Bell, Emma

Inspection report for early years provision

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314791 Unique Reference Number 08 January 2008 Inspection date Jane Shaw 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 1995. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Thelwall, Warrington in Cheshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, with access to a bathroom on the first floor. There is access to an 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding five children under five on a part time basis and two children over five before and after school and school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children, and attends the local toddler group. The family have a dog as a family pet.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is well promoted because of the childminder's policies and procedures. Children are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet and certain activities, and before

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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 meals and baking. Access to toilet and hand washing facilities are on the upper floor, the childminder encourages children to be independent when using this area, but offers support and discreet supervision when necessary. Younger children are supported as the childminder uses wet wipes for this task. Appropriate routines and access to resources, such as disposable gloves, are in place and used when changing nappies, ensuring children's good health at this time. Appropriate recording systems are in place to record accidents and the administration of medication, ensuring parents and carers are kept up to date with their child's care and well-being. However, existing injuries to children are not recorded, and entries in the accident record do not include the specific location of injuries to children. Sick child procedures are discussed with

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Helping children to be healthy

parents and carers, ensuring they are aware of the childminder's responsibility to their children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder encourages children to develop an understanding of eating health foods. For example, children have looked at a variety of different foods deciding through discussion whether they are healthy or not, creating a healthy foods wall chart. The childminder discusses food and meal arrangements with parents and carers, and at present children attending during the day, bring a packed lunch. The childminder tries to encourage parents and carers to provide children with healthy options within their lunch boxes. The childminder offers children snacks throughout the day, which includes access to fruit and healthy bread options. Children have independent access to drinks throughout their day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical health is well promoted through regular opportunities to be outdoors. The childminder makes good use of her outdoor space to provide children with a range of outdoor activities, for example, climbing and balancing and other games. The childminder gives children plenty of opportunities to have fresh air, for example, trips to the park to feed the ducks, walks to school and taking the family dog for a walk.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, having access to written information and posters.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder makes appropriate use of available space to provide the children with a range of activities, for example, the rear room is used as a designated playroom, with the lounge being used for quieter activities. Children are able to self select some toys and resources from labelled boxes, requesting additional resources from the childminder. Toys and equipment are regularly checked for safety and hygiene ensuring children's health and safety during their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for within an environment where their safety is well promoted. The childminder is clear about her responsibility in keeping children safe from harm, and has appropriate safety precautions in place, for example, safety gates and socket covers. The childminder has a written fire evacuation policy which she shares with parents and carers, ensuring they are aware of how she will keep their children safe in the event of a fire. The childminder ensures children's safety by the regular practising of fire evacuations. The childminder also has a written emergency plan which ensures parents and carers are aware her procedures in the event of an emergency, ensuring their child's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder fully understands her role in safeguarding their welfare. The childminder has access to written information on recognising the signs and symptoms of abuse, and how to refer any concerns. The childminder is clear about her

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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 responsibility in protecting children's welfare and would deal with any issues or concerns in an efficient and prompt manner. Parents and carers are also made aware of the childminder's responsibility to protect their child from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled because of the caring and supportive environment the childminder creates, as a result children's enjoyment and achievement is well promoted. All children have access to activities and opportunities that are appropriate for their age and level of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, having access to written information and posters, and provides younger children with age appropriate activities. For example, activities are varied and include experimental play, imaginary play, craft activities and outdoor play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show excitement as they discover new skills, for example, they are excited as they listen to the sounds they make when using a plastic tub as a shaker, and as they learn new words when using magnetic letters. Younger children enjoy playing with small world figures and objects, such as tractors, and looking at picture and story books. They are able to select some toys independently from low level boxes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children enjoy a range of age appropriate activities, such as craft, imaginary play, construction and reading. They are supported in completing homework, practising their tables, spelling, and reading. They have the opportunity on a daily basis to have time outdoors as soon as they arrive from school.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are given good opportunities to develop both large and small physical skills through planned activities both within and away from the childminding setting. They practise running, climbing and balancing skills during outdoor play, movement and hand eye co-ordination skills during indoor activities, such as shape sorting, and completing jigsaws. Older children also enjoy both indoor and outdoor play where they are able to enhance their physical and manipulative skills as they participate in age appropriate activities. The childminder takes the children to different soft play areas which are appropriate for the age of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans activities loosely around themes or the time of year, for example, children have been involved in a theme which encouraged them to look at healthy eating. They participate in craft activities at specific times of the year, for example, creating unique Christmas items.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children's activities are organised around their attendance at other child centred locations, such as pre-school, nursery and toddler group. Children experience have fresh air as they go for walks with the family dog and visit a local park to feed the ducks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Walls are decorated with examples of the children's work and other educational posters and information. Parents and carers are kept up to date with what their children have been involved in during the day through verbal feedback upon collection.

