Daly, Helen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 322156 Inspection date 26 April 2005 Inspector Patricia Ann Sang

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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 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 1995. She lives with her husband and 2 daughters aged 12 and 14 in the Hunts Cross area of Knowsley. The whole ground floor and two upper floor bedrooms are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time during the day and a maximum of two children for overnight care. She is currently minding six children, three children under five during the day, one child in the school holidays and two children after school in term time only. The childminder walks to

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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 local schools to collect children. Schools, shops, public transport and a library are all within the locality. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children acquire good eating habits as they are offered a wide variety of nourishing foods for breakfasts, main meals and snacks. This ensures their growth and development is nurtured. Children get pleasure from choosing their favourite fruits when they visit the shops. They benefit from fresh air with opportunities taken to enjoy picnics in the park. Children's physical development is stimulated with regular walks to the library, parent and toddler group, dance sessions and local park. Their physical skills are further enhanced through trips to the swimming baths where they gain confidence in splashing about in the water. Children's health is safeguarded as the childminder is trained in first aid and any injuries children sustain are treated effectively. They are protected when they are ill when the childminder takes appropriate steps to attend to their needs. Children are looked after in a clean and tidy home. They develop an awareness of

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Helping children to be healthy

good hygiene through daily routines and learn to recognise and use their individual flannels by colour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe as measures are taken to reduce risk both indoors and outdoors. Use of safety equipment built into swimming costumes provides further protection when children are taken to the swimming baths. Good practical procedures are in place for lost children, older children know not to get upset and that they will soon be found. Appropriate arrangements are in place for carrying children in a vehicle, they are kept safe and comfortable with appropriate restraints. Children eat, play and sleep in comfort as there is a good range of furniture and equipment that ensures their ongoing needs are met. Children are familiar with fire practise carried out every month. They have visited the local fire station and know about the dangers of fire. Children know not to run about in the house, they understand that they can hurt themselves if they bump into each other. Children are kept safe from harm as the childminder keeps relevant information on

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

file and knows what to do should there be concerns about a child's care. However

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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 this information may not be up to date.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They are happy, confident and inquisitive. They ask questions and the childminder responds with explanation in ways they can understand. Children derive much pleasure from activities that support them in being imaginative and creative. For example they participate in dance sessions each week where they listen and move to a range of music. Children delight in meeting up with others and enjoy new and familiar rhythms to dance to. Children learn to do things for themselves as the childminder knows how to balance her support. Children's self esteem is raised as they accomplish tasks for themselves. Children learn about left and right as dollies are undressed and dressed again. They learn how to unbutton and button up as they experiment with varying ways of fastening dollies clothes. Children are relaxed in the childminder's home. Opportunities are taken up by the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder to make links with home. For example she reads a story about 'Topsy and Tim's trip', she asks children if they can remember where they are going for their holidays and they recall the country they will visit. Children are encouraged to put toys away before getting others out, they collect their play materials and learn to be responsible in tidying up after themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's needs are met through discussion with parents and agreement about appropriate settling in periods. Children are affectionate to their carer when they say goodbye and feel a sense of belonging as they settle with the childminder. Children's development is formally documented for under two's and shared with parents. This provides a two way flow of information and children benefit from consistency of care. Children develop positive attitudes to others in the wider community. They use and play with resources that show an Indian wedding, grandparents taking children to feed the ducks and a person in a wheelchair shopping in the supermarket. Parents are appreciative of photographs given by the childminder. They show children playing harmoniously together in the ball pool, bouncy castle, enjoying a teddy bears picnic, wearing face masks they have made and participating in a fancy dress party.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children increase familiarity with other children they will attend nursery school with. Weekly play sessions are arranged so they can get to know, and make friends with, each other. Good behaviour is acknowledged, children behave well and know the importance of kindness to each other. Children's sense of the outdoors is enhanced as they plant seeds and cuttings in a section of the garden. They derive a sense of pride as they nurture plants and watch them bloom.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are respected as individuals, they access a broad range of activities that include indoor and outdoor experiences. Space within the home is organised so that children move freely and play in pleasant surroundings. Children enjoy dance and swimming pool sessions, visits to the library and meeting up with other minded children. Arrangements for emergency cover ensure that children's wellbeing is not compromised. Children's welfare is central to the childminder. She formally commits herself to helping children develop a range of skills before formal education commences. Written information is shared with parents. It covers all aspects of the provision and affords ongoing reference for parents. Parents are kept up to date about children through regular discussion, diaries and photographs. This reassures them that children are well looked after. All legally required, and other, documentation is

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Organisation

managed efficiently and easy to access. The childminder has recently embarked on training for 'Developing Childminder Practice' which will enhance her knowledge in areas related to her work with children. Adults living in the household continue to be suitable persons. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was required to keep the first aid box fully stocked, to ensure parents sign records of medication, to inform parents of how to make a complaint, to acquire resources that reflect diversity and to update knowledge of child protection issues. The childminder now has a fully stocked first aid box and parents sign all records of medication administered, both of which contribute to children 'Staying Safe' and 'Being Healthy'. Resources reflect disability, race, culture and gender in positive ways. Children enjoy using the play materials and learn how everyone can make a 'Positive Contribution' to society. A written complaints statement identifies Ofsted as the regulator with an address and telephone number should parents not be satisfied with the outcome of a concern raised. The childminder has not been successful in her attempts to access updated training in child protection. She continues to apply for a place on subsequent courses. This

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Improvements since the last inspection

will update her knowledge of current practice and ensure children's wellbeing is safeguarded.

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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): • update, and develop, a knowledge and understanding of child protection issues to safeguard children's welfare

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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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