Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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304687 Unique Reference Number 10 October 2007 Inspection date Valerie Craven 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 16 years old. They live in a house in a rural location just outside Tattenhall, near Chester.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and minded children have no access to the upstairs rooms apart from the bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden at the rear of the property, which is used for outside play. There are five children on roll. The family have three small dogs and a rabbit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children are learning satisfactory routines of personal hygiene, as they are encouraged to wash their hands when dirty and the childminder uses anti-bacterial gel when appropriate. They are sufficiently protected from the spread of infection and illness as the childminder maintains satisfactory levels of hygiene in the home. The arrangements for caring for pets minimise risks

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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 to children's health and children are encouraged to wash their hands if they do touch the animals. Required documentation to promote children's health, such as medical consent and accident forms are appropriately maintained. Written records of administered medication are countersigned by parents, but written consent is not obtained prior to the administration of medication, which is a breach in regulations. The childminder has a policy not to care for sick children unless their condition does not affect others. When children are tired they sleep on the sofa where they are closely supervised. Regular walks and outings to a local play area enable children to enjoy physical activity and promote a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop good relationships with the childminder, which enhances their emotional well-being and enables them to develop a sense of security. They are well nourished and are offered healthy snacks, such as yoghurts, grapes, and carrot and cucumber sticks. Lunches generally consist of sandwiches, fruit and home-made cake. The childminder is aware of children's individual dietary requirements and provides meals in accordance with parents' wishes. Sometimes they are involved in making food and enjoy blackberry picking to make apple and blackberry crumble. Children benefit from regular drinks of milk or sugar-free juice and have filtered water available at all times, which ensures that their physical needs are well met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm and homely environment. The childminder is aware of her responsibility towards children's safety and a number of written risk assessments are in place to minimise hazards. An open fire in the lounge is well guarded and a fire extinguisher is readily available to reduce the risk of accidents. The childminder has taken advice from a fire officer to devise a suitable procedure, which is regularly practised with children to ensure their safety. The garden is securely enclosed and a low fence prevents children from accessing a small covered pond. The childminder discourages visitors and vigilantly implements a visitors' book when caring for children. Members of the household are appropriately vetted to promote children's safety. Children are closely supervised both indoors and outdoors, which ensures that they can play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in the lounge and a stair gate is in place to prevent access to the kitchen, thus ensuring children's safety. The room is warm and cosy but offers limited floor space for young children to play. A variety of age-appropriate toys are made available at a low level to enable children to make some independent choices. Further toys and resources are available on request, as they are stored under the stairs to maximise play space. Regular checks are made to ensure that the toys and equipment which children use are clean, well maintained and age appropriate. Parental permission is in place for regular outings to the local village, play area and surrounding fields. Appropriate car seats are checked for suitability and documentation is in place to promote children's safety. The childminder helps children to develop a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe on roads by wearing bright clothes and learning the Green Cross Code.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

She has a satisfactory understanding of child protection and is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She is aware of the information regarding the procedure to follow if there is a cause for concern, which ensures that children are appropriately safeguarded.

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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 enjoy the company of the childminder, who has developed affectionate, caring relationships with them. They are secure in the setting and are developing self-confidence. The childminder offers appropriate physical contact and reassurance by means of cuddles and holding hands. As a result, the children are relaxed and happy in her care. The childminder is experienced and knows the children very well, which enables her to provide for their needs. Records are kept of children's activities and developmental milestones and the childminder uses her knowledge of the children's interests to plan fun activities, such as playing 'Cowboys and Indians'. Children are well stimulated as they have access to a range of toys and activities which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Indoor activities are limited at any one time due to the amount of space available, although further activities are available on

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder talks to children to encourage communication, uses good eye contact and copies babies' sounds. Children are praised when they say new words and are encouraged by the childminder's example as she thanks toddlers when they share their toys. They wriggle with pleasure as they make sounds with toys and musical books and try to join in with 'ee, ii, oo'. The childminder offers effective support, which nurtures children's independence as children choose what to play with or are encouraged to build using stacking toys. Children are introduced to numbers as the childminder counts to two legs whilst she helps to put on trousers or counts farm animals. Planned activities, such as collage or role play help children to use their imagination, as they pretend to be Native Americans who hunt for buffalo. Outings in the local area enable children to learn about the world around them and to develop physical skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the childminder's home. They are treated with equal concern and have equal access to activities and toys which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder recognises children's individual needs well, which promotes their welfare. Children develop a sense of belonging as they are cared for like a family member, enjoying affectionate relationships with the childminder. Activities are sometimes planned to introduce children to other cultures and celebrations and the childminder has a variety of dolls to promote diversity. Appropriate care is given to all children as the childminder liaises with parents to ensure all records contain relevant information. The childminder is happy to support children with learning difficulties or disabilities and is sensitive to children's emotional welfare. She promotes an inclusive environment and provides a flexible service to meet the needs of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good. The childminder has a written behaviour policy which she shares with parents to promote a consistent approach and to develop children's understanding of boundaries. Clear explanations about expected behaviour are given at a level which children understand and praise is used positively to reward good behaviour. Written information is available for parents which includes policies and procedures and a maintained complaints log. Parents are satisfied with the care which their children receive and state that they are happy with the sensible, secure environment, the love and care, healthy foods, craft activities and fresh air which their children benefit from at the setting. They have absolute confidence in the childminder's ability to help children develop social skills positively and to meet their

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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 developmental and emotional needs. Effective partnerships with parents ensure individual needs are met well, which promotes stability.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The provider is a caring and experienced childminder who supervises children well. She ensures that members of the family are appropriately vetted to promote children's safety. She organises her time, space and resources adequately to meet the needs of the children who attend. A range of handwritten policies and procedures are in place to promote children's safety and well-being. The childminder is aware of most of the regulatory requirements of registration, such as maintaining children's records, a register, accident records and a complaints log. However, records show that medication has been administered without prior written parental consent, which is a breach in regulations. Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was required to devise and implement a system of recording if and when medication has been given to any child in her care and ensure those records are available for inspection at any time. A system is in place and records are available for inspection. However, the system does not include obtaining written parental consent prior to administration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received one complaint relating to the National Standards which has resulted in actions being raised. Ofsted received concerns in May 2006 relating to National Standard 6: Safety, with regards to the rear garden.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted carried out an unannounced visit and one action was raised relating to the compliance with National Standard 6. The provider was required to ensure children can play safely in the garden and cannot gain access to the pond. Ofsted received a satisfactory response to the action. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions:

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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 • obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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