Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection report for early years provision

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304839 Unique Reference Number 14 August 2007 Inspection date Rachel Ruth Britten 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 2000. She lives with her husband and daughter, aged 13 years in Nantwich, close to the town centre. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children under eight years and currently has eight children on roll. The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She also attends local toddler groups and takes children to the park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is good because the childminder is proactive about providing advice and support to children so that they can learn to live healthily. This includes healthy snacks and daily fresh air and exercise walking to and from school. The childminder also keeps a very clean home and teaches children according to their age about personal hygiene and preventing cross-infection. For example, children use paper towels to wipe their hands and put these into a bin. In addition, some children bring their own toothbrush to clean their teeth before going

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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 school. All the children are involved in sampling various new and healthy foods, many of which they later choose to add to their snack menus. For example, pita bread, various fillings and chutneys have been enjoyed. In addition, children take part in sorting rubbish for recycling and in keeping their toys and games clean and tidy for everyone to use.

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Helping children to be healthy

The environment and routine are also well arranged to support children's emotional and physical health. The home is welcoming so that children know where things are and where to put their coats and shoes. The garden provides plenty of outdoor play in a shady garden with a gazebo used to keep off intense sun. Sun creams supplied from home are used as necessary although the childminder does not have separate written consent for using these. The childminder also ensures that children have plenty of rest and sleep as well as chances to socialise with other children and adults. They enjoy varied physical exercise, such as dancing, climbing, running and riding. Swimming is offered if a one to one ratio is possible and parents consent to this. Children are well protected from becoming ill through good procedures to ensure this. For example, the childminder keeps written parental consent for all medications given and is clearly

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Helping children to be healthy

recording both accidents and the administration of medicine. Parents sign all records to acknowledge each entry indicating that they have been fully informed in every case.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an extremely safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment because the childminder places utmost importance upon this area of her responsibilities. The home is permanently made safe for children, regardless of their age, through use of safety gates, fire guards, socket covers, finger guards, safety film, locked doors and fire detection equipment. Emergency escape and contingency plans are both written and practised so that children know what to do. They also know those persons who have agreed to take on their care should anything suddenly happen to the childminder. The childminder prides herself upon constant vigilance and teaching children about safety in the kitchen, around electricity and outside on the roads. She insists upon concentration and good behaviour whilst walking so that children always hold hands or are strapped using reins or buggies. Likewise, children are taught to safely use scissors

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and cutlery which is age appropriate. The childminder continues to monitor her children when attending toddler groups or other social events and always puts their safety and enjoyment above her own social needs. She also makes use of child centred story books to help children understand about not accepting lifts from strangers and making sure that their parents always know where they are.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a stimulating range of suitable and safe equipment and toys which are stored downstairs in the lounge. The childminder ensures that babies and toddlers cannot get hold of toys with small parts and provides plenty of toys in storage boxes which they can select from. She is vigilant and demonstrates to pre-school children how to use safety scissors effectively and safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from abuse because the childminder is highly motivated to keep up to date with child protection training and is well prepared and able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary. She keeps documentation to hand, including contact numbers for the local social services and has a clear child protection policy which is communicated to parents. She is also very clear about what she would do if an allegation of abuse were to be made against her.

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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 enjoying themselves and are making positive relationships because the childminder is enthusiastic, well-prepared and she actively encourages children to cooperate together in a routine. She provides a structured environment which successfully promotes enjoyment and learning in all areas, especially after school, when children happily read together and complete their homework before undertaking planned craft activities or games. Children often take home something they have made and they enjoy playing outside or singing and dancing along to music. On the day of the inspection, toddlers enjoy books, dolls and musical toys. The childminder uses visual prompts placed around the downstairs area to focus her questions and conversation with children using aspects of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the 'Every Child Matters' agenda. This reminds her to think of and provide for each child's whole

