Childminder in Liverpool

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 313038 Inspection date 27 July 2005 Inspector Patricia Ann Sang

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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 was registered in 1998. She lives with her husband, mother and 2 children aged 12 and 14 in the Broadgreen area of Liverpool. Most of the ground floor and an upper floor bedroom of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five, one of whom attends full time and three who attend on a part time basis. The childminder networks with the local 'Parent as Educators' group each week.

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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 holds a recognised early years childcare qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about healthy living because the childminder ensures they are given many opportunities to enjoy fresh air and physical exercise. They play active games with balls and walk regularly, with planned visits to places of interest such as Delamere Forest, the zoo and farm. This helps children develop their strength, stamina and physical co-ordination. Children learn about good hygiene practice as the childminder talks to them about the importance of washing hands before lunch. Children are actively involved, and take some responsibility, in keeping their toys clean through water play activities, for example they get pleasure in bathing their dolls. This reinforces their understanding of good hygiene practice. Children's health is protected as they use individual flannels for personal cleaning purposes which minimises the risk of cross infection. Children's wellbeing is given due priority when

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Helping children to be healthy

they are ill since the childminder has an effective sick child policy that is shared and agreed with parents. This ensures appropriate measures are taken when children are unwell. Children's health is protected as the childminder has accessed training in food hygiene and knows how to prepare and store food items safely. Children benefit from home cooked meals that are healthy and nutritious, fresh vegetables are offered every day and children regularly eat sweet potato, broccoli and green beans. Children enjoy fruits, cheese and plain biscuits at break time and are supported in developing a taste for healthy foods. They have easy access to drinks and are able to satisfy their thirst at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have lots of space in which to play, they move independently between two rooms as they engage in activities and make choices of what toys to access next. Children are kept safe since the childminder takes the necessary precautions to minimise risk, for example she uses a monitoring system to alert her when children awaken from sleep. Children are safeguarded from hazardous substances as the childminder ensures they are stored appropriately and made inaccessible to children. She checks the smoke alarms each month to ensure they are in good working order. However, the emergency evacuation plan is not practised regularly and this compromises children's safety should they be required to leave the premises quickly. Children use child sized furniture and are able sit together to eat and play in comfort. Children are protected as the childminder arranges to meet, or have a photograph of,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

those who may collect children, this ensures they are released only to authorised persons.

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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 Children are safeguarded when they are outdoors, an effective outings policy and practical arrangements ensure children are comfortable and secure when travelling in a vehicle. Younger children use reins when outdoors with the childminder, they learn about safe practice when walking and know to hold onto the pram or buggy. Children are further safeguarded since the childminder updates her child protection knowledge regularly. She knows what to do and who to contact should there be any concerns about children's wellbeing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled with the childminder. They access a very good selection of toys and play materials that nurtures their overall development. They make a birthday cake with play dough and count up to four candles before singing the 'happy birthday' song with the childminder. They enjoy singing very much and go onto sing 'twinkle twinkle little star', they expertly use castanets in rhythm to the tune. Children are self assured and delight in recalling their experiences; they tell of the cinema visit the week before when they saw the film 'Madagascar' and they remember Gloria the hippo and how the animals all escaped from the zoo. Children are confident in engaging in conversation with the childminder, they talk about holidays and the forthcoming visit to Kenya to see grandma and grandpa. Children are supported in developing language since the childminder talks to them as they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

play, they talk about mummy going to work as they draw a picture together and children are animated in conversation. Children sit and play alongside each other sociably as they use laces and thread coloured shapes to make necklaces, they recognise the shapes as round, square, triangular and star. They know that putting two triangles at angles against each other makes another star. Children get pleasure making the necklaces and wear them with pride. Children learn about animals and aquatic life through planned visits to the zoo, farm and aquarium, this helps them in learning about the wider world and developing a respect for animal life. Children's self esteem is fostered with art work displayed in the hall and dining room, they recognise their own work and are proud of their achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are greeted warmly as they arrive and made to feel welcome. They are treated with due care and concern since the childminder's mission statement makes clear the commitment 'to work in partnership with parents and carers between home and the childcare setting', this ensures that children's needs are met effectively and care is consistent. Children are provided with play opportunities that help them develop positive attitudes to others. They access home play materials, books, musical instruments and dressing up clothes that embrace diversity and help them acquire a knowledge of the wider community.

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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 Children behave well because the childminder makes sure they have lots of interesting and fun things to do, she knows that children who are occupied with worthwhile and engaging activities are less likely to misbehave. Children use good manners and are friendly and helpful toward each other, this helps develop their social skills and fosters kind respect toward others. Children's sense of belonging is promoted through work files that include information 'about me and my family' and 'look at my house'. Their self esteem is raised as they take pride in their individuality and families. Parents benefit from having a full set of personal copies of all policies and procedures which make clear how children are cared for and may be used for continued reference. Parents appreciate the care and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

attention given to children and are clearly happy about how they are looked after. Children's work packs are shared with parents with many pieces of art and craft taken home, this reassures parents that children are engaged in a variety of worthwhile pursuits.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children enjoy being with the childminder. They are able to move about freely between the lounge, hall and dining room as the childminder organises space for them to pursue activities and play in comfort. Children who require a sleep use an upper floor bedroom, this arrangement ensures they are not disturbed by those still playing. Children appreciate a good balance of activities that include outdoor play and visits to places of interest since the childminder strives to make the week varied with different and fun things to do. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge and experience as she holds a recognised early years qualification. She is resolute in keeping abreast of child protection training and regularly accesses a refresher course. The childminder has also taken advantage of training in 'disability awareness' and 'Dyslexia', all of which enhance her knowledge and provision for children.

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Organisation

Documentation is kept in good order and is easy to access. Written policies and procedures cover all of the National Standards which reassure parents of how children are looked after. All adults living in the household continue to be suitable persons to be in the proximity of children. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was required to ensure Ofsted are informed of changes to the premises in an appropriate time scale, to request permission from parents to administer medication and to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder is now fully aware of the requirement to inform Ofsted of any changes regarding premises where children are looked after with due notice. This

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Improvements 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 ensures that children continue to be cared for in premises that are suitable and safe. She has requested and obtained from parents permission to administer medication and to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment which ensures that children's health is protected and contractual arrangements are agreed by both parties.

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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): • practise regular emergency evacuation of the premises with children to ensure that they are familiar with the exercise and are kept safe.

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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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