Penk, Heather Marie

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY293138 Inspection date 06 July 2005 Inspector Susan Patricia Birkenhead

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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 has been registered since December 2004. She lives with her partner and 16 month old daughter. The family live in the Boughton area on the outskirts of Chester City, close to local amenities. The whole of the ground floor, two of the bedrooms and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's house are used for childminding. In addition children have access to the fully enclosed garden area for outside play. There are six children on roll, of these three children are of school age, which include

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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 two children over the age of eight years. All children are cared for on a part time basis. One child was present at the time of the inspection. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows effectives practices and procedures within her daily routine. Children learn about personal hygiene, which is promoted through hand washing before meals and after using the toilet. Aspects of nappy changing procedures reflect positive hygiene practices . For example children under 2 years are given individual flannels to wash their hands and faces before and after their meals/snacks. Children's ill health is discussed with parents and agreements reached to ensure all children are protected from the risk of infection if they are unwell. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of food safety and therefore the risk of ill health is avoided. For example she monitors the temperatures of the fridge, different foods are stored separately and basic food safety regulations are in place. Children are actively encouraged to eat healthy foods as the childminder provides

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Helping children to be healthy

light healthy lunches and snacks. Through consultation with their parents the childminder supports the children's dietary needs, recognises their likes and dislikes and respects parents wishes. She accommodates parents wishing to provide their own meals. Children have effective independent access to drinks throughout the day. For example the under two's are provided with colour coded beakers in the play area for them to access when thirsty and the content is changed at regular intervals. Older children help themselves to drinking water as required and bottled water is taken to the park. Children of all ages are positively encouraged to take part in physical activity. For example children walk to the park, access suitable outdoor play materials and equipment to develop their physical skills and they dance to the music. Older children learn from the childminder that physical activity has a positive effect on their good

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move between the areas accessible to them under the close supervision of the childminder, mainly on the ground floor. Through the use of equipment children's access to areas can be restricted. For example older children have access to the conservatory for play purposes, as their play materials may not be safe for a younger child, the safety gate is placed across the door. Children are able to eat, sleep/relax and play in comfort as the designated areas of the house are used effectively for

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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 meeting their different needs and promote independence. For example sleeping children can be accommodated upstairs, children in high chairs eat together in the kitchen. The good use of equipment in place ensures children are protected from potential hazards in the main. However the glass in the conservatory has not been protected. The childminder recognised this as a potential hazard to children and the procedures followed reduces such risk. For example children are always supervised outdoors and children are distanced from the glass. The childminder intends to protect the glass with safety film without delay. Effective procedures are in place to ensure children are safe during outings, for example younger children are accommodated in a buggy or are fitted with a wrist strap/reins when walking. Older children learn to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

keep themselves safe as they are made aware of the ground rules. Unsafe practices and the effect this could have on themselves and others are discussed with children to raise their awareness. The childminder has a secure knowledge of fire safety and evacuation because the fire safety officer has visited and informed her on procedures for fire evacuation. The childminder has developed a written procedure for parents and older children who are said to have a positive awareness. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder demonstrates an understanding of her role in protecting children from abuse. She recognises the signs to look for and the procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child in her care. The written policy in place for child protection makes parents aware of her role. In addition a child protection training course has been attended and reference documents outlining the local area procedures and contacts are held.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The procedures for settling children into the setting initially, are good. For example the childminder obtains a good level of information from the parents regarding the child's normal daily routine to ensure continuity of care. As a result the children are secure and comfortable in the care of the childminder and positive relationships have been developed. Children play co-operatively. In the main they learn to take turns and share resources well. Younger children play happily alongside each other and are responsive to the childminder's positive interaction to promote and extend their learning. Children show interest in what they do. The effective written planning of weekly and monthly goals to be achieved, highlight the individual aspects of children's development, which require encouragement. Children have opportunities to play quietly, watch TV, take part in musical activities and dance, bake cakes and play

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

games. They play outdoors and visit the local park to develop their physical skills. Younger children are limited in creative activities, which are restricted to colouring and play dough. They visit parent and toddler group twice weekly to promote socialising with others. Older children can make decisions about what they want to play with, whilst younger children select from the range made available to them.

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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 have equal access to play and stimulation without stereotyping and learn to develop respect for others through the positive examples set by the childminder. Children learn about diversity and the wider world through the resources in place, some of which are on loan from the toy library. The childminder approaches the management of children's behaviour in a calm but firm manner. She uses positive methods for managing children's unacceptable behaviour appropriate for their ages and stages of development, which contributes to the good behaviour of the children. Children are responsive to the methods used and begin to learn the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. For example a minor squabble between two children was approached calmly through the childminder's intervention and explanation offered about sharing, the children went on to play alongside each other peacefully. Children's good behaviour and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

achievements are recognised through praise and facial expression, which contributes to building the child's confidence and self esteem. The childminder and the parents work together very effectively. For example the childminder discusses the children's individual routines, parents wishes, likes and dislikes and keeps detailed written records. A good level of information is recorded to enable the childminder to meet the individual needs of the children cared for. Parents contribute to the inspection as they have recorded their observations and comments about the care their children receive. For example they are "impressed by the childminder's professional approach", they "can go to work without worrying about their child" and "a lot of effort is put into the children's care to ensure they are settled and happy". Parents are consulted about what they want their child to achieve and aspects are then incorporated into the planning in place. For example, language

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Helping children make a positive contribution

development, potty training, road safety.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are safe and secure in the childminder's care. Children are supervised at all times protecting them from persons not vetted. The childminder has completed the required training for example, the Introduction to Childminding Practice (ICP) and paediatric first aid. In addition she has attended training in child protection and behaviour management to further enhance the quality of care provided for children. The childminder is aware of the Birth to three pack of information and is interested in pursuing training in this area in the future. In the main the childminder is well organised in her approach to record keeping, however the attendance register is updated weekly and therefore does not reflect an accurate record of children's daily attendances. Professional systems are used for the recording of information relating to the children cared for, as required. In addition

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Organisation

the childminder has developed systems to further support the work she does with the

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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 and become aware of their needs and aspects of development. For example the planning records and forms used for recording information on the children individually regarding their routines. Information packs regarding the children are kept individually and ensure easy reference to required information, in an organised way. Overall the provision meets the needs of 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): • make safe the low level glass in the conservatory • ensure accurate detail is entered into the attendance register daily

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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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