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

development, including their health, social skills and appreciation of their own and others' places in the world.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are making good progress because the childminder is purposeful and committed to children's development in all areas of their experience. She makes sure she knows what individual children are learning about in all the venues they attend and supports the continuation of this through providing relevant activities. For example, she knows what letters children are concentrating on at pre-school and plans activities around these same letters. She specialises in providing story books which support relevant teaching, for example about potty training, feelings, starting school or meeting new friends. Children respond well and show interest in what they do because they know that the childminder takes an interest in each one's development. She does not currently take photos or create individual progress records with them, but she skilfully uses a diary to regularly record significant progress as it occurs for every

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

child. For example, the childminder records the new words that toddlers are saying as their speech evolves and gives special emphasis upon modelling clear speech back to them and trying other simple words to help them make further progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children in the setting have developed a superior sense of belonging and feel extremely secure because the childminder creates a safe environment where each child's individual needs are carefully considered by all and where every part of the child's life is included and linked together. Having fun is high on the agenda, but so is respect for each other's feelings and possessions. Resources include innovative games and toys such as books, fuzzy felts, play figures and dolls which promote other cultures or disabilities, so that children become respectful and accepting of all others. Each child is taught to treat people as they would like to be treated, including taking time to sympathise and take care of anyone who is feeling sad. Having plenty to do, sharing the activities, games and resources and helping one another with homework, allows little time for children to become bored or attention seeking. As a result, children behave well

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Helping children make a positive contribution

both in the home and outside at parks, cafés or toddler groups and they bask in the praise and attention that they enjoy when they play and cooperate well together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s needs are met through exceptionally good partnership with parents. The childminder is open and communicative with parents and spends time giving and receiving effective feedback from them. Children frequently take home things that they have made and a comprehensive portfolio and policy document gives parents a full picture of the service. The childminder has had no complaints to record and makes the Ofsted contact details readily available to parents.

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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 Parents find the service child-centred and superior and they have all written references enthusing about their children's care. They say the childminder offers reliability and quality time to particularly support children's enjoyment, reading, language, safety and good behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all children and is building upon her childcare knowledge and experience over time. She has completed the National Vocational Qualification in childcare to Level 3 and continues to attend relevant training courses concerning safeguarding children, behaviour management and assertiveness. She is enthusiastic about the Early Years Foundation Stage, particularly the principle of connecting with all the agencies and venues involved in a child's care to ensure continuity.

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Organisation

The childminder is well organised, having a clear sense of purpose and direction and using her time and resources very well to support children's care, learning and play. She has written aims for her service and has a completed calendar to remind her exactly what children she has each day and where they need to be taken to or collected from. Her domestic arrangements are also well organised so that she is with children throughout the day ensuring that they can participate alongside her in all the routines of the day. Good written child details and contracts ensure that all children have their individual needs met and are well stimulated.

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Organisation

Most of the childminder's policies and procedures work very well in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. For example, there are relevant policies on equal opportunities and missing or uncollected children. All records of medication, accidents and incidents are organised and accessible. The daily register is also kept accurate and up to date. Children's development is recorded in a diary which is used to remind the childminder of the next steps she is wanting to help each child to progress to. However, parent consents have not yet been obtained for the use of photographs which are taken of children's activities for their records and the certificate of registration has not been displayed on the wall because of concerns about fraudulent use of the registration number. Nevertheless, parents using the service are aware of the conditions of registration shown to

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Organisation

them in the portfolio. 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

There was one recommendation made at the last inspection in April 2004. This was to develop resources for outside play. The childminder has bought new resources for use in the rear garden, such as a tent, tunnel, ride on trucks, rackets and balls. She recognises that intense sun can be a hindrance and has purchased a gazebo to use in this situation. She has a lawn which is often too wet to play on, so regularly also uses the local park because it has a dry surface which can be used in any weather. These actions improve children's health and physical development.

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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 complaint 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 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): • ensure that written parent consents are in place for the use of sun creams and photographs • ensure that the certificate of registration is displayed on the wall as well as in the parent portfolio.

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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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