Childminder in Liverpool

Inspection report for early years provision

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962028 Unique Reference Number 13 December 2007 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 2001. She lives with her husband and three children aged four, eight and 11 in a suburb of Liverpool. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding four children under eight, two of whom are under five. The childminder walks or transports children in a car to take and collect them from school, attends local toddler groups, and places of interest.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder takes suitable steps to help promote the children's health and prevent the spread of infection. Good procedures are followed when changing nappies and children learn about personal hygiene through routines, such as hand washing after using the toilet and before meals. Individual hand towels are provided, plus paper towels, helping to minimise cross

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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 infection. The childminder has devised written policies and procedures on sickness and exclusion to share with parents, however, she has not included details of infectious illnesses and their incubation period and has limited knowledge of communicable diseases.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a good understanding of healthy eating. They tuck into sliced fruit for snacks, and hot meals are homemade, such as fish with vegetables in a cheese sauce. Children freely access water and are frequently reminded to take drinks in order to quench their thirst. The childminder has completed training on food hygiene and nutritional food.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their physical skills and keep fit through different activities. They walk to school, and places of interest and frequently visit the local park to run around. During the summer months children play in the garden, although this is currently not in use as it is being landscaped. Indoors, children have sufficient space to freely move around and for babies to learn to crawl and walk. Young children receive close attention, with affectionate cuddles and interaction from the childminder, helping to foster their emotional well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a secure and welcoming environment. The designated play room is child centred, with many pictures, posters and children's art work displayed on the walls. The childminder closely supervises children and provides many safe and suitable toys and resources. Most safety measures within the home are in place, helping to minimise hazards, however, the low level glass in the front living room has not been checked for safety, posing a possible risk to children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder helps children to learn about safety and how to keep themselves safe, through play activities and the daily routine. On outings children become aware of road safety and how not to become lost. Story books on safety are also provided, helping to reinforce the children's learning and understanding. During frosty weather the childminder explains to children the dangers of running or walking too fast on slippery pavements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further safeguarded as the childminder has a suitable awareness of child protection issues. She has attended some training and knows what to do should she have concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children eagerly enter the childminders home and quickly settle to activities. They confidently select toys and make independent choices about their play. The childminder plans activities and the daily routine. She provides a good balance between play at home and attending different toddler groups. She supports the children well, sitting on the floor with them to interact and motivate their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children's communication skills are fostered particularly well. Babies and young children are encouraged to mimic sounds and words, such as "Choo choo", and "Train" during play with the train set. Older children engage in meaningful conversation and discuss past and present events. Children also enjoy looking at books and listening to stories. During play children learn to count, and recognise colour. They count how many carriages are connected to the train and the colour of the train. When making birthday cards they learn to recognise the corresponding

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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 numeral next to the number of candles drawn on the cake. Children learn to make connections when playing with interactive and programmable toys. For example, they know to turn the switch on in order to make the train move around the track.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children's imagination and creative skills are promoted well. They enjoy a wide range of art and craft activities, making collage pictures using various materials. Children also re-enact life at home, pretending to cook and make drinks on the role-play cooker. The childminder has introduced the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses observation to monitor the children's progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled and develop a good sense of belonging. They learn about diversity through play opportunities and events. They access various toys reflecting positive images of race and culture, and celebrate different festivals. They learn about disability through discussion and the childminder raises their awareness of issues, such as the importance of dogs for the blind. The childminder also introduces simple sign language to the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a positive atmosphere and children are encouraged to share and take turns. They are very well behaved and polite, saying "please" and "thank you" at snack time and when reminded. The childminder uses praise and encouragement to reinforce the children's good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Information is shared with parents through informal daily discussion and written documentation. Parents receive a 'Parent information pack' with detailed information about the childminder, her family and her policies and procedures. The childminder works closely with parents in order to promote the children's welfare.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder demonstrates a keen commitment towards her own personal development and has attended many childcare training sessions since her last inspection. She uses her skills to provide good quality care and promote the children's welfare.

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Organisation

There are many written policies and procedures for the effective management of the provision. All regulatory documentation is in place and shared with the parents. 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 recommendations were raised regarding appropriate smoke alarms, recording the children's attendance and obtaining parental consent for the seeking of emergency medical advice. Smoke alarms are now fitted on both levels of the house for safety. The children's attendance is accurately recorded in a daily register and all appropriate parental consent is in place.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • include in the sickness and exclusion procedure information about infectious illnesses and their incubation period. Become more familiar with reportable and communicable diseases • make sure all low level glass is safe or inaccessible 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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