Childminder in Wigan

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY320119 Inspection date 12 July 2006 Inspector Mary Wignall

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children both aged less than eight years of age. She minds in her home in the Standish area of Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. She is registered to care for up to four children at any one time. Care is provided both in term time and out of term time.

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THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION

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 play in a clean and hygienic environment as the childminder ensures cleaning routines are effective. The children learn about good hygienic routines as the childminder encourages them to wash their hands after playing outside or eating their snacks. The childminder is consistent in asking the children to wear hats when playing in the strong summer sun. The children are happy to wear their hats preferring ones with their favourite shapes and colours. The childminder makes sure they get their favourite hats so they can enjoy their games in the sunshine. The children enjoy physical activities playing actively both inside and outside the home. They are developing good coordination skills as they cycle around the garden manoeuvring safely in and out of toys and equipment. Sound systems are in place to record any medicines given to children. Consent for the administration of medicines

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Helping children to be healthy

to children is sought, although consent for emergency medical treatment is not obtained from parents to protect children in times of emergency. Accident records are maintained, although they are not always fully completed as the action taken following the accident is not included in the information recorded. This provides limited information to the children's parents and carers. Children’s dietary needs are obtained from parents to ensure an appropriate diet is provided for the children. The children benefit from the childminder's understanding of healthy eating. They have low fat snacks and plenty of drinks in the hot weather. The childminder encourages the children to sit at the table while they eat to develop good eating habits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are confident in the childminder’s home as they move freely around the premises choosing what and where to play. The childminder has ensured the premises are secure and welcoming to the children. She provides good quality toys stored at low level which the children easily access for themselves and find interesting. The childminder implements sound procedures to keep the children safe. The garden is well equipped with well maintained toys and equipment. The childminder encourages the children to choose their own activities, supervising them appropriately to ensure activities are suitable and safe. The children learn about safety as she explains to them the need, and benefit, of tidying up toys they have finished playing with. The children are protected by the childminder's sound understanding of child protection issues. Children's welfare is protected by required

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedures and insurances in place. These are used well to ensure the children are safe during outings and that relevant records are maintained.

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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 are confident, choosing what and where they want to play. They independently access their toys and chat to each other as they play. The childminder gives time for the children to develop their own games and intervenes appropriately. After playing boisterously outside they are more restless when they return indoors. The childminder engages the children well in an imaginative role play game. She ensures each child has a role to play to avoid disputes over toys. The children enjoy her attention. She takes on the role of the customer to develop their roles. The children take up their roles with enthusiasm making the most of the toys and space. The children enjoy using the interactive toys, talking with confidence on the toys phones. The children have a warm relationship with the childminder. This creates a positive

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

caring atmosphere for the children to play and develop. The childminder is a good role model for the children as she talks politely, as a result the children are polite. They ask if they can help when she changes the battery on one of the toys, explaining as she does why it is needed. They are able to listen with interest and want to be involved. The childminder plans the day around the children's needs. She is aware that they attend part time and is keen to provide a balance of activities for them to play either quietly or boisterously.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet the children's needs. Contracts are used to set out business arrangements. Children's individual needs are requested from parents to enhance their care. She understands the need to treat each child individually, although she does not know if she has toys with positive images of diversity. She is not sure how she promotes equal opportunities or anti-discriminatory practices. She is aware that some children may have special needs and ensures she talks to the parents about their children’s development and activities. Children’s behaviour is carefully managed. The childminder encourages the children to take turns. The children are familiar with this as they remind each other as they play. One child asks ‘Can I have a turn, you’ve had two turns?’. The children generally relate to each other well, aware of each others’ needs and giving space for

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Helping children make a positive contribution

each others activities. Disputes over toys are settled quickly by the childminder if they can’t be resolved by the children themselves.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are confident and comfortable moving around the premises due to the childminder’s organisation and planning. The premises and equipment are organised to maximise the space available for the children’s activities. Procedures are in place to ensure that parents are informed about the care provided and contracts used to set out the business arrangements. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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): • increase the promotion of the children's health in regard to; requesting written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical treatment or advice, and ensuring accident records are fully completed • increase the promotion of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices for all the children.

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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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