Childminder in St Helens

Inspection report for early years provision

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315380 Unique Reference Number 25 September 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 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 was registered in 1990. She lives with her husband and four children aged 10, 12 and, two who are over 18 years. The family live in a three bed roomed semi-detached house in the Rainhill area of St. Helens. The whole of the ground floor is available to minded children. An enclosed garden is available for outdoor 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 six children all under eight years at various times during the week. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. She attends local toddler groups, parks and libraries. The family have a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is able to support children with learning difficulties or disabilities. She receives support from St Helens Sure Start.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a clean environment. They learn the importance of good hygiene practices through daily routines, such as washing their hands before meals and after going to the bathroom. Younger children are developing an understanding of this as they hold their hands out to be cleaned after they have finished their snack. The childminder is a positive role model to the children, as she consistently washes her hands before preparing food or changing nappies. Older children are confident to see to their own personal needs, such as independently going to the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is trained in first aid, which means children's accidents or incidents are dealt with appropriately. A sick children policy is in place and is shared well with the parents. This enables the childminder to provide appropriate support to a child who may become unwell and take the appropriate action. All documentation and consents relating to the children's health needs are in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy daily opportunities to test and explore their physical skills within the garden, toddler groups and local parks. They enjoy using apparatus, such as slides to extend their co-ordination, and large physical movements. Children manipulate small resources and tools well. They confidently use them to create their desired effect when they play with dough, pasta and other craft materials. Children sleep or rest according to their individual needs. This is supported well by the childminder who uses information from the parents to ensure the children's needs are met well in practice. Younger children's physical skills are developing well. Good support is provided to babies as they learn to stand, walk and feed themselves. This means the children's all round physical development is progressing appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy, nutritious diet. This includes fresh fruit, home made soups, sandwiches, cheese and biscuits. The childminder is attentive to the individual needs, likes, dislikes and preferences of the children. Some parents prefer to provide their own meals for the children, these are all appropriately stored and reheated for the children. The dietary needs of babies are met well by the childminder who works closely with the parents to maintain the child's daily routine. All children sit together at the table for meals and consequently enjoy a relaxed, social occasion with the childminder and their friends. They have regular opportunities to bake with the childminder. This enables the children to learn valuable life skills about food preparation and keeping themselves healthy. All children have access to a range of drinks including fresh water to keep themselves refreshed.

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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 warm, welcoming environment. The effective use of low-level storage systems successfully foster the children's independence as it enables them to select their own resources. Children and babies are confident to ask for additional resources, for example, a baby uses gestures and sounds to alert the childminder that they wished to play with the play

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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 house. Once this was placed in front of them the childminder was greeted with a big smile and the baby was quickly engaged in their play. Children have access to a wide and varied range of resources, which are appropriate for their ages and stages of development. Effective systems are in place for removing items that may be hazardous to the children. For example, the childminder has removed a slide as it has split, which ensures the children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Overall, the childminder has identified and effectively minimised most risks within the home to help keep the children safe. However, due to the current refurbishment taking place in the bathroom some potential hazards have been overlooked, which means children are at risk. Currently, children have access to low-level radiator fixing brackets on the wall and an exposed carpet gripper rod. Children learn to keep themselves safe through regular discussions with the childminder and practical activities, such as practising the fire drill and talking about road safety when out walking. They understand the need to wear seatbelts in the car to keep themselves safe. This is further supported by the childminder's knowledge of current legislation regarding transporting children safely in a car and the use of appropriate car seats. The childminder talks to the children about being safe outdoors, for example, if the children find toadstools or berries

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

in the park she reminds them not to touch as they may be poisonous. These discussions help the children to take reasonability for their actions and to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from abuse as the childminder has a secure understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection. She has undertaken a child protection course to further enhance her knowledge and understanding in order to keep children safe from harm. She effectively uses information, such as the child protection flow chart and the booklet 'What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused - Summary' to support her understanding of child protection issues. This ensures prompt, appropriate action is taken to protect children from harm.

