Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY347782 Unique Reference Number 14 November 2007 Inspection date Michele Anne Villiers 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 2007. She lives with her three children aged six, seven and 12 in a suburb of Liverpool. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, plus the upstairs rear bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden 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. She currently has on her register five children under five and one child over five. She walks or transports children in a vehicle to local schools and places of interest. She attends the local playgroup with children and occasionally works with an assistant.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder takes positive steps to help promote the children's health needs and protect them against cross infection. The home is well maintained with good cleanliness throughout. Children have their own hand towels and learn the importance of personal hygiene through routines, such as regular hand washing. Potties and small steps aid the children's independence

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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 in the bathroom, and stringent care is taken when changing nappies. Children are protected when they are sick, and written procedures are shared with parents. However, the sickness and exclusion policy does not clearly state the exclusion period or the incubation time for some illnesses.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision of nutritional meals and healthy snacks helps to foster the children's growth and development. Many meals are home-made and children snack on sliced fresh fruit and cereal bars. The written menu plan is varied and the children's dietary requirements are met. Drinking water is made freely available and young children are regularly offered drinks to quench their thirst.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a positive attitude to physical exercise. They access a suitable range of outdoor toys and enjoy walks to the local park and places of interest. Indoors, children have sufficient space to freely move around and toddlers are supported well whilst learning to stand and walk. Babies are held and nurtured, fostering their emotional well-being, and rest or sleep in comfort.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Effective measures are taken to help keep children safe and minimise hazards both within the home and on outings. Children independently select from a wide range of good quality toys and resources in a welcoming and child-centred environment. Parental consent is obtained for children to access large equipment, such as the outdoor trampoline, and children are closely supervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about keeping themselves safe. They are gently reminded to be careful during play, and road safety is discussed whilst on outings. Babies and young children are safely strapped into buggies, and reins or wrist straps are used on toddlers. The childminder supervises children well and provides soft supporting multi-sensory toys for immobile babies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She has attended training and has devised written policies and procedures to share with parents, in line with current legislation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children happily settle in the childminder's care. They eagerly engage in a wide variety of interesting and stimulating activities, helping them make good progress in their all round development. Children receive very good support from the childminder who sits with them, interacting and promoting their learning. The play room is creatively organised in a homely environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder skilfully intervenes during the children's play to introduce mathematical concepts, colour and shape. For example, during play with cars the childminder asks, 'Is that car too big to fit in the garage?', 'Shall we get a smaller one?'. She discusses the colour of the cars and counts them, young children repeat the numbers in sequence and recall the next number. Babies are given good support and excitedly explore their senses. They feel the texture of soft toys, and experience the sound and visual effects of interactive and musical toys. Mirrors are provided for babies to recognise themselves, and they point and smile at their reflection. Children become good communicators as the childminder responds to their needs, listening

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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 and talking, and using open-ended questions and repetitive language. They enjoy a wide range of books and their imagination is fostered well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have fun re-enacting life at home, making cups of tea, serving food, and excitedly answering the toy phone when it rings with 'Hello', and making conversation. Children enjoy a wealth of art and craft activities, making hand print pictures and free painting at the easel. Interesting outings are organised where children examine the seasons and wild life, such as trips to the local squirrel reserve. Large photographs of outings and the children playing are displayed, plus child-centred educational posters. Children have their own portfolio of photographs with written captions about their play and the learning intention, and the childminder records their development in a daily diary which is shared with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children actively learn about themselves, each other and the world in which they live. They settle well and feel secure in a welcoming environment. Children are valued and respected as individuals and the childminder works closely with parents to ensure that the welfare of all children is met. Good support is given to children with additional requirements and those who are bilingual. Through the children's contributions, and the resources and activities provided, children become aware of the diverse world in which they live.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is very calm and consistent in her approach and provides care in a positive environment, fostering the children's confidence and self-esteem. She uses good strategies to manage their behaviour, taking into account children's levels of understanding. Children play well together, learning to share and show consideration for each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a professional relationship with parents. She welcomes them into her home and gathers information about their child's routine, helping children to settle. Information about the activities and the daily routine is displayed. They receive copies of written policies and procedures, and daily diaries keep them up to date on their child's day. Parents sometimes complete questionnaires to express their views and ideas, with positive comments such as the 'excellent' care provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is very enthusiastic in her approach and demonstrates a commitment to improving her personal development and keeping up to date on new initiatives. Since registration she has attended several training sessions, helping to contribute to the children's care, welfare and development.

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Organisation

The home is well organised in order to give children close support and attention. The play space is child-centred, bright and colourful, with child size furniture and attractive photographs, posters and artwork. All documentation, pertaining to childminding, is in place, with many written policies and procedures for the effective management of her provision. There is a complaints policy, but it does not clearly state Ofsted's contact details, and there is not a suitable system for recording complaints in lines with legislation. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of 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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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.

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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): • update the written sickness and exclusion policy to include clear information about exclusion periods and the incubation time of infectious diseases • include Ofsted's contact details in the written complaints procedure, and devise a suitable system for the recording of complaints, in line with legislation.

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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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