Childminder in Wigan

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 322581 Inspection date 21 June 2005 Inspector Angela Rowley

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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 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 has been registered since June 2000. She lives with her daughter, in a semi-detached house, which is situated close to all local amenities in Standish town centre. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding, with access to the first floor for bathroom purposes only. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder may care for a maximum of five children under eight years and is

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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 currently caring for six children at different times across each week.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are beginning to understand how to keep themselves healthy through consistent and effective personal hygiene routines. The childminder encourages hand washing at key times by the provision of children's pump soap dispensers and encourages early starters to bring toothbrushes which encourages good dental hygiene. A broad range of wholesome foods and snacks are provided taking into account individual dietary needs. This ensures that children are well nourished and learn about a healthy diet. Younger children are able to demonstrate their individual preferences as they make choices about what salad items they like and don't like with their snack. The childminder prepares food freshly each day and uses specific ingredients to enable children with food allergies to be fully integrated into group mealtimes. Children benefit from regular opportunities to access fresh air and physical exercise

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Helping children to be healthy

during walks to and from school each day and during play on a suitable range of equipment in the garden. This improves children's physical skills and maintains a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm home that is adequately maintained but where some minor hazards are identifiable. They feel welcome because the childminder organises her space and toys effectively providing children with independent access to a broad range of interesting resources. They are able to move from room to room with confidence, explore and experiment in their play whilst closely supervised by the childminder who monitors their choices to ensure that they are safe and developmentally appropriate. Whilst children have access to a range of good quality toys, the childminder has not paid sufficient attention to assessing her equipment to ensure that children's developing needs are met, and lacks for example, appropriate seating to enable toddlers to learn to feed themselves and share mealtimes with others. Children learn about safety in the home through consistent messages. Younger

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children know for example that they are not allowed in the kitchen. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand about fire safety and practices drills with them regularly. Children's well being is not sufficiently protected as the childminder is not clear about the roles of herself and others in any child protection situation. She has a sound

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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 understanding of possible indicators of abuse but is unsure of the procedures to follow in the event of having identified a concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle extremely well and are very secure in the childminders care. Young children have a strong sense of belonging and feel able to snuggle in to their carer for a quiet moment and talk happily about the other children usually in attendance. Young children become skilful communicators because the childminder engages in purposeful conversation with them at all times. She uses age appropriate explanations and questions children well to extend their thinking. Children are engaged in a wide range of interesting activities such as painting, baking, cutting and growing seeds, and they develop good levels of independence because they are able to self select their toys. The childminder has an awareness of the Birth to three matters framework but as she no longer keeps written plans of activities she has not put it into practice. Older children develop confidence and self esteem as they are included in planning a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

wide range of interesting and exciting activities over the school holidays. Regular outings give them opportunities to socialise with others and to experience new things for example a planned 'bug' event at a local leisure facility.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed into the setting because the childminder values and respects their individuality. She ensures that their specific needs are met whilst they are fully included in all aspects of the provision. She encourages freedom of choice and promotes non gender stereotyping although children have fewer opportunities to develop an understanding of different ways of life. Children's behaviour is good. The childminder uses consistent, age appropriate explanations to help them learn right from wrong. She has a strong understanding of appropriate behaviour management techniques although she does not share this with parents to ensure consistency and agreement with them. The partnerships with parents are generally well developed. The childminder encourages an effective 'settling-in' process which enables relationships to be established and information about children's care needs to be shared. Adequate

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Helping children make a positive contribution

working agreements are established and parents are provided with some information about the provision.

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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 Overall, the provision meets the needs of all children who attend because the childminder effectively manages her time to ensure that all children receive sufficient support and adult attention and children feel at home in the well organised and stimulating environment. The childminder uses her knowledge of early learning to provide developmentally appropriate activities although she has never updated her provision or her knowledge and skills particularly in the areas of child protection and first aid which compromises children's health and safety. Most documentation is kept in line with minimum requirements within the national standards although no written consents from parents to allow the seeking of medical treatment is available. The systems used to organise written information are also

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Organisation

ineffective and results in some records not being available for inspection when being examined by other agencies.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection three recommendations were made most of which have been fully implemented. The childminder was asked to ensure that all long term resident visitors to the premises were suitably cleared and she is now aware of the procedure to ensure that this is done. She was also asked to make improvements to documentation. Registers now detail children's individual hours of attendance and some of the childminders policies and practices have been written down to use with contracts which ensures that they are shared with parents, although this area could continue to be developed. The improvements made have contributed to the safety of children and the organisation of the provision.

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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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that children are provided with suitable equipment which meets their needs and promotes their development • improve (your) knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and complete an appropriate first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure that documentation, namely accident and medicine records, are available for inspection at all times and request written parental consent for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment

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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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