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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. Minded children have equal access to all the activities and experiences offered by the childminder, which are organised and made appropriate to the children's individual needs and level of development. Resources that promote children's understanding of diversity are made available to children in their everyday play, for example books and play figures. The childminder has a written equal opportunities policy, which is shared with parents and carers ensuring they are made aware of how she promotes their child's understanding of diversity and respect for others. Children's individual routines and traditions are agreed and respected.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs and specific care requirements are discussed in detail prior to child being placed with the childminder. This enables her to plan and provide appropriate care for each individual child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good. This is promoted by the childminder through the use of positive praise and encouragement. A positive behaviour management policy describes the use of appropriate strategies to promote children's good behaviour. Strategies include discussion, encouraging children to share and take turns with toys and equipment, and by creating a positive environment for children. The childminder would discuss any incidents with parents and carers, however, an incident record is not available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnerships with parents and carers. Children's individual needs and requirements are discussed carefully and in detail with parents and carers prior to placement. These arrangements are reviewed on regular basis to ensure children are being offered the best care. Parents and carers have access a number of written policies and procedures prior to placement being agreed, enabling them to make informed decisions about their child's care. The childminder gives detailed verbal feedback, including information on activities and meals, for each child's minded day as parents and carers collect their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All checks have been successfully completed on the childminder and household members ensuring children's safety at all times.

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Organisation

The childminder works hard to provide children with a well planned and organised environment. Children's days in terms of their meals, activities and opportunities are planned in advance to ensure children enjoy their day and are engaged in interesting activities and experiences. The childminder is committed to enhancing her provision through attending training, such as food hygiene, and generally keeping up to date with childcare initiatives and developments.

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Organisation

All legally required documentation and records are in place ensuring children are cared for safely. A current paediatric first aid qualification ensures the childminder is able to respond to any accidents or incidents in a confident and prompt manner ensuring children's safety and well-being at all times. Children's individual needs and requirements are well known and discussed with parents and carers prior to their child starting ensuring these needs are met well. Children's safety and enjoyment is given priority as the childminder obtains parental consent for aspects of children's enjoyment and care. The childminder has developed a range of policies and procedures which are made available for parents and carers.

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a number of recommendations were made which related to; resources and children's access to these; safety and the increasing extension of resources to reflect diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

These recommendations have been appropriately addressed. Children access a range of resources at all times that are appropriate to their age and level of development. Many of the toys and resources are stored on a shelf unit in boxes to enable children to self select these, making independent choices about their activities. Older children's toys are stored at a higher level to ensure younger children are safe, therefore the childminder may on occasions have to assist older children in reaching boxes. Older children have been involved in writing labels for these boxes to enable them to access these. These arrangements enables children to access resources independently and make decisions about their activities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to ensure children's safety by making the water feature in the garden safe, providing smoke detectors, socket covers, and ensuring their safety when using the lounge. All of these issues have been appropriately addressed ensuring children's safety whilst in these areas.

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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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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): • record existing injuries to children upon arrival and include in accident records, information regarding the specific location of injuries sustained • develop an incident record.

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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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