reflect positive images of different cultures. Information is shared with family members about children's specific needs which means children feel safe and secure and have a sense of belonging. Children's behaviour is very good because the childminder guides and manages their behaviour in a positive way and discusses with parents ways of managing individual children's behaviour that are consistent with their home environment. Children’s care, development and progress are discussed regularly with

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

parents. Children benefit from learning about the wider community by regular visits to local places of interest like the library or the village shops.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s various daily routines are well supported by good organisation, which ensures individual needs across the age range are met. The environment is well organised to ensure children take part in activities appropriate to their needs. Children’s health, safety, enjoyment and achievement are well supported by policies and procedures that work in practice to promote children’s welfare, care and learning. Children’s records are openly shared with their parents and their contribution valued. Useful information is regularly shared with parents to keep them well informed about the organisation of the setting and their child's activities.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the childminder has improved children’s safety. She ensures that smoke detectors are maintained in working order and routinely practices the emergency fire escape procedure. An effective system is in place to ensure that all entries in the medication book are countersigned by parents or carers. Since the previous inspection the childminder has also provided books that reflect positive images of people from different cultural backgrounds, which helps children begin to

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

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

p.4

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): • improve fire safety precautions in line with current guidance by ensuring the gas fire in the sitting room is safe or inaccessible to children.

p.5

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

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.5