Childminder in Knowsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY101312 Inspection date 22 November 2005 Inspector Margaret Patricia Mellor

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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 2002 and works with another childminder. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 5 and 7 years in the Prescot area of Merseyside. The den, kitchen and 2 first floor bedrooms of the childminder's home are used for childminding. There is a secure, fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and six when working with another childminder. She is also registered to provide overnight care for one child. There are eight children on roll aged from 1 to 5 years who attend part time. The childminder either uses her car or walks to collect children

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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 from school and take them places. She regularly attends the local toddler group. The childminder has a relevant child care qualification and is trained in Maketon sign language. She has 10 years previous experience of working in day care settings. She is supported by the local authority and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She informally networks with other local childminders.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for are in a clean, warm environment. They thrive because the childminder follows good hygiene practices such as no outdoor shoes worn inside, washing the toys regularly and wiping down surfaces with disinfectant. This helps prevent the spread of cross infection and benefits children's health. The childminder acts in children's best interests when they are ill, has effective procedures for applying sun creams and keeps a fully stocked first aid box close at hand, which further contributes to children's wellbeing. Young children show patience as they begin to learn simple good personal hygiene practices as the childminder sensitively helps them with such as wiping noses and as they sing songs about brushing their teeth. Older children independently wash their hands as part of the daily routine and understand that this helps stop germs spreading so they stay well.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's interest in food is nurtured because the childminder provides them with many healthy snack options which helps promote their growth and development. They are encouraged to try a variety of tastes such as a sandwiches, strawberries, bananas, dried apricots and yoghurt which increases their awareness of a range of textures. Most children bring a packed lunch from home, which contributes to their dietary needs and parents wishes so they remain healthy. Young children independently drink from a feeder type cup, which improves their coordination and older children help themselves to water or sugar free juice from a jug to satisfy their thirst. All children benefit from fresh air and a change of environment every day through lots of walks to such places as the park, shops or school. They love to run in the garden, push or ride on wheeled toys, hop and play ball or skipping games, which helps them

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Helping children to be healthy

to balance and improve their coordination. Babies' eagerness to be physically active is recognised and encouraged by the childminder as she helps them in their efforts to stand and bear weight on their feet. Older children go to weekly swimming lessons, which further contributes to children's physical development and understanding of a healthy lifestyle.

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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 Children play and move around the childminder's home safely and with confidence. Young children begin to learn about personal safety as they practice what to do if there is a fire and as the childminder talks to them about crossing roads when they go for walks. Older children take responsibility for keeping themselves safe through the childminder's gentle reminders not to have too many toys out, which helps prevent tripping hazards; and because they know that only adults open the front door. This fosters and extends children's understanding about how to keep themselves safe. The childminder takes all the necessary precautions to ensure her home is safe, such as safety gates so children can not wonder into areas that compromise their protection. This means the risk of children accidentally injuring themselves is

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

minimised. Young children's welfare is safeguarded as they sleep because they are harnessed in the lie back buggie and the childminder is close at hand to respond to their wakening. The childminder ensures parents give written permission for children to travel in a vehicle and that all children are appropriately secured so they travel in comfort and safety. Children's protection is further assured through the childminder's sound understanding of indicators of abuse and what to do in the event of identifying a concern. Her willingness to make notes on existing injuries and discuss these with parents ensures that the wellbeing of children in her care is a high priority. Children independently choose activities from a broad range of resources, which comply with safety standards and are in good condition. The carefully chosen resources are stored appropriately so young children can not reach toys with small

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

pieces so their safety is not compromised. Children have much fun as they play with the many toys and relax in comfort using the child-sized furniture available. Young children love toys that make sounds and gain independence as they confidently self select play materials that appeal to them, which helps build children's self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are clearly relaxed and at ease in the childminder's home, which helps promote children's personal, social and emotional development. They benefit from consistent everyday routines, such as meals, quiet times and school runs, which contributes to children's sense of security. Children's self-esteem is encouraged through the childminder's positive support, praise and encouragement that helps children feel good about themselves. Young children relish her close contact and show interest in the toys and activity going on around them. This helps build young children's confidence to initiate their own play and learning. Older children have a good understanding of how to behave and keep themselves healthy and safe. Children have a good time in the childminder's home because she fills their time with lots of enjoyable activities, which helps children develop their skills through play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They love to use their imaginations as they dress up, paint and have regular story times. Children take their imaginations out into the garden as they make a den in the tent and play games such as hide and seek, which further contributes to their creativity. All children relish sensory experiences as they explore different textures

