Childminder in Wigan

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 322590 Inspection date 12 July 2005 Inspector Ann, Theresa Flynn

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 nine years. Presently she cares for 8 children aged between 1 and 11years. The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged 19 and 15 years. They live in a semi-detached house which is situated on a large private housing estate, close to all local amenities in Winstanley. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden at the rear of the property for outdoor play.

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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 The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups, visits the park and visits places such as soft play areas providing experiences for children away from the setting.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children understand the importance of personal hygiene and staying healthy through daily routines, as they consistently wash their hands after eating or visiting the toilet. Children are being healthy and enjoying fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. For example children either play in the garden or visit the park or various soft play areas which helps children to develop their physical skills. Children are nourished and their health is promoted through the availability of fresh fruit and vegetables. Children choose from various fruits or cheese for snacks. Children’s thirst is quenched by frequent access to drinks which they access themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safe and secure. They able to move around the environment with ease as there is adequate space for them to play and when required rest. Children have access to a varied range of facilities and resources that promotes various aspects of their development. Children’s independence is increasing as they access resources from a good range of activities and supplement these by self-chosen toys from low levelled storage which promotes their development. Children are learning the importance of keeping themselves safe. This is achieved by good interaction with the childminder who discusses with children for example, the importance of holding hands when crossing the road. Children’s risk of accidental injury could be improved by the childminder taking appropriate action regarding the hazards identified. These related to large knives in the kitchen drawer, hazardous substances within the downstairs toilet used by

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children and glass within the cabinets situated in the living room. Children's safety could be improved further by regularly practising the emergency evacuation procedure. Children are protected because the childminder knows her role in relation to child protection. However in order to further protect children the childminder should

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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 develop child protection procedures, ensuring she is fully aware of whom to contact if concerns are raised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and display a sense of belonging at the childminders. Children take pleasure in her and the other children's company which was evident when playing with the baby. Children's overall development is enhanced through a varied range of activities both indoor and outside the home. The children access their own resources which enables them to make choices and increase their independence skills. Children are developing language and communication skills through the use of books. For example the childminder discussed how children sit looking at the pictures and how she reads stories that the children enjoy which helps them express their own idea's and thoughts. Children's concentration is good, they concentrate well on the musical mats which help children's attention to develop and thus develops their span of concentration.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have good self esteem due to the childminders realistic expectations of the children’s individual needs. All children are praised and encouraged which further enhances children’s confidence. Children become aware of wider society as they, for example have their awareness raised by the childminder through discussion about the wider world. Children's awareness could be further developed by a wider range of resources which reflect diversity. Children receive appropriate support from the childminder and their needs are met because the childminder was attentive to their requirements. Children’s individual needs are met well as the childminder consistently engages in daily discussion with parents about their individual needs in various aspects of their care and development. Children behave well and are learning to understand the difference between right and wrong, for example, as they negotiate over the musical mats. They are beginning to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

work harmoniously with each other as they begin to learn to share and take turns.

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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 The organisation is good. Younger children are well supported by the information received by parents and used by the childminder which is secured to ensure all requirements of National Standards are met. Children's learning is extended by time which is well managed and a good balance of indoor and outdoor play opportunities are provided. Children benefit from the childminder's active involvement with local based facilities, namely parent and toddler groups, playgroups and soft play areas, which provides children with varied experiences. Children’s care is enhanced by the good information provided by parents to ensure that the childminder meets the needs of individual children and that records about individual children are updated and shared with parents on a regular basis.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom care is provided

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's care has been enhanced because the childminder has attended to both recommendations following the last inspection, one relating to documentation and one relating to parental agreements concerning behaviour strategies used.

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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): • make safe hazards identified including, large knives in the kitchen drawer, hazardous substances within the downstairs toilet used by children and glass within the cabinets situated in the living room

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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 • ensure emergency evacuation procedure is regularly practised • develop child protection procedures, ensuring childminder is fully aware of whom to contact if concerns are raised • develop resources which reflect diversity.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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