Childminder in Wigan

Inspection report for early years provision

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322784 Unique Reference Number 18 December 2007 Inspection date Victoria Gail Halliwell 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 1993. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a semi-detached property in Leigh. The childminder has a designated playroom available for childminding and children have access to other rooms on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder walks to a local school and playgroup to take and collect children. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding one pre-school and seven school age children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is effectively promoted, because the childminder implements good hygiene procedures. As a result, good standards of cleanliness are maintained throughout her home. Children are learning the importance of good personal hygiene through established daily routines, for example, using sanitising liquid after wiping their nose. Exclusion policies are

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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 shared with parents and appropriately implemented to help prevent the spread of infection, should a child become unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children under five are well nourished. In consultation with parents a wide range of freshly prepared meals are served according to children's individual needs. Children who attend after school are encouraged to develop healthy eating habits. A well stocked fruit bowl is constantly available in the play room, alongside a jug of filtered water so children can help themselves after school. Children also benefit from daily opportunities to play outside or walk to and from school in the fresh air and sunlight, which contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a welcoming and child-centred environment. She has created a stimulating and interesting playroom for the children to explore. As a result children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging, as they display their artwork and select their own play materials. The well equipped playroom also provides opportunities for children who wish to sit in comfort and relax after their day at school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of safety within her home and has implemented many safety measures to ensure children are able to move around and play safely. Attention to fire safety is good, children benefit from regular fire drills to ensure they can evacuate quickly in an emergency situation. Sound systems are in place to ensure all children are safely escorted to and from school. As a result of established routines and clear explanations, children are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is adequately safeguarded by the childminder. She is able to identify some possible signs and symptoms of abuse and has devised her own basic child protection procedure, which details the action she will take if she is concerned about a child. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to protect a child from possible harm, but has not received any training and lacks confidence in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They enjoy a warm and loving relationship which makes them feel secure. Many children have been in the childminder's care for several years and close relationships are also evident between the children and other members of the childminder's family. The childminder provides high levels of care, for example, ensuring a child who has recently been unwell is 'tucked in' and well wrapped up before going outside.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children of all ages enjoy a wide range of interesting activities. The childminder encourages children to make choices about what they want to do and respects their choice, for example, a child who enjoys gluing collage pictures is able to repeat the activity, until they are ready to move on to something else. The childminder provides a wide range of creative activities and experiences which are routinely adapted to meet the needs of both school age and younger children. Children also enjoy regular opportunities to carry out their own experiments, for example, putting white flowers into coloured dye.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is mindful of the progress and development of the children in her care and provides a good range of activities that help children make progress. She is well resourced and

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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 provides many routine opportunities for pre-school children to develop their numeracy and literacy skills. Although planning is not formalised and records of children's progress are not maintained. School age children are also well supported, for example, the childminder displays sounds of the week to support school age children with their spellings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals and are encouraged to respect others. Throughout the year festivals and celebrations are used to increase the children's awareness of their own and the cultures of others. For example, at Easter children make crosses and listen to the Easter story, at Chinese New Year, children colour pictures of Chinese dragons and taste Chinese food. Children are encouraged to express themselves freely and are equally encouraged to use play materials regardless of gender, for example, boys enjoy dressing up in the brides dress and veil. The childminder celebrates with children who are proud of their achievements, for example, the childminder is delighted when a child rushes out of school, to inform her they have achieved nine out of 10 in a spelling test.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is continually building the children's self-esteem and confidence through praise and recognition of their good behaviour and achievements. As a result, children are generally very well behaved and respond positively to the realistic boundaries and expectations the childminder has. For example, sharing play materials and playing nicely with one another.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents are good. Parents are generally very well informed of the childminder's organisation, policies and procedures. At admission, written information is provided for parents to retain for future reference. Although, this does not include details of the childminder's child protection procedure and the complaints procedure has not been updated to reflect current guidance. Information is also exchanged verbally as children arrive and are collected and parents are encouraged to observe what the children have been doing.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised. She cares for both pre-school and a number of school-age children, but has good systems in place, to ensure she can meet the individual and group needs of the children in her care, on a daily basis. Children benefit from a well presented, child centred play room where they can select resources independently and make meaningful choices about how they spend their time. The childminder plans the time she spend with younger children well, so she can compliment their regular attendance at pre-school settings.

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Organisation

Attention to written documentation is generally very good, all required records are satisfactorily maintained and the childminder has devised a range of written policies and procedures which are well implemented and effectively shared with parents.

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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

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved her system for recording the children's attendance, consequently the children's welfare and safety has been enhanced.

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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 any 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): • improve knowledge and understanding of child protection issues • review and update the complaints procedure to fully reflect current guidance.

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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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