Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY350188 Unique Reference Number 21 April 2008 Inspection date Michele Anne Villiers 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 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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and 16 years in Knowsley, Merseyside. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, and is currently minding four children under five and one child over five. The childminder walks or transports children in a vehicle to local schools and places of interest. The childminder takes children to local parks and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder takes positive steps to help prevent the spread of infection and promote the good health of children. The home is clean and well maintained, and children remove their outdoor shoes on arrival. Children are encouraged to learn about personal hygiene through routines such as regular hand washing. They have their own hand towel and children's potties

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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 are provided to aid their independence. All documentation is in place regarding the recording of accidents and the administration of medication. The childminder has completed training in first aid, in order to deal with minor injuries.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy, balanced diet. They enjoy home made meals, such as roast chicken dinner with fresh vegetables. Snacks include slices of fruit, yogurt or cheese sandwiches. Children help themselves to drinks of water to quench their thirst, and milk is also offered at mealtimes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical activity is encouraged throughout the day. Outside, children run around in the garden. They access a wide range of large apparatus, such as swings, a climbing frame, a slide and a large trampoline, in order to foster their strength, balance and coordination. Indoors, children play on a small bouncy castle and have sufficient space to freely move around. Babies and young children receive close attention with cuddles and comforting words from the childminder, promoting their emotional well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a welcoming and safe environment. The designated play room is well organised and very child centred. Children independently access a good range of suitable toys and resources, including child size furniture. All safety measures are in place within the home. However, in the garden there are some hazardous materials, such as an open black bin bag storing a mat and some small broken toys posing a possible risk to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about safety during play. The childminder frequently reminds them to be careful when running around and when opening doors. On outings, the childminder uses buggies, reins and wrist straps to help keep children safe and teaches them about road safety. She closely supervises young children and babies are securely strapped into high chairs for meals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a suitable understanding of child protection issues and safeguarding children. She has attended training sessions and has written documentation on what to do should she have any concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder plans and provides a wide range of activities and playing opportunities to help children develop their emotional, physical, social and intellectual skills. She uses opportunities during play to make it a learning experience. For example, children discuss the colour of their crayons, and count how many building blocks they have. The childminder introduces number songs to reinforce their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a variety of art and craft activities, making collage pictures using glue and different textured materials. They have many opportunities to use their imagination. They re-enact life at home, pretending to cook, clean and go shopping. They have fun dressing up in different outfits, and playing with the puppet theatre using various hand puppets. The childminder creates games to promote the children's sensory skills. For example, she makes 'feely boxes' and children explore and describe the different textured materials inside the box whilst blindfolded.

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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 The childminder supports children well during play, sitting on the floor with them and motivating their interests. She includes babies in the play, holding them whilst gently bouncing on the bouncy castle and singing songs. The children's communication skills are fostered well as the childminder talks and listens to children, using good questioning. Children also enjoy looking at books and listening to stories. The children socialise with others when they attend the local toddler group each week.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop a good sense of belonging and settle well in a caring environment. The childminder respects the children's individuality and liaises with parents to ensure that their needs are met. Children learn about diversity through some planned activities. For example, they celebrate Chinese New Year, discussing their own birth signs in relation to the Chinese symbols. However, there are very limited toys and resources that reflect positive images of race, culture, gender and disability to further reinforce the children's learning and understanding of the world in which they live.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is consistent and fair in her management of children's behaviour, taking into account their level of understanding and ability. She reminds children to share and take turns, with constant praise and encouragement to reinforce their good behaviour and reward their achievements. There is a written statement on managing the children's behaviour to share with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are welcomed into the home at any time, providing opportunity to exchange information about their child. Parent contracts and consent forms are in place and the childminder records information about babies' and toddlers' daily activities in individual notebooks for parents to take home.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder demonstrates a keen commitment towards improving her own personal development and is enthusiastic about the care of children. She has attended appropriate training sessions and workshops since registration and has ensured that all adults living at home have completed suitable checks.

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Organisation

She plans and uses her time well in order to meet the children's needs and provides interesting play opportunities. She is well organised and creates a stimulating, child friendly play space in a family home. All regulatory documentation is in place and the childminder has devised some written statements on her policies and procedures. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration, 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

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 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 all hazardous materials are removed, or made inaccessible, in the garden prior to children accessing for outside play • provide more toys and resources that reflect positive images of race, culture, gender and disability.

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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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