Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 201672 Inspection date 23 February 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 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. She lives with her husband and 2 school-aged children in the Galley Common area of Nuneaton, Warwickshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and the first floor bathroom. 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 and is currently minding 2 children under 5 all day and 2 children over 5 before and after school. She uses the car to go to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family have no pets.

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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 The childminder is able to supports 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 toys in the garden during the summer months, or when visiting local parks. They go for walks to get fresh air which help them to learn about healthy living. Younger children are encouraged to use individual wipes to clean their hands after toileting and before eating, which reduce the spread of any infection. They comply readily with hygiene routines such as nappy changing. Children stay healthy because the premises and resources are kept clean and parents are made aware of the sickness policy at their initial visit. This means that children do not attend when they are ill. The childminder ensures that she keeps up to date with parents daily so that children rest and sleep according to their need. They sleep within sight of the childminder so that they are constantly supervised. Children are sufficiently nourished with some healthy options,

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Helping children to be healthy

such as fruit, included in meals. They have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works with parents to do so; she finds out about any allergies, as well as their likes and dislikes. Older children are able to access drinks from the kitchen and younger children are offered them throughout the day, mainly with meals or snacks. The childminder maintains a current first aid certificate and gives medication with prior written consent from parents. However, she does not currently obtain evidence that she informs them when medication has been given.

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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 and safe environment where there have been only a few minor accidents. The ample space is used to ensure that young children can play, eat and sleep within defined areas so that the childminder has suitable measures in place to keep them safe, such as socket covers and locks on low cupboards. They use suitable and safe equipment appropriate to their ages, which the childminder selects according to which children are present. Although a fireguard is available, it is not currently fitted around the fireplace. The premises is kept secure and the childminder does not release children to unknown family members. Children are kept safe on outings with appropriate seats used in the car or a harness in the pushchair. When walking children are encouraged to hold hands. Appropriate insurance and parental consents are in place and the childminder carries

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

emergency contact details with her. All children learn to protect themselves when they practise the emergency evacuation drill and as they are encouraged to use hats and cream in the summer. They are further protected because the childminder understands her role in child protection and knows what procedures to put in place when necessary. She ensures children are not left with any unvetted visitors.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop some confidence and self-esteem as they have opportunities to select resources for themselves from the range provided by the childminder. She ensures that a variety of toys are within reach of the babies and older children are free to help themselves from the toy box. All the children have a strong relationship with the childminder and they have frequent periods of interaction. During this time they talk about what they are doing and she will draw items for the children to guess what they are. The babies are included in these activities if they are suitable. They also have good opportunities to explore toys with their hands and feet whilst on the floor or they sit on the childminder knee so they can see what is happening. Young children are interested in what they do and enjoy activities such as matching up various shapes or reading books. They meet with other children socially each week

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and during the holidays spend time with the older children at activities such as cooking or gardening. However, they spend considerable periods watching television, which means that they do not often use their initiative or engage in challenging activities. Children acquire some new knowledge and skills through their interaction with the childminder and each other, although this would be considerably enhanced through use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have their individual needs met adequately as the childminder holds daily discussions with parents to ensure she is updated. Each has their individual routine respected for meals, sleep and changing; so that some children have an early lunch, if they need an early sleep, whilst others eat later. They have a sense of belonging in the setting and appear happy and settled, including those who have only recently started attending. Children get on with each other and generally behave well. The childminder provides a positive role model by always being calm and polite towards them and having clear boundaries and expecting high standards of behaviour from them. She explains to older children why certain behaviour is unacceptable so they can distinguish between right and wrong. Praise and attention are given to encourage good behaviour, with occasional rewards. Children have some

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Helping children make a positive contribution

opportunities to make choices, such as over which toys to play with and deciding what they want for lunch. They develop self-esteem as they have periods of individual attention from the childminder, usually when others are asleep. Children are aware of their own needs and are beginning to be sensitive to those of others, such as gently passing appropriate toys to the babies to play with or helping with nappy changing. They become aware of wider society through the use of resources within the local community and as they access some positive images of gender, disability and culture, mainly in pictorial form.

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Organisation

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 due regard for the well-being of the children currently in her care. She organises the space within her home well, with the dining room used for eating, once children can sit at the table and the lounge for general play. She tries to minimise time spent in the kitchen to provide more opportunities to be with the children. She ensures that the main routines, such as school runs, sleeps and meals, are maintained. Basic policies and procedures are in place which work to promote children’s health and safety. All necessary documentation is in place, well organised and readily to hand. Paperwork shared with parents is regularly reviewed and updated if necessary and all required permissions are gained. 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 provide a wide range of toys and play opportunities for children's overall development, to ensure that she had an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and that all resources should be easily accessible. Since that time she has added some additional toys and resources but needs to continue to do so to meet the needs of the varying ages of children attending. These have included some books and play figures which provide positive images of equality and she is collecting together an album of pictures to prompt discussions with the children. The resources are made available either in the toy box in the lounge, or on the floor so that all children, including babies, are able to access some of them independently.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There has been a complaint made to Ofsted since the last inspection. This alleged that the childminder may not have relevant car insurance to transport minded children, that stair gates were not used and that children were confined to the kitchen area. These concerns related to Standard 4 (Premises) and Standard 6 (Safety). Ofsted investigated by unannounced inspection and a valid car insurance certificate was seen, which included business use. It was also found that doors to the stairs are closed, stair gates were seen during the visit and it was evident that the lounge is used for play. On the evidence seen, and the discussions that took place, no actions were set from this investigation and the provider remains qualified for 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

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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

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): • extend the range of activities available through the use of the Birth to three matters framework • ensure that evidence is obtained that parents have been informed of medication given to children • ensure that the fire guard is in place when minded children are present.

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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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