Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY336362 Unique Reference Number 15 January 2007 Inspection date Lynne Naylor 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 satisfactory. 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children, aged two and six, in Formby. With the exception of the study, the whole of the ground floor is available for childminding. One bedroom on the first floor is also available for use. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding one child under five years. The family has a pet cat.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. They learn the importance of good personal hygiene by routinely washing their hands before eating and after toileting. The childminder disinfects the nappy changing mat after each nappy change, and thoughtfully provides individual towels and bedding, which protects children's health by preventing cross contamination. Young children rest comfortably and peacefully, according to their needs, in a travel cot, which is positioned in a designated bedroom. Good hygiene practices and appropriate levels of exercise and rest keep children fit and healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder acts in the children's best interests if they are ill. Children do not attend if they have a contagious illness, which prevents the spread of infection. Useful systems are in place for the recording of medicine administrations and accidents. In an emergency written parental permission to seek medical treatment has been obtained. Appropriate systems are in place to obtain written parental consent for prescribed medicine to be administered when it is required. However, parents’ views on the application of other creams, such as sun protection and barrier creams are not clear.

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Helping children to be healthy

Through conversation and activities, such as baking, children learn about foods and gain an understanding of the value of good nutrition. Young children are given regular drinks and are also reminded at regular intervals to have a drink to keep them healthy. Children are well nourished with the childminder having a good appreciation of the children's individual dietary needs and their preferences. The childminder obtains and uses good information about their specific needs and preferences to provide healthy snack options, such as chopped apple. Meals provided by the parents are suitably stored in a clean and well maintained refrigerator. Young children develop their independence as they feed themselves well at snack and meal times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Everyday, children enjoy the benefits of fresh air as they go out in a double buggy to local toddler groups and visit local parks. Babies are supported well whilst learning to walk, and older children gain good control of their body as they engage well in physical activity. They develop climbing and balancing skills as they are assisted to use equipment, such as the slide and small trampoline at toddler group. Children's good daily access to a wide range of small items, such as paint brushes, pencils and wax crayons and equipment, such as jigsaws and building blocks also helps to develop their coordination and physical skills. Therefore, children of all ages develop well physically.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a safe environment. They are visually very well supervised as they move freely around the ground floor taking part in a range of activities. They independently choose from a good range of activities and toys, which are well maintained, safe and suitable and meet their needs. The home is well presented and organised so that children have good access to suitable furniture and toys of their choice. Children use the ample space well, comfortably spread

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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 themselves out whilst playing on the floor and sit comfortably on a range of adult and child sized chairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Smoke detectors are fitted and regularly tested to ensure that they are in working order. Evacuation procedures are practised regularly. This ensures children know how to leave the house safely in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is no evidence that the glass in the living room door meets British safety standard, however, other hazards in the home are identified and effectively minimised. The childminder has plans to minimise kitchen hazards prior to using the kitchen, which is not presently accessed by children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When out walking, the use of a double pram and reins ensure children are kept safe. Young children are beginning to learn about road safety, as the childminder talks about looking left and right before crossing roads and points out safe places to cross roads, such as pedestrian crossings. Appropriate car seats are used when children travel in the childminder's car, however, parents’ written permission for children to be transported is not clearly obtained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder displays a satisfactory knowledge of child protection issues. She has useful procedures and all the required documentation in place to protect children. Consequently, children's safety, care and welfare are well promoted. She also has plans to attend a workshop to increase her awareness of child protection issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children relate well to the childminder who has a friendly and approachable manner. She shows a clear interest in what they say and do, asking them questions to make them think and to promote their learning. Children benefit from the childminder's good communication skills as she talks to them, points at pictures in books, reads stories, sings songs and extends their vocabulary. The childminder responds to the utters of babies and introduces new words and in response, young children make sounds and repeat words. Children's mathematical, communication and language skills are developed well through routine and play activities. For example, the childminder encourages children to count as they climb up and down the stairs and make animal noises as they operate a musical farm toy. The childminder values the children's efforts and praises them in a positive way, which further builds children's confidence and boosts

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children confidently help themselves to a good range of easily accessed equipment stored in boxes and on shelves in the playroom. On a daily basis, children take part in many enjoyable activities, such as crayoning, finger painting, baking and modelling with dough. The childminder uses her growing knowledge of the children's abilities to plan and provide a broad range of interesting and stimulating activities, which meet children's needs and provide appropriate challenge. Consequently, children make good progress in all areas of their development. Daily routines include activities, both inside and outside of the home. Each morning, children meet and socialise with other children at different local groups, such as toddler or music group.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop a good awareness of their immediate world. They effectively learn about their local community on regular outings to places of interest, such as the squirrel reserve. They learn about living things as they feed the local ducks and plant carrots, onions and parsnips in the garden. Although some jigsaws and books reflect other cultures, children have access to few resources that reflect the diversity within today's society to help them gain an awareness of others differences and similarities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. They receive lots of appropriate praise, encouragement and cuddles, which actively promotes their self-esteem and confidence. Positive praise and distraction, together with house rules, ensure children behave well. Parents are warmly welcomed into the home and useful information is regularly exchanged in order to meet the individual needs of the children. Positive relationships between the childminder and parents benefit the children by enhancing the consistency of care provided. The childminder shares her observations of the children with their parents, verbally and in writing on daily sheets.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Statements regarding the required parental consent signatures have been considered but not clearly obtained, therefore parental views are not clear. A system of recording and sharing complaints with parents has been devised, in line with recent amendments to the National Standards.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a growing knowledge of how children learn and is keen to access further training to build on the quality of the service, in order to benefit the children. She holds a current first aid certificate. The home is well organised so that children can rest and sleep undisturbed whilst other children play comfortably in the playroom. Children's individual routines regarding rest and play are effectively followed, which means that babies and young children are happy, relaxed and confident in this 'home from home' environment. They initiate their own activities within the routine features of the day and make good progress in all areas of their development. They independently choose their own toys, from the playroom, and make decisions about where to play.

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Organisation

All the required documentation and record keeping systems, which contribute to the children's care and well-being, are readily available in an easy to read format. Important details about parental wishes and the children's needs, likes, dislikes and medical history are readily available to the childminder. Parents are verbally well informed about the provision and have access to some useful written statements, which promote continuity in children's care. 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

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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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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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 satisfactory. 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): • take steps to ensure that low level glass is made safe and children are not exposed to hazards in the kitchen • ensure that appropriate consent forms are signed by parents in relation to the administration of medicine and children being transported in a vehicle.

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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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