Dickinson, Helen

Inspection report for early years provision

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322609 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2008 Inspection date Christine Snowdon 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 1998. She lives with her husband and two adult sons in a residential area of Winstanley, Wigan. Most 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 six children under eight years of age at any one time. She is currently caring for four children under five years and three over five. Older children also attend for out of school care. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder has some good hygiene routines which keep the premises very clean and well maintained. Children learn to keep themselves clean as they wash their hands after using the toilet and before their meals. They use liquid soap and paper hand towels to reduce any risk of cross contamination. Good arrangements are in place to ensure

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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 do not attend if they are ill or infectious. This helps maintain children's good health and prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and are learning about healthy eating as the parents and childminder encourage them to eat a well balanced and nutritious diet. Parents provide most of the children's meals and the childminder provides a range of healthy snacks, such as crumpets and fresh or dried fruits. Drinks are readily available to the children throughout the day and this ensures they do not become dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of physical activities which contribute well to their good health. Children get plenty of robust physical exercise as they go out for walks daily or to the soft play centres where they climb, balance and swing on the apparatus. They enjoy playing in the garden during dry weather when they pedal and steer the wheeled toys in the fresh air. Children rest and relax according to their needs. for example, they snuggle down on the large floor cushion and enjoy a sound and restful sleep.

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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 very safe and secure environment. The childminder has all the necessary equipment in place and uses it effectively to minimise risk, for example, a safety gate is in place across the kitchen doorway so that no children have unsupervised access. The childminder is very safety conscious and carries out a general safety check before children arrive. Children are learning about keeping themselves safe within the home through taking part in the regular fire drills. This was made more realistic for them when the fire fighters visit the childminder's home to advise her on fire safety. There are clear boundaries in place to ensure children's safety as they walk to and from school. Younger ones hold her hands or wear safety reins, whilst older ones know not to walk too far in front. They learn about the dangers of traffic and they all cross the road together looking and listening.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children move around the environment with confidence as the childminder has organised her space and resources well. Toys and activities are displayed in plastic see through boxes within the conservatory. As a result, children self-select their resources and instigate their own play and learning. There is a good range of resources that are of good quality and meet the varying ages and interests of the children who attend.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has attended some basic child protection training in the past, however, the recently planned training event has been cancelled and as a result, the childminder does not have up to date information to hand with regards to safeguarding children. This means she is unclear of the new procedures should she have any concerns about the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy at the childminder's home due to her warm and friendly approach. They enjoy the familiar routines and these, along with the warm relationship with the childminder develops their sense of belonging. Activities and play opportunities are purposeful and fun resulting in children being motivated and interested. They particularly enjoy the jigsaws and spend exceptionally long periods concentrating and completing their task. They learn to count and recognise their colours as the childminder asks 'how many jigsaws have you finished' and

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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 they count and say 'six'. They enjoy regular creative activities during their sessions at the toddler groups and outdoors in the garden at the childminder's home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children enjoy the socialisation with their friends after their school day. They are able to rest, relax and unwind, watch some television or a favourite CD. They play card games where they have to read the information and negotiate to swap with one another in order to obtain a full set. Some children prefer to spend their time colouring and drawing with the crayons and felt tip pens.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the setting because the childminder values and respects their individuality. Children develop a positive attitude to others through the childminder's approach and the resources. For example, they talk about the Diwali festival they are learning about at school and the childminder suggests they use her computer to find out more information. They play with jigsaws, books and dolls that depict diversity and the wider world in which they live. The childminder has attended some basic awareness training and has a positive attitude towards caring for children with disabilities or learning difficulties, should she be asked to do so.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well because they are kept stimulated, happy and occupied. They know what is expected of them and follow the childminder's simple house rules with gentle and appropriate reminders when necessary, for example, she explains to the younger ones that they are her toys and they must share them nicely, then praises them when they do so. As a result, they are learning to share, take turns and play cooperatively together. Children benefit greatly from the very positive partnership that the childminder has established with their parents. She actively seeks their views and records all the information about the children's individual care needs. The childminder has a parent file containing her policies, procedures and Ofsted details, however, the Ofsted poster with the contact details is not openly displayed. This means parents do not have access to Ofsteds details should they wish to make contact. Parents are kept well

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Helping children make a positive contribution

informed of their child's day and the activities they take part in, for example, the childminder writes herself notes on the hall mirror to make sure she tells them everything verbally on collection.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are at home and at ease in the childminder's care. The provision of a well organised and supportive care environment enables them to move freely through the lounge and conservatory areas developing their independence and free choice.

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Organisation

The childminder has a clear sense of purpose, is aware of her role and responsibilities and demonstrates commitment to good practice. She uses her policies and procedures well to promote children's health, safety and enjoyment. All adults living in the household have been appropriately vetted and the registration certificate is openly displayed. There are appropriate systems in place which record children's arrival and departure times.

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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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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection several recommendations were made covering documentation, children's safety, resources and behaviour management. There is now a clear system in place which record all children's times of arrival and departure. The childminder has a good understanding of appropriate behaviour management and deals with any issues in a sensitive and supportive manner. There is a good range of resources to cover the age range of children attending and these are stored in a suitable and safe manner. This ensures children can access the toys themselves and have free choice. The childminder has taken the necessary steps to ensure all adults resident in the household are safe and suitable to be in contact with children. Her home is secure and safety equipment is used effectively to promote children's safety and well-being.

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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 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): • develop knowledge and understanding of the policies and procedures in relation to safeguarding children and ensure all information is to hand • ensure the Ofsted poster is openly displayed.

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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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