Childminder in Wigan

Inspection report for early years provision

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322581 Unique Reference Number 17 April 2008 Inspection date Ann, Theresa Flynn Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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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.

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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 husband and their eight year old daughter in Standish, near Wigan. The childminder is registered to care for five children under the age of eight years; currently there are nine children on roll, whose ages range from 14 months to nine years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children have access to parts of the ground floor and there is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is qualified to level 3 in childcare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The health of children is satisfactorily promoted. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating, following outdoor play and after toilet use using 'special' soap. They have opportunities to sleep within a flexible daily routine, which helps to promote their good health.

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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 A sick child policy is provided to parents and therefore, parents are made aware of how their children are to be cared for should they become ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children regularly access fresh air and exercise. They play in the garden, walk to school daily and visit places, such as the park and local parent and toddler groups, thus helping to promote their physical well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with healthy nutritious snacks and meals, which include a variety of fruits and vegetables. Drinks are freely available throughout the day within age-appropriate containers, which children freely access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are satisfactorily cared for in a suitably maintained and clean environment. The organisation of toys and equipment means that children can move around safely to enjoy a basic range of resources, which they freely access, thereby providing children with some choices for their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is generally maintained because measures are in place to minimise hazards, such as safety gates, hazardous substances stored at a high level, a fire blanket and smoke detectors. The childminder tries to ensure the premises remain safe for children by undertaking risk assessments of the premises. However, low level electrical sockets are not protected. The children are involved in regularly practising the emergency escape procedure, thus helping to develop their understanding of how to keep themselves safe in an emergency. Children's safety is maintained when they are away from the premises by developing their knowledge of road safety and 'stranger danger'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is suitably protected because the childminder has some understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of concerns. She knows the signs of abuse and neglect and she is aware of the role of the social services, thus helping to keep children in her care safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children present enjoy individual attention from the childminder who is attentive to their needs. Children choose what they want to play with and have free access to basic resources. Children enjoy chalking on paper at the dining table and enjoy dressing up from a range of resources, which they choose themselves, thus helping to develop their independence and providing free activity choices.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are taken on outings to various places within the local community, such as travelling on a bus to the local town, thereby helping children to develop their understanding of the world in which they live.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to enjoy themselves during their time at the setting, through play and through positive praise and encouragement. The childminder helps children to make progress in their learning through her basic knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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 being introduced in a basic manner to diversity through discussions and some activities. Activities reflecting various celebrations include Chinese New year, which involves children in making dragons on sticks and tasting Chinese foods. Easter celebrations involve children in making Easter bonnets, thus helping to develop their understanding of the diverse society in which they live. However, there are no resources in place which reflect diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed by the use of praise, encouragement, explanations and time out, to help children to understand about acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. The childminder uses regular praise when children display positive behaviours to help to develop their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are satisfactorily met due to the positive relationships which have been established with parents. Information is shared through verbal discussions, daily information records for the younger children and some written policies and procedures, thus helping parents remain informed about the service their child receives.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The day is planned following a flexible daily routine to cater for children's individual needs. Space used by children within the home is satisfactorily organised so that they can play, rest, eat and socialise in comfort. Children freely access basic play resources depending on their choice.

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Organisation

Children receive satisfactory levels of support, the childminder provides one-to-one attention to children, being attentive to their needs and thereby ensuring children's individual needs are met.

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Organisation

All the required documentation is maintained in line with National Standards.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection there were six actions raised in relation to safety, activities and play resources and documentation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The majority of the actions raised have received attention. Safety has been improved by hazardous substances and dog food being housed out of the reach of children, the rabbit hutch being removed, frayed carpet made safe, safety gates being provided on the stairs and appropriate first aid training being completed. However, electrical socket covers were not in place at time of the inspection and therefore a recommendation has been raised relating to electrical sockets following this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Activities have been developed appropriate to children's ages and stages of development. However, resources are basic and therefore a recommendation relating to resources and the childminder's knowledge of child development has been raised following this inspection.

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Improvements 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 Documentation has been developed, a complaints procedure is now made available to parents and a complaints record is maintained. Children's individual details are maintained in the accident record and within the record of attendance.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Due to the actions taken the care and safety of children have been enhanced.

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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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • promote the safety of children by making hazards safe • help children to enjoy and achieve by developing a wide and varied range of play resources and by developing knowledge of the new Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum • develop resources which reflect diversity.

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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

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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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