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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 house. She builds warm caring relationships with the children, which enable them to feel safe and secure in her care. The childminder uses information sourced from the parents effectively to ensure the children's needs are met and to provide continuity of care. Children benefit from high levels of support from the childminder who spends considerable amounts of time talking, playing, listening and interacting with the children. This successfully fosters the children's confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are eager to engage the childminder in activities. They enjoy listening to stories and will often bring over a book for her to read and snuggle up for a cuddle. Younger children are confident in the childminder's care. They use gestures and sounds to vocalise their request for toys that may just be out of their reach, such as the play house. Children have good opportunities to explore their creativity and imagination. They enjoy making dens in the back garden and creating various scenarios, such as pretending to be pirates.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is very knowledgeable about the children in her care, their favourite activities and provides regular opportunities for the children to become engaged in these. For example, one child likes to pretend to be a ballet dancer and enjoys dancing around the living room,

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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 another likes to pretend to be a fairy and make crowns out of the construction stars. Younger children are provided with a variety of activities that meet their individual needs and preferences. This is successfully enhanced by the childminder's understanding and implementation of the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children enjoy a varied range of activities after school. They are able to choose their activities each night, which successfully enhances their sense of belonging and independence. This is effectively managed by the childminder who clearly understands the differing needs of the children at this time. Children enjoy a range of trips and outings, which actively engage their interests, such as going to the field to play football or visiting the safari park in the summer. The children's language skills and understanding are successfully fostered by the childminder as she gives clear explanations to their questions and helps them to construct their words correctly. For example, helping babies to sound out words and then repeating them so they can practise the words and understand their meaning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are included in all of the activities provided. Their individual needs and preferences are known and acted upon effectively by the childminder. Proficient systems are in place to obtain information from the parents to ensure all of the children's needs are met well in practice. Children learn about their local community as they walk to school and utilise the local amenities, such as the parks and toddler groups. Here they are able to play with their friends and explore different activities and learning experiences. Children have access to a range of toys and resources depicting diversity. The childminder provides a range of activities throughout the year to enhance the children's understanding of the world in which we live. This includes the acknowledgment of various festivals, such as the Chinese New Year. This includes looking at the culture and fun activities, such as using chopsticks to eat noodles. These activities and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

discussions effectively enable children to develop a positive attitude to others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are generally well behaved and respond well to the childminder's requests. They are polite and courteous to one another. Children share the resources and play well together, for example, when playing board games they display an understanding of the rules and turn taking. They understand the need for house rules and boundaries in order to keep themselves safe, such as holding on to the pram as they walk home from school. This enables the children to understand that there may be consequences to their actions. All children receive high levels of praise and encouragement from the childminder for their efforts and achievements. This successfully fosters the children's confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops positive relationships with the parents, which enables her to provide good care to all children. She effectively uses information sourced from parents to meet the children's individual needs. She provides daily verbal exchanges to ensure parents are kept fully informed of their child's day and their achievements. The childminder shares her portfolio and policies with the parents. This means they are fully informed of the setting and the care the children receive. All consents are in place, which means children are cared for in line with their parent's wishes. Parents have stated they are happy with the care the childminder provides

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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 and the range of activities offered to the children. This is supported by the many letters of recommendation and thank you cards the childminder has received.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home in the well organised environment and are able to freely express themselves in their surroundings. Children are confident to select their resources and to choose where to play. Good use is made of the available space in order to provide a range of activities. The daily routines are effective in practice and provide opportunities for active and quiet times throughout the day, which means the children's individual needs are consistently met. She has attended various training courses, such as food hygiene, fire safety, child protection induction, working with disability, the 'Birth to three matters' framework and attention deficit hyperactivity awareness course. This has effectively enhanced the children's health, safety, and the learning opportunities provided.

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Organisation

The childminder has a secure understanding of the National Standards and meets these well in practice. She ensures all persons over 16 years have been vetted by Ofsted. All legally required documentation and records are in place. Policies and procedures are formalised and shared with the parents. However, there are some omissions within the complaints policy as it does not conform to current good practice guidance, and the uncollected child policy as it does not include information about contacting other agencies should the childminder be unable to make contact with the parents.

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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

Following the last inspection one recommendation was made regarding informing parents of Ofsted's role as the regulatory body. This has been included within the complaints policy and ensures parents are aware of whom to contact if they have a concern.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action to meet the National Standards.

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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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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

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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): • ensure children can access the bathroom safely • revise the complaints policy and uncollected child policy to ensure they contain all of the required information.

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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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