Childminder in Wigan

Inspection report for early years provision

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322684 Unique Reference Number 11 December 2007 Inspection date Anne Mort 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 children, one of whom is an adult and one who is 14 years old. The lounge and playroom are used for childminding, with toilet facilities on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. There are 10 children on roll. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from the risk of infection because the childminder is a good role model to the children on hygiene practice. Children's health is promoted. The childminder encourages them to develop self-care skills. Hand washing is a part of the daily routine. The childminder's nappy changing procedure presents as excellent practice in preventing cross contamination.

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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 Children's physical development is well promoted. They have opportunity to develop small muscle control as they use peg and flat piece jigsaws and persevere in their attempts to dress the dolls. Displays in the room illustrate that they also take part in using creative materials. In outdoor play, children develop large muscle control in the use of suitable equipment, such as wheeled toys, bicycles and a slide.

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Helping children to be healthy

Individual and personal information is discussed with parents to ensure their child's health and medical needs, if any, are identified and adhered to. Children's health is further supported by the childminder's knowledge of first aid and the system in place to record accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides healthy snacks, such as fruit, and children have sugar free juice. They have their own named drinks bottle which is available to them throughout the day. Parents send in a packed lunch which is appropriately stored. Each child has their own table and chair set or a high chair, so sit comfortably to have their lunch. The childminder presents this time as a chatty, sociable occasion.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a tidy, well maintained home. They can move round the home independently. Their safety is promoted by the physical layout of the room. Care is taken to present uncluttered floors and clear walking space near doorways. Children are given choices and select activities from a variety of resources that include push along toys, dolls, musical toys and jigsaws. Children's safety is supported as their play is supervised by the childminder. She monitors the presentation of play materials to make sure they are safe and appropriate for the children's age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risks to children are minimised as the childminder takes steps to provide for their safety, for example, the neat storage of age appropriate toys, the provision of safety equipment in the home and safe storage of cleaning materials. However, a hazard is identified that poses a risk to children, in that the radiators are extremely hot.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare and safety is promoted by the procedures in place and documents held about child protection. The childminder is aware of her role in child protection issues and makes information available to parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's enjoyment and achievement in the childminder's home are very well promoted through the documentation in place. This includes photographs of children at play and beautiful displays of their art work. They settle happily in the childminder's home and play in a tidy room. The childminder reassures them as they play or come to her with toys. She sits at their level, maintains eye to eye contact with them and offers and accepts close physical contact and cuddles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and provides interesting and challenging resources such as a treasure basket of unusual items and jigsaws where children encounter varying degrees of difficulty to reach completion. Older children are taught sewing skills and their glove puppets are on display. Children's language and conversational skills are significantly enhanced. This is due to the childminder using age appropriate and stimulating

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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 language with them. For instance, children happily engage in conversation as they use a toy camera, name the animal pictures on display and share doll play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop their concentration span and experience early reading skills in sharing books with the childminder. They relax on the carpet and the childminder gives value to the activity by asking questions. There is an unhurried atmosphere as the children point to pictures, name and count objects. Children are becoming independent learners and develop manipulative skills as they handle the resources and discover what they can do with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is skilful at allowing children to discover for themselves and knowing when to intervene to take their learning a step further. For instance, she uses the art work on display as a springboard to encourage children's curiosity and promote their skills of observation. They look at the rain forest display and the childminder asks them the colours of the trees, to search out and name various animals and count how many of each. This results in a lively conversation about animals, the way they move and the noises they make. Children are happy and spend their time purposefully. They enjoy exploring the range of interesting play materials.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop confidence and positive self-esteem through the interaction, care and attention they receive from the childminder. She treats each one with care and respect. Children's needs are very well met as they take part in a care routine agreed between the childminder and the parents. The childminder works in a calm, consistent manner. As a result, children are very well behaved. They are supported and supervised by the childminder as they choose where to play and what to play with. This develops their independence as they select resources and activities that interest them, for instance metal egg cups from the treasure basket and the pull along toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children use suitable resources, both age appropriate and those to present a realistic and effective challenge. There are resources to promote positive images of diversity. Children view and experience the wider world as they are taken on outings, for instance, to the park and activity play venues. All children are welcome in the provision and the childminder seeks additional information where a child has a specific need. Children's care and well-being is very well supported. Parents note on documentation relevant details about their child to enable the childminder to provide appropriate care. Written contractual agreements are in place.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are arrangements in place for the childminder to exchange information about a child and the events of the day when the child is collected. Parents are kept informed about the childminding provision as children's art and craft work is on display and photographs are available that illustrate children at work and at play. Partnership with parents has been further enhanced as, with parental permission, the childminder has videoed children at play and produced a tape for parents to keep.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's welfare and all round development is promoted. Children are secure and at ease in the well organised environment. The childminder is aware to keep children safe from persons who have not undertaken a vetting procedure and is extra vigilant when on outings.

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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 Children play in tidy, uncluttered rooms. These areas give space for free movement and exploration. Children's needs are met as the childminder manages her time effectively. She attends to children's developmental needs in the provision of suitable resources.

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Organisation

Documentation is in line with the National Standards for Childminding and used to promote the care and learning of children. Though recording of medicine administration is satisfactory, it is not clear if parental signature is for permission or acknowledgement that the medicine has been given.

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Organisation

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 the childminder was asked to update paperwork and review the procedure for hand washing. Children's health and safety is supported. There is a system in place for the childminder to record all elements of medicine administration, however it is not clear whether parental signature is permission or acknowledgement that the medicine has been given. The guidance held about child protection issues has been updated. The childminder provides suitable toiletries, towels and hand wipes to promote hygienic hand washing practice.

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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 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): • review recording procedure for parental permission to give medicine • monitor heat of radiators so that they do not pose a hazard to children.

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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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