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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 books, play in the water and delight as they hear the different sounds they make with the musical instruments. They enjoy celebrating a range of festivals and different lifestyles. Young children make good progress because the childminder adapts such activities as story telling and singing to meet their developmental needs. They listen and respond gleefully to rhymes with actions and repeat simple words they hear as the childminder talks to them about the animals in the story book. All children explore a wealth of living things from trees to watching the frogs or birds in the garden and watering the seeds they have planted, which helps them learn about the natural world. Children further benefit from activities outside the childminder's home as they go for walks to such places as the park or shops and love going to the garden centre or on

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

visits to other childminders. Young children begin to appreciate the company of others, which enables them to play sociably alongside one another and with each other while the childminder is close by for reassurance.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individuality is respected because the childminder knows them well and makes allowances for their different personalities that helps children feel valued. All children display their paintings in the childminder's home and this contributes to their sense of belonging. They develop a generally good appreciation of people in the wider community through walks to the park, through the toys they play with and as they celebrate a range of festivals such as Christmas and Diwali. However, there are few resources reflecting positive images of disability, which means that children's understanding of different lifestyles is not fully extended. Children behave very well and the childminder's continual use of praise and encouragement helps create a positive environment where children feel valued and good about themselves. Young children relish the childminder's gentle interactions as

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Helping children make a positive contribution

they play together with the toys and as she takes time to listen to what they have to say, which builds children's self-esteem. They are encouraged to take responsibility for their own behaviour through the childminder's gentle reminders to help tidy away toys and older children understand that they are not allowed to jump on the furniture. This helps all children learn right from wrong. Children show care and concern for one another as they share the toys and play with the baby who responds with lots of chuckles. Children are happy, confident and enjoy a very warm relationship with the childminder. The childminder works in close partnership with parents to ensure that she understands children's individual needs and home routine so all children settle well. At the initial visit she shows parents her portfolio about her childminding activities, which reassures parents that children's interests come first. There is good ongoing

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Helping children make a positive contribution

sharing of information though young children's 'all about my day' diary sheets and chats at going home time. Parents comment very positively about their children's care and the warm relationships they have with the childminder. This meaningful relationship between home and the childminder clearly contributes to children's

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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 continuity and improves the quality of care offered.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for as part of the family in a secure environment because the childminder has written procedures so that children are only collected by authorised people and unvetted persons are not allowed access to them. All children enjoy freedom of movement as the childminder organises the space well, which means children can relax or sleep or be active according to their respective needs. Children further benefit from consistent everyday routines and a good balance of home based care with outdoor visits because the childminder plans the activities well. The childminder is very experienced in child care and shows much enthusiasm about improving her knowledge of child development. She regularly attends training events such as Birth to three matters and 'portage awareness'. The childminder uses this knowledge effectively so children are provided with a range of activities, which

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Organisation

enhances the quality of care offered. The childminder maintains all the daily records well, such as the children's register of attendances, their contact details and medication records. This contributes to the effective management of the childminding provision and helps promote children's welfare. Information is shared with parents regularly and she has prepared well written policies, which include behaviour management, complaints and emergency evacuation procedures. This helps build meaningful relationships and reassures parents that children's interests come first. Good documentation in combination with training, such as first aid, child protection and food hygiene further supports the childminder in safeguarding children's wellbeing. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were three recommendations agreed at the previous inspection, which referred to safety and documentation. The childminder has replaced the garden steps, is maintaining an up-to-date record of child attendances and has devised an emergency escape plan, which children practice regularly. These are further safeguarding children's welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. The provider is 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.

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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 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): • take steps to build on the range of children's' resources that reflect positive images of disability.

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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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