Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY304205 Inspection date 08 September 2005 Inspector Andrea Bradshaw

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her partner and three children aged 10, 3 and 1 in Cheshire. The whole of the childminders house is used for childminding with the exception of the master bedroom and one child's bedroom. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and currently cares for two pre-school children part time and two children before and after school. The childminder walks to school to take and collect children. The childminder attends local toddler and carer groups. The family has a cat and a dog.

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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 does not currently support any children with identified special needs or children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder is a member of National childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Effective procedures followed by the childminder protect the children in her care from illness and cross infection. The childminder keeps records of children's allergies and health needs, this helps to keep children healthy and safe. Children have the opportunity to engage in physical play when visiting the local park, helping at the allotment and whilst attending playgroup. The childminder ensures children do not have access to pets feeding and sleeping areas, this helps to protect children's general health and well being. Hand washing routines are missing, this may compromise children's general health. Children learn the importance of healthy eating as the childminder provides a totally organic menu, which is well balanced, varied and includes home grown vegetables which the children help to grow. This helps children understand the importance of where our food comes from. Water or sugar free juice is accessible to children all day

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Helping children to be healthy

and older children can help themselves to drinks from the water cooler. This encourages children to recognise and respond to their bodies needs. The childminder ensures children's diets are in line with their parents wishes, this helps to promote partnership with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a warm and safe environment, this helps children feel safe and secure. Safety equipment is in place to help protect children, such as safety gates and socket covers. The childminder ensures children are safe guarded by keeping doors locked and making sure they are able to exit the house in an emergency, this contributes to children's safety. The childminder has a range of resources in place and checks toys are in good working order to ensure children's safety. Children move freely within the childminder's home accessing the toys of their choice, from low level storage. The childminder minimises risks to children by setting boundaries and helping older children recognise dangers and learn to keep themselves safe. The childminder is familiar with the procedures in respect of child protection, she knows who to contact and to record any concerns, this helps to protect children.

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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 provision is good. Warm relationships are formed between the childminder and the children as they talk and laugh together whilst they are playing. Children have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of activities whilst in the childminder's care, including the growing of vegetables and flowers organically. This develops children knowledge of the simple science, and children celebrate their achievements by taking vegetables home to their families. Children can play with toys which expand all aspects of their development and this is experience is enhanced by the childminder's questioning and explanations. Children have the opportunity to access different play environments when the childminder takes them to playgroups. This helps children to develop social skills and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to mix with their peers in the wider community. The childminder uses baking and putting up a play house to introduce and show simple mathematical concepts to the children, such as weight, sorting, measuring, strength and gravity. Children are happy and carefree in the childminder's care and show warmth towards her, asking her questions and seeking her guidance and reassurance.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated with equal concern and children's individual needs are recognised and responded to in an appropriate manner. Children can freely and regularly access toys and resources depicting positive images of diversity; this enhances their understanding of the world in which they live. The childminder ensures that children will additional needs are included into any activity by making the activity flexible and enabling the child to join in through the support she offers. The childminder rewards good behaviour and children are offered praise and achievements are celebrated, this helps to nurture children's self esteem. The childminder offers children an explanation, in keeping with the child's level of maturity and understanding and detailing why their behaviour is unacceptable. This helps children understand how to manage their behaviour. The childminder works with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents to give consistent boundaries to children, this helps to offer continuity of care. Children benefit from the positive relationships that occur between the childminder and parents. Effective systems are in place to keep parents informed about the provision and their children's activities

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are protected by the childminder ensuring they are not left alone with unvetted persons. A first aid certificate is in place and this helps to keep children safe in an emergency. Some written parental permission is absent and this may compromise children's safety in an emergency. The childminder provides a relaxed

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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 and homely environment for children to grow and develop and children feel secure in the organised environment. The childminder provides a high child to adult ration and this gives children the chance for one to one interaction, which makes children feel valued and promotes their learning. The childminder's experience and commitment to improving her practice results in the children receiving good quality care and support. Children's files are kept confidential and children's specific needs recorded, this supports partnership with parents and offers children continuity of care. The childminder uses documentation to support her care of the children this aids the smooth running of the setting. Overall the setting meets the needs 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 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): • ensure personal hygiene routines are in place • ensure written parental permission for emergency medical treatment and advice is in place.

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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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