Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY352330 Unique Reference Number 03 October 2007 Inspection date Ann Lee Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and three children aged 13, 11 and seven years in Maghull, Merseyside. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years of age and she is currently minding four children who attend for various different sessions. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and she also takes children to toddler groups, shops, parks and the library. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very clean and well maintained environment where the childminder takes good steps to keep them free from infection and cross contamination. She ensures that changing mats, work surfaces and tables are cleaned with anti-bacterial spray and provides children with their own different coloured towels which are washed each day. Children learn

p.2

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 about the importance of good personal hygiene because they are encouraged to wash their hands appropriately and they learn to use the toilet independently.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an up to date first aid certificate, a first aid box and all of the necessary documentation to enable her to safeguard children in the event of accidental injury or sickness. Parents provide information about any allergies or other dietary or medical requirements, so that the childminder can care for children according to their individual needs. Children are provided with a varied, nutritional diet which includes fresh home cooked meals with plenty of fruit and vegetables plus healthy snacks and drinks. Babies become more independent as they are encouraged to feed themselves with their own spoon and with 'finger' foods, such as slices of fruit and toast.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

There are daily opportunities for children to develop their physical skills in the well equipped garden where they climb and slide on the climbing frame, kick and throw balls and hoops, ride wheeled toys and bounce on the trampoline. They also enjoy regular outings to the local park and toddler group where they can run about and exercise using different equipment. Indoors, children practise their small motor skills as they paint, draw, play with small world toys, construction and manipulate puzzles and shape sorters.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are secure in the setting because the childminder ensures that they cannot leave the premises unaccompanied. The garden is generally safe but there is a gap in one of the fences which may allow small children access to the next door garden. However, the childminder is aware of the need to supervise children closely at all times including occasions when they are playing in the garden.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder welcomes children warmly and her house is bright and child friendly. This helps children to settle in quickly and feel comfortable and at ease in the setting. Children play downstairs in the living room and play room. There is a wide variety of good quality toys and equipment which meet the needs of all ages of children cared for. For example, there are dolls, play kitchen equipment, construction , puzzles, games and a computer. A good range of books is attractively displayed and the toys and equipment are stored within easy reach of the children so that they can make choices about what they do. A display of photographs is placed at child height to enable children to see them easily. This helps children to feel that they belong in the setting.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All of the necessary safety equipment, such as fire blanket, smoke alarms, stair gate and cupboard locks are in place to minimise the risk of accidental injury to children. Children learn how to keep themselves safe in an emergency when they practise the emergency evacuation procedure. The childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities in relation to protecting children from harm. She has completed training in safeguarding children and knows where to seek help and advice if an issue arises.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The well qualified and experienced childminder has a good understanding of the needs of babies and young children and she helps them to make good progress. She is a very friendly,

p.3

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 approachable person who develops close, loving relationships with children, so that they settle in quickly and feel secure and happy in the setting.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder gathers information from parents and ensures that babies follow their own routine for eating and sleeping. This helps them to feel comfortable and safe in the setting. Babies gain good communication skills because the childminder talks to them, joins in their play, sings songs and rhymes and reads stories. The childminder observes children closely and plans activities which help them to move on to the next stage of development. Children enjoy arts and crafts, outings, baking, role play, puzzles and games. Older children sometimes choose to do their homework or they play on the computer, draw pictures, play football in the garden and jump on the trampoline.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident, independent and well behaved. They play well together and the older children show care and concern towards the babies and younger children. They develop good self esteem because the childminder rewards their good behaviour and achievements with lots of praise and encouragement. The play room is decorated with examples of children's art work and photographs of them enjoying their play and this helps children to feel that they belong in the setting.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunity. She makes all children welcome and treats them with equal care and concern. There is a good range of resources which help children to understand and appreciate differences and which deal with different feelings. For example, there are black dolls, small world toys and a variety of books about different cultures, disability and bullying.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is a very friendly and approachable person who uses praise and encouragement to help children to be well behaved and to learn what is right and wrong. Older children show care and concern to babies and toddlers and they learn to share and to take turns. The childminder acts as a good role model and she provides children with plenty of individual attention and interesting activities. This develops children's confidence, independence and self-esteem.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are very good and the childminder provides them with comprehensive information about her service including the policies and procedures. They are invited for introductory visits when they complete the necessary documentation. They also provide information about their children which enables the childminder to care for them according to their individual needs. Parents are kept fully informed about their children's progress and development during daily conversations and with the use of a daily diary for babies and photographs of the children enjoying their play and activities.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are protected in the setting because the childminder supervises them closely at all times and ensures that they never come into unsupervised contact with people who have not been vetted. The childminder is experienced and well qualified and she is keen to improve her child care knowledge and skills through regular training. The correct adult to child ratios are always maintained, so that children are well supervised and supported. The childminder is a

p.4

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 member of the local childminding group and the childminders provide back up for one another in emergencies.

p.4

Organisation

Space is well organised to provide children with some freedom of movement and room to explore their environment. The toys and activities are set out on low level shelving and in see through boxes, so that children can make choices about what they do in the setting. The childminder plans her day to ensure that children are safe, happy and well occupied.

p.5

Organisation

All of the necessary records, policies and procedures are in place for the efficient management of the service and to promote the welfare and care of children. The records are stored confidentially and regularly reviewed to ensure that they are in line with current guidance. The childminder keeps parents fully informed about their children's progress and development during regular conversations and with the help of daily diaries and photographs. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 that fencing in the garden is secure

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

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

p.5

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

p.5