Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY266867 Unique Reference Number 03 July 2006 Inspection date Gillian Sutherland 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and seven years old. The family live in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and she is currently minding seven children, most of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from school and she attends local parent and toddler groups.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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 enjoy a varied range of activities and experiences, both indoors and outdoors, which promote being healthy. Children access physical activities either in the childminder's paved area and garden at the rear of the house, or by visiting local places of interest. In the childminder's garden children play with a varied range of toys and resources, which stimulate and challenge children, whilst in the parks and local woods they benefit from larger open play spaces where they can run round freely, safely and also play a variety of games.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a home that is warm and welcoming to them, where they learn about the importance of good health and personal care as part of their daily routine. For example, they wash their hands before snack and mealtimes, after playing outside, participating in a messy play activity or going to the bathroom.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are fully discussed with parents prior to care commencing and specific needs are recorded on their enrolment form. This ensures that children are looked after in accordance with their parents' wishes and their individual dietary needs are met. Children learn about the importance of healthy eating, as the childminder provides them with a range of meals and snacks. A choice of fresh fruit is always available and children access a choice of drinks, including water, juice, or milk. Drinks are freely accessible to children during the day.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are allowed to move around freely and play safely. To ensure children are safe, the childminder has taken steps to minimise potential risks or hazards; most areas within the home, used by children are fitted with effective safety equipment. Examples of such equipment includes electric socket covers, safety gates preventing children accessing the rooms upstairs and smoke alarms on each level of the house, which are checked regularly to ensure they are in working order. However, effective practices or equipment to ensure children's safety when sleeping upstairs, are currently not in place. Children practise fire drills, thus ensuring they are aware of evacuation procedures which would be implemented in the event of a fire. They are informed about road safety dangers through discussion and participating in good practice as they go to the local schools or on outings to the local places of interest.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can freely self-select toys of their choice from a wide and varied range of good quality toys and resources, all of which are clean and well maintained. Children can also request certain toys and activities that may not be out or available at every session or every day. The varied range of toys and resources is appropriate for not only the children currently being cared for, but also for those the childminder is registered to care for.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues. She does have a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children procedures, which she would refer to for the contact details of the appropriate agencies, should she have concerns about a child in her care.

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled with the childminder. Young children are kept interested and stimulated with a selection of appropriate toys that are within their reach. Children have the opportunity to develop their creative skills as they paint, glue and stick and also access a range of other creative materials.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to become confident and independent, and this is achieved through the consistent use of support and praise from the childminder during their play activities. Interaction between the childminder and the children is good, for example, the childminder sat comfortably with the children and whilst reading a story to them, she encouraged their participation.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

During play, the childminder engages children in conversation as she talks to them about the toys that they are playing with. This was observed as children played with the home play resources and were putting their dolls to sleep in their prams. They also have available a selection of dressing up resources including brightly coloured and sparkling play shoes, handbags and baskets.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make choices throughout the day as they freely self-select the activities that they want to participate in, or which toys and resources they want to play with.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are made to feel very welcome and are relaxed in the childminder's home. Children's individual needs are identified during a pre-admission discussion with their parents and an agreement reached with the childminder as to how those needs will be met. Children have access to a range of toys and resources that reflect diversity and this increases their knowledge and understanding of the wider world. Children have the opportunity to self-select which activities they want to participate in and which toys they want to play with, there is no gender bias. Children's progress and development is shared with the parents in writing or verbally as they are collected at the end of each day.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses positive methods to manage incidents of unwanted behaviour. To achieve consistency in managing such behaviour, the childminder always includes this issue in the pre-admission discussion with parents.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

At the pre-admission discussion the childminder ensures that parents are made aware of her policies and practices and they complete the required documentation before care commences. The childminder's written policies are given to each parent before children are cared for.

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an environment where they feel at home and have access to bright and welcoming play areas. They also have access to a range of comfortable adult and appropriate child sized furniture.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder fully discusses her policies and procedures with parents as part of the pre-admission discussion. A copy of those policies and procedures are also given to parents prior to care commencing. The childminder maintains a current first aid certificate, which along with most of the required documentation is made available to parents. However, the childminder does not currently have in place a system to record any complaints made to her. She ensures that all documentation relating to childminding is stored appropriately and is made available for inspection.

p.5

Organisation

The documentation is stored in such a way that ensures confidentiality for the children and their parents.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder is very committed to attending training courses that will promote and develop her knowledge and understanding of current childcare practices.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection visit, the childminder has ensured that the number of children cared for on a daily basis comply with the conditions on her registration certificate. She has also obtained a copy of the local child protection procedures, which were easily accessed during this inspection.

p.5

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.

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 that effective practices are in place to ensure children's safety when sleeping upstairs • devise a system which would be used to record any complaints made and the action taken by the childminder to resolve those complaints.

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