Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 201630 Inspection date 14 February 2006 Inspector Brenda Turner

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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 has been a registered childminder since 1988. She lives with her husband and two adult sons. They live in a house in Kenilworth in Warwickshire. There are shops, schools, parks and parent and toddler groups all within walking distance. The kitchen, conservatory and downstairs cloakroom are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a dog and a cat. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years; of these not

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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 more than three may be under five years; and of these not more than one may be under one year at any one time when working alone. When an assistant is present and working directly with the children the childminder may care for four children under five years and two children under one year. The childminder is currently caring for nine children some of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from infection and are well taken care if they have an accident or become ill because the childminder follows appropriate health and hygiene routines. For example, to avoid the spread of any infection kitchen areas are regularly cleaned with anti bacterial products, dish cloths are routinely changed and children use colour coded face cloths or disposable wipes. Clear procedures are made known to parents and all emergency contact numbers are accessible. However, the methods used for recording accidents and the administration of medication do not maintain confidentiality of children’s information. Children begin to understand simple good health and hygiene practices. For instance, with occasional reminders they normally wash their hands after using the cloakroom, before eating and after stroking the animals. The animals are suitably controlled and kept away from the children for most of the time in the utility area.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s meals are provided by their parents and safely stored by the childminder. They learn about healthy living through discussion about their likes and dislikes and healthy foods. Older children walk daily to and from school accompanied by younger children who travel in a pushchair. Children rest and sleep according to their needs, as the childminder works co-operatively with parents to try and follow individual routines. The children take part in and enjoy regular age-appropriate physical activity both indoors and outdoors. For instance, music and dancing, manoeuvring sit and ride toys and push along toys. In fine weather and under close supervision younger children use the outdoor securely fenced decking area away from the main garden. Older children make use of and explore the main garden under close supervision when younger children are not present. All children enjoy regular visits to the local

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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 welcoming, secure and safe environment. The childminder takes appropriate steps to ensure potential hazards are minimised. The fire evacuation procedure is displayed on the wall and routinely practised. Smoke detectors work at every level of the house and are interconnected to the main electricity supply. However, the fire blanket is not readily accessible for use if needed.

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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 Children use suitable and safe good quality equipment that is well organised and stored appropriately. Care is taken to ensure small items are stored separately to avoid potential choking hazards for very young children. They are kept safe when walking out and about. For example, reigns are used for young children. Older children learn to walk on the inside of the pavement away from the traffic and follow safe procedures when crossing roads. They are all under close supervision when visiting the park and they wear hats during hot weather to keep them safe in the sun. Children learn to keep themselves safe and to avoid accidental injury as they move safely in and around the setting. The childminder talks to the children about keeping safe for example, when walking out and about when near traffic and crossing the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

road. At the kerb they all stand close to the childminder. They stop, look and listen and avoid crossing a road in a particularly busy place. Children are further safeguarded because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. A written policy is shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and well settled. They are confident and play and interact happily with one another across the age-range. They are involved and interested in a broad range of activities and spontaneous events, which support their development and learning. For example, older children often request and enjoy simple baking activities during school holidays. Some children devise and set up make-believe situations such as a picnic style tea where they take on family roles. They utilise a good range of props and materials to support the imaginative play situation in various areas of the setting. Young children enjoy sand play activities, painting and pretend play like dressing up. They acquire new knowledge and skills and respond happily to the childminder who is interested in what they do and say. For instance, they talk about colours and the size and shape of things when walking out and about. Young children enjoy a range

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of jigsaw puzzles. These are changed according to individual levels of achievement to provide greater challenge. Children make positive relationships across the age-range. They are interested and investigate what other children are doing. They begin to distinguish between right and wrong and show care and consideration towards others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for by the childminder who works co-operatively with parents to meet individual children’s needs and ensure they are included fully in the life of the setting. They are valued, feel a sense of belonging and are well settled. They form good relationship with one another and with the childminder.

