Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection report for early years provision

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304531 Unique Reference Number 10 December 2007 Inspection date Sue Anslow 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in Middlewich. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five and three school age children. Children are taken and collected from local schools and nurseries and the childminder attends a number of local play facilities during the week. The family have two rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted and protected quite well through daily routines and reminders to wash hands after using the toilet. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and

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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 manages any accidents or illnesses correctly. Children can rest or be active according to their individual needs and they benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise in the childminder's garden. They occasionally walk home from school and visit local parks to kick a ball around. Younger children visit local play facilities and meet up with other childminders and their children. These activities promote healthy lifestyles, good physical development and social contact with other children and adults.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well nourished throughout the day with a variety of healthy meals and snacks. Fresh fruit, raw vegetables and cheese are included in the week's menu and drinks of diluted juice are always on hand. Children learn about healthy foods through discussions and activities, such as planting herbs and lettuces in the garden. The childminder holds a food hygiene certificate and food is stored and prepared correctly. Children enjoy helping with baking activities and normally sit at the table to eat their lunch. However, snacks of breadsticks or biscuits are often eaten by young children while playing which does not promote good hygiene practices. Any particular dietary requirements are catered for, in consultation with the parents, and recorded on the child's contract.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy ample space to play in the dining room and conservatory. The lounge is used for young children to sleep and a good sized rear garden allows for easy access to outside play. A range of appropriate toys and play equipment is available for all ages and all items are kept clean and checked regularly for safety. Low shelving and baskets on the floor enable children to choose for themselves what they want to play with. Activities are changed regularly to promote the children's interest and excitement and a wide range of art and craft materials promote children's imaginations extremely well. Garden play, with a range of wheeled toys and sports equipment, promotes children's physical development and general enjoyment. The childminder encourages children to bring some of the 'indoor' toys outside, thus, promoting healthy play in the fresh air. Children use some natural play materials, such as water, play dough

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and baking ingredients which enhance their experience of different textures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe and secure because the childminder supervises them closely and ensures the environment, both inside and outside the home, is safe. Doors and gates are kept locked and a fireguard and safety gate are used appropriately to prevent accidents. Children wear slippers on the laminate floors inside and toys with small pieces do not come out when young children are present. Children learn to keep themselves safe through practising road safety drills when out and about and emergency evacuation procedures from the home. Children's welfare is protected by the childminder who is aware of her role and responsibilities with regard to child protection issues. Written procedures reassure parents of good childcare practice and relevant leaflets are available if needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children thoroughly enjoy their time spent with the childminder and benefit from a range of activities both indoors and outside. They visit a number of local play facilities and regularly go to the library to borrow books or listen to stories. Outings with other childminders and their children promote physical development and social contact, as children learn to share and take turns. Creative play features daily, with children enjoying experimenting with play dough, glue

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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 paint. They recently made place mats with their individual hand prints and are working on crackers and tree ornaments for Christmas. Baking cakes is a favourite activity with the children as they learn to weigh and measure the ingredients and feel the different textures in their fingers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn through play as they begin to understand numbers and colours. Younger children look for specific colours when matching the puzzle pieces and count the number of coins they have in the till. Older children enjoy playing board games which enhance their concentration and hand eye coordination. Children enjoy warm, close relationships with the childminder as they cuddle up for stories or complete jigsaws together on the floor. Outdoor play in the garden is a great favourite during summer months, when children spend most of the day outside, riding on the wheeled toys or playing skittles, bowls and hoopla. A carpet is put outside so children can enjoy playing with their cars, building with the construction bricks or playing imaginative games with the doll's house. Close observation of the children's needs and development ensures an appropriate range of toys and activities are provided and the childminder keeps parents well

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met very well by the childminder who knows each child's character and preferences and gives appropriate time and attention as required. Children learn about the world around them and people who look different from themselves through a variety of activities, discussions and appropriate resources. They play with dolls and play figures with different skin tones or who use wheelchairs. Festivals are celebrated and children thoroughly enjoy bobbing for apples and decorating 'scary cakes' for Halloween. They learn about nature and the care of animals through planting herbs and lettuce in the garden and helping to feed and brush the rabbits. All children are welcomed into the childminder's household and encouraged to join in with all the games and activities. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure consistency of care and routine.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and respond to the childminder's advice and guidance. Lots of praise for achievements, kindness and helpfulness promotes children's self-esteem and self-confidence. For example, 'well done for fitting those puzzle pieces together, you are so clever' and 'thank you for finding the dolly's dress'. Close supervision ensures that any difficulties are acted on straight away and children are directed to another activity if needed. Children benefit from the close partnerships between their parents and the childminder. Information is shared verbally at the beginning and end of each day and a daily activity sheet is completed for each of the younger children. A brochure containing an introduction to the childminder's family plus some of the childminding procedures, informs parents of the service provided and contracts and consent forms are signed as required. New children benefit from a gradual settling in process

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and the childminder checks with parents regularly about their satisfaction with the care being given.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for by an experienced childminder who holds an early years qualification and updates her knowledge and skills by attending further relevant courses. The well organised routines and access to a wide variety of activities, both indoors and outside,

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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 promotes children's enjoyment and learning. Information is exchanged daily with parents and some written procedures are contained in the childminder's brochure. Most records are kept as required, including an attendance register. However, only the contracted times are recorded rather than the actual times of the children's arrival and departure. This compromises their safety and security in an emergency. Appropriate confidentiality is respected and maintained with regard to children's personal details.

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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

The childminder agreed to retain all medical records for inspection. This recommendation has been complied with satisfactorily and, thus, safeguards the children's health care.

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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 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): • improve hygiene standards when serving snacks • record actual hours of children's attendance in daily register.

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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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