Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 304533 Inspection date 16 June 2005 Inspector Sarah Elizabeth Howell

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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 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 has been registered for eight years. She lives with her husband and three children aged 18, 15, and 13 years. The family live in Weaverham within walking distance of local schools and shops. Minded children use the rooms on the ground floor only. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. There are currently 11 children on roll between the ages of two and 10 years. The majority of these are minded on a part time basis, and some for only one session each week

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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 takes and collects children from a number of pre-schools including: Wallerscote and Acton Bridge.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has a number of strategies and practices in place which effectively promote children's health and well-being. Garden games and regular visits to parks and play barns improve children's physical skills and provide age appropriate exercise and enjoyment. The childminder also works closely with parents and carers to ensure that young children with established routines for sleeps and meals have consistency between one setting and another. As a result children settle quickly and appear relaxed and comfortable in their play activities. Children are protected from infection and illness through a variety of effective hygiene strategies. The childminder changes hand towels daily or more often as well as providing children with individual bedding for sleeps and colour coded drinking cups. Children also learn about how to protect themselves through their daily routine e.g.

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Helping children to be healthy

washing hands after using the toilet and coming in from the garden. Children learn about the benefits of a healthy diet. They understand that fruit is good for them and are able to help themselves to fruit snacks throughout the day. Children are encouraged to drink water, which is available to them at all times. The childminder is aware of those children who do not always drink enough and encourages their intake of fluids with regular reminders. Meals are very varied and balanced and take into consideration both children's cultural backgrounds and parents lifestyle choices. As a result children are encouraged to try a variety of different foods and develop healthy eating habits at an influential stage of their development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe environment where risks to their safety, both indoors and out, have been identified and effectively reduced. This means children are able to move around safely and freely and with increasing independence as they get older. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe, for example teaching them about road safety and involving them in the learning process by encouraging them to take turns in looking and listening for cars. Older school age children are encouraged to use this understanding to become more independent in preparation for their move to "big" school. Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment which the childminder regularly checks. She also carefully monitors and supervises what is available to children to ensure that items are safe and appropriate

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to each child's stage of development. Toys and equipment are organised so that

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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 items which might be hazardous to younger children are well out of reach, and older children understand that these have to be played with in a separate room away from where the younger children are playing. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure that children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she has a current paediatric first aid certificate, and experience of working with Social Services to support children and their families.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are warmly welcomed by the childminder and other children, and settle quickly and confidently in to their play activities. Children are listened to and the childminder responds positively to their requests for particular activities or resources. As a result children appear confident and secure in the setting, relating well to one another and to the childminder. Activities are varied, well resourced and age appropriate. As result children enjoy what is available, and play generally supports their developmental and learning needs. At present planning for activities is minimal and relates mostly to providing activities that are age appropriate and which reflect children's preferences. Support for children's development and learning would be enhanced if activities were planned to meet children's individual needs. For example, looking at activities and strategies to help prepare children for pre-school settings, particularly where children need

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

additional support because of behavioural needs. The childminder works closely with parents/carers to support children's developmental progress. For example in relation to the timing of toilet training and encouraging parents to plan ahead so that children's names are entered on to waiting lists for pre-school settings. As a result children receive consistent care and support in areas such as learning appropriate self care skills, and parents are actively involved in planning to support their children's developmental needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued as individuals. Their relationships with their families and friends are discussed, valued and respected. As a result children's sense of security and belonging is clear and their emotional development is well supported, enabling them to make good relationships with other children and adults. Children's care is well informed and benefits from the strong partnership between the childminder and parents and carers. The childminder provides some resources and books which help children to develop an awareness of the differences between people and cultures. This is enhanced through discussion, often prompted by children, from something they have heard at

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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 school. The childminder uses these opportunities to encourage children to value and respect the differences between each other, and between people in general. Children learn to respect one another's feelings and to develop a sensitivity towards others. Children learn about appropriate and inappropriate behaviour and are aware of what is expected of them in the childminder's home. The childminder employs a range of strategies for managing children's behaviour, some of which are more effective than others. Older pre-school and school age children respond positively to the request for "time out". As a result behaviour normally settles again quickly. Strategies for managing younger children's behaviour appear to be less effective and as a result more of the childminder's time is often taken up with dealing with minor disruptive

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and inappropriate behaviour. Children would benefit from clearer explanations about inappropriate behaviour as well as more consistent and effective management strategies.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into an environment which is prepared in advance for their arrival and enjoyment. As a result children settle quickly and easily into their play activities and are less distressed about leaving parents. Space is used appropriately to meet individual children's needs, with additional rooms available for older children to complete their homework tasks when this is requested. As the childminder cares for a large number of children on a part time basis, she carefully plans her minding schedule ahead of time to ensure that she maintains appropriate adult /child ratios. This also enables her to consider and plan outings more effectively. For example, planning visits for children of different ages on different days so that the visit is meaningful for the children attending. However, attendance records are not consistently completed to the required standard, and as a

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Organisation

result it is not always clear from documentary evidence who is being cared for at any one time. These records need to be improved to accurately reflect all children's attendance. Other records and documentation are well maintained and appropriately support each child's placement. These are regularly reviewed to ensure that they are accurate, as the childminder is aware that parents change their mobile phones more often, and so their emergency contact details need updating more frequently. The childminder has also put together an information leaflet about the services she provides to children and families. She hopes this will help to inform parents and encourage them to ask questions. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has improved children's access to resources which provide them with positive references to diversity. These include

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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 books, puzzles and small world figures for the dolls house etc. She also uses other rooms on the ground floor, in addition to the playroom, to ensure that children have sufficient space to play.

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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): • Consider planning activities so that they more effectively support children's individual developmental and learning needs. • Explore ways of managing pre-school children's behaviour that are consistent, developmentally appropriate and effective. • Ensure that attendance records are consistently completed and accurately reflect the names of children being looked after, and their hours of attendance.

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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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