Childminder in Halton

Inspection report for early years provision

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303349 Unique Reference Number 31 October 2007 Inspection date Michele Anne Villiers 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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and two daughters aged 16 and 15 in Widnes, Cheshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children under five, one child under two and one child over five. She transports children by vehicle to local schools and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder takes positive steps to help ensure that the children's health needs are met and they are protected against cross infection. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene through routines. such as regular hand washing. Potties, trainer seats and steps are provided to aid the children's independence in the bathroom and good hygiene care is taken when

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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 changing nappies. The home is very clean and well maintained and outdoor shoes are removed in areas where children play.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision of nutritional meals and healthy snacks helps to foster the children's growth and development. Many meals are home made and children snack on sliced fresh fruit. Dietary requirements are recorded and the children's individual needs met. Older children help themselves to drinking water from the fridge dispenser and young children are regularly offered drinks to quench their thirst.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a positive attitude to physical exercise. They access a good range of outdoor toys and climbing apparatus and enjoy walks to the local park. Indoors children have sufficient space to freely move around and young children are supported well whilst learning to stand and walk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Effective measures are taken to help keep children safe and minimise hazards both within the home and on outings. Children independently select from a wide range of good quality toys and resources in a welcoming and child centred environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about keeping themselves safe. They are gently reminded to be careful during play and the childminder talks to children about the importance of strapping the baby into a high chair at meal times. Road safety is discussed with older children whilst on outings and young children are strapped into buggies and reins or wrist straps are used when necessary. During role play activities children have fun dressing up as fire fighters or police, helping them to become aware of local services.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She has attended training and has devised written policies and procedures to share with parents, in line with current legislation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children happily settle in the childminder's care. They eagerly engage in a wide variety of interesting and stimulating activities, helping them make good progress in their all round development. For example, they enjoy art and craft, construction, stories, role play, plus visits to the local playgroup, park and library. The play room is child orientated and creatively organised in a homely environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children excitedly explore their senses during planned activities. For example, they make chocolate covered apples for Halloween, using ice cream cornets as hats and small sweets for the face to create a witch. They discuss the texture of the melted chocolate as they spoon it over the apple, and delight in the taste. The childminder supports children well. She sits on the floor with young children and uses good questioning to motivate their interest and foster their communication skills. She counts with the children and discusses colour and shape. She uses repetitive language with young children to reinforce their learning and understanding. They enjoy stories and looking at books.

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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 Children enjoy a variety of art and craft activities, explore different coloured paper and textured materials to create collage pictures. Their imagination is fostered well as they re-enact life at home through role play and dressing up. The childminder has some awareness of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. However, the components are not fully used in order to assess the children's learning and progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel secure in a welcoming environment. Babies and young children settle well as the childminder is aware of their needs and routine. They learn about diversity and the world in which they live through activities and some toys and equipment. However, there are limited toys reflecting positive images of race and culture.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is very calm and consistent in her approach and provides care in a positive environment, fostering the children's confidence and self-esteem. She uses good strategies to manage their behaviour, taking into account children's levels of understanding. Children play well together, learning to share and show consideration for each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a professional relationship with parents. She welcomes them into her home and gathers information about their child's routine, helping children to settle. Parents receive copies of written policies and procedures and information is shared through daily discussion. Parents of babies take home daily diaries, keeping them up to date on their child's food intake, nappy change and sleep routine.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is very enthusiastic in her approach and demonstrates a commitment to improving her personal development and keeping up to date on new initiatives. She uses her own knowledge and skills to provide good quality care, contributing to the children's care, welfare and development.

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Organisation

The home is well organised in order to give children close support and attention. The play space is child centred with some child size furniture and attractive colourful posters and artwork. All documentation, pertaining to childminding, is in place, with many comprehensive written policies and procedures for the effective management of her provision. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder ensures a system is in place for the recording of incidents of necessary physical intervention, ensure gas appliances conform to safety requirements, provide a smoke alarm on the first floor and obtain written permission from parents before administering medication. The childminder has devised a system to record any incidents in order to help safeguard children. A carbon monoxide detector has been obtained in order to monitor gas appliances and a smoke alarm has been fitted to the first floor, helping to protect children from harm. Written parental consent is obtained prior to the administration of any medication.

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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

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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): • continue to increase toys and resources reflecting positive images of race and culture • further develop the use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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

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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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