Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY225431 Unique Reference Number 12 September 2006 Inspection date Janice Linsdell Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged seven, 11 and 13 years in the Rudheath area of Northwich. Her husband occasionally works as her assistant. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and she is currently minding three children who attend on a part-time basis. She drives to school and pre-school to take and collect children and she attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have a pet house rabbit.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's good health is sufficiently encouraged because the childminder maintains a clean environment and follows basic hygiene practices. For example, she supports children to wash their hands at appropriate times and ensures pet areas are kept clean. She is trained in emergency first aid which ensures children's accidents are dealt with appropriately. However, there is a lack of clarity and understanding regarding the procedures to be followed when children are ill. This increases the possible risk of cross-infection to others.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are adequately nourished and have their dietary needs met. The childminder tries to encourage healthy eating and provides a range of meals to promote the children's growth and development, such as cottage pie, rice and pasta. Children enjoy healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit, and have regular access to drinks of juice and water to keep themselves refreshed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from fresh air and exercise on a regular basis. For example, they enjoy playing in the spacious and well equipped garden, visiting local parks and going on bike rides. This encourages their development and enables them to practise their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a designated playroom which includes a wide range of safe and suitable toys and equipment for them to play with. Good storage arrangements enable children to access resources easily and safely. The childminder points out hazards to children to help raise their awareness of safety issues. For example, she tells children to be careful of pips when eating an orange, and whilst on outings she discourages children from petting any animals they may come into contact with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a welcoming and secure environment because the childminder takes sufficient safety measures to reduce any potential risks. Children are well supervised on outings and learn about road safety issues through discussion. However, the vehicle used to transport children does not include an appropriate level of car insurance and written permission to take children in the car is not in place for everyone cared for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is adequately safeguarded because the childminder is aware of her role in dealing with child protection issues. Systems are in place to record any existing injuries and appropriate action would be taken to protect children from harm. Relevant information regarding child protection procedures is said to be available, but this could not be located during the inspection.

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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 good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They are well supported because the childminder works closely with them to guide their play and learning. Children are comfortable in her care because she develops friendly relationships with them and encourages them to have fun.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans interesting and enjoyable activities to keep the children busy, such as various art and crafts. She links activities well to reinforce children's learning. For example, following the story of 'the hungry caterpillar' the children enjoy making their own caterpillar using a selection of craft materials. Children regularly attend the toddler group where they learn to socialise with children of similar age and enjoy frequent trips to local places of interest, such as the farm, indoor play barns and the airport.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children concentrate well as they complete jigsaws with support and help to mix different colours in readiness for painting. Children are proud to show things they have made, such as a mask made from card and tissue paper. They enjoy looking at a scrap book of their recent trip to the park, where they collected leaves and fed the squirrel.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder helps children to feel welcome and valued. She obtains relevant details about their needs to enable her to provide appropriate care. There are some toys and resources available to promote children's awareness of the world around them, so they are beginning to learn about diversity. Their awareness of the local community is developed because the childminder takes them to local amenities in the area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and respond positively to the childminder's requests. They are involved in making decisions about how they spend their time and learn to use good manners with gentle reminders. The childminder offers a good level of praise to acknowledge children's efforts and reinforce positive behaviour. This helps children to feel good about themselves and develop confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder establishes friendly relationships with the parents. Information is shared regularly through verbal chats as the children arrive and depart. This ensures that the childminder understands the children's needs and cares for them according to parents' wishes. The childminder has devised a welcome leaflet including photos of the children, to help inform parents about herself and her family.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has completed required basic training to support her in her role. She offers interesting and varied activities for children to enjoy and makes sure they receive appropriate

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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 attention and support. Children are cared for in a suitable environment and have access to their own playroom, which is organised so they can easily access resources of their choice.

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Organisation

Most required documentation that promotes the children's care and welfare is available and generally well maintained, but written agreements with parents are not in place for all children. Also, written consent relating to certain aspects of the children's care has not been obtained, such as consent to take photographs of the children.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, five issues were identified as areas for improvement which related to safety, records, resources to promote diversity and the childminder's understanding of child protection procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All of these issues have been appropriately addressed. Children's safety has been improved in the garden because a new gate has been fitted to make the area secure. An accurate record is kept of children's daily attendance in line with requirements. Some new resources have been purchased to help increase children's understanding diversity. The childminder has developed her knowledge of child protection by reading, discussing issues with a professional from school and obtaining relevant leaflets regarding local procedures.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • review the procedures followed when children are ill to ensure any risk of cross-infection is minimised

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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 • make sure any vehicle used to transport children includes appropriate insurance and ensure written consent for outings is in place for all children • make sure written agreements with parents are in place for all children and obtain written parental consent to take photographs of children.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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