Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 201461 Inspection date 10 April 2006 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 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 1998. She lives with her husband and two teenaged sons in Water Orton, Warwickshire. Her husband also acts as her assistant. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, although children mainly use the ground floor 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, when working alone or 10 when her husband is acting as an assistant. She is currently minding 5 children under 5 during the day and 2 children over 5 before 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 after school. They all attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family has a dog and 3 cockatiels. The childminder supports children with special educational needs. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Children Come First approved childminding network and is able to access funding for nursery education for three and four-year-olds.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have regular opportunities for physical activity when they use the local park or have equipment such as tents and tunnels to play with in the house or garden. They also visit other childminders in the area who have large gardens. Babies have ample free space within the main areas of the house to learn to crawl or walk. The older children's daily walk to school ensures that they get some fresh air every day and helps them to learn about healthy living. The children use individual flannels at lunchtime, with liquid soap and paper towels used in the cloakroom, and they understand the simple good health and hygiene practices, which they co-operate with. Children stay healthy because the childminder has measures in place to keep the premises very clean. She also makes herself aware of any illness in the area and ensures that her pets do not pose a health risk. Parents are informed that children do

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Helping children to be healthy

not attend with infectious illnesses to reduce the risks of cross contamination at their initial visit. The younger children rest and sleep according to their need, usually after lunch, with the childminder finding out their routines from parents before they attend and then daily changes from their diaries. Children are well nourished due to the healthy snacks and meals provided and the childminder has a good awareness of food hygiene procedures. They have a cooked midday meal when they all sit together at the table. Parents provide prepared bottles and food for the younger babies. Children all have good access to drinks, which are offered to the younger children regularly, whilst the older ones are able to help themselves from a jug in the kitchen. They all have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works with parents to ensure she is fully aware of these, such as what affects a

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Helping children to be healthy

child's eczema. Any medication given is recorded appropriately before hand, although parental signature's have not always been obtained. They have had few accidents and a first-aid kit is available. However, it is not easily accessible and does not contain gloves, which could delay treatment in an emergency.

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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 very welcoming and safe environment, which the childminder keeps secure. They have ample space and are able to pursue differing activities in separate areas of the house, such as messy creative activities in the

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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 kitchen, so that younger children do not access unsuitable items from the older children. They all use only suitable and safe equipment, which the childminder checks regularly to ensure items are in a good condition, well maintained, clean and appropriate to the ages of those who use them. Necessary safety equipment, such as a gate at the bottom of the stairs and cupboard locks in the kitchen, protect all the children from those hazards which the childminder has identified. Children are kept safe on outings, which are usually within the local area, with permission gained from parents before hand and reins or harnesses used for the younger children. Those children who require a sleep, use the first floor bedrooms, where they are constantly monitored. The well thought out evacuation plan includes 2 routes from the first floor

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and is practised regularly and always after a new child starts. Children learn to protect themselves through these drills and also by being encouraged to use hats and sun cream in the summer months. They are further protected because the childminder has a very good understanding of her role in child protection and knows what procedures to put in place when necessary. She does not allow unvetted people to be alone with the children and insists that parents notify her in advance of all those who are able to collect their child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop confidence and self-esteem as they are given many good opportunities to be independent throughout the day, such as the older school children doing what they wanted to decorate their Easter cards, or the younger child given the freedom to access whatever toys she wanted from those out in the lounge. They are interested in what they do and spend extended periods working on craft activities, which they enjoy taking home. Older children are confident and talk freely about themselves, they are obviously happy and settled. They interact with each other to decide what they want to do with toys and talk about what they are doing. They know what other toys are available and ask for things they want to play with later. Younger children enjoy close interaction with the childminder, during which time the toddlers hold pretend phone conversations and the babies have opportunities to practise

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

babbling noises which the childminder responds to. The childminder has a close rapport with all the children and is aware of the type of activities each enjoys. Younger children regularly go on outings which offer them good first hand experiences, such as to story time at the library, a visit to the garden centre or to socialise at the toddler groups. Children acquire new knowledge and skills through these experiences and the childminder is also skilled at supporting them in trying out new activities within her home. She ensures that activities have differing levels to accommodate the varying ages of the children and they respond satisfactorily to such challenge. The childminder uses simple activity plans for the pre-school aged children and has begun to use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to record activities for those under 3 years.

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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 have their individual needs met well, including those with additional needs. The childminder ensures that she spends ample time with parents and the child before they attend to get detailed information and she liaises with outside agencies when appropriate. Parents are all given information about the childminder's policies and all the records that are kept about their child. Daily verbal exchanges take place to ensure the childminder is up to date and daily diaries are provided for children under 2 years. All the children are happy and settled in the setting. They have a sense of belonging and like to be involved in some of the household routines, such as tidying away the toys before lunch. Their self-esteem is enhanced through seeing their creative work displayed and they take pride in taking items home to share with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

their families. The younger children particularly use resources within the local area on a regular basis. Children get on with each other and have good interaction with the childminder and her husband. They play co-operatively and are willing to share resources. The older children are aware of the differing needs of those younger than themselves and accept that this restricts what they can do at times or where they can play, knowing that they will have other opportunities later. All of the children understand reasonable behaviour because the childminder provides them with a positive role model, uses praise frequently, has clear boundaries and is consistent in dealing with any incidents. Thus they begin to distinguish between right and wrong. Children make choices constantly, when deciding what to play with and for how long. They are encouraged to self-select toys from the range provided and older children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are also confident to ask for other items or to go into different areas of the house. Children become aware of wider society as they access a range of resources which promote diversity and they celebrate various festivals throughout the year.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised and maintains all the necessary records which are readily available, with most of the permissions needed from parents and stores them so that confidentiality is assured. She has a full range of policies and procedures in place, which are fully shared with parents. These all work to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment and achievements and their positive contribution within the setting and the local community. The childminder continues to attend a variety of training to keep her knowledge and skills up to date. She has a high regard for the well-being of the children in her care and organises the space within her home well to provide them with ample space, with the facility to have several activities ongoing at the same time. Since she works with her husband as a full time assistant, children have constant adult interaction which enables them to progress well in all areas of

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Organisation

development. Thus the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection the childminder was asked to maintain a vehicle insurance policy that meets the requirements for the transportation of children, which she has since done.

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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

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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

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): • ensure that a first-aid kit is readily accessible and contains all necessary items • ensure that all parents sign to give prior consent to medication

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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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