Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY297930 Inspection date 24 April 2005 Inspector Chris Scully

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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 outstanding. 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 2005. She lives with her husband and child aged nine in Cronton, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor and two bedrooms of the childminder's house is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is providing care for three children aged one, two and four years on a variety of days during the week. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local toddler groups the library and parks.

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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 a member of the National Child Minding Association. She receives support from the Early Years Development Childcare Partnership and has attended a variety of courses to include Birth To Three Matters.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive because the childminder follows highly effective procedures and practices which meet the children's physical, nutritional and health needs. The superb support from the childminder helps children to understand the importance of good hygiene practices. This means children are confident to see to their own personal care. Children are aware of the importance of washing their hands before meals and after going to the bathroom. The effective nappy change procedures enable younger children to understand the need to wash their hands after they have their nappy changed. Children learn the importance of maintaining a clean environment and are keen to wipe the table before and after meals and snacks. The childminder has excellent systems for helping children to stay healthy, actively encouraging them to cover their mouths when coughing and to use separate flannels when getting washed so germs

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Helping children to be healthy

are not passed from one to another. Children enjoy a wide range of physical activities on a daily basis. They are keen to explore, test and develop their physical control through highly stimulating indoor and outdoor experiences. Children enjoy races in the park with the childminder timing their performance, sliding down the poles or doing "this is the way to Amarillo" walk to see how fast they can go. The childminder has a very good understanding of the needs of younger children. She ensures they are fully included in physical out door play such as safely using the swings in the park. Children freely help themselves to easily accessible drinks to refresh themselves. They enjoy highly nutritious meals and snacks which are all freshly prepared. Children relish the regular cooking activities with the childminder. They learn about the differences in tastes and the preparation of wholesome foods. Fresh fruit is

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Helping children to be healthy

available all day for the children to snack on. Care of babies is very good. The childminder is extremely knowledgeable about the babies needs and meets these well in practice. The excellent record systems significantly enhances the childminder's ability to meet the diverse dietary needs of the children attending. This means children are developing well and learn the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The setting is clean and maintained to a very high standard. The rooms are very well organised to enable children to move freely, and play in comfort. Children have

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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 access to a wide range of high quality resources. These are very well organised and significantly enhance the children's independence and choice. The risk of accidental injury to children is significantly reduced by the childminder vigilance and use of thorough risk assessments to reduce potential hazards. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to achieve a balance between allowing children the freedom to explore their environment and setting appropriate boundaries to keep them safe. She is extremely careful when using out door equipment in parks and ensure they are safe before children are able to access them. Children learn the importance of keeping themselves safe when outside such as using the green cross code. Additional safety equipment is taken on outings to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

enable younger children to be fully involved in activities, such as safety cushions to enable the baby to use the swings. Excellent systems are in place for keeping children safe within the home. The childminder is attentive to details such as ensuring the water temperatures are at a safe level to prevent the risk of injury to children. This means children can explore their environment safely. Effective systems are in place to enable children to learn about fire safety. This includes the childminder drawing the fire evacuation route and practising this with the children. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection. She has very good systems for safeguarding children's welfare to include recording existing injuries and noting changes in children's behaviour. She effectively uses literature such as the "Safeguarding Children" booklet. This means children are effectively protected from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. The childminder has built excellent relationships with the children. This includes providing a number of settling in visits with their parents to help them get to know the childminder and the setting. This enables them to feel safe and secure in the childminder's care. The childminder is skilled at obtaining information which enables her to provide very good care to children. This is supported by the excellent partnership with parents which significantly contributes to the children's well being. Effective daily routines enable the childminder to provide a wide range of stimulating and interesting activities to all children. This means children are actively engaged in purposeful play. The childminder uses the ethos of Birth to Three Matters effectively to meet the needs of younger children and babies. Children receive high levels of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

interaction from the childminder. This means they spend considerable amounts of time talking and playing together. Children are confident to self select their own resources and to choose where to play. Children are eager to participate in activities such as painting and confidently select their painting apron. The childminder uses play opportunities effectively to extend the children vocabulary and introduce new words such as slimy. She then gives the

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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 children time to think about what this means before giving age appropriate explanations. The childminder provides a range of activities that successfully challenge the children and extend their learning opportunities. This means children are involved and enjoying a wide range of interesting activities that stimulate their play and learning experiences. These includes regular opportunities for children to bake where by they learn to identify letters, weigh ingredients and notice changes in the mixture. Children jump up and down in glee when a muffin rises or a fairy cake puffs up in the oven. Children effectively learn about the world and environment through well planned activities, such as growing sunflowers, learning words in Spanish, and collecting twigs and leaves in the park. The childminder enriches the children's enjoyment of art

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and craft activities by linking them directly to what is happening in their own lives, such as making cards and gifts for family members birthdays. Children receive high levels of praise and encouragement that significantly enhances their confidence and self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are welcomed and play a full part in the setting because the childminder values their individuality. The children's welfare and development is significantly enhanced by the highly effective record systems in place. Excellent communication, both verbally and in the written daily diaries ensures children's individual needs are identified and effectively met. Children have a good sense of belonging and benefit from high levels of support from the childminder. Children learn about the world in which we live through a range of interesting and fun activities, such as India Day, whereby the children learn about the culture and foods. One child particularly enjoyed finding India on the globe. The childminder makes very good use of the local community and amenities. Children visit the library and toddler groups where they enjoy interacting with other children. This enriches the children's interest and life experiences. Children develop a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

clear understanding of the needs of others. They are keen to assist with younger children and to help to set the table for lunch. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They learn about the safe boundaries and expectations through discussions with the childminder. The childminder has created an excellent working partnership with the parents. This enables her to provide high quality care to all the children. Parents are asked to complete a questionnaire to enable the childminder to ascertain all of the children's individual needs and meet these effectively. The partnership with parents is highly valued by the childminder.

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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 are very happy relaxed and confident in the extremely well organised environment. The childminder has a secure knowledge of the National Standards. This is evident throughout her exemplary practice. Highly effective polices, procedures and documentation significantly contribute to the organisation of the setting. The childminder makes excellent use of space to provide to maximise the range of activities and learning experiences to children. Children are familiar with the daily routines. This means children feel safe secure and valued. Children are confident to suggest ideas and change their play opportunities, such as moving from sponge painting to hand prints. Parents are effectively kept up to date with the child's progress through daily verbal exchanges. They enjoy high quality written information about their child and the

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Organisation

quality of care provided. Parents are encouraged to comment upon activities. This means they are significantly enriching and contributing to the high levels of care children receive. The childminder has an expert knowledge of the children in her care and meets their individual needs well. All legally required documentation which contributes to the children's health, safety and well being is in place and is maintained to a high standard. The childminder is proactive in ensuring parents are aware of polices and procedures with a selection displayed. Effective systems and records enables the childminder to provide continuity of care to children and babies. Overall, the provision meets the needs of all 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards

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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 of care are outstanding.

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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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