Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY224823 Unique Reference Number 11 October 2006 Inspection date Gillian Sutherland 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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and son aged 15 years old in Hoole which is on the outskirts of Chester. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder attends a local toddler group and also takes children to the local library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight at any one time and is currently minding six children some of whom attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has one Labrador dog as the family pet.

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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 thrive because the childminder implements procedures and practices which promote their physical, nutritional and health needs. They are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment, by a childminder who ensures that each child's individual needs are met. Children are developing an understanding of good hygiene practices relating to their personal care as they wash their hands before meal and snack time and also after visiting the bathroom.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children go for daily planned walks including visits to local parks and places of interest. Weather permitting they access a range of outdoor play activities which provides them with plenty of fresh air and exercise. The childminder has a good understanding of each child’s stage of development and encourages all children to develop new skills. For example, children learn to pedal the bikes, ride in the cars or on the scooters.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a varied and nutritious diet that includes fresh and dried fruit and vegetables. Good partnership with parents ensure children are encouraged to eat a balanced diet, try new foods and choose healthy options. Children’s dietary requirements and preferences are well catered for. Snack and mealtimes are an opportunity for children to develop their social skills as they all sit at the table with the childminder and talk about the activities they have accessed or are about to participate in. Drinks are given to the children regularly during the day, but children cannot access these independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are allowed to move round freely and play safely and this is due to the childminder taking reasonable steps to minimise or eliminate any potential risks or hazards. She has in different areas within the house, fitted effective safety equipment. An example of this is in the kitchen, where all low level cupboards containing hazardous materials and substances, have had child safety catches fitted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children participate in regular fire drills ensuring that they are fully aware of the evacuation procedures that would be followed in the event of a fire. The childminder maintains meticulous records of not only the fire drills but also the regular checks undertaken on safety equipment around the house. For example, a record is maintained of when the smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarm and children's play equipment is checked.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well informed about road safety dangers through discussion and participation in good practice as they go on frequent outings with the childminder to many local places of interest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can freely self-select toys of their choice from a wide and varied range of good quality toys and resources, all of which are clean and well maintained. The broad range of toys and resources is appropriate for children in the different age groups which the childminder currently

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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 cares for. Children can very easily access which toys they want to play with as they are stored in such a way that promotes freedom of choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a very clear understanding of child protection issues and she has a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures, which she has familiarised herself with and would refer to for contact details as and when required.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are content, happy and enjoy their time at the childminder’s home, where they relax and settle quickly into an environment which is warm and welcoming to them. Children become increasingly independent as they confidently choose what to play with from the varied range of toys and resources. All children spend their time purposefully.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's time is well organised as the childminder provides them with a varied range of activities to gain their interest. Children participate in a range of different construction and creative activities and their achievements are rewarded by praise and support from the childminder. Their physical development is well promoted as weather permitting they access regular outdoor play in the childminder's garden, which is well equipped with outdoor toys and equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children are making good progress in communicating and developing language skills. For example, children participate in many activities including looking at books and singing. During the visit the childminder and children participated in one activity called 'what's in the bag?'. In this activity children choose an object out of the bag, they talk about it and then sing a song relating to that object. Regarding books, children are encouraged to look at these and know how to handle them appropriately. Children's counting skills are promoted as they count the animals in the books and are also to describe different textures. Good adult-child interactions are supportive of early communication skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled and comfortable in the childminder's care because she makes them feel welcome. Each child's individual needs are identified during a pre-admission discussion held with their parents prior to care commencing. At this meeting an agreement is reached as to how those needs will be met. Feedback for parents about their child's development and progress is currently shared verbally as children are collected. Children's art and craft work completed during the day is given to them to take home, enabling their parents to see the types of art and craft work undertaken.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about the world around them and develop an understanding of how and why people differ from one another. This is achieved by children accessing a varied range of toys, resources and activities which increase their awareness of diversity. Children have the opportunity to self-select which activities they want to participate in and which toys they want to play with and there is no gender bias.

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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 Good behaviour is positively promoted in the childminder's home and children behave well and have good manners. Appropriate strategies are in place to manage children's unwanted behaviour and to hopefully achieve some consistency; the strategies used by the childminder to manage such behaviour are included in the pre-admission discussion held with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are given a pack containing the childminder's written policies and procedures and children's daily routines are also fully discussed during the pre-admission discussion.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a very comprehensive set of policies; a copy of which is given to the parents. The required documentation that contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place. The childminder has developed an exceptionally good working partnership with parents and keeps them fully informed about their child's day and the activities they have participated in.

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Organisation

The areas of the house indoors which are accessed by children, are well organised, and as a result children benefit from a thoughtfully prepared environment, where indoor and outdoor space is set out to maximise play opportunities for children of all ages. Children's care is then further enhanced by the well maintained documentation. This ensures that the individual needs of the children are met, and that they are looked after in accordance with their parents' wishes.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to training and development. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has completed additional courses related to childminding. The childminder has looked through the resources relating to the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is currently attending a course on this subject, but at the present time does not implement all aspects of this framework into her child care practices.

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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

The childminder was required at the last inspection to make the garden shed's glass panel safe. At this inspection it was noted that appropriate action had been taken to ensure the garden area and buildings were safe.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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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Complaints 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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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): • consider how drinks can be made freely accessible to the children • continue to explore the 'Birth to three matters' framework to ensure that all elements of it are included in the childminding practices.

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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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