Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY286710 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2008 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 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 1994. She lives with her two adult sons in Widnes, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor 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 look after a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five and three children over five. The childminder walks or transports children in a vehicle to local schools, playgroups and places of interest.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Suitable procedures are in place to help promote the children's health and minimise cross infection. Children learn about personal hygiene through routines, such as hand washing after using the toilet. All accidents and the administration of medication are recorded. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate in order to deal with minor accidents.

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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 Children benefit from healthy nutritional food. The childminder provides home cooked meals, such as chicken casserole and fresh fruit is given throughout the day. Drinks of sugar free squash or water are offered at meal times, however, drinking water is not made freely available for children to help themselves in order to quench their thirst.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children access a good range of outdoor toys and resources, helping to develop their physical skills. During the nice weather they play in the garden with various wheeled toys and climbing apparatus. They also enjoy walks to the local park and places of interest. Indoors children have sufficient space to freely move around. Babies and young children are supported well and receive caring attention, fostering their emotional well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The home is secure and welcoming for children. They independently access a good range of safe and suitable toys and resources. All safety measures are in place within the home to help protect children from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about safety during play as the childminder reminds them not to run around and to be careful with younger children. Children practise fire evacuation with the childminder, helping them to become aware of what to do in an emergency. On outings young children are protected as they are safely strapped into buggies and older children learn how to safely cross the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further protected as the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection and safeguarding children. She has accessed some training and has a written statement regarding her procedure should she have any concerns about a child. Children are closely supervised and babies and young children sleep within sight or hearing of the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and interested in their play and form close relationships with the childminder. Young children excitedly explore a wide range of sensory toys and resources. They smile with delight when playing with musical instruments, such as castanets, tambourines and rain shakers. The childminder talks and listens to the children, fostering their communication skills. Older children confidently talk about their home life and past events.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children particularly enjoy art and craft activities, exploring different coloured paint,and freely creating their own pictures. They make hand prints and count the number of fingers imprinted on the paper. When playing with the play dough they discuss colour and shape. Role play resources enable children to re enact life at home and they immerse themselves in ironing clothes for their dolls.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a suitable range of activities helping to promote the children's development in all areas of learning. She uses observation to monitor the children's progress, however, she has not effectively implemented the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She does not use her observations when planning future activities, in order to contribute to the positive outcomes for children.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued as individuals and develop a strong sense of belonging. They settle well as the childminder is aware of their needs and routines. They learn about diversity and the world in which they live through accessing some toys and resources that reflect positive images of race, culture, gender and disability. Activities are not gender specific and all children play with all the toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is calm and consistent in her approach when handling the children's behaviour. Children are well behaved and cooperative. Their good behaviour is reinforced through the constant praise and encouragement given by the childminder. Children learn to share and be kind to each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Information is exchanged with parents through daily discussion and written documentation. Parents are welcomed into the home at any time to informally chat with the childminder. All regulatory documentation is in place, such as parents' contracts and consent forms. A daily written record is kept on babies with regard to their sleep, food intake and nappy change and shared with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has attended some training courses since the last inspection and is keen to improve upon her knowledge and skills. She has many years experience of working in a nursery setting and uses these skills to provide various activities in a warm and welcoming family environment. The home is suitably organised enabling children freedom to move around.

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Organisation

All regulatory documentation is in place and the daily register of attendance is kept up to date. The childminder is aware of informing Ofsted of any changes. There are many written policies and procedures to share with parents, however, many of these are corporate documents and do not fully represent the childminder's own provision. They have not been suitably adapted in order to reflect the childminder's own ideas, thoughts and individual service provided. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder, obtain clearance on all household members, make safe the stair rails, increased her knowledge of child protection procedures and obtain parent consent for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment. All adult household members have been vetted and cleared, in order to help protect children. The stair rail has been made safe to minimise any accidents. The childminder has attended training on child protection in order to increase her awareness and written parental consent is in place for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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 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): • make drinking water freely available for children to independently access • continue to develop and implement the 'Birth to three matters' framework and use to assess the children's progress, and future planning of activities • update and adapt written policies and procedures in order to reflect the provision provided.

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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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