Childminder in Liverpool

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY297287 Inspection date 12 July 2005 Inspector Margaret Patricia Mellor

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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 their two teenage children in West Derby, a suburb of Liverpool. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a rabbit and a hamster. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 3 children aged 18 months to 10 years. The childminder walks to take and collect children from school and she regularly attends local toddler groups.

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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 supported by Liverpool Early Years Child Care Partnership and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, warm and welcoming environment. Children stay healthy because the childminder has appropriate health and hygiene practices, for example every child has their own towel and tooth brush and the childminder uses bacterial spray to wipe down worktops and changing mats. This contributes to children's good health. Children learn about good personal hygiene through their activities and routines as they help wash the dishes, sing songs about brushing their teeth and are gently reminded by the childminder to wash their hands after digging in the soil or handling the rabbit. This fosters children's understanding of how to help stop germs spreading and keep themselves healthy. An effective sick child policy makes sure the childminder takes appropriate steps when the children are ill, such as making the child comfortable and contacting the parent immediately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the importance of healthy eating because the childminder provides them with a good range of nutritious foods. Children are encouraged to make healthy choices such as cheese dips, cherry tomatoes, grapes, pears, kiwi and dried fruit at snack time. This encourages children to try a variety of foods and increases their awareness of a range of tastes. The under three's help themselves to drinks of water which contributes to their good health and encourages their emerging independence skills. Parent's wishes are respected and children's dietary needs are met so they remain healthy. Children's awareness of a healthy lifestyle is encouraged through a wide range of physical activities which contributes to their good health. Children play in the garden most days to run in the fresh air, play on the climbing frame and ride on wheeled toys. They move to music and roll and tumble through regular visits to gym tots. This

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Helping children to be healthy

improves children's physical skills and helps them to balance and improve their co-ordination. All children are active or restful and sleep according to their respective needs and parental wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment, for example children's risk of accidentally injuring themselves is minimised through the childminder's vigilance in reducing potential dangers in the home. Children move around with confidence because the space is organised creatively to promote children's growing independence as they freely explore their indoor and outdoor environment. Children are protected from harm because the childminder has developed her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, has attended the relevant training and is

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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 clear about her role and responsibilities. This helps keep them safe and safeguards their welfare. Children learn about personal safety through the childminder's gentle reminders to pick up the toys so they do not trip and through regular fire evacuation practices. Children know they wear wrist bands when they walk in the community because it helps keeps them safe which contributes to their developing awareness of personal safety and a sense of danger. Children independently choose activities from a good range of resources and equipment that are suitable in design, condition and comply with British safety standards. The carefully chosen play materials are developmentally appropriate for the age range of children attending and are carefully selected to meet their needs. Children are very interested in their many toys and have much fun as they play with

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the dolls, read books, do jigsaws and role play. Children access their play materials freely because the childminder organises them well, for example toy boxes at floor level enables the children under 3 years to reach them easily and safely. This helps promote children's independence and their sense of achievement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled, content and at ease in the welcoming environment. Children's self-esteem and sense of belonging is encouraged as their paintings and papier-mâché models are displayed in the childminder's home. Children's independence is fostered through the childminder's consistent support and encouragement. The warm relationships developed between the childminder and children positively contributes to their sense of belonging. Children enjoy each other's company and socialise with other children through regular attendance at toddler groups and gym tots. They become independent as they make choices about their activities and the toys they play with. Children begin to understand their own needs and respect the needs of others. Children are motivated and interested in a broad range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities. They use their imagination

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

in role play, have regular story times and make musical instruments out of recyclable materials. This greatly contributes to their creativity. Children learn to count through everyday routines such as counting the stairs at bathroom time which supports their mathematical development. They respond gleefully when they discover snails as they hunt for bugs and watch the flower seeds they have planted grow which helps them learn about the natural world. The children under three years enjoy appropriate challenges such as putting their shoes on which contributes to their fine motor skills and emerging independence. All children relish sensory experiences as they listen tapes of rhymes, finger paint and play in the sand and water. Children are happy and have fun while they learn and develop through purposeful and meaningful play.

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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 are highly valued and respected as individuals and eagerly participate in the activities. This helps children feel secure and settled in the childminder's home. The childminder knows the children well and makes allowances for their different personalities and they respond warmly to her. Children make free choices about the activities and toys they play with, which helps foster their self-esteem and independence. Children begin to appreciate the wider community through the dolls they play with, as they listen to stories about differences and go on regular walks in the local community. However, the limited range of activities that help children learn about diversity means that their understanding of people in the wider community is not fully developed. Children behave very well and their self-esteem is positively encouraged through the childminder's excellent use of praise and encouragement. They are encouraged to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

talk about what they are doing and children are confident to ask questions and use initiative in their play. Children learn to care for their environment as the childminder gently reminds them to help tidy away the toys. Children show care and concern for one another and learn to play harmoniously together, such as sharing the toys and taking turns. Children are confident and happy and enjoy one another's company and relate well to their childminder. Children benefit from a good partnership with parents. Children's detailed record forms and initial discussions help identify children's individual needs and improve the quality of care offered. Children under three years settle well because the childminder works closely with the parents to ensure they follow their home routine. The childminder shares information about children, their activities, interests and progress through the children's work folders and chats at home time. This helps build

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Helping children make a positive contribution

meaningful relationships between all and contributes to children's continuity and quality of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from good adult support through the appropriate adult-child ratios. The childminder's knowledge and understanding about children's care and development contributes to the high quality of care offered. Children's care is enhanced through the childminder's commitment to improve her knowledge of child development through the 'Birth to three matters' guidance and regular attendance at training such as 'Families get Active'. This broadens the range of children's experiences and helps them develop. Children are at home and at ease in the well organised care and play environment. Children explore their indoor and outdoor environment safely and make choices about the toys they play. This helps foster children's confidence to initiate and extend their own play and learning.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children's welfare is promoted and the childminding provision is effectively managed because all the relevant records are in place, completed in detail and stored securely maintaining confidentiality. Good documentation in combination with training such as child protection and first aid helps the childminder keep children healthy and safeguards their welfare. Information is shared with parents regularly and the meaningful relationships between all greatly contributes to children's continuity and quality of care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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): • take steps to improve the range of activities that help children learn about diversity and develop their understanding of people in the wider community

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The quality and standards of the care

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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