Childminder in Liverpool

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 322310 Inspection date 25 January 2006 Inspector June Cotton

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 16 and 8 in Norris Green, Merseyside. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding plus the bathroom and small front bedroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time, she is also registered to care for children overnight. She is currently minding 3 children under 5 years of age and 4 children who are school age. The childminder walks to a local school to take and collect children. She childminder attends the local

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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 parent/toddler group and she is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder is also a member of a local childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good personal hygiene. For example, they know to wash their hands and brush their teeth to be clean and healthy. This is promoted because the childminder talks to the children about the importance of being clean and healthy. However the children are not as well protected from sickness and infection due to the childminder not keeping up to date with current food handling practices. She promotes good hygiene routines in the setting by ensuring toys and the environment are clean, this reduces the risk of cross contamination. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder takes into account the dietary requirements of children and works in partnership with parents to ensure children have healthy nutritious foods. She has a good understanding of healthy eating, offering non-processed foods. Meals are well

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Helping children to be healthy

balanced and offered in line with home routines. Children enjoy physical activity which promotes good health. Daily outings and physical activities in the garden such as riding bikes and climbing up slides improve children's physical skills. Babies have opportunities to roll and learn to sit up with the support of the childminder. There is a good balance of active and quiet times throughout the day with children's rest needs taken into account in the daily planning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The setting offers ample space for children to play in comfort and to pursue different activities with an area to relax or rest. The garden is fully enclosed and suitable for safe outdoor play. The childminder has many excellent resources. Toys and books are set out at low level allowing children to freely select and make their own choices in play. The childminder checks the play materials to make sure they are complete and clean for children to handle. Storage facilities allow the childminder to arrange toys to ensure only those which are age appropriate are accessible to the children attending. Children are cared for in a safe setting. Hazards are minimised as the childminder completes a routine safety check before children arrive. An evacuation plan has been prepared and practiced with the children so they are familiar with the procedure and are able to protect themselves in an emergency. Different procedures have been

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

devised for both daytime and night as the childminder provides occasional overnight care. Children learn to keep themselves safe when out and about as the childminder fosters their understanding of road safety. This is reinforced by visits to groups made

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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 by police officers who talk to the children about in-car and road safety. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and will take the appropriate action if an accident occurs. Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and is aware of her responsibility to implement these. Following some recent training the childminder has updated her policy to tally with the latest guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have extremely warm relationships with the childminder and relax well in the setting. Their independence is enhanced as they freely select toys and activities which are of interest and stimulating. They also benefit from planned activities which fosters emotional, intellectual, and social development. Children respond creatively as they engage in sensory play and clearly enjoy exploring the different textures of the baby toys and respond to the colours and noises of musical toys. Children's care and development is promoted highly effectively through observations of children and fully including them in the planning of activities and outings. This means they are able to make choices and freely pursue their interests, for example choosing trips to a building site and the fire station. Children's needs of varying ages are met very well because the childminder adapts activities and play opportunities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder for example, uses the Birth to three matters framework as a highly effective tool when planning activities for young children. As a result, all children play purposefully and enjoy the good range of activities and resources which enhances their progress. Their love of nature is developed as they are encouraged to grow strawberries and carrots and help to choose plants for the garden. The younger children develop skills in socialising with a wider group of children when they attend local toddler groups. Their language development is encouraged highly effectively as the childminder talks to them about what they are doing, encourages them to identify objects and reads them stories. They enjoy their play such as when they dress up, make meals in the play kitchen and play peek-a-boo. They enjoy a wide range of activities that develop their creativity and imagination such as when they paint, create collage and make papier-mâché shapes. Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enjoy activities that sustain their interest and promote their learning such as when they bake, sometimes making lasagne, reading books, and completing jigsaws. They assist with the shopping, purchasing their own things, learning about handling money and making healthy food choices.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has a very good understanding of diversity. All children are treated

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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 with equal regard and their differing needs are met well. Children are very warmly welcomed into the setting and have good opportunities to learn about themselves and the wider world. They have access to some excellent resources that reflect positive images of society like books, jigsaws, dressing up clothes and dolls. This is further enhanced by visiting places of interest and celebrating festivals such as Divali and Chinese New Year. They gain a thorough understanding of disability through stories and activities such as writing with their feet. This is highly effective in promoting their understanding of the world and provides children with positive images of race, culture, disability and gender. Consequently, children are developing excellent self esteem and respect for others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have good behaviour which is encouraged by meaningful praise and high levels of support from the childminder. This is further enhanced by effective strategies used such as rewards. The childminder has basic ground rules and the children learn to respect each other. Children know they are highly valued as the childminder gives them full attention and immediately responds to their requests. Partnership with parents contributes significantly to the children's care and well being. They are fully informed of all aspects of the service and their child's routines of the day. Parents views are actively sought prior to the minding arrangement starting. Children and parents have opportunities to familiarise themselves with the new setting through settling in visits and they are given copies of the childminder's policies and procedures. The childminder ensures that the parents are fully informed of their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

child's day through informal chats and diary sheets. Children's development records are also shared regularly and discussed with parents. This excellent partnership contributes to the children being well settled and confident.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and are comfortable with the daily routine and organisation which means they are confidently exploring and investigating play materials and equipment. Written policies and procedures are used during discussions with parents and information is shared with them daily, keeping them informed about the service and their child's development. The childminder has further developed her childcare knowledge through numerous training courses which are very beneficial to their needs. She is very keen to do further training which will further improve her knowledge and be advantageous for the children. The day's activities are organised to provide opportunities and experiences both inside and outdoors. A flexible timetable is followed to facilitate taking and collecting children from school. Local facilities are effectively used with visits to toddler groups, parks and play areas. Children have good support in the way in which resources and

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Organisation

activities are used for their social, emotional, physical and creative development, giving them great enjoyment. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Organisation

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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Improvements since the last inspection

An action and two recommendations were made at the last inspection regarding sleeping arrangements for babies, the availability of drinking water and obtaining permission from parents to seek emergency treatment for the children. They have all been completed. The babies have the option of sleeping in a travel cot, drinking water is freely available to the children all day. The childminder has obtained parents written permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice and treatment in the future.

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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. There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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): • develop up to date knowledge of food hygiene to further improve the prevention of the spread of infection

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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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