Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY241048 Unique Reference Number 21 June 2006 Inspection date Jean Evelyn Thomas Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and one in Upton in Wirral. The childminder's husband is approved as her assistant. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. The toilet and sleep facilities are situated on the first floor level. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one children under five on a part time basis. The childminder attends the local toddler group.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean setting where hygiene procedures are implemented to help prevent the spread of infection. For example, toys are clean, children have their individual drinking beakers and follow basic hand washing procedures before eating and after toileting. Children are protected when they are ill because the childminder follows appropriate measures including making the children comfortable and contacting parents. The childminder is aware of the procedure to follow if children contract a communicable illness. The childminder is trained to administer appropriate first aid to children and keeps detailed records of accidents.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs and preferences are fully met as information is obtained from parents. The childminder is currently only providing snacks as parents are choosing to provide the children's lunches. Children learn about healthy eating as the childminder ensures the snack foods contain little or no salt or sugar. The snacks consist of a variety of fruits, wholemeal bread and yoghurts. The children's drinking beakers are accessible at all times to encourage children to respond to their bodily needs and drink when thirsty.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in activities that promote a healthy life style, such as having regular fresh air and exercise. They are taken to parks and open spaces where they can run freely and use larger apparatus to gain control of their bodies. The garden is used throughout the year, weather permitting. The children freely move between the house and garden where they enjoy a range of play equipment and activities including sit and ride toys, the slide, the climbing frame, sand and water play.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming and secure setting. There is ample space for children to play in comfort. The registered areas of the home are used to meet the needs of the children allowing them to rest, sleep, play and eat together. Toys and books are attractively set out to encourage children to play. The childminder has a large stock of play equipment to sustain the interest of the children. Children confidently make their own choices in play and independently select resources. These are carefully monitored and supervised by the childminder to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children's care needs are met through the childminder having appropriate equipment in place such as, high chairs with harnesses, cot, low level travel bed, pram and car seats for different ages of children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe environment. Hazards are minimised as the childminder completes a risk assessment. Children learn about keeping themselves safe both in the home and outdoors through following routine procedures and guidance from the childminder. For example, they hold the childminder's hand or the pram when out on walks and follow the simple rules of looking and listening when crossing the roads. Children stay protected during travel because they are secured in appropriate car seats when out in a vehicle. Children are encouraged to tidy away toys when the floor becomes overcrowded with play materials. The childminder explains

p.3

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 that they could trip over and hurt themselves if they do not do this task. Children do not leave the premises unsupervised due to the level of supervision offered and the security device in place on the front door.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues and her responsibility in following procedures to safeguard children. She updates her knowledge through attending training sessions to ensure the correct practice is implemented.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confident in their surroundings and make themselves at home. Children are motivated in play, which they pursue either independently or with the positive interaction of the childminder. They sit together at floor level to complete jigsaw, the childminder gives appropriate assistance to complete the task putting forward suggestions about the pieces to look for. Children concentrate on activities and use their imagination to develop their own ideas. When playing with the farm buildings, the animals and the play people the children introduce cars and trucks. The play people are taken on a long journey by the children pushing the vehicles through the lounge and hallway, collecting more animals and people on the way.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The activities and equipment offer children good levels of challenge, such as the selection of jigsaws and construction toys. The childminder introduces shape, letter and number concepts through conversation and games. There are many opportunities for the children to be creative and use their imagination using craft, art, role play and small world play resources.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder allows children to play at their own pace enabling them to work through their creative ideas until they are ready to move onto another activity. This is successful through the childminder's organisational skills and an understanding of children's needs and interests. There are opportunities to socialise with other children through attendance at toddler groups. Children learn about their local community and the natural world as they visit the urban farm, parks, the library, and school.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children have equal access to the play materials and activities. Consequently they enjoy a wide range of play opportunities and experiences. Children's individuality is valued and respected which develops their self confidence and self esteem. The childminder has some resources including dolls, play people and a selection of books to help children become aware of diversity and the needs of others.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is encouraged through frequent praise which helps them understand when they have done well. The childminder is consistent in her approach to managing children's behaviour using positive strategies appropriate for their age and stage of development. This aspect of care is discussed with parents before the arrangement commences.

p.4

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 benefit from the positive working relationship developed with parents. Children are looked after according to parents' wishes. These are discussed before children start and consents are obtained to transport children, take photographs and seek emergency medical treatment. The childminder keeps a photographic record of the children she cares for and the activities children undertake, which is shared with parents.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are safeguarded as the childminder ensures persons who are not vetted do not have unsupervised access to the children. The childminder is undertaking a childcare qualification and has familiarised herself with the Birth to three matters framework to support children's welfare and development.

p.5

Organisation

Children are cared for in a welcoming and well organised setting. Children enjoy both quiet and more robust play. Comfortable seating is available in both the playroom and the lounge to allow children to rest as they wish. The childminder organises age appropriate activities for the older children in different areas of the home where they can play undisturbed and not present a potential hazard to the younger children.

p.5

Organisation

Recording systems are in place to maintain confidentiality to protect children's privacy and dignity for example, personal information is securely stored in individual children's folders. The childminders records are kept up to date and all relevant paperwork is shared with parents. However the written parental agreement regarding the assistant caring for the children was not available for inspection. The childminder did not inform Ofsted about the birth of her second child to initiate the reduction in the registered number of minded children and for the certificate of registration to be amended accordingly. These omissions by the childminder are breaches of conditions of registration. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the childminder is developing a stock of resources to help children learn about the diversity of society. Written consents have been obtained from parents to transport children and for emergency medical treatment to ensure the appropriate care is provided. The fire blanket is secured in position for children's safety in an emergency. These improvements ensure the safety of children on the premises and also on outings.

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • ensure all conditions of registration are complied with • notify Ofsted of any significant events which may affect the welfare of the children.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6