Childminder in Knowsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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313028 Unique Reference Number 30 October 2006 Inspection date Michele Anne Villiers 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 has been registered for several years. She lives with her husband and two daughters aged 10 and 16 in the suburbs of Liverpool. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and 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 five children and currently has two children under five and four children who attend school on her register. The childminder attends the local toddler group and takes children for regular walks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a qualification in childcare and is active in helping to run and organise the local playgroup.

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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. The children's health is protected as they are cared for in a clean and well maintained home. The childminder takes positive steps to help minimise the risk of cross infection, and follows good procedures to foster the children's physical and nutritional needs. Nappies are hygienically disposed of using a specific bin, and the childminder wears protective gloves when changing babies. Children learn about the importance of personal hygiene and know to wash their hands at appropriate times. However, they do not have the opportunity to clean their teeth and fully learn about dental hygiene. Clean towels are provided daily for the minded children, but they do not have their own individual hand towel. The childminder has maintained her first aid certificate in order to deal with minor accidents, and the children's welfare is taken into account if they are sick, with a written exclusion policy that is shared with parents. The administration

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Helping children to be healthy

of medication is well documented along with parental consent.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a balanced nutritional diet, helping to foster their physical well-being. A large bowl of fruit is available for children to freely access and make healthy choices. Snacks and meals are varied and include different tastes and textures, such as pasta, bread sticks and naan bread. Children independently help themselves to drinking water from a dispenser, to quench their thirst. The children's dietary needs are met and parental choice respected. Many parents provide a packed lunch and the childminder emphasises healthy options with parents, such as yogurt and fruit rather than sweets. The routine of babies' and young children is maintained and they receive close support and attention.

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Helping children to be healthy

Exercise and fresh air are very much incorporated into the daily routine, helping to foster the children's health and physical stamina. Children enjoy running around in the garden, and access different toys including bats, balls, a see-saw, play tent and large trampoline. However, there are limited wheeled toys for younger children to practise their coordination and balancing skills. The childminder chooses to walk with children, when the weather permits, to take and collect them from school, and they frequently visit the local park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home is safe and secure for children to play and freely move around. The environment is very welcoming for children with a wealth of toys and resources attractively displayed in a designated play room. Child size furniture is provided for children to sit comfortably together, and they confidently explore their environment, choosing toys from low level shelving units and containers. The childminder gives good consideration to the safety and suitability of toys and resources, and provides areas for children to rest and relax. Babies and young children have space to learn to crawl and walk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop a good awareness of safety and know to take any broken toys to the childminder. The childminder constantly reminds children to be careful during play, such as holding on tight to the handrail when climbing the stairs to avoid falling. Children are supervised

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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 well and there is a written policy on using the trampoline along with written parental consent. The fire evacuation is practised with the children, helping them to learn what to do in the event of an emergency. The childminder is fully aware of the new legislation regarding car seats for children and has appropriate booster and child seats available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She has attended training courses on how to deal with child protection concerns, and has a written statement on what to do should she have any worries about a child, or if an allegation should be made whilst children are in her care. The childminder has also devised a written policy on what to do should a child become lost or uncollected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children happily settle in the childminder's care and eagerly engage in activities. The childminder plans a variety of interesting and stimulating activities to challenging the children and help them make progress in their all round development. Children feel secure in a welcoming environment and confidently initiate conversation and interaction with the childminder. The childminder motivates the children's play and sits with them providing good support. Children enjoy drawing and craft activities. They use glue sticks and carefully stick small star shapes onto paper with good dexterity. They choose different coloured shapes to make collage pictures, and become familiar with triangles and squares. Their mathematical skills are further fostered as they are encouraged to count and calculate during play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children freely express their own ideas and thoughts when painting and drawing pictures. They independently help themselves to pencils, crayons, chalks and felt tip pens to practise mark-making and writing, attempting to write their own name on their artwork. The childminder provides children with a very good range of construction toys, puzzles, games, books and role play resources. She uses good questioning to encourage children to use language to express themselves and foster their communication skills. Children discuss puzzle pictures and learn to recognise letters as they match the letter of the alphabet to the picture. They enjoy looking at books, listening to stories and singing songs to further enhance their language and literacy skills. Children access a wide range of dressing up clothes and use their imagination playing with puppets and role play resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive a balance of activities in the home and outside. They attend a local playgroup each week and go for outings to the farm, safari park and nature trail. The childminder has a good knowledge and awareness of child development and uses her skills to help children learn and develop. She uses observation to monitor how children are progressing and records their development in order to share the information with parents. She has some awareness of the 'Birth to three matters' but has not fully implemented the framework to further promote the outcomes for babies and young children.

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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 good. Children develop a strong sense of belonging. They confidently express their needs and ask for specific activities, and their artwork is displayed in the play room. Children learn about different cultures and the wider world in which they live through a good range of toys and resources. They play with multi-cultural dolls and puppets, and books, puzzles, play people and posters reflect positive images of race, culture, gender and disability. Children develop an awareness of different cultural festivals, such as Chinese New Year and Diwali, and all children access all activities without gender stereotyping.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The positive environment and constant praise from the childminder reinforces the children's good behaviour and fosters their confidence and self-esteem. Children are well behaved, polite and cooperative. They learn to share and take turns and eagerly help to tidy away. The childminder discourages any form of humiliation and parents sign an agreement not to shout, swear or smack their children whilst on the premises.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationship the childminder has with parents. Parents are welcomed into the home at any time. Information is shared through informal daily discussion, and they receive written information about the childminder and her provision. The childminder records the daily routine of babies and young children in a daily diary to share with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to improving her own knowledge and has recently completed a National Vocational Qualification level three in childcare. She uses her skills to benefit the children's care, welfare and development. The environment is well organised into specific areas for play and the childminder manages the routine and play opportunities to keep children interested, happy and occupied.

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Organisation

All regulatory documentation is in place and the childminder ensures that she keeps up to date with childcare issues. She has devised many written policies and procedures for the effective management of the provision. All paperwork is appropriately stored. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended: that the childminder should include in her child protection policy the procedure to follow should an allegation of abuse be made whilst a child is in her care, and to increase resources that show positive images of gender. The childminder has up- dated her child protection policy, further helping to safeguard children. She has purchased more toys and resources, such as books and puzzles, reflecting positive images of gender, helping children to become aware of non stereotypical gender roles.

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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 the last inspection 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 complaint 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 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): • continue to increase outdoor toys for young childrern • raise the children's awareness of personal hygiene • become more familiar with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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