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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 understand responsible behaviour and respond to appropriate expectations for their behaviour. They follow clear rules that help them to show respect for other people as they begin to learn to share and take turns. Across the age-range they learn to work harmoniously with others in a secure and familiar environment. Older children show care and concern for younger children as they talk with them and help and support them in a kindly way. Children are valued and listened to. Some children talk about their interests, what they are doing and share any day-to-day concerns with the childminder. They make choices and take decisions about what games to play, or how to organise things and what equipment to use. Children become aware of wider society and benefit from activities and resources,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

which help them to value diversity. For instance, books and different cooking utensils for home corner play. They make books using various magazine pictures and discuss different types of food. This helps them to extend their knowledge and understanding of children and adults from different backgrounds and with varying needs. Children’s well-being and development is effectively promoted because the childminder maintains a co-operative working relationship with parents. There is regular contact and opportunities for discussion with parents at the end of the day. Alternatively, they may make arrangements to speak with the childminder at a more convenient time.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder knows the children well and has a high regard for their well-being. They are properly cared for and supported to enjoy and benefit from their time with the childminder. Areas within the setting are well-organised for the comfort and use of the children. For example, the conservatory is set up as a playroom. Procedures work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Useful records are properly completed to ensure the work of the setting is carried out effectively. The childminder develops and maintains a good working relationship with parents. Information is shared daily with them and any comments are welcomed. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

In 2004 actions were imposed to ensure the children are supervised by the childminder at all times; and that an assistant must be present, when more than three children under five are cared for. The childminder now has suitable procedures in place to ensure that the required level of supervision is in place when caring for more than three children under five years.

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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 ensure that children have access to a variety of activities and resources that reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability. To practise an emergency escape plan and to improve record keeping by obtaining written parental consent to seek emergency medical or treatment and to transport children by car and to ensure children's details are completed for all children attending. Children have access to increased resources that reflect positive images of children and adults from a variety of cultural backgrounds and with varying needs. Children's welfare is further protected as written permission is requested from parents to seek any emergency medical advice or treatment and to transport children in a vehicle. The required information is recorded for all children and they are further safeguarded

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Improvements since the last inspection

from fire as the fire evacuation procedure is regularly practised.

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Complaints 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. Since the last inspection three complaints were received by Ofsted. 05/05/2004 - Complaints were received relating to National Standard 2 (Organisation); 6 (safety); and 11 (Behaviour) alleging that the childminder was exceeding registered numbers of children and not meeting adult-child ratios, that children were left unattended or in the sole care of the childminding assistant, that the childminder's management of children was not appropriate and that activities for children and opportunities to play were minimal. Ofsted investigated by unannounced inspection and found that the childminder was not using the assistant effectively, resulting in adult-child ratios not being met at all times and the assistant had also provided sole care without Ofsted approval. Ofsted also found that children's

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Complaints since the last inspection

attendance records were not correctly completed. Ofsted issued actions, including compliance actions, in respect of these findings and on review at subsequent investigation visit it was evidenced that the assistant had continued to provide sole care without Ofsted approval. There was no evidence to support the allegations of inappropriate child management or lack of activities. Ofsted initially decided to remove the condition allowing use of an assistant. The childminder objected and subsequently appealed to the Care Standards Tribunal regarding Ofsted's decision; however this decision was reversed by Ofsted prior to the appeal hearing. Ofsted subsequently agreed a rewording of the condition of registration in relation to the use of an assistant in order to clarify the requirements of the condition. The provider remains qualified for registration. 05/07/2005 - Concerns were raised from an anonymous source about the safety of

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Complaints since the last inspection

children in the home of the provider, in that the family’s dog was seen outside the premises in an incident with another dog. Further concerns were raised about the accessibility of the outside area to other dogs and strangers causing a risk to children in regard to the security of the premises. This relates to National Standard 6 (Safety) and Standard 7 (Health). We asked the provider to report to Ofsted within 7 days to demonstrate how standards are maintained. The provider reported back within the given timescales, supported by letters from parents of children using the service. The

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Complaints 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 provider has taken steps to ensure the incident with the other dog cannot happen again and security and safety within the setting have been reviewed. We are satisfied that the concerns raised have been addressed and the provider remains qualified for registration. 18/10/2005 - Concerns were raised from an anonymous source about children crying during the day which causes the complainant concern for the welfare of the children as to the length of time the crying carries on for. This relates to National Standard 3 (Care learning and play). We asked the provider to report to Ofsted within 7 working days to outline how standards are met. The provider reported back within the given timescales. The report outlined how the provider checked with neighbours on both sides of her property regarding the complaint, confirming that they are not unhappy

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Complaints since the last inspection

with the level of noise and to reassure them. There are also supporting letter from parents as to the level of care afforded to the children. The provider has outlined the routines of the day and as a result no further action was required and the provider remains qualified for registration.

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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): • improve fire safety precautions by making the fire blanket accessible • ensure confidentiality is maintained when recording accidents and details of medication administered

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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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