Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY281678 Unique Reference Number 24 January 2008 Inspection date Rosalie Mary Turner 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 2004. She lives with her husband, two adult children and two daughters aged 11 and 13 in the Greasby area of the Wirral peninsular. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog.

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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 seven children under eight years on a full or part-time basis. She also provides care for children who are over the age of eight years.

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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 are protected from possible cross-infection because the childminder does not provide care if they are suffering from a contagious illness. She maintains her home in a clean and

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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 hygienic condition and displays posters to remind children to wash their hands after handling the dog or using the toilet so that they learn the importance of personal hygiene. Although there is a weakness in the childminder's system to renew her first aid training, children's well-being is mostly assured as she keeps robust records of accidents and medication that has been administered. Furthermore, parents have given their written consent to enable her to seek emergency medical treatment if children are seriously ill or injured so that they may receive help quickly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's growth and development is promoted because the childminder has a sound understanding of a healthy, balanced diet. She checks all dietary requirements before she provides care so that she is able to offer the children meals and snacks that are appropriate to their individual needs. They are encouraged to sample a variety of foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and pasta as a way to help them to develop healthy eating habits. Drinks of fresh water or juice are available throughout the day to encourage children to meet their own health needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have suitable opportunities to access fresh air and maintain their health through exercise. They can use up their surplus energy by jumping on the soft play equipment when they are taken to 'Mini Monsters' and they visit the local parks if the weather is fine so that they develop a healthy lifestyle. All children enjoy being taken for walks and parents are asked to provide waterproof boots so that children can splash in the puddles if it is raining.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and emotionally secure as the childminder is warm and kind towards them. They can access a broad range of safely maintained resources that are set out in the playroom or contained in clearly labelled storage boxes, therefore, they stay settled. Children enjoy close interaction with the childminder but when they play independently the childminder checks what they are doing to ensure they play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are gaps in the register of attendance that potentially compromise children's overall safety but they are learning to keep themselves safe. For example, the childminder explains that they must be careful with hot water as 'it will burn'. She asks them to keep the toys tidy to avoid the risk of accidents and visually checks that her home is safe before children arrive so that they can play freely. Children learn about road safety as the childminder uses wrist restraints and talks to them about the dangers from traffic when they are on walks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from the risk of possible harm because they are never left alone with persons who have not been vetted or released to adults unless the childminder has permission from their parents. She has a clear awareness of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and she keeps Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance to hand so that she is able to act quickly if she has concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children get on well with the childminder who is responsive to their interests and fully involved with their play. For instance, they begin to roll a shiny bracelet across the room and the childminder quickly rolls it back again, reciting a simple rhyme to extend learning. Younger children develop their concentration and persevere with the challenge of putting coloured

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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 shapes into the activity cube because she encourages them to 'try again'. Children are learning to communicate and make their needs known because the childminder continually chats to them about what they are doing. She sensitively repeats words and speaks very clearly to help them to develop language skills. Children respond particularly well to the close interaction and readily climb on to the childminder's lap for cuddles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's independence is fostered very well because they are able to investigate the contents of the many containers of brightly coloured toys which are presented at their level. Toddlers particularly enjoy opening the treasure box and exploring the 'feely bag' to increase their sensory development from an early age.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder does not plan activities in depth but she ensures that children have variety in their play, therefore, they have opportunities to develop their skills in all areas of their learning. Children particularly like being taken to the farm to see the chickens, pigs and donkeys and they beam in delight when the childminder introduces the interactive farm set to help them to remember what they have seen. Children are learning to sequence numbers as the childminder counts within routine play, saying 'one, two, three' as toddlers build a tower of bricks. She makes very good use of questions to help children learn by asking 'what number is that?' or 'where does the circle go?' As a result of the childminder's pleasing interaction, children are happy and fully occupied in meaningful play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel at home in the childminder's company because they are treated equally and fairly. She welcomes children from all backgrounds and encourages them to learn about and respect diversity by providing positive activities and resources that reflect their multicultural society. Children feel good about themselves as the childminder uses their names and looks at them when she talks to them so that they know she is interested in what they say and do. She ensures that she spends individual time with each child, therefore, they feel valued and included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although the childminder is not currently caring for children having learning difficulties and/or disabilities, she has completed several short courses to help her provide care for those having additional needs. She has a wealth of written materials and a sound understanding of how young children develop. As a result, she is able to quickly recognise any delay in reaching milestones in their development and has robust systems in place to ensure that children can receive support to help them make progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved because the childminder uses positive techniques that are beneficial in calming them if they become disruptive. For example, she is consistent in her approach and gives clear explanations if she asks children to change their behaviour to help them to learn right from wrong. The childminder agrees boundaries with the children so that they know what is expected of them. She maintains a calm and polite approach so children are able to model their behaviour on her positive example, therefore, their behaviour is exemplary.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works with parents to build up a trusting partnership with them. She records robust information during the initial visits to enable her to provide care in accordance with their wishes. The childminder continues to informally exchange information with parents and carers as their children are collected or delivered and completes a development book to show them what they have done during the day. Consequently, children receive care that is appropriate to their current circumstances and parents feel fully involved in their play and learning. The

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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 childminder believes that parents are happy with the service that she provides but she has developed a system to respond to and record any complaints that may arise in future to safeguard children.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Overall children's needs are not met. Their welfare is not fully promoted because the childminder has not appropriately updated her first aid training to ensure that she can take action if children hurt themselves whilst they are in her care. Furthermore, she does not always mark the register of attendance as soon as they arrive and, as a result, children are not fully safeguarded in case of emergencies. However, all household members over 16 years of age have been vetted to ensure that they are suitable to be in close contact with children.

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Organisation

Children's care and learning is adequately supported through the organisation of the premises. The free floor space in the playroom allows them to self-select from a wide range of toys and organise their own fun. Children's individual needs are partly met because the childminder structures her day so that she has time to take them out or engage in indoor play with them to support their emotional and physical needs.

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Organisation

Most paperwork, apart from the register, is suitably maintained to safeguard children and the childminder reviews her contracts with parents each year or as soon as details change. She stores records confidentially and keeps all personal information for at least two years after children leave her care to ensure their welfare is safeguarded.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure regular visitors are vetted, to ensure that the premises are secure and to request parents' permission to seek emergency medical care for their children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has ensured that all regular visitors to the home have Criminal Records Bureau clearance to show they are suitable to be in close contact with them. She locks the front door to prevent children from leaving the house unnoticed or unwanted adults from gaining access to them. Parents have given written consent for the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. As a result, she can summon help quickly if their children are seriously ill or injured whilst in her care and their chance of making a speedy recovery is increased.

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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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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • ensure that a current first aid certificate is maintained • ensure the record of children's attendance is accurate These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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