Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY293960 Inspection date 09 June 2005 Inspector Chris Scully

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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 2004. She lives with her husband, and three children aged seven, six, and three years in the Hough Green area of Widnes. The house is within walking distance of parks, shops, a library and recreation area. The whole of the ground floor and two bedrooms are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is providing care for three children aged 10 months, 5 and 7 years. The childminder takes children on local visits to places of interest including an adult and toddler group. She takes children to and from school.

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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 The childminder is a member of National Childminding Association and receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained home. They learn the importance of good hygiene practices through daily routines. They independently access the bathroom to wash their hands after going to the toilet or before meals. Children have good opportunities to run, climb and use large apparatus when visiting local parks. This means children learn the importance of being fit and healthy. Children begin to notice changes in their bodies such as asking for lolly ices after playing outdoors to cool down. Effective systems enable the childminder to reduce the risk of cross infection to children such as exclusion timescales for specific illnesses. Children learn to cover their mouths when coughing, to wipe their own nose and to see to their personal needs effectively. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a well stocked first aid kit. However this is stored in the garage

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Helping children to be healthy

and subsequently hinders the childminders immediate access to first aid equipment. Drinks are readily available to children, this enables them to refresh themselves. Main meals are provided by the children's parents. The childminder provides a range of healthy and nutritious snacks. This is in line with parents requests and effectively meets the children's individual dietary needs. Children learn about healthy eating whilst enjoying cooking activities such as baking. The needs of babies are very well met. The childminder is knowledgeable about their specific needs and meets these very well in practice. This means babies are developing well, are happy and contented and are continually meeting their developmental milestones.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move freely and safely between rooms on the ground floor. They are cared for in a clean and well maintained environment where hazards have been effectively identified and minimised. Children learn the importance of fire safety through discussions with the childminder who explains what to do if the smoke alarms are activated. Children develop an understanding of safety through daily routines such as walking to school, talking about road safety and stranger danger. This means children are developing a clear understanding of the need to keep themselves safe. Good quality toys and resources are organised well in child height containers. This enables children to confidently select their own toys promoting their choice and independence. The resources for babies are organised in order to encourage them to select resources that are interesting, will stimulate and enhance their learning

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

opportunities. The baby happily explores the resources and his environment, choosing to play with the books and activity centre. Children and babies have good

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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 opportunities to become engaged in a range of purposeful play activities. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures. All required documentation is in place to protect children. The childminder uses her knowledge well to promote children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have a good sense of belonging. They are happy and secure in the childminders care. Care of babies is good. The childminder spends considerable amounts of time talking, singing and playing with babies. This means babies all round development is good and progressing well. The sharing of experiences as they talk and laugh together helps develop warm and caring relationships with the childminder. Babies and younger children enjoy sitting together to listen to stories. Older children develop independence as they freely make choices of how they wish to spend their time after school. The children enjoy each others company and form strong friendships. They enjoy a range of well planned activities and outings such as trips to the park and baking crispy cakes. This enables them to build upon their own interests. Children learn new skills such as identifying changes in the environment and using larger utensils when

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

baking. The childminders secure knowledge about the children in her care enables her to provide a wide range of purposeful play and learning opportunities. She is attentive to the needs of babies and quickly develops clear routines that enable them to feel secure. The childminder is to implement the birth to three matters guidance to further extend the play and learning experiences for younger children. Children receive high levels of praise and encouragement which actively encourages their confidence and self esteem. The childminder is very aware of the children's' individual personalities, likes dislikes and provides a balanced range of activities to meet their individual needs. Children are keen to participate in activites and to visit toddler groups to meet with their friends.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are engaged in a rage of interesting and stimulating activities which promote their all round development. This includes activities at home and at toddler groups that enable children to effectively learn about the world in which we live. However these opportunities are not always available to older children. Children learn about their local community from trips to the park and other local places of interest. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The effective systems for obtaining information about children's individual needs is used well by the childminder. This enables her to provide good care and a wide range of learning experiences. Daily exchanges keep parents fully up to date with their child's progress. They show good

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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 levels of respect such as children helping the childminder to care for the baby. Children are well behaved. They learn about the boundaries and expectations through discussions with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and confident in the well organised environment. The childminder has an understanding of the national standards. All required records are in place. Some consents are not in place and procedures are not formalised. However these are shared verbally with the parents. The childminder makes good use of the available space to provide a well balanced range of activities. This means children are sufficiently challenged, stimulated and engaged in purposeful play. Children are familiar with the daily routine such as the day for playgroup. Information provided by the parents is clearly recorded and used effectively to meet children's individual needs. Daily conversations with the parents actively contribute to the good quality care children receive. Overall the provision meets the needs of all the children attending.

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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): • formalise all policies, share these with the parents and ensure all required consents are in place

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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 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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