Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY242360 Unique Reference Number 12 June 2006 Inspection date Chris Scully 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 daughter aged 16 years old in a three bedroom house in the Prescot area of Knowsley. The whole of the ground floor and playroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding four children, one during the day and three before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder takes children to the park, libraries, museums and other places of interest.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children for whom English is an additional language. She is a member of the National Child Minding Association and receives support from the local authority.

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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 learn the importance of good personal hygiene in order to keep themselves healthy. They understand the need to wash their hands before snack times and are confident to inform the inspector of this. They independently see to their personal needs, such as going to the bathroom. A sick children policy is in place, however, this does not cover the timescales for infectious illnesses or the procedures to follow should a child need to go to hospital. The childminder is trained in first aid, which means children's accidents are dealt with appropriately. However, some items within the first aid boxes are out of date. Children have regular opportunities to engage in physical activity within the garden. They enjoy playing football and crawling through the long grass 'like snakes'. Children's small skills are developing well as they create origami birds and use a variety of tools in craft activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. All meals are freshly prepared, following consultation with the parents to ensure that the children's personal needs and preferences are met. Some children prefer to bring a packed lunch with them, these are appropriately stored until lunchtime. The childminder is knowledgeable about the children's needs and provides an appropriate diet to all children. Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating through discussions with the childminder and eagerly tell the inspector 'we are not allowed pop at the childminder's because it's unhealthy'. Children have free access to a range of sugar free drinks and water in order to keep themselves refreshed.

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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 and secure home. The playroom is well organised to enable children to move freely and play in comfort. The organisation of the room successfully fosters the children's sense of belonging as their artwork is well displayed around the room. Children have free access to a range of suitable resources. They are confident to choose their resources and where to play. The use of low-level storage successfully fosters the children independence, as they are able to quickly find their favourite toys, such as action figures. Children have access to some resources promoting diversity.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised in the home as most risks have been identified and minimised. All fire detection equipment is in place and is checked regularly. A fire evacuation procedure is in place, however, this is rarely practised with the children. This hinders their ability to evacuate quickly in an emergency. All consents are in place for taking children on outings. Children learn how to keep themselves safe through discussions with the childminder about stranger danger and road safety as they walk to and from school. Children are confident to tell visitors how to handle the scissors safely; they explain the correct way to hold them 'so that you do not get hurt'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an understanding of some child protection issues and the need to keep children safe from harm. She has contact numbers for the Local Safeguarding Children Board

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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 and has the booklet 'What To Do If You Are Worried A Child Is Being Abused - Summary'. However, she is unclear on the correct procedures to be followed if she has concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled at the childminder's. The childminder builds good relationships with the children that enable them to feel safe and secure in her care. Children are keen to engage the childminder, her children and visitors in conversation and in play activities. Children benefit from good levels of support from the childminder who spends considerable amounts of time talking, listening and playing with the children. This successfully fosters the children's confidence and self-esteem. There is much excitement as the children challenge others to a game of air hockey. They jump up and down in delight when they score a goal. Older children are supportive of the younger children. They confidently explain the rules of games and provide plenty of praise and encouragement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder knows the children in her care well. She effectively plans activities and learning experiences to meet their individual needs; for example, she purchased a range of resources to help them to identify letters and numbers in preparation for starting nursery. Others are very interested in dinosaurs and are provided with a range of books and materials to encourage their interests. Children enjoy a range of trips, which effectively compliment their home based activities; these include the safari park and museum. Children's language skills and understanding are successfully fostered by the childminder as she gives clear explanations to their questions; for example, one child asks why one of the games is not working properly. The childminder explains that she needs to purchase new batteries as these are not strong enough to support the game.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a range of art and craft activities and are becoming skilled at using the various resources, such as scissors and various tools to create clay masks and to decorate china cups and saucers. Children's artwork is displayed with pride within the playroom. This successfully fosters the children's confidence and self-esteem. Children demonstrate good levels of skill and concentration as they recreate the faces of others using craft materials. They carefully select the tissues paper to ensure that it is a good match for the person's hair colour. Children have stated they are happy at the childminder's and enjoy 'dressing up and making things'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are fully included in all of the activities provided. The children's individual needs are known and acted upon by the childminder. Effective systems are in place to obtain information from the parents to ensure that children's needs are met well in practice. Children learn about the world in which we live through planned activities and discussions with the children about their own cultural backgrounds. Some children are bilingual and help other children learn words in Italian and Greek. Children have a strong sense of belonging as they openly talk about their cultural heritage and celebrations within the family. They are familiar

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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 with the daily routines and where their belongings are kept. They are very confident to select their resources and where to play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and respond well to the childminder's requests. They use manners appropriately when making a request, such as please and thank you. They learn to take turns and share resources with others. Minor disagreements are handled sensitively by the childminder and are quickly resolved. The effective implementation of the house rules enables the children to understand what is expected of them and how to behave appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops a positive relationship with parents, which enables her to provide good care to all children. Information sourced from the parents is used effectively to meet the children's individual needs. All consents are in place, which means that children are cared for in line with their parents' wishes. The childminder shares the portfolio and policies with parents. This means that parents are informed of the setting and the care that their children receive. The parents have stated that they are happy with the care that their children receive through the many thank you cards that the childminder receives. These include individual cards from the children thanking her for their birthday present and days out.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a secure understanding of the National Standards and ensures that all persons over the age of 16 years old are suitably vetted to be in contact with the children. All legally required documentation, which contributes to the children's health, safety and well-being, is in place and is well maintained. However, there are some omissions within the sick children policy, the complaints policy is not formalised and the certificate of registration is not currently displayed.

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Organisation

The childminder makes good use of the available space and supports children well in their play and leaning activities. Children are confident, feel at home and are able to express themselves well in their surroundings as they freely access the dressing up clothes and other resources.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection five recommendations were made. The childminder has revised the organisation of resources to enable children to make choices and decisions. Children are confident to self-select their resources and to make decisions about where to play and with whom. Additional resources have been purchased for older children, which has enhanced their choice, independence, fun and enjoyment. The childminder has introduced some recourses depicting diversity and has instigated a number of activities to enable children to learn about race, culture, gender and disability. This means that children are developing a positive attitude to others. The childminder has carried out two fire drills since the last inspection. However, this is not sufficient and hinders the children's ability to evacuate in an emergency. Written consent is in place for all children for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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 In addressing these recommendations the childminder has improved upon the children's health, well-being and enjoyment.

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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.

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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): • improve upon your understanding of child protection issues and the action to be taken if a referral is to be made to the Local Safeguarding Children Boards • revise the sick children policy and ensure the first aid box is checked frequently and items are replaced as necessary • display the certificate of registration and ensure all polices contain the required information as detailed within the National Standards.

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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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