Childminder in Knowsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 313019 Inspection date 01 August 2005 Inspector Chris Scully

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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 satisfactory. 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 1993. The childminder lives with her husband and three children aged 8, 11 and 15 years. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is currently providing care for three children aged 10 months, 17 months and 3 years during the day and for five children out of school, aged 6 yrs, 10 years and 7 years on various days during the week. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local childminder toddler group and other play groups during the week. Children are taken on regular outings to the

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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 park, library, swimming baths and other places of interest. The childminder attends regular childminder network meetings.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children know and understand the importance of good personal hygiene in order to keep themselves healthy. They know to wash their hands after going to the toilet and before eating. Children are confident to see to their own personal needs. The sick children policy enables the child minder to protect children from the risk of cross infection. However, the nappy changing procedure does not effectively minimise the potential risk of cross infection when changing children on the childminders knee. Children enjoy regular physical excise through visits to the local parks where they are confident to use large equipment and the swimming baths. Children help themselves to accessible drinks to keep themselves refreshed. Children enjoy a relaxed social occasion at meal times. The childminder has effective systems in place to ensure the children's dietary needs are met well. However, the

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Helping children to be healthy

current menu includes minimal opportunities for children to taste vegetables. The childminder is attentive of the children's individual needs, ensuring all foods are safe and appropriate for children with food allergies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have use of the ground floor of the property and are confident within their surroundings. The front room is available to older children however, this is not well organised and does not allow children easy access to resources. Children are confident to self select resources from low level cupboards within the kitchen and dining area. They have access to a range of age appropriate resources that meet their developmental needs. The childminder has identified activities that specific children particularly enjoy such as the role play kitchen. Children spend considerable amounts of time here preparing pretend food for the childminder and other children. Risk are identified and appropriate action is taken to ensure children's safety. This means that children are currently not using the rear garden due to work being carried out here. Children are encouraged to learn about the green cross code in order to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

keep themselves safe out doors. Appropriate resources are in place to enable younger children to walk safely outdoors such as reins. Clear systems are in place to enable children to sleep during the day in line with their own needs. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and any subsequent action that may need to be taken.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled at the childminder's. The childminder and her children have built good relationships with the minded children that enable them to feel secure. Children are keen to engage the childminder's children in play activities. Effective records enable the childminder to provide appropriate care to all children and to meet their individual needs well. Children are confident with the daily routines. They have formed good relationships with each other and play well together. The childminder spends considerable amounts of time talking to and listening to children which enhances their play and learning opportunities. She introduces new words in play activities to enhance their vocabulary such as croissants. The childminder has received information regarding Birth to Three matters and is looking to introduce this within the days activities. Children enjoy a range of outings to toddler groups, parks and the swimming baths

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

were they can socialise with other children and develop their physical skills. Daily routines enable the childminder to provide a balanced range of activities to all children that are fun, interesting and promotes their all round development. Children are often engaged in purposeful play and leaning opportunities such as making beans on toast in the play kitchen or building a zoo out of Lego. Children enjoy listening to stories and will fetch a favourite to be read by the childminder. The childminder displays the children's art work with pride and this enhances the children's confidence and self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The clear record system enables the childminder to be aware of the children's individual needs and to meet these well in practice. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They are encouraged to share, take turns and to show respect for one another. Children have limited opportunities to learn about the world in which we live through practical activities though, they have access to some resources depicting positive images. Children are well behaved. They respond well to the childminder's requests. Through clear explanations children learn the consequences their actions have upon others, such as talking through how they felt in similar situations. Children receive positive praise and encouragement from the childminder that fosters their self-esteem. A sound partnership with the parents enables the childminder to provide appropriate care for all children. Daily verbal exchanges keep parents informed of their child's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

day and progress. Clear written information and the sharing of policies ensures parents are fully aware of the setting and the care their children receive.

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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 satisfactory. Children feel at home and are able to express themselves in their surroundings. They move around the childminder's home in a confident manner. Children are confident to select their own resources though, books are not always easily accessible. The childminder has an understanding of the National Standards and ensures all persons over 16 years are suitably cleared. She is currently undertaking a quality assurance scheme and is looking to build upon and enhance her current practice. All legally required documentation which contributes to the children's health, safety and well being is in place and up to date. Overall, the needs of all the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to improve the organisation of resources, to introduce more fresh fruit and vegetables into the diet, to improve her understanding of equal opportunities, to use more praise and encouragement and to ensure all consents are obtained for transporting children in her car. The childminder has improved the organisation of resources, this has enhanced the children's access to self chosen activities. Whilst the childminder has introduced more fresh fruit into the children's diet there remains limited fresh vegetables available at meal times. The childminder has attended equal opportunities training to extend her skills and knowledge. However there remain limited opportunities for children to learn about the world in which we live. The childminder provides children with lots of praise and encouragement that successfully fosters their confidence and self-esteem. All

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Improvements since the last inspection

consents have been obtained from the parents. The addressing of these recommendations has promoted the children's safety and well-being.

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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 satisfactory. 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):

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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 • use the available resources to enhance children's understanding of the world in which we live • consider the organisation of the front room to enhance children's safety and accessibility to resources • revise the current menu to include more vegetables for instance in line with current healthy eating guidance.

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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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