Childminder in Wirral

Inspection report for early years provision

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306333 Unique Reference Number 25 September 2007 Inspection date Ron Goldsmith 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, who has been registered for 17 years, lives with her husband and 15 year old son in a property in Port Sunlight, Wirral. She works in partnership with her husband, who is also a registered childminder. When working together they are registered to mind a maximum of nine children under eight years. When she is working as an individual childminder the maximum number of children must not exceed six under eight years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The minded children have use of the rear lounge/dining room, hall way and front living room. Bathroom facilities are situated on the first floor and there is an enclosed garden to the rear of the property for outdoor play. There are currently five children on roll. The childminder transports children to and from the local school. The family has three guinea pigs. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy good health and a healthy lifestyle while at this setting. The childminder maintains the environment so that the likelihood of cross-infection is minimised, for example, she provides children with individual towels. Good hygiene routines are well established to encourage the children to wash their hands, especially after handling the guinea pigs, and to help them learn about being healthy. Effective records about children's dietary needs and any accidents or medication are also well maintained, which enables the childminder to meet their health needs accordingly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished because the childminder, if providing food, provides a wide choice of fresh foods including choices of fruit and yoghurt, pasta dishes and other meals. The childminder works with the children and their parents to plan and provide a menu which is both healthy and meets their needs and preferences. Children have access to fresh drinking water at all times, which ensures that they are unlikely to become thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an appropriate range of physical activities which contribute to a healthy lifestyle. For example, they have access to a range of outdoor equipment such as a slide and sit and ride cars to extend their skills and coordination. They also enjoy trips to the park to play on the larger static equipment and walks in the local area. Children's hand and eye coordination is developing as they are introduced to small world figures, jigsaws and construction toys. Children are able to play, rest, sleep and be active according to their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and well protected in this setting. The childminder is vigilant regarding children's safety. The setting is well maintained with safety features such as electric socket covers and stair gates, carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, which minimise dangers to the children. External exits are kept secure to prevent unwanted visitors gaining access to the children. However, materials stored in the garden, such as fence panels, are a hazard. Children have access to a broad range of developmentally appropriate toys and equipment. These are selected according to the children’s age and ability to ensure they gain maximum benefit from them. They are easily accessible to the children as they are at their level to be able to see and choose what they would like to play with. Children experience different play environments due to the childminder incorporating outings within the daily routine to the local park and the wider

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

They are able to sit, eat and play safely at the table. Children are well protected from possible abuse or neglect as the childminder is attentive to her responsibility to protect the children in her care. She has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms to look for along with the procedures to follow if she has any concerns. Documents are in place for the childminder to refer to should she have any concerns about a child. She has updated her training in this area to keep abreast of current practice. Parents are aware of her responsibility to protect the children in her care.

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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. Young children feel secure in the care of the competent childminder. Children have a relaxed and calm day, where their developmental needs are met well. They enjoy a close relationship with the childminder who plays on the floor with them; she recognises the value of play in a child's development and introduces a range of experiences to them. For example, a toddler becomes very focused as they experiment with putting different shaped blocks into a container and learning to count the first few simple numbers, concentrating well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's individual needs are fully met as the childminder ensures that she has gathered comprehensive information from their parents in order to provide good care. Children's self-esteem is promoted through consistent praise and recognition of their efforts. Young children are developing good language skills because the childminder talks to them in their play. She offers verbal suggestions which they respond to well and she gives cuddles and reassurance to children. Young children are encouraged to count and to recognize colours, through their play and routines, such as counting the blocks being put into the box.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the calm atmosphere. They are respected as individuals and the childminder has a good understanding about the needs of the children in her care and consistently meets these. All strategies in place are shared with the parents and are suitable for the age and development of the children attending. The childminder continually praises children for their efforts and achievements; this positive approach further promotes children's self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops children’s understanding of the local community and the world around them, through activities and outings. For example, they have an outing on the Mersey ferry. She provides a range of suitable resources to reflect diversity and disability, such as play people in wheelchairs and multi-cultural books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents comment on the excellent service she provides, the care she shows to their child and how their child enjoys coming to her home. Information regarding activities and food intake are verbally shared with parents each day. Parents complete all required paperwork before their child starts and are informed of the childminder’s procedures she has in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a nurturing, well organised environment. The experienced childminder has undertaken many courses since her last inspection and is keen to continue furthering her knowledge to benefit the children she cares for. She has attended a 'Birth to three matters' framework course and has completed a level 3 qualification in Early Years Childcare and Education. The knowledge she gains is put into her practice to further enhance the outcomes for children.

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Organisation

The structure of the children's day is well organised to successfully promote the outcomes for children by providing them with a range of opportunities to support their welfare and development. For example, visits to the local park to develop physical skills and enjoy outdoor activities in the fresh air or visits to childminder ‘drop in’ centres to encourage social

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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 opportunities. The childminder has developed written policies for all areas of her practice, such as an admissions policy, accidents and emergencies and fire safety but does not have written consent for transporting children in a vehicle or signed acknowledgement from parents that there are pets in the household. The childminder's organisational skills are good and benefit both children and parents. The majority of her documentation and records are maintained in line with the National Standards and are used effectively to promote the care, welfare and learning of each child.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection it was recommended that improvements were made to documentation by seeking the written permission of parents for the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and for the childminder to develop a better understanding of the procedures to be followed, if an allegation of abuse was made against them or a member of the family. Good improvements have been made to enhance children's welfare through the childminder having a clear understanding of the procedure to follow if an allegation of abuse were to be made. The documentation now contains parents' written permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice in the event of an emergency.

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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): • make sure the garden is safe for children to play in at all times • ensure parents give written consent for the transportation of children in vehicles and written acknowledgement of pets in the household.

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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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