Childminder in Cheshire EastOfsted inspection, 29 Sept 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 320270 Inspection date 29 September 2005 Inspector Alison Margaret Walker

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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 was registered in 1998. She works with three assistants. She lives with her husband and their daughter aged eight-years-old in Leeds. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom are used for childminding purposes and there is a garden for outdoor play. The childminder is currently caring for 6 children aged between 11 months and 7-years-old on both a part-time and full-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. The family have a cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to practice effective health and hygiene routines. The childminder gives them constant reminders, and takes all reasonable steps to prevent cross infection. The children have a good understanding of why they need to wash their hands after toileting and before eating. The childminder is a good role model and washes her own hands after toileting, nappy changing and before food preparation. Appropriate arrangements are in place for first-aid and administering medication. The childminder holds a current first-aid certificate, although this expires next month. There is a fully stocked first-aid kit available plus a separate one for outings. The childminder's child sickness policy is comprehensive and is discussed in full with all parents during initial meetings. The parents are given their own written copy of this policy. The childminder obtains written permission from all parents to seek

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Helping children to be healthy

emergency advice and treatment. The children are provided with drinks throughout the day and these are easily accessible to them. They receive a wide range of well-balanced and nutritious meals and snacks, which the childminder ensures are low in fat, sugar and salt. These are provided in line with their individual dietary needs and parents' wishes. Children enjoy a broad range of physical activities and fresh air that contribute to their good health. Each day they walk to and from school. Regular outdoor play and visits to local parks improve the children’s physical skills. They enjoy running, skipping, climbing on different apparatus and playing ball games. The childminder has a good understanding of what types of physical activities to provide and the levels of support needed to give children confidence to try out new skills and set their own limits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a welcoming, safe and totally secure environment. There is good evidence of children’s play and creative activity. The children enjoy attending very much. They settle in well, and are happy and confident. There is a very child friendly playroom that has been specifically developed for childminding. Space is used constructively and activities are well organised. There is suitable low level storage so children can see what is available. Children freely select toys with confidence. They have access to a very wide selection of age appropriate toys, furniture and equipment. All of which are safe and very well maintained, ensuring that the needs of all the children attending are fully met. The childminder takes very thorough steps to ensure the children's safety inside her home. All electric sockets are covered, doors are kept secure, risk assessments and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

fire drills are done. Her fire evacuation plan and procedure is displayed. She has

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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 contact details for the children close to hand so she can access these in the event of an emergency. The children's safety is enhanced by the childminder working with an assistant when she is busy; ensuring all the children receive the support they require. The children are protected from persons who have not been vetted, as they are closely supervised at all times by the childminder and her assistant. Children are developing a keen understanding of how to keep themselves safe. For example, through practicing good road safety routines, a child explains that he holds on to the pushchair when crossing the road with the childminder. She explains to children the importance of being safe and what the consequences might be if they did not practice safety. The childminder does risk assessments on outings to check

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

for safety, suitability and pushchair access. Emergency contact details for all the children and a first-aid kit are always taken. The childminder has all the required policies, procedures and documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She has an appropriate understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are developing their confidence and self-esteem exceptionally well. They are continually praised for effort and achievement and are able to freely select resources. For example, a two-year-old helps himself to paint and paper. The childminder praises him, saying how cleverly he mixes the paints to create different colours. He uses his initiative well, and is very pleased that he is able to mix pink and blue to make purple. The child then compares it to a rainbow. Children are confidently acquiring new knowledge and skills. One baby selects an interactive toy and skilfully operates it to make lights and sounds, and is delighted with the effect. Another child explains that he planted sunflower seed, he watered it when it was thirsty and it grew. Children relate very well to the childminder and are relaxed in her care. She shows very keen interest in their play and encourages them

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to talk about their different experiences. One child plays imaginatively with a toy plane, the childminder chatted to him and he confidently recalls a day when he visited the airport where he saw three planes and a helicopter. She asks questions to make them think, such as, "Have you been on a plane?", the child says he is going on one soon. A varied range of enjoyable outings are organised to local places of interest. These enable the children to find out about their local area; exploring and socialising with other adults and children. A range of stimulating activities are provided that are age appropriate, challenging and interesting. The childminder is highly motivated and significantly enhances the children's learning in all areas of their development.

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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 The provision is good. Parents have strong partnerships and trusting relationships with the childminder. They are listened to and are kept well informed about the provision and their children’s progress. The childminder also encourages parents to share information and to do several visits prior to the child starting so both parents, child and childminder can get to know each other. She works closely with all parents to meet children’s individual needs. This includes dietary requirements, sleep patterns and administration of medication. Detailed information is collected on the children, their families, likes, dislikes, religion and health history; all of which is are regularly updated with the parents. Children are developing a very good understanding of responsible behaviour. They

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are encouraged to be polite, to share, be kind to each other and are praised for doing so. Children are very well behaved and well mannered, clearing away one activity before getting out another and before lunchtime. Older children are consulted in setting ground rules. These are displayed in the playroom. Children gain awareness of their local environment and the diversity of the wider world through a good selection of resources and activities. They all promote positive images. The children enjoy taking part in activities about different festivals and events. They gain sound knowledge of other cultures through a range of interesting activities, such as, tasting food from different countries, dressing up and role play. There is no gender bias, for example, boys enjoy playing with dolls and pushchairs. All children are involved, fully included and have access to appropriate toys and equipment.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children’s care is enhanced by effective organisation. The childminder regularly evaluates her practice and she feels this would be enhanced by attending training on 'Birth to three' matters and behaviour. By attending training, the childminder is continuing to improve her knowledge and childcare skills, which in turn, has a positive impact on the children. She has a good working knowledge of the National Standards. She understands how to interpret them in the best interests of the children she cares for and they form the basis for her policies and procedures. She is currently developing her understanding of how the National Standards link into the new outcomes for children. All the required documentation is in place and this contributes to the good management of the childminding service she provides. All information on the children is stored confidentially but easily accessible if needed in

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Organisation

an emergency. This is regularly shared with parents and updated. The children are happy, settled and confident. This is because the childminder ensures the children have consistent routines. She uses her time, space and resources appropriately to create a stimulating, interesting and safe environment for the children. The children are closely supervised by the childminder and her assistant. She always ensures that the adult-child ratios are maintained. The childminder is aware of all legal requirements. For example, she ensures that her

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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 assistants have had enhanced criminal record checks. Overall, the provision meets the needs of all the children that attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All actions raised at last inspection have been completed ensuring the children's health and safety needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 01April 2004 a complaint has been received regarding National Standard 6: Safety. A visit was made to the childminding premises by a childcare inspector to investigate the concerns. No actions were raised and the childminder continues to remain qualified for registration. 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): • ensure first aid training is updated every three years.

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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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