Childminder in Knowsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 312982 Inspection date 31 August 2005 Inspector Susan Patricia Birkenhead

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 1994. She lives with her husband and two children one of 11 years and one of adult age. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and includes the lounge, dining room, designated play room and the kitchen. Children have access to the bathroom upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children under the age of 8 years. There are currently six children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows effective practices and procedures, for example, children are not cared for when they are ill and parents are contacted if a child becomes ill in the childminder's care. Children develop a good understanding of simple hygiene practices, which include older children washing their hands after using the toilet and before meals. Younger children are introduced to this good practice as wipes are used to clean their hands. This ensures children are protected from the risk of infection. Children rest and sleep according to their individual needs and routine. This enables them to recognise the importance that rest and sleep has on their health overall. Children's physical development and skills are actively promoted through the routine followed. For example, children visit the park locally to access the larger apparatus for swinging, climbing and sliding. In addition they play in the garden with bats and

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Helping children to be healthy

balls, the sit and ride toys and many more age related materials. As a result children learn to develop a good sense of control and co-ordination over their bodies. Children are provided with regular drinks and food in good supply in order to meet their needs. In the main the childminder encourages children to eat healthy foods. For example, fresh fruit for snack time and after meals, home cooked foods such as casseroles and pasta dishes, sandwiches using brown bread, which are accompanied by salad items and carrot sticks. However, children's favourites and likes and dislikes are respected, which means that on occasions processed foods are preferred. Children access drinking water independently during their stay. Healthy options are discussed with children, therefore children learn about the benefits of a healthy diet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and well organised environment, which allows them to move freely and independently between the areas accessible to them with confidence. The good range of furniture and equipment in place to meet the needs of the children enables them to relax, eat and play in comfort. Children access play materials with ease because they are stored efficiently in the designated play room. This enables the children to see what is available and make choices from the good range of play materials. Children are safe within the childminding environment and during outings. Good steps have been taken to minimise risks to children through the use of equipment in place and the procedures followed. For example, the fireguards in place, smoke

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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 detectors on all floors, exits secured, safety gates in place, cupboard locks to contain hazards and low level glass protected by film. Children learn about road safety during outings through practise and younger children wear reins or wrist straps. The childminder is knowledgeable about fire safety because she has sought advice from the visiting fire safety officer and implemented recommendations made. The computer plan held reflects the fire exits and assembly points and fire drills are practised. Children learn to keep themselves safe and are protected from potential hazards. Children's welfare is safeguarded well because the childminder recognises the role she plays in protecting children. She recognises the signs of abuse and is familiar with the required procedures to follow. The childminder has attended child protection

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

training and would not hesitate in using the procedures should she have concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are secure and settled in the care of the childminder because she has developed positive relationships with them and makes them feel welcome. This approach contributes to the children's sense of belonging, for example, children can select from resources for themselves and are consulted about their play. Children experience a varied range of activities and opportunities on a planned and spontaneous basis. These include: trips to local museums, visits to the local park and library, toddler group weekly, story times, creative play, outdoor play and more. The written routine incorporates the more structured times for meals and school runs during term time. Children show interest in all they do. The childminder recognises the developmental stages of the children well and responds to the younger children losing interest by varying the play available, therefore children remain motivated and retain their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

interest. The childminder interacts positively with the children as she builds the zoo from bricks and refers to the animals by name. Children learn about colour and size as they are asked to select the big and small bricks and find different coloured bricks as they build. They select and listen to favourite stories and discuss the content of the pictures. Children take part in a wide range of creative activities to express themselves, for example, they visit the craft club weekly, they recognise yearly events such as Mother's Day and Halloween as they make cards or dress up. Older children experiment with science activities and make models from junk materials. As a result children's learning is extended in all aspects and they benefit from the good level of support and guidance they receive from the childminder, which contributes to them having fun. Children relate well to others as they involve the childminder and her son in a game.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children are beginning to socialise with others through the regular attendance at the local groups attended.

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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 beginning to learn about the wider world through the very positive experiences provided, for example, they visit the local museums to extend their understanding of science and culture. They celebrate festivals at the craft club they attend, such as Chinese New year and continue their learning as they make lanterns on their return to the childminder's. However, there are limited resources available to contribute to children's awareness of diversity. Therefore, children's awareness of peoples differences is developing and they learn to treat people with equal concern. Children are well behaved because the childminder uses effective and positive methods for managing their behaviour, for example, children learn why certain behaviour is unacceptable as she explains the reasons to them. Consistent approaches are maintained as the childminder and parents work together. Children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

learn the house rules, such as tidying away toys before getting other materials out to play with. Children's good behaviour and achievements are recognised through praise and therefore children's self esteem and confidence is promoted and they learn to differentiate between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. Positive relationships have been developed with parents. Procedures in place for sharing information include, verbal feedback on the children's day and well being, the sharing of photographs taken of activities and events, details regarding the children's needs and parents in the main give consent to certain aspects of care and sign entries to records.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a high regard for the well being of the children in her care. For example, children are protected from persons not vetted through close supervision and all family members over the age of 16 years have completed the required clearance. The organised environment contributes to the children feeling secure and enables them to initiate and extend their learning through play and activities. Children benefit from the adult support they receive, for example, during the school day and holiday periods the under fives receive more individual attention and therefore their care, learning and play is well supported. The childminder has completed the required first aid training and in addition has attended training courses such as child protection, behaviour management and food hygiene. She plans to attend further training on the equal opportunities and health and safety training. Therefore, the childminder keeps her own knowledge up to date

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Organisation

and this positive commitment to training contributes to enhancing the care that is given to the children. In the main records are in place for recording information relating to the children cared for. For example, the attendance register reflects the arrival and departure

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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 times of the children, medication administered and accidents are recorded and signed by parents and the children's forms reflect care issues. However, signed parental consent for the administration of medication is not available and entries to records for medication and accidents do not always respect confidentiality because of the system used for recording this information. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children cared for.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the last inspection the childminder agreed to address the five recommendations raised regarding children's access to play materials and the range available to promote equal opportunities, safety outdoors, the children's diet and the records in place. Since the last inspection the childminder has taken the following action to address the recommendations previously raised: the garage has been converted into a playroom, which ensures children have easy access to play materials. A small amount of additional play materials which promote equality of opportunity have since been obtained. Safety in the outdoor area has been addressed as the drain is now fitted with a cover. The childminder encourages children to attempt vegetables by including them in their diet. The childminder has a system in place for obtaining parental consent regarding the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment. Parents sign against the details

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Improvements since the last inspection

recorded of medication administered to a child, which they sign against to acknowledge entry.

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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):

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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 • ensure signed parental consent is obtained regarding the administration of medication • ensure systems for keeping records respect confidentiality.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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