Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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304750 Unique Reference Number 09 November 2006 Inspection date Suzette Butcher 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 satisfactory. 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and seven in Elton, Cheshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for minding children apart from the main bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play and the family have two guinea pigs as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently has four children on roll who attend on a part-time basis. Children are dropped off and collected from the local school and taken on outings in the local area.

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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 protected from becoming ill because all the correct procedures are in place. Suitable hygiene procedures are followed and areas are kept clean to prevent the spread of infection and cross contamination. The childminder is particularly vigilant in care routines with the family pet guinea pigs and she obtains signed parental permission before children are allowed to handle the animals. Good arrangements are in place to care for children who are ill and the childminder has appropriate first aid training to enable her to respond promptly to minor accidents and emergencies. For example, the childminder acts quickly and appropriately when a toddler puts too much food in their mouth at once and provides warm hugs and cuddles to reassure them that everything is alright.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to develop independence in their self-help skills when they take themselves to the nearby toilet or when toddlers experiment with eating a selection of finger foods. Children are encouraged to accept responsibility for their own health needs as they gradually develop an understanding of the purpose of good health and hygiene routines. The childminder regularly explains why they must wash their hands before eating, after toileting or handling animals. Young children are actively involved during relaxed nappy changing routines when the childminder comments on the procedures. She takes time to support and guide a toddler as they wash their hands and experiment with the soapy bubbles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Daily walks to and from school and outings to the local parks promote a healthy lifestyle for children outdoors in all seasons. Children put on suitable clothing and take umbrellas on a wet day and they have fun participating in the childminder's games and challenges. For example, they race each other, hop, skip or jump for an agreed distance and play hopscotch together. Children make good progress in physical development. They learn to move with control and use their bodies in different ways when they play in the garden on large apparatus or drive a car around the pathways. Toddlers who are unsteady on their feet are encouraged and supported as they proudly test out their new skills in safe areas within the childminder's home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are recorded and met by the childminder. Parents provide meals or packed lunches for their own child which enables them to closely monitor their diet. Healthy options are actively promoted by the childminder and issues are quickly discussed and resolved with parents as they arise. Toddlers enjoy a snack of fresh fruit or crackers as they experiment with different tastes and textures. Mealtimes are relaxed, social occasions where babies, children and adults sit together around the kitchen table and enjoy each other's company. Children are encouraged to drink fluids on a regular basis and they are offered a choice of milk, fresh fruit juice or weak juice. Older children help themselves to fresh drinking water and young children learn to point to their own drinks which are left on low level units.

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Helping children to be healthy

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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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safe in the childminder's care because the childminder has a sound awareness of her responsibility to protect children. She regularly assesses potential hazards and risks and implements procedures to minimise these. For example, she ensures that toddlers are sitting on booster seats that are firmly fixed to a stable and secure chair at meal times. Strong locks secure the garden gate and outdoor play equipment is firmly secured into the ground. Children learn about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe when the childminder practises the agreed emergency escape procedures on a regular basis. Children are involved in discussion about the outcomes of the exercise to help them to recognise potential risks and dangers. Walks and outings provide practical opportunities for children to learn about crossing the road in safety or to understand why they must follow safe routines when travelling in cars.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's home provides a welcoming environment for children and their families. There is sufficient space for children to move about freely with areas identified for different activities, such as rest, energetic games or messy play. Children are well supervised and older children are appropriately offered increased independence when they play upstairs or outdoors. Babies and young children sleep safely and are frequently monitored by the childminder. A suitable selection of toys and resources are available and systems are in place to regularly check their cleanliness and safety. Resources are rotated from a further selection in storage to maintain children's interest and provide variety. Toddlers confidently choose their own toys from the small selection available in low level boxes and older children find items in a unit with labelled drawers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded through the childminder's sound knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures. She has copies of the relevant guidance with contact numbers to support children's safety and well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's care where they enjoy themselves and are encouraged to try out new skills. Toddlers develop independence and self-motivation as they are helped to achieve in a supportive environment. The childminder has recently introduced aspects of 'Birth to three matters' framework into her childminding practice to improve the overall quality of learning and play experiences for young children. She is developing recording and observation strategies to identify what each child knows and can do as she extends her knowledge and experience of relevant stages and areas of learning for young children. Consequently, individual children and toddlers are offered appropriate activities to help them to move towards their next steps in play and learning. This enables young children to make good progress in all areas of their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Toddlers have fun exploring and experimenting with resources as they confidently select favourite games or they are offered an interesting toy. They learn to concentrate for longer periods with appropriate support from the childminder as she skilfully helps toddlers to complete an activity successfully and praises them for their achievements. Children's attention is

