Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY364228 Unique Reference Number 11 August 2008 Inspection date Margaret Patricia Mellor 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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with her partner and three children aged two, four and 11 years in Litherland. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for children's care and activities. There is a secure, fully enclosed garden for children's outdoor play. The family has two rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years at any one time. At the time of inspection there are no children on roll. The childminder would walk children to places of interest and attend the local toddler group or library story times. She receives support from the local authority and is a member of Morton Michele Easy Mind.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children’s good health is promoted. Systems are in place to gather information from parents regarding medical needs, dietary requirements and allergies. She describes how children would learn about their personal hygiene through their normal daily routines and, for instance, through discussions about cleaning their teeth. Discussion and previous menus suggest that children would be provided with a healthy balanced diet, including home cooked meals and fresh fruit. The childminder also shows a strong understanding of the need for children to have drinking water accessible at all times. There are appropriate procedures for the safe storage and preparation of babies formula milk, which will contribute to their health needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder shows a good understanding of the importance of physical exercise and fresh air to promote children's health and development. She says babies would be encouraged to bear weight on their feet with adult support, and there is a garden were children can play and run around. They would have access to various wheeled toys and climbing resources to promote their physical skills. Further opportunities, such as walks to the park and visits to an activity centre, suggest worthwhile occasions for children's physical development.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's home is warm, comfortable and well maintained. She demonstrates a good understanding of health care issues, that will help to safeguard children from the risk of infection. For instance, she explains the procedures for nappy changing, wiping down surfaces and cleaning the toys. She has a relevant first aid certificate, and the first aid box contains all the required items, so that children's minor injuries would be dealt with appropriately. There are appropriate procedures for recording children's medication and accidents, and for seeking parental consent should children require emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has prepared written policies on her procedures to follow should children be sick or require medication. There are appropriate procedures for looking after the rabbits, and parental consent for children handling animals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has taken appropriate action to ensure that risks both in and outside her home have been minimised, so that children can play safely. The premises are secure, and there are appropriate procedures for the collection of children in an emergency. All the necessary safety equipment is in place throughout her home, for instance, a fire blanket, smoke alarms and safety gates. This suggests that the risk of children accidentally injuring themselves will be minimised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates good methods for keeping children safe whilst on outings. She says she would closely supervise children at all times, and use appropriate harnesses, wrist straps and buggies for young children. She would encourage children to have an awareness of road safety and to learn the importance of holding hands and staying close to her. Parental consent forms are in place for children's outings and the use of public transport.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Play resources are organised in a manner which helps to promote children’s free choice. They are sufficient, of good quality and easily accessible in toy boxes at child-height. The garden is

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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 fully enclosed and will provide children with a variety of safe challenges on the portable toys and larger play equipment. There are appropriate procedures for checking the toys and equipment so that children remain safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder shows a sound understanding of safeguarding children and child protection issues. She has accessed safeguarding training, and prepared a written policy. She has a copy of the government booklet 'Your responsibilities if you have a concern about a child' and the local Safe Children Board Procedures. Discussion and documentation reveal that she is secure in her knowledge of the procedures to be followed should she be concerned about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has prepared written documentation about her daily routine and planning activities. Through discussion she demonstrates that she has a sound knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the importance of using observation to evaluate how children are developing and enjoying their play. She has an assortment of toys and resources that help younger children to become inquisitive and make connections. For example, discovering visual and sound effects when playing with interactive toys. She talks about encouraging children’s language through reading stores, and their creative skills through drawing and painting. The childminder says that she helps to build on children's learning by repeating unfamiliar words, and talking about colours or shapes whilst playing with the blocks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder talks about activities that she provided for the children she previously minded. She explains how the children enjoyed various art and craft activities, such as making cards and collage displays, and using glue and different textured materials. She says that children particularly enjoyed puzzles, small world play and singing rhymes with actions. They enjoyed socialising with others whilst at the local playgroup and on their visits to places of interest, such as the library, squirrel reserve and farm when she says they had great fun feeding the goats. Photographs also show children's obvious enjoyment when exploring soft play at an activity centre.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder feels it is important to provide children with a friendly environment where they feel welcomed. She explains how displaying the children's paintings and making toys accessible to them, helps to make her home relaxed, bright and attractive to the them. She has a satisfactory understanding of how to encourage children to develop positive attitudes towards others. She talks about celebrating others cultures, and providing children with multi-cultural toys, and resources that reflect positive images of race, culture, gender and disability. However, these are not fully reflected in the range of play materials or activities. She has not previously minded children with learning difficulties or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows a sound knowledge of behaviour management. She gives good examples of how she would approach situations with regard to dealing with unacceptable behaviour. For example, distraction, offering alternatives and consideration for younger children. She discusses how children’s sense of belonging can be promoted by developing their self-esteem through plenty of praise and encouragement, so that children know what they have done well and achieved.

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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 The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to developing positive and professional relationships with parents. She has prepared a portfolio, which includes her policies, and a welcome pack about her activities for new parents. She has a complaints procedure and records should parents wish to report a concern. She says that information was previously shared through writing in the child's day diary and through conversations with parents as they arrived. She clearly recognises that it is in children's best interests to develop close and meaningful relationships with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has all the regulatory documentation in place, and demonstrates through discussion how children's accessible records will be kept confidential. She has retained relevant documentation with regard to previous children she has minded and these are made available for inspection. She explains how training, such as food safety, and her range of policies and procedures have worked in practice to support children’s health, safety and enjoyment whilst in her care. She has resource materials, such as the 'Early Years Foundation Stage' but has not accessed any child care courses or briefing sessions since registration. Therefore, she is not fully familiar or up to date with current issues.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of safeguarding and promoting children's welfare. She ensures that adults who live in her home have had relevant checks to ensure their suitability to be around children. She explains how she would work within the correct ratios so that children are afforded appropriate adult support. Discussion and activity plans reveal that children would be afforded a good balance of home based care with outside visits when they can meet up with others. The childminder describes how she will organise the space and play materials to support children's play and learning experiences whilst in her care.

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Organisation

Overall, evidence suggests that the provision would meet the needs of the range of the 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

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

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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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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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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): • continue to develop the range of resources and activities that promote children's awareness of diversity and culture • become familiar with and keep up-to-date with current child care issues.

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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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