Childminder in Wigan

Inspection report for early years provision

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322851 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2008 Inspection date Christine Snowdon 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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her husband and three teenage daughters. The family live in the Standish area of Wigan. The childminder uses the hallway, front living room, dining kitchen and toilet facilities on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The family has a pet dog.

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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. She is currently minding three children under five years and two children over five. Older children also attend for out of school care. The children attend for a variety of full and part time sessions.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a warm and exceptionally clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene practice and personal care. The childminder has an excellent understanding of promoting good health and there are rigorous procedures in place. For example, toddlers' hands are thoroughly cleaned before their snack and children select a clean flannel each time

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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 to dry their hands then place it in the basket for laundering. Everyone removes their outdoor shoes before entering the playroom to keep the carpet clean and hygienic for crawling babies and toddlers. These very good practices along with the written sickness policy effectively reduce the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well nourished and enjoy the healthy and nutritious meals prepared and cooked on the premises. They have a cooked lunch, such as chicken and rice with steamed vegetables. Snacks of crumpets, toast or fresh fruit are offered mid-morning and afternoon along with regular drinks of low-sugar fruit juice or water. Children's individual dietary needs are met well through discussing their needs with the parents and respecting their wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities and experiences that contribute effectively to their good health. Very young children are taken out for walks in the pushchair every day to ensure they have lots of fresh air and older children walk to and from school, nursery and the childminder's home. Young children crawl around the playroom, pulling themselves up into a standing position and developing their balance and coordination. Older children particularly enjoy playing in the large garden where they have games of rounders and skipping, dig in the sand pit and use the wheeled toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very safe and secure environment. The childminder has all the necessary safety equipment in place and uses it effectively to minimise risk. For example, safety straps are used whenever children are in their highchairs. Toddlers sleep safely in the pushchairs under constant supervision. Children are learning about keeping themselves safe through taking part in the regular fire drills and about the dangers of traffic when out for walks with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children move around the playroom with confidence, as the childminder has organised her space and resources effectively. Toys and activities are well-displayed in low, easily accessible boxes which are checked to ensure very small pieces are inaccessible to the toddlers. Consequently, children of all ages self-select their own toys and develop their independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected and their well-being safeguarded. The childminder has attended child protection training and has all the necessary information and contact details for the relevant agencies should she have any concerns regarding the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. All children settle very well at the childminder's home due to her warm and friendly approach and an effective settling-in procedure. Very young children show high levels of interest and enjoyment in all they see and hear around them. They communicate eagerly through sounds and gestures enjoying the positive interaction with the childminder and other children. They smile and chuckle as they roll the small ball backwards and forwards to the childminder and to each other. They laugh and giggle as she plays peek-a-boo with them whilst playing with the dolls house. Toddlers spend a good amount of time concentrating as they lift out the shapes from the container one by one, then put them back in and place the lid on. They are beginning to show an interest in jigsaws and enjoy lifting out the large chunky pieces. Through positive

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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 encouragement from the childminder they are able to fit some pieces back in and they smile happily as she claps her hands and tells them well done.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children enjoy the socialisation with their peers after their school day. They enjoy relaxing and unwinding as they watch some television or play on the electronic games. They have free choice of the activities and are caring and considerate when playing with the very young children. During good weather they spend their time in the garden playing football and other games. The school age children wrote very positive letters for the inspector saying how much they enjoy their time at the childminder's and that she is a great friend.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder gets to know the children and their families very well and she works effectively with the parents to make sure she meets children's individual needs. All children are highly valued as individuals and she treats them with equal care and respect. They are settled and happy and enjoy the familiar routines. They have good levels of confidence and self-esteem which is promoted effectively by the very positive interaction, praise and support they receive from the childminder. As a result, behaviour is very good, children share, take turns and get on well together. Children learn about their local community and the wider world. They go out for walks and visit the local shops and library. They play with a range of resources, such as small world figures depicting cultural diversity and enjoy the books and stories. The childminder has attended training and has a very positive attitude to disabilities, seeking additional information

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit greatly from the very positive partnership the childminder has developed with the parents. She actively seeks their views and they share information daily to ensure children receive good continuity of care. For example, the younger children's meals, nappy changes, sleep times and activities are recorded and given to the parents on collection. She has developed her own parent file containing all relevant information. Whilst there are a good range of written policies and procedures, the complaints procedure needs to be developed further, also the regulator's contact details are not openly displayed but stored in the parent folder. This means that parents do not have open access should they wish to contact Ofsted with any comments or queries. A warm and friendly, yet professional approach is in place and parents are welcome to stay and settle their children in. The letters from parents highlight their total satisfaction

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and reflect on how well new children settle in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her time effectively to meet the varying needs of the children. Her home is child orientated, warm and welcoming and as a result, children are very much at home and at ease in the childminder's care. The provision of a well-organised and supportive care environment enables them to move about freely and independently, developing their confidence and initiating their own play and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder has a clear sense of purpose, is aware of her role and responsibilities and demonstrates a firm commitment to her good practice. Her well-written policies and procedures are used effectively to promote children's health, safety and enjoyment. She has effective systems in place to ensure confidentiality whilst recording children's personal information and care needs.

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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 the childminder was asked to ensure all required records and documentation are in place and available for inspection. There is now a wide range of well-written and detailed policies and procedures which are all well-presented and available for inspection. These are used effectively to support her good 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.

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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): • further develop the complaints procedure and ensure that Ofsted's address and contact details are openly displayed.

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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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