Childminder in Knowsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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313068 Unique Reference Number 10 July 2007 Inspection date Gillian Sutherland 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 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 2000. She lives with her partner and adult son in Halewood. All areas on the ground floor, apart from the conservatory on the ground floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area at the rear of the house 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. She is currently caring for 11 children, most of whom, attend on a part time basis.

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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 enjoy various activities, both indoors and outdoors, which promote being healthy. For example, they access outdoor play either in the garden or the childminder frequently takes them on outings to the nearby park and local places of interest. Here children access the open

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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 spaces to run around in and also access a range of climbing equipment. At home there is a selection of age appropriate resources available for outdoor play and such resources include a sand tray, bicycles, cars and balls.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a home that is welcoming to them and where they learn about the importance of good health and personal care as part of their daily routine. For example, they are asked to wash their hands before snack and mealtimes, after going to the bathroom or participating in a messy play activity.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about the importance of healthy eating, as the childminder provides them with a range of healthy meals and snacks. Children's individual dietary needs are fully discussed with parents prior to care commencing and specific needs are recorded on their enrolment form. This ensures that children are looked after in accordance with their parents' wishes and their individual dietary needs are met. A choice of drinks, including water, is offered to the children and they can also freely access a drink at any time during the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children access safe indoor and outdoor play spaces whilst in the childminder's home. To ensure children are safe, the childminder has taken steps to minimise potential risks or hazards. Some of the steps taken to minimise hazards include putting dangerous products and substances well out of children's reach. Smoke alarms have been fitted on each level of the house and they are checked regularly to ensure they are in working order. The childminder has devised an evacuation procedure in the event of a fire, and children have participated in fire drill practises. Children are informed about road safety dangers through discussion and participating in good practice as they walk home from school and are taken to local parks by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can self-select toys of their choice from a varied range of age appropriate resources. The childminder checks the toys regularly to ensure there are no broken ones. Children are aware of the range of toys that are available and can request certain toys and activities that may not be out or available at every session or every day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has some knowledge of child protection issues as she has a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures which she has begun to familiarise herself with. The documentation also contains a flowchart detailing the steps she would take and who she should contact should she have any concerns about a child in her care. It does include the appropriate contact details of the social services and police.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, settled and are made to feel very welcome at the childminder's house. They are kept interested and stimulated with a selection of appropriate toys and games. Children are encouraged to become confident and independent as children freely self-select which toys and resources they want to play with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive consistent support and praise from the childminder during their play activities and the interaction between the childminder and children is good. For example, the childminder asks the children what the different fruits and vegetables are that are in the food trays. Children respond to that by identifying such vegetables as cauliflower and peppers. Children enjoy

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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 accessing the role play activities and resources. They can freely use the workbench complete with safe, plastic tools or the food kitchen where they can make their pretend lunches and snacks. There are dressing up clothes available for children to use as they participate in different role play situations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder assists children to develop their number and letter recognition and she does this by talking to the children about the different numbers and letters which form part of a large puzzle mat, which is on the floor in the playroom. Children are keen to demonstrate their physical skills as they ride around the outdoor play area in their little cars or bicycles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

On their return from school older children can freely access an activity or board game of their choice and they can also use the lounge to relax in, whilst they read a book.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children arrive and quickly settle in the childminder's home. Their individual needs and requirements are identified during a pre-admission discussion with parents, prior to care commencing, when an agreement is reached as to how those needs will be met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children become familiar with the routines of the childminder and are aware of the house rules. The house rules have been devised by the older children and these rules are displayed in the playroom. Children learn to share as they participate in different games and activities. The childminder gives children praise throughout the day and their art work is displayed around the playroom, thus raising their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to some toys and resources that promote diversity and the childminder is aware that this range needs increasing as and when new ones are purchased. Children have the opportunity to self-select which activities they want to participate in and which resources they want to play with, there is no gender bias.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder always discusses the strategies she uses to manage children's behaviour with parents prior to care commencing, as this results in achieving a consistent approach to managing unwanted behaviour. This is always included in the pre-admission discussion, when she discusses her policies in detail. She has, since the last inspection, devised a complaints procedure and has a system in place to record any complaints made. However, this documentation needs further amending to ensure it fully complies with current guidance and legislation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with parents as she obtains information about the children's routines at home, plus their likes and dislikes. At the end of each day, the childminder shares information verbally with parents as to how their child has been during that day and what activities they have participated in.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an environment where they are able to play and feel comfortable, as they access welcoming play areas. Children benefit from daily fresh air and exercise as they walk to and from school with the childminder, or visit local parks where they access the wider open play spaces to run around. Children also play with a range of age appropriate outdoor resources in the childminder's paved area at the rear of the premises.

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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 childminder maintains a current first aid certificate and this is displayed in the playroom along with other relevant documentation including her registration certificate. Parents are able to see this and also her current insurance documentation. The childminder fully discusses her policies and procedures with parents as part of the pre-admission discussion.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures that all documentation relating to childminding is stored in files, which were made available at the inspection visit. The childminder has received her copy of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, but is not yet familiar with the different aspects of the framework and how they can be implemented into her childminding practices.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has taken the following steps to ensure that children are safe and protected whilst in her home. She has, by moving some of the toys and resources, created additional free play space for children to access in the designated playroom and has removed from their reach any hazardous products within the kitchen and bathroom areas. The childminder has also obtained and begun to familiarise herself with the current safeguarding children information and procedures. With regards to documentation the childminder has updated most of her current documentation to ensure it complies with current guidance and legislation.

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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 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): • amend the complaints procedure further to ensure it complies fully with the current legislation and guidance • continue to familiarise herself with the 'Birth to three matters' framework and look at how the different aspects of this framework can be implemented into her daily child care practices.

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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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