Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY289471 Unique Reference Number 15 February 2008 Inspection date Sylvia Cornock 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 since 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and four years in Irby, Wirral. The whole of the childminder's house, with the exception of the main bedroom is used for childminding. 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 four children at any one time and she is currently minding six children under five years, all attend on a part-time basis. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups and she takes and collects children from school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.(NCMA)

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for within a very well maintained and hygienic environment and good effective procedures are in place in relation to the personal hygiene and hand washing procedures of

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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 the childminder and minded children. The childminder employs very effective and thorough hygiene routines and procedures which ensure children are kept healthy at all times. Children understand the purpose and need to keep themselves healthy and are actively encouraged to wash their hands before meals, after using the toilet and after certain activities, for example, children know they need to wash their hands after playing outside or after messy activity. Younger children are supported in these tasks by the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a system for the recording of accidents and medication which are appropriately detailed. A sickness policy which is shared with parents and carers ensures all children are cared for within a very safe environment. Parents give written permission for the childminder to administer medication and obtain emergency treatment or advice. This enhances children's health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children access drinks on a regular basis throughout the day. They enjoy a range of very healthy and nutritious meals and drinks throughout the day. The childminder liaises closely with parents and carers, regarding meal provision, allergies, preferences or needs on religious grounds. The childminder provides nutritious meals which are suitably stored and served.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thrive because their physical, nutritional and health needs are very well met as a result of effective procedures and practices employed by the childminder. Children enjoy a very good range of activities and experiences indoors and away from the childminding setting. They are developing competent physical skills and abilities which are particularly well promoted through access to good opportunities which actively contribute to their very good health and well-being. Children develop a range of small physical skills as they competently use a variety of construction equipment, programmable toys and art and craft materials, for example, as they make Chinese lanterns to celebrate Chinese New year. This develops children's hand to eye coordination and finger control. Large physical activities are very well provided for and as a result, children's physical skills and abilities are developing well. Children practise climbing and balancing skills

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Helping children to be healthy

as they successfully use climbing frames and slides in the garden, on visits to the park and other places of interest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe environment where the childminder completes regular risk assessments, identifying possible risks or hazards. Identified hazards are dealt with promptly and effectively. This ensures children are cared for in a very safe, secure and supportive environment. The childminder liaises closely with parents and carers discussing children's individual needs, in terms of their safety, allowing them optimal challenge to develop new skills. The use of suitable safety equipment, such as safety gates to prevent accidents ensures children's safety and well-being is promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop physical skills and skills of independence as they freely select activities and toys from the wide selection provided with constant supervision from the childminder. Regular discussion and practise evacuation of the premises gives children a clear understanding of the importance of staying safe in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are confident and enjoy their play as they select toys from the range set out for them, from various storage boxes and from those offered to them by the childminder. They are able to freely access the toys and equipment which are age appropriate, safe and hygienic. The

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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 regular checking of furniture, toys and equipment ensures that the children are kept very safe at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has some knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms in relation to child protection, however, she is unclear on the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation being made whilst the child is in her care and the telephone numbers for the Local Safeguarding Children Board are not easily accessible. This compromises children's safety and well-being. Parents and carers are made aware that the childminder's ultimate responsibility is the safety and welfare of the children she cares for.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy, settled and relaxed in the company of the childminder. They access a wide range of stimulating activities and experiences, both within and away from the childminding setting, which support the growth of children's development across all areas. During the inspection children were motivated and actively engrossed in playing with construction, building towers, reading books, dressing up in Chinese costume to celebrate Chinese New Year. They use a variety of equipment, toys and different areas of the available space to create their play. They have opportunities to access a range of multicultural resources which help children understand diversity. Access to excellent resources and interaction from the childminder sustains children's interest and enables them to successfully develop their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are extremely confident and self-assured because of the excellent support and encouragement they receive from the childminder. Children relate very well to each other and adults. The childminder is enthusiastic and experienced and she uses this to plan an extensive range of opportunities, activities and projects, which are organised around particular interests. Children benefit from the childminder's skilled ability to balance her time, interacting with children effectively and at appropriate moments. This enables children to develop skills through the childminder's clear understanding of appropriate activities for their age and stage of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are offered a superb range of different play experiences and activities on a regular basis which enables them to learn new skills and consolidate existing ones. They experience the wider community as they play outdoors, go for walks, visit local parks and an extensive range of other places of interest, such as story time at the local library and the zoo.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's behaviour is very good. The childminder encourages children's behaviour and achievements through the use of positive praise and encouragement. She uses positive language to actively encourage children's enjoyment, pride in their achievements and confidence. This positive praise encourages children to persevere and practise skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop excellent large and small physical skills through very good planned activities, both within and away from the childminding setting. They practise climbing and balancing skills using the wide selection of outdoor toys and during visits to the park and other activity centres. Children show good movement and hand to eye coordination skills during indoor activities, such as building with various construction kits and completing jigsaws which are freely available.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed and have equal access to all activities and experiences offered which are stimulating and age appropriate. Children access an extensive range of resources that reflect multicultural and disability issues. Children's understanding of others is encouraged through spontaneous activities and projects. Children play cooperatively together, sharing and taking turns and their natural curiosity and questions are dealt with in a sensitive and considerate manner.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very happy and content in their play and their self-confidence is evident and is very well promoted as they receive lots of positive praise and encouragement from the childminder, resulting in their enjoyment and contentment. Children's behaviour is very good, which is a result of the childminder's support and encouragement. The childminder is clear about the need to promote children's positive behaviour and self-esteem. The childminder discusses behaviour management with parents and carers to ensure consistency. Children are given good opportunities to develop their confidence and sense of belonging through very good encouragement, support and interaction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit greatly from the excellent partnership with parents and carers. Children's individual needs and requirements are discussed carefully and in detail with parents and carers prior to placement and on an ongoing basis as they develop new skills and achieve milestones in their development. Successful relationships with parents and carers support the children's development very well. Observations relating to the child's minded day, development and general well-being are fed back to parents and carers informally as they collect their children at the end of the day. Parents and carers have access to information about Ofsted and what the childminder has to offer, by accessing her records. Children benefit from the excellent communication between the childminder, parents and carers.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for within a superb, well planned and organised environment. The childminder is very clear about her role and responsibility in providing a high quality service to the children and their families.

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Organisation

Children access toys, equipment and activities which are well planned and prepared prior to the children arriving, enabling children to feel welcome, confident and happy. Children confidently access and are involved in a range of interesting and age appropriate activities both within and away from the childminding setting.

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Organisation

All legally required documentation and records relating to the minded children are retained, ensuring that the childminder is able to care for children in a safe and confident manner. The childminder holds a current first aid qualification helping to ensure that children are cared for safely and that any incidents or accidents are dealt with in an efficient and prompt manner. Children's individual needs and requirements are well known and discussed with parents and carers prior to their child starting, ensuring their individual needs are well addressed and provided for. Children's safety and enjoyment is given a high priority as the childminder obtains parental consent for several aspects of her care.

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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

A the last inspection the childminder was asked to make sure that the garden is made safe and secure prior to children's use and to obtain permission from parents for outings and transporting children in a vehicle. The childminder has made the garden safe and secure by erecting a partition which means that children cannot access the side of the house and she has obtained parents permission for transporting children in a vehicle and for outings. These measures enhance 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): • ensure the telephone numbers for the local social services and police are easily accessible and the procedure for reporting allegations of abuse whilst the child is in the care of the childminder is known.

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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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