Childminder in Liverpool

Inspection report for early years provision

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962031 Unique Reference Number 07 January 2008 Inspection date Jean Evelyn Thomas 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 child aged 14 in Old Swan in Liverpool. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed outside play area.

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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 two children under five all day, and three children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable setting where good hygiene procedures helps to prevent the spread of infection. For example, play materials are cleaned on a regular basis and the childminder wears disposable aprons when involved in food preparation. From an early age children become familiar with personal hygiene routines. Using the foot stool provided to

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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 reach the wash basin, children competently wash their hands after toileting and before eating. Paper towels and liquid soap is provided. The childminder talks to the children about germs, helping them to understand the underlying concepts of effective hygiene routines. Children are protected when they become ill. The childminder follows appropriate measures in making the children comfortable and contacting the parents. The childminder is aware of the procedure to follow if children contract a communicable illness. The childminder is qualified to administer first aid to ensure the correct procedures are followed in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides a nutritional diet for the children which primarily comprises of home cooked foods. Fruit, vegetables and dairy products are incorporated into the daily diet. The childminder encourages children to try vegetables and fruits by presenting them in different ways, for example putting fresh fruits in yoghurt. The childminder respects the children's preferences if they decide they do not want to try new tastes. Activities, posters identifying healthy foods and discussion with the childminder helps children learn about the benefits of nutritional foods as part of a healthy life style. Their knowledge of healthy foods is demonstrated as they plan a healthy meal for their baby in role play. Information is obtained from parents to ensure children's dietary needs are taken into account in the planning of the food. Drinks are available and accessible at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities which promotes their physical development. They benefit from regular walks in the local community and the outdoor play area is used throughout the year. Children experience different physical challenges as they play on equipment at parks and child-centred groups. Children develop their fine motor skills when they use scissors, paint brushes, writing tools and handle small play equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a well organised and welcoming environment in which they feel secure. The children confidently and freely move around the registered areas of the home, which offers ample space to play in comfort. For example, children choose to play quietly in one room whilst more energetic activities are pursued in the main playroom. The children proudly display their drawings and art work which contributes to their sense of belonging. Resources and toys are easily accessible. The childminder has a wide stock of play equipment and uses the toy lending library to offer children more variety and greater stimulation. The childminder carefully monitors the equipment to ensure it is safe and appropriate for the children's age and stage of development. The childminder has equipment to meet the needs of the younger children including prams and a travel cot.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Hazards are minimised as the childminder completes a weekly formal risk assessment and uses safety equipment. However, the large mirror positioned on top of the mantel piece in the playroom has not been considered in the assessment as a potential hazard to children. Children learn about keeping themselves safe both in the home and outdoors through discussion and guidance from the childminder. At lunch time without prompt children say that they can not go into the kitchen when the cooker is in use. In addition to this understanding a gate is in position to isolate the kitchen at such times for children's safety. Children regularly practice the emergency evacuation procedure and follow the road safety code at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 childminder has a secure understanding of child protection issues and is clear about her responsibility in following procedures to safeguard children. A written statement is shared with parents and helps to ensure that children are effectively protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder develops a warm and caring relationship with children, paying them lots of attention and giving hugs resulting in them being happy and content in her care. Children confidently select toys of their choice and eagerly involve the childminder either in play or for support with an activity, for example, as they set up the rail track. The children have many opportunities to be creative and express their ideas in art work, musical instruments, dance, small world and role play. In art work children explore different textures and colours such as feathers, pasta and sequences to produce their own work. The children use their imagination and develop their ideas selecting resources to support their play, such as dressing up clothes, play foods and utensil, dolls and prams. Their language development is effectively promoted through the childminder's involvement in activities. The childminder introduces to the children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

number, shape, size and colour, for example, in role play they count out the money. The childminder uses formal observations to plan for children's individual play and learning to help them make progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The familiarity of the routines the children follow contributes to the their sense of security. For example, they happily choose quiet activities immediately after lunch to allow their food to digest and understand the need to get ready to collect children from school. Secure in this knowledge children play in a relaxed uninhibited manner at their own pace. This gives children time to practise skills, such as using scissors and to complete activities to their satisfaction.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children develop their understanding of the community and the wider world. They are regularly taken to activity centres, toddler groups, parks, shops and libraries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are well met because of the partnership with the childminder and the parents. Children's understanding about the diversity of society is developed through activities, discussion, books and play materials.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good. Children's interest is sustained in the activities they choose which has a positive impact on their behaviour. The childminder leads by example, speaking to children with politeness and respect. The children are well-mannered, for example, saying please and thank you without prompt from the childminder. The children respond to the childminder's purposeful praise and encouragement. They help to tidy away play materials taking responsibility for their environment. Children bring toys from home. The children happily share and allow others to play with their belongings as this concept has been nurtured with the children. Children are given explanations why behaviour is not acceptable to help them distinguish right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder and parents working in partnership. Feedback on children's development and general well-being is given on a regular basis verbally and the written and photographic records are shared with parents. However, written parental consents have not been obtained for all aspects of care to ensure children are being cared for according to parents

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 wishes. The childminder has prepared a comprehensive parents manual giving information about the service provided. Parents are given a copy of the policies and procedures to retain for reference. Information is displayed around the playroom which ensures that parents are well informed of her practice. This includes information detailing the forthcoming Early Years Foundation Stage for learning, development of care for children under five.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to continuing her own professional development to support children. She has recently completed training on subjects including 'Early Years Foundation Stage' and nutritional foods. The childminder monitors and evaluates her own practice in line with the quality assurance training she has completed. Policies and procedures are reviewed regularly to ensure they reflect current practice.

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Organisation

Children receive good levels of adult support which promotes their play and learning. The childminder plans a broad range of activities and varied experiences either home based, in the community and through visits to places of interest, such as the safari park.

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Organisation

The children's care, welfare and learning is promoted through the childminder's well maintained recording systems. 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 recommendations raised have been met. The childminder ensures there are no tailing wires which may present a hazard to children. Parents sign accident and medication records to ensure they are informed about important events in their child's day. The childminder has reviewed the behaviour management policy and uses positive strategies to promote children's behaviour.

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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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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): • review the written parental consents to ensure they cover all activities provided and child care practices • conduct a risk assessment on the position of the mirror in the playroom to ensure it does not present a safety hazard to the 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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