Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY277456 Unique Reference Number 17 October 2007 Inspection date Elizabeth Margaret Grocott 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 2004 and works with another childminder in Wavertree, Liverpool. The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged nine and 13 years. The whole of the ground floor of the childminders home is used for childminding. On the first floor the bathroom is used. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to provide care for 6 children under 8 years. When she works with another childminder a maximum of six children may be cared for between them. She walks to local schools to take and collect children, and also attends parent and toddler sessions. The childminder is a member of the National Childminders Association. The family have a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health is fostered through effective hygiene routines. For example, older children have a clear understanding of why they must wash their hands after using the toilet and the childminder uses disposable gloves during nappy changing. Comprehensive documentation ensures individual and personal information is discussed and recorded thoroughly. Tissues are

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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 available for children to access independently and younger children are encouraged to take responsibility and manage their own personal needs. The childminder's clear written sickness policy includes a list of infectious illnesses and incubation periods. This policy is shared with parents and helps to protect children from the spread of infection. The childminder has up to date knowledge of first aid training to respond to accidents and to administer appropriate treatment to children. The family pets are well looked after so they present no risk to children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished by balanced and nutritious meals and snacks. The childminder considers children's different preferences but makes sure they try new tastes. They enjoy Pasta Bolognese and garlic bread, dried fruits and bagels. Children are encouraged to drink water to ensure they keep hydrated and form good habits for the future. The childminder uses the local environment effectively to benefit the children's health. They access local farms where they can pet animals and learn about their life cycles. The children are also able to enjoy physical play in the large enclosed garden where they can ride wheeled toys, climb, swing and run.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children come in to a very welcoming and safe environment and eagerly select things they want to do, which are accessible to them. Their work is attractively displayed on the walls, showing that the childminder values them and raising their self-esteem. Children's privacy is respected during nappy changes and when older children change their clothes after school. They have access to a varied range of toys and equipment which are developmentally appropriate. Toys and equipment are checked and cleaned regularly which ensures that children play with safe and suitable equipment and helps to create a stimulating environment. Programmable equipment is available to develop the children's letter recognition and early reading skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective systems are in place to promote the children's understanding of safety both inside and outside the home. The childminder carries the children's contact details on outings; in addition, clear procedures are in place to protect the children if parents are late. The home is well equipped with devices to promote the children's understanding of safety particularly in the kitchen. The childminder teaches children to keep themselves safe, for example, by practising the fire evacuation procedure regularly; the fire escape routes are posted on the doors; smoke alarms are checked weekly and children are encouraged to apply sun cream in hot weather.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected by the childminder who has a clear understanding of child protection policies and procedures. She has a written policy which is shared with parents and also a procedure for allegations of abuse against herself or her family. She updates her knowledge by attending training and has a copy of the guidance, 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused' and all the relevant contact numbers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They are happy and settle well. The childminder has a good knowledge of child development and uses her knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to provide a stimulating environment for children to learn and develop new skills. Children are encouraged to put their names on any work completed and the childminder talks to them about colours and encourages them to match them to the clothes they are wearing. Children make visits to the library, enjoy baking activities and take trips on

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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 the Mersey ferry boat. They relate well to the childminder as they chat about what they are doing and are confident to approach her for support or to show her what they are doing. Although the children normally have access to sensory play out of doors, this area is unavailable at this time.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's confidence and self-esteem is promoted as they are offered praise and acknowledgment for their efforts and achievements. Photographs mounted in a folder, enable the children to revisit past experiences, once again affirming that they are valued by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and cared for according to their individual needs. Children's individual routines are adhered to and discussed with parents to ensure consistency of care. The childminder knows the children well and strives to help them meet their full potential. Their awareness of the local community is raised by regular outings to local shops and parks. They are encouraged to think of others as they all help in making a rug to give as a gift. The childminder encourages the children to learn about recycling and respecting different family traditions and children benefit from a number of positive images and resources which help them value and understand people from different cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works with another childminder who is profoundly deaf and uses sign language. The childminder herself also uses sign language and encourages the children in her care to sign as well as talk. Children who use sign as their first language are very well supported by the childminder and children, whose first language is English, benefit from having signing as an additional language. The childminder has some house rules in place and she reinforces these with children. Behaviour management strategies are realistic to each child's age and level of understanding. She is skilled at diffusing situations before they escalate and provides an environment where the focus is on praising good behaviour and dwelling on the positive rather than the negative. The environment is calm and settled and as a result children's behaviour is good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A good partnership with parents contributes significantly to children's well-being. Parents are given very good information in the form of a service contract, policies and procedures. This ensures parents are made to feel welcome and understand the childminder's good practice from the beginning. All information is shared with parents so that they are kept up to date with their children's activities during the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children benefit from a well organised environment and clear and comprehensive policies and procedures. As a result children are kept safe and the childminder provides consistency of care. The childminder is experienced in caring for children and has a recognised child care qualification. She attends many additional courses which enable her to provide a high standard of care. She organises her paperwork effectively to ensure it is confidential, but is easily available if needed. All documentation is maintained to a high standard, and firmly underpins the running of the service. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to provide resources that would help children learn about disability. The childminder has supplemented the resources she already had and has included some books and puzzles. Part of the play the children have been involved in helps them to look at and understand diversity. The childminder also uses the local toy library to change her resources to keep children's interest.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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.

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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 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): • continue to develop children's chances to learn through sensory play, in line with the aspects and approach described in the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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