Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344305 Unique Reference Number 04 June 2007 Inspection date Angela Rowley 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 2006. She lives with her partner close to St Helens town centre. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for minded children, with supervised access to a designated playroom on the first floor.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She may care for up to six children under five years when she works with her assistant. Currently, the childminder is caring for eight children in total, seven of whom are under five years and who attend on different days across each week. The childminder takes children to local schools, nurseries and playgroups. The childminder has two pet dogs and a cockatiel.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and holds a National Vocational Qualification to level 3 in early years and childcare.

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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's health is protected through the implementation of a good range of practices and procedures. Effective hygiene practices help prevent cross infection. The childminder routinely cleans equipment using anti-bacterial spray. She acts as a good role model and washes her hands after nappy changing and before preparing snacks. Children's awareness of good hygiene is positively encouraged as they are provided with and use their own personal toiletries, such as toothbrushes, flannels and towels in the bathroom.

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Helping children to be healthy

A comprehensive range of procedures and documentation supports and helps maintain children's good health. The childminder keeps a current first aid certificate along with clear information regarding accidents and the administration of medicines. She keeps a good range of written information regarding children's health needs, care routines and permissions from parents, for example, in relation to the application of sun cream. The childminder has a clear emergency care procedure, although she has not obtained written permission from parents to allow her to seek treatment or medical advice, which hinders children's health protection in emergencies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Many positive practices encourage a healthy lifestyle. Children exercise daily during walks into the community or occasional play on the bouncy castle at the childminder's home. Children are well nourished as they are provided with mostly home cooked lunches, including fruit and vegetables each day. Tea-time snacks include some processed items and are under review.

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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 suitably maintained home that is made bright and welcoming to children through the use of mobiles, posters and wall painted murals. Children develop a clear sense of belonging through very well organised and child friendly space. They are provided with their own place for hanging their coats and bags, along with a basket in which to put their shoes or slippers. Older children enjoy playing independently in the first floor playroom, which allows them to play with equipment that would be unsuitable for younger babies. They are suitably monitored by a combination of adult supervision and closed circuit television.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective storage of toys and equipment using open, low level shelving, encourages babies to explore and older children to respond to their own interests. A varied range of equipment is available for younger children, and although older children are kept suitably occupied, the range of equipment available for them is still developing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe in the childminders care. Thorough risk assessment procedures, supported by daily and monthly checklists, effectively minimise hazards in the setting. Children's awareness of staying safe is increased as they respond to the sound of the smoke alarm and practise emergency evacuations. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children. She prioritises children's welfare, has enrolled to update her training, and knows what to do in the event of any concerns.

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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 are settled and operate independently in the childminder's care. Mobile babies explore their surroundings, encouraged to investigate the attractively displayed toys. They are becoming confident explorers as they are provided with a valuable range of opportunities which encourage sensory exploration, such as 'gloop' and jelly play. Children have developed close relationships with their carer. They snuggle in whilst they are held closely, having their milk as they settle to sleep. They are emotionally well supported as the childminder is very responsive to individual signs of tiredness or hunger.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of different frameworks and guidance available to help children make progress. She observes children effectively and uses what she knows about them to plan ideas to help them take the next steps in their learning. She knows what children's next natural steps might be because she uses information, such as the 'stepping stones' and the 'Birth to three matters' framework to guide her. All children receive valuable opportunities for playing and learning because the childminder differentiates very well when she carries out activities. For example, during baking sessions, whilst older children are weighing flour and cracking open the eggs, babies are provided with a tray of flour to feel and explore.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are warmly welcomed into the setting. Through effective communication with parents, for example, the use of pre-admission questionnaires, children's individual needs are known and met. Anti-discriminatory practice is good as the childminder ensures that all activities are available to all children. Some opportunities for children to develop an awareness of the wider world are provided through discussions around, for example, other countries, although the range of play equipment that promotes this is limited. The childminder positively supports children with disabilities and alongside their parents she works closely with external agencies to ensure that strategies and equipment are in place.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's care is positively enhanced through the many strategies used to promote good communication and partnerships with parents. The childminder agrees methods of behaviour management with individual parents, which ensures a consistent approach. Children's individual needs are known and met through information sharing in questionnaires, daily diary sheets and regular verbal exchanges. Parents have access to an excellent range of policies, procedures and an information brochure, which clearly set out how the setting operates. Valuable parents' evenings help enhance relationships, review expectations and discuss children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care, their enjoyment and their achievement in the setting is positively enhanced by the childminder's enthusiasm and commitment to providing good quality care. She uses her knowledge and experience in early years very well to provide a valuable range of experiences for children. She continually updates her knowledge through training and information in childcare publications.

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Organisation

Children receive good levels of support, which enhances their care and safety. The childminder organises the use of her assistant well to ensure that her ratios are met at all times. Children's

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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 health, safety and care are effectively supported through a well organised range of documentation. Comprehensive policies and procedures along with current records help maintain effective management of the provision.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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 complaint 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): • request written permission from parents to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment needed • increase the range of equipment suitable for school aged children in addition to that which promotes positive images of the wider world.

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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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