Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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304728 Unique Reference Number 29 November 2007 Inspection date Sylvia Cornock 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 was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband, two adult family members, her teenage child and two year old grandchild in Blacon, Chester. The whole of the 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years on a part time basis. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups and activity centres. The family has a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is an active member of the local childminding group and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates an understanding of appropriate health and hygiene procedures. Children are learning to understand some simple health and hygiene practices because the childminder encourages them to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. She is especially aware of the health issues which come with pets and ensures that children wash their hands after handling animals. Older children's independence is promoted as they do things for themselves, such as personal hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and well-being is promoted as the required documentation and procedures are in place for the recording of medication administered, accidents and incidents. The childminder ensures that parents are aware of her policy regarding sick or infectious children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are sufficiently well nourished, as the childminder provides healthy snacks and lunches with a choice of fruit and yoghurts for dessert. Drinks are freely available at all times, further promoting their good health and development. The childminder ensures that dietary requirements are known and met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical activities as they go for walks in the local community including the local park, which give them the opportunity to use the large climbing and balancing apparatus. Ride on toys and equipment help support children's physical development. They have opportunities to use their small physical skills as they enjoy building with construction kits and joining together the train track with a little help from the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and secure environment, with children's toys accessible. The available space is used appropriately as they play on the floor, sit on the sofa or enjoy reading books. The garden is secure and safe for children's outdoor play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use an adequate range of suitable and safe equipment because the childminder regularly adds to and disposes of resources. Toys and games are mostly organised into storage boxes and shelves within the room and children know where things are as they access and freely choose toys and materials.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe as they move around the setting because the childminder is vigilant and supervises children at all times. Sensible use of safety gates is made to restrict access to the kitchen and stairs. Children are also generally safe in an emergency because first aid supplies, smoke detectors and a fire blanket are in place. The childminder is familiar with all the escape routes and evacuation practices with the children have been undertaken, this promotes children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe when taken on outings because the childminder keeps hold of children as they walk to nursery and other places. She encourages children to learn how to keep themselves safe outside through discussion. The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of the procedures to follow for reporting any concerns or if an allegation is made against her or others regarding child protection.

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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 happy and settled due to the positive interaction of the childminder. They respond well and quickly develop confidence and self-esteem because the childminder encourages them in their play and praises their successes. Children show interest in what they do because the childminder joins in with their play and helps them to gain from it. For example, she allows them to use their imagination and create their own ideas from the selection of construction kits as they build a farm and use their imagination as it becomes a zoo. The childminder is on hand when children ask for assistance and quickly responds as she helps a three year old join the train track. Children are enthusiastic and can enjoy a variety of games and activities because the childminder organises this well. At the same time, she provides children with plenty of choices enabling them to play with what they choose. Younger children and babies have fun

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

as they engage in playing with programmable toys giving them the experience of touch and sound.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s enjoyment and educational achievements are good because the childminder provides the children with a wide variety of resources, toys and equipment to meet their individual learning needs. She helps them to succeed in developing their learning through the provision of planned activities and experiences, such as the environment we live in, as they take walks in the park and visits to various activity centres.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has recently introduced a system for recording observations of children's achievements using the 'Birth to three matters' guidance. She intends to use this to plan future activities, interests and experiences to enhance children's progress and learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have a strong sense of belonging and are included fully in play. Their emotional needs are adequately met because the childminder is caring and attentive to each child. She treats all children with equal concern and takes into account their home situations which she knows well. The childminder showed a reasonable understanding of caring for children with additional needs. She gives children one to one care and devotes her time to them. For example, she is aware of their attention span and ensures there is sufficient enjoyable activities to keep their interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s awareness of diversity is promoted through activities, books, toys and other resources which portray positive images of people from other cultures and of gender equality. This means that children are learning how to be understanding and accepting of all others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive appropriate support to behave well, because the childminder encourages good manners, such as 'please' and 'thank you'. She uses praise to good effect, so that children are happy that she is pleased with them. The childminder has relevant documentation for the recording of incidents, although none are recorded as children's behaviour is good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive consistency of care because the childminder works together with parents to ensure that they are well informed about what is going on in the children's lives. The childminder and parents have a very good understanding and partnership as they share details on a daily basis about the child's day.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's care is enhanced through the childminder's organisation and well-planned day. This helps children to feel at home and at ease; they feel secure and confident in their surroundings, initiating and extending their own play and learning. Visits to places of interest widens children's play opportunities and helps them to make progress.

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Organisation

Most documentation, policies and procedures are satisfactory. The childminder does not have a secure system for maintaining complaints. Therefore, records are not accessible for the inspection. This breaches the requirements of the National Standards. The childminder has a current first aid certificate, this helps to meet children's needs in the event of an accident or emergency.

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Organisation

The childminder is confident, and her care and enthusiasm help to support children's progress and development. Children benefit from the available indoor and outdoor space to maximise play opportunities. Satisfactory risk assessments and planning of activities and routines help to keep children safe and enables them to make progress in all areas of their development.

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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

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure written permission for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment was obtained from parents and obtain written information regarding local child protection procedures. The childminder has obtained written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and has obtained a copy of safeguarding pack in respect of child protection. These measures enhance children's health and safety.

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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.

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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 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):

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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 • develop knowledge and procedures for recording complaints.

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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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