Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY261738 Unique Reference Number 25 May 2007 Inspection date (Kate) Kathryn, Jane Ryder 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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and two children, aged three and four years. They live in a house in the Newton-le-Willows area of St Helens.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor of the property and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and currently there are six children on roll, attending various sessions.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder implements good procedures to protect children's health and prevent the risk of cross infection. She follows clear policies and procedures for accidents, illness and for ensuring good hygiene practices. Young children develop a sound awareness of their personal care needs. They are encouraged to routinely wash their hands before and after certain activities and wet

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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 wipes are made available for them to clean their hands. Independence is positively encouraged through the use of a toilet step, integral toilet seat and pump action liquid soap. The childminder has effective procedures for nappy changing, ensuring good standards of hygiene are observed. She takes particular care to protect young children's health whilst out on visits during necessary nappy changing by using 'dry' gel hand wash.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular access to play and exercise in the fresh air. For example, they have daily walks to and from school, frequent trips to the park, where they enjoy developing their large motor skills on slides and swings and weekly trips to a toddler group. They also benefit from weekly visits to the swimming baths. The childminder encourages young babies to crawl as they explore interesting toys they see at the end of a tunnel.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary requirements are met effectively through discussion with parents. In the main, food is provided by parents. However, meals are supplemented by healthy snacks, such as sliced fruit, fruit bars, yoghurts and toast. During school holidays, older children bring a nutritious lunchbox. The childminder has taken appropriate steps to re-new her food hygiene certificate and she gives effective consideration to storing and re-heating food provided by parents. Children develop good social skills as they sit at the dining table to eat and even young babies are steadily encouraged to develop their independence and self help skills as they are seated at the table with other children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a very warm and welcoming home. Art work and toys are displayed, which provide children with a strong sense of belonging. Space inside the home is very well organised to promote a child friendly environment and outdoor space is planned extremely well to ensure safety and provide different areas for fixed equipment, picnic area and sand and water play. The childminder provides children with a wonderful selection of good quality toys and equipment which meet their developmental needs and interests, and also addresses diversity. Toys are very well organised into age appropriate bags and stored in toy chests. Children can easily select a bag, which encourages them to initiate their own ideas and play. The childminder makes sure that babies have an excellent range of toys at their level, which allows them to be independent and self sufficient. She also provides heuristic play opportunities and babies

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

become engrossed, exploring the natural materials in the treasure basket.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are extremely well protected by the positive measures the childminder takes to minimise risks, both in the home environment and outdoors. She keeps children safe in her home by having a clear emergency evacuation plan that she discusses with older children, making them aware of where the safe evacuation meeting point is. Safety gates, electric socket covers and cupboard locks protect children from higher risk areas in the home. Further more, the childminder follows clear procedures for lost or uncollected children and uses a password system for children being collected by unknown adults. She takes care when outdoors to protect children by carrying a laminated card with the details of her personal emergency contact number on, to be used in the event of an accident or injury.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has attended safeguarding children training and as a result demonstrates secure knowledge of the current safeguarding children procedures. She has developed a sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect, and the referral procedure. She has the relevant range of guidance documents and telephone numbers to refer to, in the case of a concern arising.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children clearly enjoy the company of the childminder. They are settled and happy and young children seek her attention when they require comfort or reassurance, for example, when they wake from a nap and see a stranger or when the childminder briefly leaves the room. The childminder displays children's art work and children enjoy looking through the photograph album of them involved in play activities, all of which helps children to develop a strong sense of belonging within the home environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are keen to learn and are engrossed in play. Young children have a good variety of resources which help them to develop their senses. They enjoy investigating the treasure basket of natural materials and repeatedly explore the different textures, for example, rough netting and smooth fur fabric. However, opportunities to experience such sensory play is restricted, as the treasure box is only periodically made available. The childminder uses her knowledge of children's developmental stages well. She encourages young babies to crawl through play tunnels by placing interesting toys at one end, she helps them to stand and take steps by supporting their weight and she encourages early speech patterns as she repeats familiar words to them. The childminder has attended 'Birth to three matters' training but has not incorporated any of the framework into her daily practice as yet.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

During school holidays, older children can choose to play with board games, watch television, be physically active or engage in creative activities. They enjoy making cards, decorating balloons and model making tunnels to run the cars down. They love to look at the photograph album and remember past events.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder knows children's individual needs well. She gathers information from parents and respects their wishes, incorporating them in her daily practice whenever possible. The childminder helps children to develop an awareness of the world around them by providing some positive images of others in their toys, such as in the books, jigsaws and small world figures. She uses Makaton sign language routinely, helping children to understand other ways of communicating. However, there are few opportunities for children to explore activities which help them appreciate and value similarities and differences in others. Children become familiar with the local community, through the many opportunities of visits to the park, toddler group and childminder drop-in group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages children's behaviour appropriately. She describes strategies which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. For example, she distracts attention, redirects interest and gives explanations and consequence of actions. She praises children for their achievements and good behaviour which raises their self-esteem and helps them feel good about themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good partnership the childminder has developed with parents. She shares information effectively through the use of daily informal conversations and daily diaries for young children. She has developed a comprehensive handbook, containing information about her setting, her daily routine, her policies and procedures and any training she has undertaken. This ensures parents are kept informed about their child's daily activities and

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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 routines, ensuring consistency and continuity of care. The childminder also periodically seeks parents views about her childcare practice through the use of questionnaires.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder shows a high level of commitment to developing her childcare knowledge and skills. She has attended a considerable number of training workshops since her registration and in the last year has attended courses, such as managing children's behaviour, Makaton, first aid, sensory development, learning in the Foundation Stage, the 'Birth to three matters' framework and safeguarding children. As a result, children benefit from her continued development and the implementation of new knowledge and skills into her daily practice.

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Organisation

Children are very well cared for by the childminder. She plans her time and resources excellently to ensure children have access to a wide range of age appropriate and interesting activities, both in the home and during outings. Space is very well organised to provide an accessible environment for children, which helps them to develop their independence and enables children to be comfortable and relaxed in her care.

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Organisation

The childminder has all relevant documentation in place and it meets the requirements of the National Standards. She has devised a comprehensive handbook, which reflects her routines and practice. For example, it contains setting information, her daily routine and policies and procedures, such as lost or uncollected child, child protection and equal opportunities. Additionally, children's records are kept separately and stored securely with excellent regard of confidentiality. This keeps parents fully informed about all aspects of their children's care. The childminder's certificate of registration is openly displayed.

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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 time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain parental permission to seek any necessary medical treatment and to increase toy resources to reflect positive images. Children's health and safety is well protected because the childminder has taken appropriate action and consent forms are now signed to enable her to seek medical assistance where necessary. Children are beginning to learn about diversity through a range of toys reflecting images of race, culture, disability and gender, such as books, jigsaws and small world figures. Equal opportunities remains an area for future development and a recommendation is raised as part of this inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the registration 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. 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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Complaints 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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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): • improve outcomes for young children by developing an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework • promote anti-discriminatory practice further by providing more activities for children to learn about diversity.

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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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