Childminder in WiganOfsted inspection, 16 Dec 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY308983 Inspection date 16 December 2005 Inspector Angela Rowley

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged 3 and 7 years. They live in a detached house within the borough of Wigan. The whole ground floor of the childminders house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She holds a National Nursery Examination Board certificate and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good. Children's health is generally well protected as the childminder has some good systems in place which prevent the spread of infection, and which support children's understanding of hygienic practices. For example, children are provided with individual hand towels hung on photographed pegs in the bathroom. Pre-school children know when their noses need wiping and also know that they need a clean tissue each time so that there are no germs. However, children's health and safety is compromised because the childminder has not completed a relevant first aid course. Children are well nourished because the childminder plans and provides a balanced menu and encourages children to eat healthy snacks. Children learn to respond to their own bodily needs as they are able to access drinks in their own individual cups when they are thirsty. They are also able to rest or play as they wish because both

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Helping children to be healthy

the childminder and the environment supports this. Children maintain a healthy lifestyle because the childminder encourages them to walk to school each day. They enjoy some physical exercise on a daily basis either by play on equipment at the local park or via play with a good range of equipment in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a very clean and well maintained home. They play freely and independently accessing an extensive range of good quality toys, they direct their own choice of activities, because the home is effectively organised and made safe. For example, children independently select paper, pens and craft items from a multi-drawer cabinet in the dining room and make their own pictures on the pre-covered dining table. There are some very good opportunities provided from which children learn how to keep themselves safe. The childminder has liaised with the road safety unit to provide high visibility jackets and arm bands which children wear on the walks to school. Also children know about fire safety procedures because the childminder has practiced a drill with them. She has a suitable risk assessment system in place, which reduces the risk of accidents although, she has not sited her fire blanket

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

appropriately which compromises children's safety in the event of a fire in the home. Children's welfare is sufficiently protected because the childminder knows many possible indicators of abuse and neglect in addition to the basic procedures to follow in the event of concerns. She has some previous working knowledge of the issues.

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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 provision is good. Children make very good progress in their learning and play because the childminder plans and provides a broad range of interesting first hand experiences from which children learn and enjoy. For example, a theme based on the 'very hungry caterpillar' story leads to activities such as making and decorating butterfly biscuits, making butterfly prints with paint, and doing a mini-beast hunt. Children are permanently occupied because the childminder provides an environment that is rich in play and learning opportunities. She uses her knowledge of how children learn very well and encourages them to direct their own activities, fulfilling their own natural curiosity. For example, when baking biscuits children measure out the ingredients, mix, roll and use the cutters completely independently,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

under the direct guidance and supervision of the childminder. From this they talk about and experience the texture of the flour, whether the cup is 'full' yet and whether the pastry is 'too hard' to roll. Children are settled, at home and have their needs fully met because the childminder interacts gently, lovingly and is very approachable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individuality is fully respected as the childminder knows each child very well and is quick to identify and respond to their individual needs, for example, when children are hungry, need a rest or a cuddle. They are confident and have high levels of self esteem because the childminder makes them feel valued by providing welcome gifts, rewards for achievements unique to them and uses terms of endearment such as 'chick' and 'big girl'. Children experience diversity in their play as there are many positive images within their toys that promote this, including, dressing up. However, activities to increase children's understanding of different ways of life, although planned, have not yet taken place. Mostly, children behave very well because they are constantly occupied and because their needs are fully met. Positive systems are used to reward wanted behaviour which is practised so consistently that even young children know when they deserve

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Helping children make a positive contribution

a sticker. However, strategies to manage older children do not take account of their growing maturity. Children benefit from secure relationships developed with parents. The childminder has adopted many positive systems which promote partnership such as a gradual admission process, admission questionnaire regarding children's needs and routines, discussions around parental wishes and some useful written information that explains about the childminder and how she operates her provision.

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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 Overall, the provision meets the needs of children who attend because the childminder uses her knowledge and experience of how children learn very well to create a setting that provides stimulating activities, and a rich play environment that promotes independence and free choice. She shows awareness of her own strengths and weaknesses as a provider and has taken some appropriate action to ensure any training needs are met. Children are welcomed into a very child centred environment where space is used effectively to enable their play and developmental needs to be met. The childminder plans and uses her time well which ensures that children have very good levels of support and enables her to respond to children's needs quickly. The setting is effectively managed because the childminder keeps well maintained

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Organisation

records and provides some useful additional information for parents to explain how the setting operates and how children's needs have been met each day.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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): • site the fire blanket in accordance with the manufacturers instructions • develop the behaviour management systems used with older children to take account of their understanding and maturity by involving them in the setting of rules and expectations for their behaviour

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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 • ensure that a local authority approved childminders pre-registration course and a relevant first aid course are completed.

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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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