Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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303356 Unique Reference Number 04 February 2008 Inspection date Janice Linsdell 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 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 since 1998. She lives with her husband and three adult children in the Murdishaw area of Runcorn. Most areas on the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and she is currently minding four children who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks and drives to school to take and collect children. There are no pets kept on the premises.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept healthy because the childminder follows suitable hygiene procedures and keeps the premises clean and tidy. She makes sure toys are washed regularly, particularly when children have coughs and colds. This helps to reduce the spread of germs. Children develop some awareness of simple hygiene practices, such as hand washing before eating meals. The

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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 children's daily routine means they exercise every morning when they go for regular walks in the local area. They also have use of the spacious garden in fine weather, where they can crawl through the tunnels and play in the tents. This helps to promote their physical health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are sufficiently nourished and have their dietary needs met. The childminder is aware of children's food preferences and encourages healthy eating. She offers a range of hot meals for lunch, for example, vegetable soup or pasta, and snacks, such as fruit, toast or plain biscuits. The childminder does not provide fizzy drinks, therefore promoting the development of healthy teeth. Children have ready access to their own beaker of juice and the childminder reminds them to take regular drinks throughout the day in order to stay refreshed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept safe on the premises because the childminder takes appropriate safety measures to reduce hazards, and ensures children remain in her sight at all times. Most areas of the childminder's home are safe, but the front entrance is not fully secure as keys are left in the door, within children's reach. Children have access to a range of toys and play materials, which are kept safe and in good condition. Resources are organised in various storage boxes, so children can easily help themselves to toys of their choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder highlights general hazards to children and reminds them to take care of the toys. This helps them to develop some awareness of their own safety. Children's welfare is well safeguarded because the childminder has sufficient knowledge of child protection issues. She has access to guidance and information leaflets to assist her in taking appropriate action to protect children from harm. Written procedures in relation to safeguarding children are also available and shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are relaxed and settled in the childminder's care because she is caring, attentive and develops warm relationships with them. She organises the daily routine so that children are taken on outings every morning, for example, to local parks, trips to the forest and walks by the canal to feed the animals. Afternoons are generally spent playing with the toys and children enjoy completing jigsaws, building with the blocks, and playing with the cars and trains. This promotes their learning and enjoyment. At the moment, younger children do not benefit from opportunities where they interact with other children of similar age and further develop their social skills, such as attending toddler groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The weekly planner records what toys and games children play with each day, which helps the childminder to monitor resources so children have a variety to play with. The childminder interacts positively with the children and becomes involved in their play, for example, as they build the car track together. Children enjoy sitting on the childminder's knee, listening to the story and responding to her questions. However, the childminder sometimes leaves the television on in the background, which can be distracting for 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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning to value and respect others because the childminder treats them with equal concern and encourages positive attitudes. They learn about their own community as they visit some local amenities and a selection of resources is available to help raise their awareness of diversity, such as books, jigsaws promoting disability and dolls of different nationality. Children's behaviour is managed appropriately and they are beginning to learn the difference between right and wrong. The childminder offers praise and encouragement to reinforce positive behaviour and promote children's confidence. She helps children to understand their behaviour and how it impacts on others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops sound relationships with parents and shares information verbally about the children's day. This means that children are cared for according to parents' wishes. Parental consent is obtained for most aspects relating to the children's care, although consent to transport children in a vehicle is not in place for all children. The childminder has several cards and letters from parents expressing their thanks and appreciation for the care she provides for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has been minding for several years and offers a relaxed and homely environment for children. She holds a current certificate in first aid and has attended a briefing regarding the new Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are appropriately supported because the childminder ensures adult-child ratios are maintained, and some of the younger children benefit from receiving one-to-one care and attention during the day. All household members have not completed relevant checks to ensure their suitability. This is a breach in regulations.

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Organisation

Required documentation to promote the children's care and welfare is accessible, well organised and generally well maintained. Written policies are available and shared with parents, which provides some good information about childcare arrangements. The childminder has recently devised and implemented a new system to record the children's hours of attendance, which meets requirements. However, previous records were not made available for inspection. 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

Since the last inspection, the childminder has reviewed and updated systems to record medication administered to children, and she has devised procedures to record any significant incidents. This has improved procedures and safeguards the children's welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 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): • review the security of the front door • make sure parental consent to transport children in a vehicle is in place for all children • make sure all household members complete appropriate vetting procedures, and ensure all records relating to childminding activities are available for inspection at all times.

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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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