Childminder in Liverpool

Inspection report for early years provision

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322279 Unique Reference Number 25 January 2008 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 1988. She lives with her husband and two adult sons in a suburb of Liverpool. 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 four children under five. The childminder walks or transports children in a vehicle to take and collect them from local schools, attend local playgroups, or visit places of interest.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a very well maintained home where the childminder takes positive steps to help prevent the spread of infection and promote the children's health. They learn the importance of personal hygiene through routines, such as hand washing after using the toilet and before handling food. Separate hand towels are provided and wipes are used on babies

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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 and young children. The childminder has completed training in first aid, in order to deal with minor injuries, and all accidents are recorded. Medication is administered with parental consent and the information recorded. It is not always appropriately recorded however, to ensure sufficient information is clearly detailed.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder introduces healthy foods and children enjoy nutritional snacks, for example, they tuck into sliced tomato, carrots, cheese and cucumber. Most hot meals are home-made and puddings include fresh fruit and yoghurt. Children freely help themselves to fresh drinking water to quench their thirst, with frequent reminders from the childminder. Milk is also offered at meal times. Their dietary requirements are discussed with parents whose wishes are respected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their physical skills and keep fit through a wide range of activities. During the nice weather they enjoy playing in the garden on various outdoor toys and resources. Children often visit places of interest, such as the park, the beach or the woods where they can play and run around. Indoors, children become competent using their fine motor skills during art and craft activities and construction. Babies and young children receive close attention, with cuddles and comforting words from the childminder, fostering their emotional well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for and well protected in a secure, welcoming and safe home. The home is well organised to create a child centred environment. Children have free access to a good range of safe and suitable toys and resources, including child-sized furniture. All safety measures are in place and the childminder closely supervises the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder encourages children to learn about possible hazards and to keep themselves safe, for example, she reminds young children to be careful not to spill any water on the wooden floor in case they slip. She ensures young children do not play with hazardous toys and reminds older children to be aware of the dangers of small items when near the babies. Children further learn about safety as they practise the fire evacuation procedure and become aware of road safety whilst on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She has attended training on "Safeguarding children" and knows what to do and who to contact should she have any concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and enjoy their time in the childminder's home. They eagerly participate in activities and confidently explore their environment. The childminder supports the children well, helping them to settle and motivates their interests. She uses opportunities during play to make it a learning experience for children, for example, when playing with jewellery she asks 'How many bracelets have you got?' and during art work she asks ' What colours are you using'? When children attempt to complete puzzles she discusses shape, colour and pattern. Young children's language skills are developed as the childminder uses repetition and good questioning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children's imagination is fostered well and they have fun pretending to cook and wash up in the toy kitchen. They also enjoy various art and craft activities, and use their initiative to create different play scenes, such as making a tent using blankets and chairs. Young children

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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 explore various sensory toys and smile with delight as they press buttons to create sound and visual effects on toy cars and buses.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans well in order to provide a good range of interesting activities. She also takes children to local playgroups, enabling them to socialise with others and on various outings to places of interest. She uses observation to monitor the children's progress and records their development through photographs and some written documentation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a strong sense of belonging. They form close, caring relationships with the childminder. They learn about diversity through some multicultural toys and resources that reflect positive images of race, culture, gender and disability. All children access all toys and activities are not gender specific.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is calm and consistent in her approach and uses good strategies to manage the children's behaviour. Children are well behaved and cooperative. They help each other and play well together. The childminder has high expectations of the children and has devised a list of house rules. Children are happy and learn to share and take turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The good partnership with parents contributes to the children's well-being and self-esteem. Parents are welcomed into the home at any time and the childminder exchanges information through informal discussion and written documentation. Thank you letters evidence parental satisfaction, with comments such as, ' I have great respect for all aspects of her care' and ' She is very pleasant and I have formed a good relationship'.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a commitment towards improving her own personal development. She is dedicated and very enthusiastic about the care of children. She has kept up-to-date on her first aid training and has accessed other relevant childcare courses in order to promote the children's welfare.

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Organisation

Children are happy and settled in a comfortable, homely, family environment. Most relevant documentation is in place for the effective management of the provision, including some written policies and procedures to share with parents, however, not all documentation is available for inspection, such as Criminal Record's Bureau (CRB) clearance documents for persons over the age of 16 years living in the household. 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 it was recommended that the childminder should obtain written permission from parents to transport children in a vehicle and increase resources reflecting diversity. Written consent is obtained from parents in order to transport their child in a vehicle. The childminder has purchased some toys and resources that reflect the diverse world in which we live. She also uses the local toy library to provide a greater range of multicultural toys.

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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): • appropriately record all administrations of medication • make available for inspection all regulatory documentation.

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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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