Childminder in St Helens

Inspection report for early years provision

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323085 Unique Reference Number 13 February 2008 Inspection date Michele Anne Villiers 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 has been registered for over 20 years. She lives with her husband and two adult children in St Helens, Merseyside. The whole 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 at any one time, or 10 children when working with an assistant. She is currently minding four children under five and two children over five. The childminder walks or transport children in a vehicle to local schools and places of interest. The childminder attends local toddler groups with the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder follows effective procedures in order to help prevent the spread of infection and meet the children's physical, nutritional and health needs. For example, the home is very clean and well maintained. Outdoor shoes are removed on arrival and separate hand towels are provided for the children. Good adult support and guidance help children to learn about personal

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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 hygiene and the importance of hand washing. Children are protected when they are sick and the childminder has written policies on the administration of medication. However, when recording medication the childminder does not clearly state the time that the medicine was last administered by parents, if applicable. If a child has a temperature she does not record the temperature reading.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy, nutritionally balanced diet. Many meals are homemade and fresh fruit is offered daily. The childminder encourages children to participate in baking activities. She introduces children to new tastes and textures and uses books, such as 'Food should be fun' for ideas and recipes. Children independently help themselves to their own beakers of drinking water in order to re-hydrate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical activity is very much incorporated into the daily routine, helping to develop the children's coordination, balance and stamina. Children have fun dancing and moving to music, exercising by bending their knees up and down and stretching their arms. During nice weather they play in the garden with various wheeled toys and apparatus. They also have regular walks to the local park. Babies and young children have sufficient space to freely move round, with good support from the childminder to promote their increasing independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe and secure home that is suitably organised. They freely access an excellent range of safe toys and resources that are displayed around the designated play room. The childminder assesses potential hazards and has all appropriate safety equipment in place within the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about safety during play and whilst on outings. They become aware of road safety as they re-enact crossing the road, using toy figures and cars on the play road mat. On outings necessary precautions are taken by the childminder to help protect children and keep them safe, such as the use of buggies and reins. Children wear safety wrist straps and the childminder carries laminated cards with details of emergency contact numbers should a child become lost or injured.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Sleeping babies and young children are closely monitored and rooms are maintained at adequate temperatures. Children are further protected as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and safeguarding children. She has attended training and has much written information about the procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child. Parents are fully informed of the action that would be taken and sign to say they have understood the policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and thoroughly enjoy their time in the childminder's home. The childminder creates a welcoming environment, with gentle background music playing, and a wealth of toys and resources displayed. Children achieve extremely well because the childminder is committed to her work and has an excellent understanding of how to help children develop and progress in all areas of learning. She plans interesting and challenging activities and has a flexible approach. She ensures there is a good balance between adult directed and child led play, taking into account the children's own interests and individual needs.

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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 The childminder is very enthusiastic and skilfully uses every opportunity during play to extend the children's learning. For example, whilst children explore role-play, new resources are introduced to further extend their imagination. Children set up a 'teddy bears' picnic, organising different food items on plates and positioning a rug on the floor. The play becomes a birthday party and children sing 'Happy birthday'. Number, colour and shape are introduced as the children count how many candles are needed, and discuss the colour and shapes of different foods. Many props are also introduced to support their play, including books, pictures and dressing up clothes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children become engrossed in colourful picture books. The childminder constantly talks to children to optimise their communication, language and literacy skills. She uses good questioning and points to the pictures, using repetitive words. Young children imitate, making sounds and attempting to form words and sentences. Children demonstrate excellent concentration and application as they attempt to complete puzzles, or build using interconnecting blocks. They use their imagination well and name small world people, such as 'Mike the policeman' and 'Brenda the lollipop lady'. Children also explore a wide range of texture and colour during art and craft activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has effectively implemented the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Children's achievements are celebrated and documented in each child's individual development progress file. The childminder records their development using written information, photographs and the children's artwork. Parents take home their child's file in order to add their own comments. The childminder is very perceptive to the children's interests and allows children to discover and learn at their own pace. She is also very well supported by an assistant who is a qualified teacher and very knowledgeable about how children learn and progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are warmly welcomed and play a full part in the setting because the childminder values and respects their individuality. She supports children extremely well and is very proactive in ensuring that children with learning difficulties or disabilities are included and their needs met. She works closely with parents and external agencies to help fully integrate all children and promote their welfare and development. Children are extremely well behaved and the childminder has high expectations, setting consistent boundaries. Children are very polite and older children include young children in their play, learning to share and take turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have extensive opportunities to learn about themselves and the world in which they live. Families from different cultural backgrounds are offered support and helped to integrate into the community. Resources, such as books, are obtained to help children who have English as an additional language, settle with the childminder. The childminder learns specific words in their language in order to greet the children and aid communication. Toys and resources, such as books, puzzles, ethnic dolls, different cultural music and play people with walking aids, reflect positive images of race, culture, gender and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to the children's well-being and self-esteem. Parents are fully informed about their child's day through informal discussion, written daily diaries and photographs of them playing. Parents also know how their children are progressing and developing, through sharing their progress files. The childminder actively seeks parents views about their children's needs and interests. Evaluation forms are shared

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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 with the parents. Parents speak very positively about the provision, with comments such as 'Outstanding', 'Excellent communication' and 'A very social, happy environment'.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder uses her skills and experience to provide an excellent service of care. She demonstrates an extremely strong commitment towards her own personal development and to strive to continually improve upon her practice. Since the last inspection she has completed several courses, including the 'Birth to three matters' framework, Children's Play, Inclusion, Food Hygiene and Safeguarding Children. She has also gained a qualification in childcare and completed a quality assurance scheme. She uses ideas from the courses to effectively enhance activities and provide children with a wide range of learning experiences.

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Organisation

A wealth of detailed documentation, which contributes to the effective management of the provision, is in place. She has devised comprehensive policies and procedures to share with parents. Records are clear, up-to-date and easily accessible. She is extremely well organised in her daily planning, provision of toys, and organisation of paperwork. Overall, the provision meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain written confirmation from parents that an assistant may be left in sole charge of the children for limited periods. Written parental consent for an assistant to be left in sole charge has been obtained from parents and is on file.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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): • include in the administration of medication documents, the time that parents last administered the medication and the child's temperature if applicable.

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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 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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