Childminder in St Helens

Inspection report for early years provision

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323034 Unique Reference Number 29 August 2007 Inspection date Ann Lee 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 1974. She lives with her husband in the Eccleston area of St. Helens. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house and two bedrooms are used for childminding. There is an 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 four children under five. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group and takes advantage of walks to the local duck pond, park and shops.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from being cared for in a very clean and well maintained environment where the childminder takes good steps to keep them free from infection and cross contamination. She uses anti-bacterial spray to wipe work surfaces, changing mat and tables and children sleep

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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 in separate beds with their own bedding. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene because they are encouraged to wash their hands appropriately and use wet wipes to wipe their noses and faces in order to prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an up to date first aid certificate and a fully stocked first aid box and this helps her to safeguard children in the event of accidental injury or illness. Parents provide information about any allergies, medical or dietary requirements, so that the childminder can care for them according to their individual needs. However, they do not always provide written permission for emergency treatment or advice and the accident book is not available.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with home cooked meals which include plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit. The childminder helps children to understand the importance of eating a healthy diet. Drinks of fresh fruit juice and water are provided throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are daily opportunities for children to develop their physical skills. They play in the garden with a good variety of equipment, such as a slide, climbing frame, skittles and balls and they also enjoy dancing to music. The childminder also takes the children on walks to the local park and toddler group where they can use different equipment. They practise their small motor skills when painting, building with blocks and when manipulating dough, shape sorters, puzzles and small world toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are secure in the setting because the childminder ensures that they cannot leave the premises unaccompanied. They play in a large, bright, airy and child friendly play room which provides plenty of space for them to explore. There is a wide variety of interesting and stimulating toys and equipment which is clean and well maintained. The toys and equipment are set out around the room on low level tables and shelving, so that children can become more confident and independent as they make choices about what they do. The garden is accessed via the play room and children can often choose whether to play indoors or outside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is very aware of the need to keep children safe and she supervises them closely at all times. On outings she uses the buggy and reins and the children learn how to keep themselves safe because they learn where it is safe to cross the road. Most of the necessary safety equipment, such as socket covers and smoke alarms are in place to minimise the risk of accidental injury to children. There is a fire evacuation procedure in place but the fire blanket has not been replaced in the kitchen since it was recently refitted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded in the setting because the childminder has an understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows her role and responsibility in relation to protecting children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The experienced childminder has a very good understanding of the needs of babies and young children and how they learn and develop. She is a kind, friendly person who develops close, loving relationships with the children, so that they settle in quickly and are happy and relaxed in the setting. She provides them with a wide variety of appropriate toys and equipment, talks to them and introduces new words to help them to develop good language and communication

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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 skills. Children are friendly, confident and independent. They help to tidy away the toys before starting another activity and they play well together learning to share and to take turns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses conversation, stories, songs and games to introduce children to numbers, letters, shapes and colours. They talk about everyday events and children show interest and excitement when a flock of geese flies over the house. There are framed photographs displayed around the playroom and the children love to look at them and recognise the different children. This helps them to feel that they belong in the setting. Children learn about the wider world on trips to the local shops, toddler groups and parks. They enjoy feeding the ducks in the park and visiting the local farm where the farmer shows them his baby animals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder makes all children welcome and she obtains information from parents to ensure that she can care for them according to their individual needs. She works with parents where necessary to deal with individual issues and provide consistency of care for children. There are some books available which the childminder reads with the children. This provides children with positive images of different cultures and helps them to appreciate diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and cooperative and they respond positively to the childminder who acts as a good role model. She uses praise and encouragement to reward good behaviour and achievement, so that children feel valued. Children respond well to her kind and friendly manner and her firm and consistent behaviour management techniques. She treats children with courtesy and concern and they learn to share, to take turns and to be polite.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops good relationships with parents and she has many cards which indicate that they are very pleased with the care provided for their children. Parents are invited for introductory visits with their children, so that they can complete the necessary documentation and meet the other children. The childminder keeps parents informed about their children during daily conversations and with the help of photographs which show the children enjoying their play and activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are safeguarded in the setting because they never come into unsupervised access with people who have not been vetted. The correct adult to child ratios are maintained to ensure that children are always well supervised and supported. The childminder is not committed to ongoing training but she has obtained a current first aid certificate.

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Organisation

The space is well organised to allow children freedom of movement and plenty of space to explore. Resources are stored within easy reach of the children, so that they can make choices about what they do in the setting. The childminder also organises the time well to make sure that children enjoy a good balance of activities both indoors and outside.

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Organisation

The basic documentation is in place to promote the welfare and care of children and parents are kept informed about their progress and development during daily conversations when they collect their children. 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

The childminder has developed some understanding of her role and responsibilities in relation to protecting children from harm. She understands the need to obtain written parental permission for emergency medical treatment or advice although these are not available for the current children.

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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): • ensure that parents always provide written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and maintain a record, signed by parents, of any accidents • ensure that the fire blanket is located correctly according to the recommendations of the fire safety officer.

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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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