Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 201340 Inspection date 21 February 2006 Inspector Lynn Morris

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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 1991. She lives with her husband, who is also a registered childminder, father, 2 adult children and 1 child aged 14 years in Bedworth, Warwickshire. She works regularly with an assistant. The ground floor, except for the downstairs bedroom and bathrooms on the first floor are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed area at the top of the garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children under 8 years when working alone and a maximum of 11 children under 8 when working with

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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 another childminder or an assistant. They are currently caring for 2 children under 5 during the day and 6 school age children before and after school. The childminder walks or drives to a local school to take and collect children. The childminder attends a playgroup regularly. The family has 2 cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children take part in activities, which contribute to their health. They use wheeled toys during visits to a local playgroup and have daily walks to and from school with the childminder. They play outside in the garden and go to the park to use climbing equipment to help them develop control. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn about the importance of hygiene and personal care. They wash their hands with liquid soap before meals and after using the toilet and can access wipes for themselves. Risks to their health are considered because the childminder has an adequately stocked first aid box but her current first aid certificate is out of date. Children bring their own food to the childminder's home, which is appropriately stored to reduce risk of contamination until children require it. They have access to a satisfactory range of snacks and drinks. Children's individual dietary needs are met

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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 home where most risks have been identified and addressed. However, children are not always prevented from accessing the stairs. They move around the home independently, using the lounge, computer room and a secure area of the garden for play activities and play confidently with a range of toys. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they hold hands when out walking and they learn how to use the green man at the crossing to cross the road safely. Children's safety is thought through by the childminder's procedures for emergency evacuation from the premises but children do not practise the procedure regularly. Children are transported safely in the family car and documentation for the car is up to date. However, permission to take children in the car has not been obtained from parents. Children are adequately protected from risk of harm or abuse by the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder's knowledge of local child protection procedures.

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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 The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well in the childminder's home. They make good relationships with the childminder and each other. They socialise with other children during weekly visits to a local playgroup. They benefit from using rooms in the home to enjoy a variety of play suitable for their individual levels of development. Children become independent as they choose from a range of toys, which are easily accessed in the lounge and are changed frequently to add variety. They enjoy the support given by adults at the setting. For example, children are helped to complete a variety of games and build constructively using bricks and Lego. They access wheeled toys, domestic play, creative and messy activities at the playgroup, which the childminder helps to run. Children's emerging language is developing and they

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about other cultures by acknowledging and celebrating different festivals. They make pictures, watch programmes associated with the festival and talk about the story of the celebration. They choose from a satisfactory range of toys and books, which help children develop a positive view of differences. Children are respected and valued and receive individual care according to their needs. They have equal access to resources. They receive praise and are encouraged by the childminder to share and take turns. They are told frequently that they are good and respond by behaving well. Children's information is exchanged with parents daily and the childminder provides a link to school for parents to pass on messages.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and happy in the childminder's home. They play in rooms downstairs and make use of the space and toys available in the garden. They make choices of play and use accessible toys and resources developing confidence and self-esteem. Children benefit from the childminder's organisational skills with regards to routines, which include a variety of activities to contribute to their learning and social skills. Children's records kept contribute to satisfactory care and information exchanged with parents ensures provision for children's individual needs. Confidentiality is maintained and children's personal information is kept secure. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the children she cares for.

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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 At the last inspection the childminder was asked to address actions to ensure that an effective registration system, showing all children present is in place and to ensure that the information details of all children are kept. The childminder keeps adequate daily information about children's attendance, which show times of arrival and departure and contracts contain children's individual details. She was also asked to address the following safety recommendations. To ensure that the garden is safe, to check children playing outdoors frequently, to ensure that the gas fire in the front room is inaccessible to children, provide documentation to support safety of appliances and to make all low level glass safe. The childminder has made a secure gated area at the top of the garden, which is padlocked and

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Improvements since the last inspection

prevents access by children to the rest of the garden and children are only allowed to play outside under supervision of the childminder. The gas fire in the front room is now ornamental and poses no risk to children and the childminder has documentation to demonstrate that appliances have regular services. All low level glass has been fitted with safety film. She also needed to provide resources to promote positive images of equal opportunities, ensure that parental permission is obtained in relation to emergency medical treatment and to develop her knowledge and understanding in relation to child protection. Children choose from toys and equipment, which promote positive images, they celebrate a range of festivals and the childminder researches ideas from the internet for festival celebrations. She obtains letters from the parents, which indicate that parental consent has been given when medication is needed and

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Improvements since the last inspection

children are protected from risk of harm by the childminder's satisfactory knowledge of local procedures to safeguard children.

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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 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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that first aid training is renewed every three years • ensure that children cannot access the stairs at all times • obtain permission from parents to transport children in the car • ensure that children regularly practise emergency evacuations from the premises.

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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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