Childminder in Warrington

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY306455 Inspection date 07 September 2005 Inspector Chris Scully

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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 satisfactory. 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 8 and 10 years in Warrington. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. An enclosed rear garden is available for out door play. The childminder is currently minding two children aged 2 and 9 years, before and after school; and drives to local schools to take and collect children. The family have a pet dog and hamster.

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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 She receives support from the local authority and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about the need for good personal hygiene through a variety of daily activities such as, washing their hands before meals. Older children are developing an awareness of good hygiene practices to keep themselves healthy this includes, ensuring the table is cleaned before they make biscuits. Children understand the importance of washing their hands after touching the family pets to keep themselves healthy. However, good hygiene practices are not followed with regards to the dog's toileting area within the garden. Children enjoy regular outdoor play and visits to local parks where they can run around and use the large equipment. Children are aware of their own needs such as, time for a rest or drink. Older children are confident to prepare their own snack when they come in from school under the childminder's supervision. Children benefit from a range of home cooked healthy,

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Helping children to be healthy

nutritious meals and snacks such as, kebabs and fruit salads. They freely access fresh drinking water to keep themselves refreshed. The childminder has effectively sought information from the parents to enable her to provide appropriate food and drinks to all children. Children all sit together for their evening meal and enjoy a relaxed social occasion where they share news, engage in conversations with the childminder and other children. The childminder has effective systems in place to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met well.

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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 warm, well maintained home where risks are mostly identified. However, due to the lack of storage in the garden at this time, there are some accessible hazardous tools. Children are confident to move freely, safely and independently indoors. Children are happy and feel safe and secure in their environment. Effective systems are in place for keeping children safe when travelling in a vehicle. Children are confident to explain the importance of wearing seatbelts to ensure their safety. They learn to keep themselves safe when going to school through discussions with the childminder about using the green cross code. The childminder provides a range of good quality resources that are appropriate for the ages and stages of development of the children. These are well organised and enable children to self select their resources and choose where to play, this means

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children's independence is successfully fostered. Toys are sited appropriately

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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 outdoors to maintain children' safety and minimise the potential risk of injury, for example the swings are appropriately secured on the grassed areas. The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues and any subsequent action she may need to take to protect children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled at the childminder's. Children are very positive about their time spent with the childminder and her family. The childminder builds good relationships with the minded children that enable them to feel secure and comfortable in her care. Minded children enjoy the company of other children and have made firm friends. They play well together and happily share resources with others. They are confident to explain what they are doing and support each other in their play, such as helping younger children to decorate their biscuits with icing sugar. Children have a good sense of belonging. Their art work is displayed with pride successfully fostering their self-esteem. They are confident with the daily routines and times for collecting younger children. Children talk excitedly about a recent trip to the reptile house, to see the scorpions and spiders. The childminder has successfully

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

reduced one child's fear of spiders, through discussions and her own positive attitude. This has enabled the child to deal with spiders in a calm controlled manner and has effectively enhanced her confidence and self-esteem. The childminder is knowledgeable about the children in her care and provides a range of activities to support their interests such as, helping children achieve their badges for Brownies. Children are very confident to ask questions, to voice their opinions and to offer new ideas for example, suggesting different ways to decorate their biscuits. This is effectively supported by the childminder's skill of asking open ended questions to enable children to think and solve problems. Children receive high levels of positive interaction from the childminder that enables them to feel secure and fosters their self-esteem. Children are interested eager to participate in activities such as making bird feeders and hanging these out for the birds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are engaged in a range of interesting and stimulating activities that promote their development. The children's welfare is promoted by the appropriate use of documentation and record systems. The childminder is proactive in seeking information that enables her to provide good care to children this includes their daily routines, likes, dislikes and favourite activities. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They learn about different cultures and beliefs through planned activities such as, learning to count to 10 in Pakistani, Chinese, Dutch and French. Children also acknowledged festivals through out the

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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 year for example Chinese New Year and learn to wish each other happy new year in Chinese. Children are well behaved. They respond well to the childminder's requests such as helping at tidy up time and confidently clear the table after snack time and put their dishes away. They use manners appropriately when making a request such as please and thank you. They share resources well and take turns appropriately. Children receive high levels of praise and encouragement from the childminder which successfully fosters their confidence and self-esteem. Children have a good sense of belonging and make themselves at home, they are confident and feel safe in their surroundings. The childminder has a positive relationship with parents. They effectively share information on a daily basis about their child's day. Clear written information is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

provided by the parents to alert the childminder to any changes in their routines or activities after school for the following week. This means the childminder can effectively plan her time to ensure all the children's needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home in the well organised environment and are able to express themselves well in their surroundings, confidently selecting where to play and their resources. The childminder makes good use of the space available to provide a well balanced range of activities to children. Resources are well organised this enables children to self select their resources which enhances their independence. Children are confident to initiate their own play, for example to play outdoors or with electronic toys. The childminder has a sound understanding of the National Standards and ensures all persons over the age of 16 years are suitable vetted. Clear procedures are in place to provide emergency cover to ensure continuity of care for the children. Legally required documentation which contributes to the children's health safety and well being is in place. However the childminder does not hold a current first aid

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Organisation

certificate as it has just expired and the polices and procedures are not formalised. Overall, the needs of the children are met.

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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 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.

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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): • make sure that good hygiene practices are followed in respect of the dog's toileting area in the garden • ensure children can play safely within the rear garden • obtain a recognised first aid certificate and ensure all policies and procedures are formalised.

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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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