Childminder in Wigan

Inspection report for early years provision

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501166 Unique Reference Number 23 October 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and 11 years in Leigh, Lancashire. 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 one child under five years and 10 school-age children who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children.

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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, washing their hands before eating and after toileting. Exclusion policies

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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 are 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 are well nourished before and after their day at school. The childminder provides a varied range of healthy and nutritious choices, for example, porridge, toast or cereal for breakfast. After school children are offered brown bread sandwiches with a selection of salad and fruit. Children also benefit from daily opportunities to play outside in the fresh air and sunlight which contributes to a healthy lifestyle. The childminder provides a good range of age-appropriate activities for school-age children to enjoy, including football, basketball and using a trampoline.

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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 provides a designated playroom, where children can access a good selection of play materials independently. Children's artwork is attractively displayed and the childminder and children enjoy decorating the playroom to reflect their current topic or theme. For example, hanging Halloween decorations, next to the 'spooky house' they have made. Children move freely around the childminder's home, making choices about where they spend their time and what they want to do.

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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 takes appropriate action to minimise any hazards. Consequently, children are able to move around and play safely. Attention to fire safety is good and children benefit from an advisory visit from the fire service. 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 appropriately safeguarded by the childminder. She is able to identify some possible signs and symptoms of abuse and has obtained detailed written information in respect of child protection issues and the procedure to follow. As a result, she can respond appropriately should she have any concerns about a child's welfare. However, the childminder 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, secure and relaxed relationships have developed over time and children interact confidently with the childminder. The childminder knows individual children and families well, she frequently cares for siblings and is well informed about children's experiences at home and school. Consequently, she is able to respond to individual children's needs, providing additional support as and when required.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is very aware of the needs of school-age children, she plans an interesting range of creative based activities, but always respects children's choices after a structured day at school. Pre-school children are enthusiastic about their role in preparing creative activities and talk importantly of their trip to collect large cardboard boxes from the supermarket. A good range of activities are planned for younger children, which include opportunities for them to develop their hand-eye coordination, as they play bowling games or use small play tools to make shapes in the play dough. Individual children are well supported by the childminder who becomes engaged in children's activities and provides support or assistance to prolong play.

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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 For example, advising children how to feed the play dough into the press or helping to dress small dolls.

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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. Positive conversations about culture or diversity are usually triggered by the children, who seek clarification or explanation following their own observations. The childminder provides opportunities for children to learn about South Africa and the lifestyles of children who live there.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved because positive strategies are well implemented by the childminder. Children are well informed of the childminder's boundaries and expectations and respond very well to incentives. Star charts are used to reward good behaviour, for example, children receive stars for walking nicely on the way home from school or for helping one another. Activities, such as a treasure hunt are also organised to reward good behaviour.

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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 the children's creative work on display.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is very well organised. She cares for a large 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 move freely around her spacious home and outdoor area, making meaningful choices about how they spend their time. Food and drinks are prepared in advance, so that the childminder can spend time with the children and focus on planned creative activities or games which the children enjoy.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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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Complaints 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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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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