Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY239298 Unique Reference Number 13 December 2006 Inspection date Sheila May Price 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 since 2003. She lives with her husband and two school aged children in the Aigburth district of Liverpool. The ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed area for outdoor activities. The childminder is registered to look after a maximum of four children aged under eight. There are currently four children on roll aged from 13 months to six years. Children are regularly escorted to and from school. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and a local childminding network.

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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. Children are provided with a clean and healthy environment. The childminder ensures that surfaces in the kitchen and where children eat are cleaned with anti bacterial spray. She washes her hands before preparing food and ensures that children have clean hands before eating. Babies and toddlers are provided with their own individual flannels. Good hygiene practices are followed during nappy changing to prevent cross contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's medical needs are met well through thorough record keeping. Parents are well informed about the childminder's sickness policy so that they can contribute to preventing the spread of infection. Good arrangements are made for dealing with emergencies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a generally good balance of rest and exercise. They get fresh air daily as they walk to and from school and are taken to the park or a local parent and toddler group where there is good space and equipment for physical activity. Young children and babies just learning to walk have push along toys available to steady them and equipment to pull themselves up on so that they develop strength and confidence in their physical capabilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder gives children nutritious meals which contribute to a healthy balanced diet. Babies and toddlers are encouraged to try a variety of tastes and they eat up their food well. Good account is taken of children's individual dietary requirements in partnership with parents. Children are able to drink water regularly from their own cups, kept close at hand for them to use whenever needed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are looked after on premises that are well maintained and welcoming. They have a designated playroom, cheerfully decorated with posters and set out with a good range of equipment, which children are eager to use. The children rest in the comfortable lounge and they eat safely in the breakfast room where the childminder can supervise them well while preparing food.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder makes good judgements in assessing risks, taking account of children's ages and capabilities. She removes all hazards so children can play safely where ever they are. Babies are supervised closely when they eat to ensure they do not choke as they chew on solid food. When taking children out and about, the childminder follows good safety procedures for their protection and shares her policies well with parents. Children are safeguarded well by the childminder's good knowledge of child protection procedures. She has some excellent books to read with older children to help them understand about keeping safe.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and secure in the company of the childminder who has developed trusting relationships with them. Babies settle well and are responsive to hugs and smiles. The childminder encourages babies to babble and toddlers to talk by listening and responding well to what they are trying to say and repeating their sounds or words. Toddlers enjoy pointing to things around them or in books and naming them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are provided with a good range of resources to explore, with different textures and shapes, or which make sounds. They respond well to music. Toddlers build well with bricks and babies enjoy putting things in and out of boxes. Children are given big sheets of paper to draw on with thick wax crayons and dough to play with and mould. The childminder is beginning to observe areas for planning to give children more experiences and develop their capabilities using the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunities to explore the wider world within their community, such as visiting the park and the shops and going to toddler groups where they mix with larger groups of children. They enjoy experiencing all weathers and seeing the changes in the seasons. Sometimes too much activity out of the house is planned when children may be tired and could enjoy a quieter time with the ample resources in the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop confidence and self-esteem because the childminder values them as individuals. She makes sure each child gets the same amount of attention and varies activities to cater for their individual needs. Children have opportunities to make choices so that they take part in decision making and can make their own contribution. Babies are clearly secure and happy in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder handles children's behaviour sensitively and appropriately for their ages, helping them learn to give and take. She sets clear boundaries for children's safety and ensures parents understand her behaviour policy for consistency. She acts as a good role model in her positive attitudes towards others. Older children are helped to understand about their similarities and differences through the provision of some very good books reflecting positive images of diversity. Younger children do not have many opportunities to look in mirrors, or photographs of themselves to gain a sense of self-identity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses some very good written material to share her policies with parents so that they understand how her service operates. She also writes a daily report of what children have been doing and collects photographs to show parents the activities children take part in outside the home. Time is given for informal exchange of information about children's welfare and development when children are collected.

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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. The childminder has a strong commitment to training and development, which helps her to continually improve her service for children's benefit. She has started to evaluate her provision against the 'Birth to three matters' framework, to see if there are areas for improvement, and has found resource books to provide her with new ideas.

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Organisation

Time, space and resources are well organised. The childminder efficiently plans her time around taking children to and from school. She uses all parts of her premises and facilities in the community well to organise different activities. She is very well equipped and organises these well for children's access and choices. Numbers and ratios are well organised to meet children's individual needs. Regulatory records are well maintained for children's safety.

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Organisation

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

There was one recommendation arising from the last inspection. This was to improve the resources reflecting positive images of disability. The childminder has obtained some very good books to raise children's awareness of diversity, which reflect people with disabilities in a positive light. She is able to use these books with older children to discuss similarities and differences.

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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): • further develop use of resources, activities and routines to meet individual needs and plan next steps.

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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 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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