Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY277756 Unique Reference Number 22 November 2007 Inspection date Susan Patricia Birkenhead 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 satisfactory. 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children of adult age in the Orford area of Warrington. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five on a part-time basis. The childminder makes arrangements to take children to the park for outdoor play and attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have four cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows suitable practices and procedures. Children from a young age develop a positive understanding of personal hygiene, for example, babies hands are cleaned before meals and after nappy changing using wipes leading to washing hands independently. Sick children are not cared for and parents are contacted when children 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 taken ill in the care of the childminder. As a result, children are sufficiently protected from the risk of infection. The childminder has completed paediatric first aid training and basic materials are in place for treating minor injuries, which safeguards the children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in various activities to promote their physical development and skills, such as regular walks to the local park where children can enjoy fresh air and play on age appropriate apparatus. The development of children's walking and crawling skills are promoted well through the childminder's support and encouragement. For example, the positioning of toys motivates babies to move towards them. Children's needs for rest and sleep are incorporated into the daily routine, therefore contributing to their physical well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children’s dietary needs are suitably met because the childminder works closely with parents who choose to contribute to the meal provision for their child. The childminder ensures children are appropriately nourished and approaches children's health and dietary with consistency. Children learn to feed themselves through the childminder's positive support and interaction. The snack provision incorporates aspects of healthy eating, such as fresh fruit and raw vegetables and regular drinks are accessible to ensure children remain refreshed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and confident within the secure, welcoming and suitably organised environment. They separate from parents well due to the childminder's reassurance and procedures she follows. For example, they play the 'waving game' where they play 'peek a boo' through the window, wave goodbye to parents as they leave and blow kisses. A positive range of age appropriate play materials are set out in the lounge for children prior to their arrival. These are well-maintained, and regular checks ensure the disposal of damaged items. Children develop their understanding of keeping safe from a young age as they practise fire evacuation at regular intervals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are generally safe as they move around the setting and go on outings because the positive steps taken minimise risks to children. For example, age appropriate equipment, such as safety gates, fireguard, socket covers are in place and all low level glass is protected. However, some railings on the landing are missing, although children do not use this area unaccompanied.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children welfare is suitably safeguarded because the childminder has an appropriate understanding of the role she plays in protecting children from abuse. She is able to recognise signs to look for and her knowledge of the procedures to follow is sound.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident in the care of the childminder because she makes them feel welcome through her approach and they develop positive relationships with her and other family members. The consistent routines allow children to become familiar with certain practices, and contribute to their sense of belonging. For example, they know 'window time' means their parent is due to arrive and they greet them at the window on their return.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children engage in varied activities and opportunities both indoors and outside the setting, which support their development and foster enjoyment. The childminder organises activities and approaches their play more spontaneously. Children's interest is sustained as the childminder

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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 rotates play materials at regular intervals during the day. They visit parent and toddlers locally, where they socialise with others. Regular walks provide opportunities for children to learn about and discuss aspects of the local community. They engage in sensory play as they play in water and manipulate play dough. They build bridges using construction materials and the childminder promotes their understanding of colour and number at all times. The creative activities are adapted for the children's ages and developmental stages. They show enjoyment in all they do and squeal with excitement as they successfully complete tasks, clapping their achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder involves herself in the children's play where she guides and supports the children's learning well. She encourages the children's language through positive interaction because she spends time talking to them and repeating words.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and treated with equal respect. Through the verbal exchange of information with parents the childminder becomes aware of the children's individual needs and preferences. For example, she talks about children who like to go to sleep whilst listening to classical music. The children's understanding of the wider world is suitably promoted for example, they have access to some resources to raise their awareness of diversity, however, disability is not represented. The celebration of some cultural festivals is introduced at a basic level due to the ages of the children cared for. The childminder is willing to care for children with learning difficulties or disabilities taking into account other children in her care to ensure all their needs can be met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop their understanding of responsible behaviour encouraged by the positive role model the childminder presents. They benefit from the effective methods for managing behaviour, which include diversion techniques and ignoring tantrums as long as children are safe. Children's achievements and good behaviour are recognised through regular praise and rewards at the end of the week. As result, children are well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationships developed with parents. Written references express how they value their children being part of a 'happy family environment' and refer to the childminder as 'special'. The childminder has suitable communication systems in place for sharing information with parents. For example, the daily diaries to record details of their child's well-being and daily activities. An agreement with parents is in place, which is reviewed regularly. However, written parental consent regarding certain activities, which contributes to the children’s welfare being safeguarded, is not in place. The childminder has a basic understanding of the procedures for handling complaints but a system for recording complaints is not in place. This constitutes a breach in regulation.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are suitably protected from persons not vetted because the childminder takes responsibility for them at all times and supervises them closely. Children are cared for in an environment where they can feel relaxed and at home. The childminder has completed the necessary training and discusses her practices with parents initially.

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Organisation

The childminding arrangements in the main are sufficiently organised to meet the needs of the children cared for and promote the children's enjoyment and care. However, the organisation

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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 of necessary record systems for the efficient and safe management of the setting is basic. For example, information regarding accidents, administration of medication, children's attendance and health and dietary needs are recorded in the children's daily diary. However, entries made lack necessary detail, such as, the dosage, times medication is administered.

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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

During the last inspection the childminder was asked to extend the resources that reflect positive images of disability, obtain parental consent for seeking medical emergency advice or treatment and ensure the attendance register included the hours children are cared for. Since the last inspection the childminder has had difficulty in finding resources that promote positive images of disability therefore, the recommendation has been repeated. The children's attendance is now recorded using a basic system however, written parental consent for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment is not in place, which at times compromises children's welfare.

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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. 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 satisfactory. 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): • obtain written parental permission at the time of the placement to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment • make safe the railings on the landing • extend resources to reflect positive images of disability • further develop an understanding of the procedures for handling complaints and a system to record complaints made by parents • ensure records in place reflect the children's health and dietary requirements and develop consistent record systems for the recording of accidents and medication.

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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 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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