Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY248691 Unique Reference Number 08 January 2008 Inspection date Christine Stewart Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2002. She lives with her partner two children and step-daughter in Birkenhead, Wirral. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom and middle bedroom on the first floor is used for childminding. There is a garden to the rear of the property which can also be used by the minded children.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a comfortable setting and good hygiene procedures are in place to prevent the spread of infection. The resources are clean and checked on a regular basis to ensure their continued safe use. Children learn about personal hygiene through following basic hand washing procedures before eating and after using the toilet. There is a written sick child policy in place to ensure children are protected if they become unwell. The childminder has attended first aid training in order to protect children's welfare.

p.2

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 The childminder prepares all meals daily using fresh and occasionally organic produce to provide children with a nutritious diet. They are offered healthy snacks during the day which maybe apples, raisins or similar healthy options. Children are regularly given drinks and drinking water is always made available to them.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily access to activities in fresh air which promotes a healthy lifestyle. Children learn to enjoy physical exercise as they can access a range of equipment in the back garden. They regularly visit parks and open spaces where they can use the large apparatus to help develop control of their bodies. Children develop their fine motor skills when they use play dough, colouring crayons, writing tools and handle small play equipment.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a warm, friendly atmosphere for children to feel secure in her care. They have sufficient space to move around and enjoy their play activities in the house and the garden. Children's welfare is safeguarded as they regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedures. The childminder has generally made her house safe and has identified most potential hazards. Stair gates are in place at the bottom of the stairs and across the kitchen door, to ensure children can access these areas under her direct supervision. However, animal food and drink bowls, hazardous items on the window ledge and landing, require attention to minimise the potential hazard they could present to children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a good range of equipment. These are clean and maintained to ensure their continued safe use. Children are comfortable in the setting and space is well used to accommodate their needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an adequate knowledge of child protection procedures. The childminder is aware of who to contact if she has concerns and has appropriate numbers in place to promote children's welfare.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children access a varied range of play experiences which contributes to their learning and development. Activities available to them are age appropriate and meet their individual needs. Children enjoy colouring reading and constructing with the blocks. They enjoy exploring texture when playing with the dough or in the sand in the garden. Children access outdoor play activities either in the childminder's garden, or by going out with the childminder to local places of interest. They enjoy planned outings which extend their learning and are fun, such as visits to the urban farm and toddler sessions.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident and secure in the childminder's care. Established routines for snacks, lunch, deliveries and collections help children to feel secure and able to predict their day. The childminder fosters relaxed and warm relationships with the children which helps to promote their self-esteem. Interaction between the childminder and the children is good, as she spends time playing, listening and talking to the children, helping them to learn.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children behave well due to the childminder's good awareness of effective behaviour management strategies, which are appropriate to the differing ages and stages of development of the child. The childminder is calm and positive with the children, using praise to promote good behaviour and develop a child's self-esteem.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children can access all resources with no gender bias. The childminder continues to develop her resources to promote children's understanding of diversity, however, there is insufficient opportunity and resources for children to gain awareness of the wider world and to value difference.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive relationships are established with parents, who are verbally informed of their children's care arrangements. Information about the children is obtained prior to the minding arrangement commencing, this informs the childminder of children's individual needs and contributes to the children settling well. The childminder will text parents during the day when they first commence to reassure them and inform them as to how their child is settling. The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet children's individual needs.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has recently returned from maternity leave and is in the process of reviewing all written policies and procedures to share with parents. Some existing documents refer to when the childminder was co-minding so do not all contain relevant information to accurately inform parents of the service provided. All records and information required to meet the individual needs of the children are in place. However, the complaints procedure does not give parents the details they would require should they wish to make a complaint.

p.4

Organisation

Children have access to a good range of equipment. These are clean and maintained to ensure their continued safe use. Children are comfortable in the setting and space is well used to accommodate their needs. Flexible planning is in place to provide children with opportunities to enjoy a variety of play experiences within the house.

p.4

Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection three recommendations were made. To complete an accurate register of attendance; to practise emergency evacuation procedures with the children; to increase resources reflecting positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. Two of these recommendations have been met with positive effect on children’s safety, welfare and learning. The childminder has recently returned from maternity leave so has not developed further resources and opportunities for children to develop awareness of diversity so this remains a recommendation at this inspection

p.4

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

p.4

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 required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 all areas used for minding are safe and free from hazards • further develop the complaints procedure to ensure it meets with the requirements and all details provided to parents are accurate • continue to develop resources and opportunities for children to develop awareness of diversity.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5