Childminder in LiverpoolOfsted inspection, 22 Aug 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 322246 Inspection date 22 August 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 1996. She lives with her husband and 4 children, two of whom are adults and two aged 11 and 15, in the Allerton area of Liverpool. The rear lounge and morning room on the ground floor of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day. The childminder walks to the nearby park and attends the local carer and toddler group.

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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 is a member of the 'Penny Lane' childminding network and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is promoted since the childminder ensures her home, toys and play materials are maintained to a good standard of repair and cleanliness and children are looked after in an hygienic environment. A sickness procedure is shared and agreed with parents, it gives due consideration to children and others being looked after so that their good health is not compromised. The childminder uses latex gloves when changing nappies for young children and they each have their own nappy change equipment. This practice significantly minimises the risk of cross infection. Individual towels are used when children clean up after messy play, using the toilet and meal times. Consequently, children begin to learn about good hygiene practice through everyday routines. The childminder is qualified in first aid and keeps a well stocked first aid box, this ensures that minor injuries children sustain are dealt

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Helping children to be healthy

with effectively. There are lots of opportunities for children to enjoy physical activity. Children regularly walk to the nearby park to feed the ducks and play ball games, this helps develop their stamina and build up good coordination of their bodies. Young children delight in crawling through the net tunnel while indoors and learn about spatial awareness. The childminder has a good understanding of what makes up a healthy diet for children, she offers a varied range of nutritious foods that are low in salt and sugar content. She liaises with parents in making sure individual requirements are met, as a result, children develop good eating habits. They appreciate fresh and dried fruits at snack time and their physical health is nurtured. Fresh drinking water is readily available to children as they each have an individual beaker they recognise as their own; they can refresh themselves at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder welcomes children with displays of their art work and colourful posters, she sets out play equipment and a plentiful range of toys in readiness for their arrival to ensure she can give them her full attention. Children move freely within the setting as the childminder provides safe parameters in which children can investigate and explore. A very good range of equipment and furniture ensures that children are comfortable and safe when they eat and play and learn self help skills in becoming independent. A small table has been refurbished to provide stimulating usage for children, it prompts conversation and questions as they comment on the selection of pictures and cartoon features inlaid on its surface. Children who require a sleep are kept safe. A nearby room is used where they are separate from those still playing and allows the childminder to make frequent checks on them. The

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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 childminder practises fire drill regularly, keeping written records and children begin to understand why they must leave the premises quickly. The childminder is very conscious of safety and wears soft footwear while indoors, this reduces the risk of young children being accidentally injured as they crawl and play on the floor. Good contingency arrangements for emergency situations are well thought out, children are familiar with a named childminder and have visited her home for a 'fun day'. This ensures children will be looked after by a suitable person and are less likely to be distressed should they be left in her care for a short while. Children are safeguarded on outdoor visits since the childminder takes with her contact details for children should there be a troublesome situation and a small first aid kit to deal with

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

any minor accidents. Written procedures regarding lost and uncollected children are shared with parents and provide reassurance that appropriate action is taken with due priority given to children's welfare. Children are further safeguarded because the childminder is steadfast in keeping her knowledge about child protection up to date. She has continued to access refresher courses and knows what to do should there be concerns about a child's wellbeing. She has the most recent copy of the Area Child Protection Committee procedures for continued reference. Children's safety is paramount to the childminder, this is evidenced in the numerous courses she has attended and contributes to children being kept safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and enjoy warm relationships with the childminder. Young children play companionably alongside each other and begin developing skills to make social contact. For example, they each want to play with the same activity toy and are content to share the experience without conflict. They make connections with home through their play as they put items into the washing machine and listen to the 'whirring' of the motor. Children chatter on the telephone and their speech is encouraged as the childminder prompts them to think about who they are talking to 'is it mum or dad'? The childminder encourages language as young children use play food in the toaster, she talks to them about spreading the toast with butter and asks if they'd also like jam. As a result, children are introduced to new words and further meaning is brought into play activities. Children enjoy and achieve since the childminder provides a very good selection of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

play materials to support their overall development. Musical instruments help children learn about rhythm and patterns of movement as they get pleasure in shaking bells and singing along with jingles. Children are motivated and interested as they decorate paper plates with colourful fun stickers. They show patience in their endeavours as they persevere with some that stay stuck on their fingers. Children take pride in the finished plates and are proud to show them off. Children engage in imaginative play, for example, they get out the toy camera and pretend to take photographs. They grasp meaning from the situation as the childminder encourages everyone to smile for the picture to be taken.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are content and settled with the childminder. They take turns in collecting the post as it's dropped through the door by the postman and get pleasure in bringing it to the childminder, this gives them a sense of belonging in the childminder's home. Children learn positive attitudes to others through very good resources that embrace race, culture and gender. Children play with dolls that are male and female and use books that show positive gender roles for example, they see illustrations of a female pilot and dad bathing the baby. However, there is little to positively reflect disability, which somewhat lessens children's awareness of the wider society. Children make a positive contribution by making their own cards for all special occasions, the childminder resists adding any further adornment so that cards received by family members are children's own work. Children are cooperative and good natured towards each other. The childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

gives each child appropriate support and ensures that children are kept occupied with fun and interesting things to do. This reduces the likelihood of children being disruptive and misbehaving. Communal games are encouraged when children learn to take turns, they throw soft balls into the '9 hole square base' and are thrilled to see a ball land successfully in a hole. Policies, procedures and some personal information about the childminder are written in user friendly language and shared with parents at the outset, this reassures parents of how the provision operates and how children are looked after. Children's work files and photographs of children actively involved in their pursuits are shared with parents on an ongoing basis and evidences the range of activities that children enjoy. Written information about eating, sleeping and nappy changes for young children is kept and shared with parents so that they can adjust routines accordingly

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. All adults residing on the premises continue to be suitable persons to be in the proximity of children. The childminder organises space and resources effectively, she keeps the morning room mainly for children who need to rest or sleep so that they are not disturbed by children still playing. Play materials and many toys are set out in readiness for when children arrive, they are all placed within easy reach for children to self select and make choices for themselves. Children enjoy a balanced week of home based activities and outdoor visits, this affords opportunities for children to meet with their peer group and make new friends. Meals for children are home cooked and prepared the evening before so that time spent with children is not compromised by having to spend further time in the kitchen. The childminder is extremely well organised in the keeping of documentation. The

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Organisation

National Childminding Association toolkit houses all relevant information regarding the association. A separate file lists written policies and procedures that provide a

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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 framework for good practice and is shared with parents at the outset. Each child has their own document wallet containing their work, these too are shared with parents. All legally required documentation is in place and kept in accordance with the National Standards. The childminder is intent in accessing further training, since the previous inspection she has attended courses in 'fire safety awareness', 'health and safety in the workplace', 'child protection' and 'supporting children with special needs'. This demonstrates a commitment to ensuring children continue to be cared for well and enhances the childminding provision. The childminder has recently embarked on training for 'Birth to three matters', this too will contribute to the elevation of care for children aged under three. All documentation is stored to provide

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Organisation

security and confidentiality. Records of children previously looked after are kept in a separate file and may be used for future reference should it be necessary. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to request written permission from parents to the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment. Written permission has been requested and obtained from parents and the childminder may now seek emergency medical advice or treatment deemed necessary. This ensures that children's wellbeing is given due priority and contributes to the 'organisation' of the provision.

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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): • increase resources to reflect disability to support children in making a 'positive contribution' to the provision and wider community.

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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 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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