Childminder in Knowsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 313061 Inspection date 07 September 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 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 6 and 9 years in Whiston. The whole of the ground floor and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. An enclosed garden is available for outside play. The childminder currently provides care for eight children. Of these, five children aged between 22 months and 4 years attend at various times during the day and three children aged between 5 and 8 years attend various evenings after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local

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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 playgroups and regularly takes children to parks, libraries and other places of interest. The family has a pet dog. The childminder receives support from the local Authority and is a member of the local childminding group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm clean home. They learn about the importance of good personal hygiene in order to keep themselves healthy. Younger children are encouraged to wash their hands before meals and after outdoor play. More able children are confident to take responsibility for their own personal needs. The sick children policy enables the childminder to protect children from the risk of cross infection. This is supported by the clear emergency procedures which ensures accidents are dealt with effectively and children receive appropriate care. Children enjoy a range of healthy, nutritious meals and snacks. The childminder has recently attended a healthy eating course and is proactive in introducing healthier options to children to further promote their health and well being. All children sit together at the table to enjoy a home cooked meal each evening. Children are provided with drinks throughout the day. However, they are not able to independently

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Helping children to be healthy

access their cups as they are kept in the kitchen. The childminder is attentive to the children's individual needs and encourages picky eaters to try new tastes. This has been supported by introducing baking activities to the children, where they have made pizzas and chosen their own toppings. This has enabled children to look at food preparation and to enjoy the end product.

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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 warm caring environment where most risks have been identified and minimised. However, younger children can gain access to children's scissors, this poses a potential hazard to their safety. Children have use of the ground floor of the property and are confident in their surroundings. Children have sufficient space to enable them to move freely around the setting and play in comfort. This means the children's independence is successfully fostered. Children have access to a range of appropriate resources. These are well organised to enable children to choose what they would like to play with. This means their independence and self esteem is successfully fostered. All resources are rotated to encourage and further promote the children's interests and choice of activities. Children play safely outdoors due to the effective organisation of the resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Equipment such as climbing frames and slides are appropriately sited on the grassed areas. This effectively minimises the potential risk of injury to children.

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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 learn to keep themselves safe outdoors through regular discussions with the childminder about road safety. Appropriate resources are in place to enable younger children to walk safely outdoors and to foster their independence. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection issues and any subsequent action she may need to take to protect children from harm.

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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 builds good relationships with the children that enable them to feel secure in her care. Children enjoy high levels of interaction with the childminder, who spends considerable amounts of time talking and listening to the children. Children are eager to engage the childminder and others in play activities such as drawing. Children relate well to each other and have good opportunities to socialise with other children at play group. Children are familiar with their daily routines and are keen to tell others what they do during the day, such as visiting play group. All children have access to age appropriate activities. They become independent as they choose their own toys and where to play, moving confidently and freely around the childminder's home. Children's art work is displayed with pride. Children choose whether to display their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

work at the childminder's or take it home for mum. This enhances their self esteem as they are immensely proud of their achievements. Younger children are engaged in a range of appropriate play and learning experiences. The childminder asks open ended questions that enable children to think and to solve problems. Children are confident to ask questions, to voice their opinions and needs, such as asking for additional toast at snack time. The childminder is knowledgeable about the children in her care and clearly understands their individual needs and preferences, all of which are met well in practice. Parents are kept fully informed of their child's progress through daily exchanges with the childminder. Children talk happily about their time at the childminder's. They receive good levels of praise and encouragement, which actively encourages their confidence and self esteem. Children are interested and eager to participate in activities such as visits to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are engaged in a range of interesting activities which promote their all round development. This includes activities to enable children to learn about their local community through trips to local parks, safari parks and other places of interest. Children are developing an understanding of different cultures and beliefs through planned activities at home and at playgroup, such as Chinese New Year and Diwali. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They show respect for one another by sharing and taking turns with resources. Children are courteous to one another

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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 and use manners appropriately when talking to others. The well organised daily routines and continuity of care enable children to understand the need for safe rules and boundaries within the home and outdoors. This enables the childminder to quickly resolve minor incidents through clear, age appropriate explanations. Children have a good sense of belonging and make themselves at home, they are confident within their surroundings and deciding what to do next. Parents are kept fully informed of their child's progress and time at the childminders through daily exchanges. They have commented upon the childminders commitment to the children, her flexible minding arrangements and that their children are happy in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and are able to express themselves freely in their surroundings. They move around the well organised environment in a confident manner. Children are confident to select their own resources and to choose where to play. The childminder makes good use of the space available to provide a well balanced range of activities to children. Effective systems are in place for emergencies. This means children are provided with appropriate care at all times. The childminder has a clear understanding of the National Standards and ensures all persons over 16 years are suitably vetted. She is currently undertaking the Diploma in Childcare Practice in order to further extend her skills and enhance the current play and learning opportunities for children. All legally required documentation which contributes to the children's health, safety and well being is in place and up to date. However, the certificate of registration is

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Organisation

not displayed in a prominent position. Overall, the needs of all the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to devise and practice an emergency escape plan, to improve the resources depicting positive images and to raise the children's awareness, to introduce more fresh fruit and vegetables and to ensure all medication consents were in place and parents signed to acknowledge the entries. The childminder has created a fire evacuation procedure which is shared with the parents and children. Regular fire drills are carried out to ensure children's safety in an emergency. Additional resources have been obtained to improve the children's awareness of different cultures and beliefs. Children also participate in activities that enable them to learn about diversity such as Chinese New year. The childminder has successfully introduced more fresh fruit and vegetables into the children's diet as well as a range of other healthy options. Children now enjoy a range of home cooked healthy meals and snacks that promote their all round

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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 development. The childminder has ensured all medication consents have been obtained from the parents prior to administering any medication and ensures parents sign the record book to acknowledge the entry. In successfully addressing the previous recommendations the childminder has improved upon the health, safety and well being of the children in her care.

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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 children can freely access drinks • consider the organisation of some resources to maintain children's safety.

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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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