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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 maintained as the childminder introduces new challenges or models actions for toddlers to imitate. Young children proudly share their delight with adults when they press the right buttons to make tuneful sounds or turn knobs to reveal a pop-up character. Toddlers are developing a good understanding of cause and effect and are beginning to make connections with other experiences. For example, they happily dial numbers and pretend to talk on a play phone as they share their interest with adults.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's early communication and language skills are actively encouraged and promoted by the childminder. Toddlers use gestures, facial expressions, sounds and a few single words enthusiastically and meaningfully to communicate. The childminder responds appropriately because she is skilled in talking and listening to children. Language, rhyme, rhythm and sounds are introduced and reinforced in action songs, stories and rhymes and children have fun making animal noises or playing 'peek-a-boo' together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder maximise opportunities for informal learning through play and everyday activities. Young children's attention is directed to concepts, such as colours, shapes, amounts, sizes or weights as the childminder offers names for colours or numbers and labels objects as they play. Older children count their footsteps or practise writing their own name when they draw a picture. Children enjoy exploring their environment and learning about the natural world when they collect conkers, leaves and acorns on a walk in the woods and examine their collection afterwards. Young children have fun investigating a box full of everyday objects, such as wooden spoons, a ball or shiny pans. They learn through hands-on experiences and develop their different senses when they dance to music or explore shapes and textures as they help to blow bubbles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children and toddlers relate well to the childminder and enjoy warm, close relationships where they feel secure and develop confidence and good self-esteem. Young children learn to recognise right from wrong as they seek reassurance and confirmation from the childminder or occasionally challenge the boundaries within the childminder's home. For example, toddlers are firmly reminded that an action is not appropriate if it impacts on their safety. Older children are encouraged to understand that house rules are required to maintain a safe and fair environment, and subsequently, they respect clear boundaries with the childminder. Children learn to recognise other people's feelings and to consider the consequences of their own actions. Children's opinions are valued and they are actively involved in decision making and future planning. Toddlers confidently and assertively shake their head or nod in response to a suggestion as

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Helping children make a positive contribution

they clearly express their feelings. Individual achievements and kind actions are enthusiastically celebrated and the childminder consistently offers praise and encouragement to promote children's good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A broad range of resources, play opportunities and activities, reflect positive images of diversity and help children to learn about cultural differences. Informal discussion on outings or during daily activities are developed by the childminder to reinforce positive attitudes towards diversity and reflect important differences within their society. Every child is included in activities which are adapted appropriately to involve children across the ability and age range. Children's

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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 individual needs are respected and the childminder has knowledge and experience of how to meet the needs of children with disabilities or learning difficulties. She recognises the importance of working in partnership with families and appropriate support agencies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s needs are met through a strong partnership with parents where open, trusting, friendly and professional relationships are maintained. Good settling in procedures ensure that children are settled and secure and that their parents are happy to leave. The childminder is very flexible and adapts her routines to meet the individual needs of parents and carers. Information is shared on a daily basis in informal chats at handover times where the childminder talks about what children have been doing and celebrates any notable achievements. Accurate records are in place and policies are shared, apart from a revised complaints procedure. Information is reviewed regularly to ensure that children are looked after according to their parents' wishes. This promotes good continuity of care for every child and reassures parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is an experienced practitioner and she demonstrates a sound commitment towards continually improving the quality of care that she provides for children. For example, she is currently attending a training course on 'Birth to three matters' framework to increase her knowledge and extend learning opportunities for younger children. However, the childminder has not familiarised herself sufficiently with relevant information about changes in legislation. Consequently, the requirement to maintain appropriate systems for the recording of complaints for other parents is not in place, which is a breach in regulations. All other documentation required is in place and meet legal requirements. Records are well organised, stored securely to effectively support the care of children whilst they maintain confidentiality. The childminder ensures that she shares documentation and important information with parents. She arranges

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Organisation

a specific time to discuss sensitive issues with families to respect their privacy and meet individual needs.

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Organisation

Children are settled and relaxed in the childminder's home where areas are organised for different activities. They enjoy opportunities to go on walks in the local parks or outings to nearby towns and places of interest. The childminder provides opportunities for younger children to join others in social groups when she meets up with other childminders or attends local toddler groups. This enables toddlers to adjust to being in a larger group with support from the childminder and it provides opportunities for the childminder to share good practice with other childminders.

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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

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to obtain written consent to transport children in a vehicle. Individual children's contracts now include parental permission for outings and transporting children to improve the quality of care for children and their families.

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Improvements 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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there has been one complaint made to Ofsted that required the provider to take action to meet the National Standards. The complaint related to National Standard 6 : safety and National Standard 3: care, learning and play. Ofsted investigated and one action was raised related to National Standard 6: safety about the safe supervision of children on outings. The childminder reviewed her procedures for outings and Ofsted was satisfied that, by making these changes, the provider remained qualified for registration at the time the investigations were closed.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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 satisfactory. 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): • increase knowledge and understanding about the legal requirement to keep an appropriate record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request.

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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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