Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY302660 Inspection date 14 September 2005 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 March 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and four in Little Sutton, Cheshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding plus all rooms on the first floor with the exception of the main bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child under 5 on a part time basis and one school age child before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a rabbit and a guinea pig.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local parent and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained environment where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. However, they share towels which leads to cross contamination. The childminder's clear sickness policy is shared with parents and helps protect the children from the spread of infection. She contacts parents and the children do not attend if they have a contagious or infectious condition. Children learn the importance of eating a healthy diet with the childminder encouraging them to eat a wide variety of whole foods as opposed to processed. She provides them with a varied diet in consultation with parents and can cater for any special dietary needs. They have free access to water throughout the day, this also ensures their good health. Children enjoy physical activity which promotes good health. Daily outings and

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Helping children to be healthy

planned activities such as jumping on the trampoline and visits to the park improve children's physical skills. Children have the opportunity to relax on the settee or in the travel cot if desired.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe, and comfortable environment. There is good space for them to move around freely and there are also suitable facilities for them to relax and rest. The childminder has a good awareness of risks and hazards and gives high priority to minimising risks and helping children understand how to take care of themselves, both in the home and when on outings. She encourages children to stay close to her or hold hands and teaches them about road safety and stranger danger when out in the community. The childminder takes care to ensure that the wide range of toys and equipment available for the children is of good quality and is appropriate for their age and stage of development. However they are not arranged to allow the children good opportunities to make independent choices of the toys they want to play with and activities they wish to pursue. The childminder's basic knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

ensures that if she has concerns for a child she would act in their best interests to protect them.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and confident in the setting due to the childminder having a good understanding of their emotional needs. They eagerly interact with the childminder, who listens to them and takes an active interest in what they are doing. Children use their time purposefully and enthusiastically. They participate in activities that sustain their interest and promote their learning as they count, read books and make jelly. Children have opportunities to enjoy a wide range of activities that develop their creativity and imagination such as craft, small world play and dressing up. The younger children develop skills in socialising with a wider group of children when they attend a local toddler group. Their language development is encouraged as the childminder talks to them about what they are doing and encourages them to identify animals and the sounds they make. They enjoy their play such as when they

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated with equal regard and their differing needs are met well. Children are warmly welcomed into the setting and have good opportunities to learn about themselves and the wider world. They have access to resources that reflect positive images of society such as books and dolls. This promotes their understanding of the world and provides children with positive images of race, culture, disability and gender. Consequently, children are developing self esteem and respect for others. Children behave well. They respond well to the childminder's positive approach to good behaviour through effective praise and encouragement. This is further enhanced by effective strategies used such as stickers. Children understand what is expected of them through the childminder's clear ground rules. Children know they are valued as the childminder gives them full attention and immediately responds to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

their requests. Children benefit from close links between the childminder and parents. Information is shared between them to enable the children to feel confident and secure. Children's home routines are followed to enable them to settle in happily. The childminder and parents work together to ensure consistency for the children in their learning and development as the childminder completes a detailed daily diary.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The rooms in the childminder's home are well laid out to incorporate free play and relaxation. They benefit from the childminder's thoughtful approach to their care and well being. She has further developed her childcare knowledge through training that

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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 is beneficial to their needs. The childminder cares for children within the required ratios this ensures children are safe and make progress in all areas of their development. Relevant documentation in line with the requirements of the national standards is in place. However the registration certificate is not displayed. The childminder has developed policies and procedures which are clear and comprehensive and shared with parents. This keeps them informed of all aspects of the service and contributes to children's care and well being. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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): • display the registration certificate in order to make it more accessible to parents • review methods for hand drying to improve prevention of cross contamination • make sure that toys and equipment are organised so that they are readily accessible to children and allow them to make choices and initiate and develop their own play and activities.

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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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