Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY232384 Inspection date 19 December 2005 Inspector Gillian Sutherland

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged 8, 6 and 5 years old. They live in a house on the outskirts of Ellesmere Port. The house is a short drive away from local schools, and places of interest. The areas of the house which are used for childminding are all on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden at the rear of the house, which weather permitting, is used for outdoor play activities.

p.2

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 registered to provide care for six children at any one time and there are currently eight children on roll, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children access a very varied range of activities and experiences both indoors and out, which promote being healthy. Children access many purposeful outdoor activities, which develop their physical skills and these include playing on the swings and climbing apparatus in the spacious garden. Children also play organised ball and team games and visit local places of interest. Examples of places visited include a local zoo and also Techniquest, which is a science museum where children of all ages learn how things work and why. Children are cared for in a home that is extremely warm and welcoming to them; they learn simple good health and hygiene procedures as part of their daily routine. They are fully aware of the need to wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day, for example before mealtimes, after participating in a messy play activity and also after going to the bathroom.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are discussed in detail with their parents prior to care commencing. This ensures that the children are looked after in accordance with their parents' wishes and their individual dietary needs are fully met. Children are offered a varied range of healthy meals and snacks, which contributes towards their understanding of healthy eating. A sample menu is available for parents to look at and discuss with the childminder. Children's lunches and snacks are provided and prepared by the childminder. Drinks, including water are given to the children and the older children can freely access one at any time, but the younger children are not able to freely access their own drinks.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are allowed to move round freely and play safely. To ensure children are safe the childminder has taken reasonable steps to minimise or eliminate any potential risks or hazards, and has in different areas within the home fitted effective safety equipment. An example of this is in the kitchen where all low level cupboards containing hazardous materials and substances have had child safety catches fitted. Children do participate in regular fire drills ensuring that they are fully aware of the evacuation procedures that would be followed in the event of a fire. Children are well informed about road safety dangers through discussion and participating in good practice as they go on frequent outings with the childminder to many local places of interest.

p.3

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 Children can freely self select toys of their choice, from a wide and varied range of good quality toys and resources, all of which are clean and well maintained. The broad range of toys and resources is appropriate for children in the different age groups, which the childminder currently cares for. Children can very easily access which toys they want to play with as they are stored in such a way that promotes freedom of choice. The childminder has a very sound knowledge of child protection issues and she has a copy of the local child protection procedures, which she has familiarised herself with and would refer to for contact details as and when required.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children access a wide and varied range of play activities and experiences, all of which contribute to their learning and development. The activities available to them are age appropriate and meet each child's individual needs. Children have fun as they eagerly access many outdoor play activities in the spacious garden which is well equipped with children's toys, climbing apparatus and swings and also as children are taken to local places of interest. The children are settled and enthusiastically take part in both planned and free play activities. Interaction between the childminder and children is good and when appropriate, she does participate with them in their play activities. Children have the opportunity to explore a range of shapes and textures through their art and craft work and the childminder talks to them about different shapes. This was observed during the inspection visit as the children were making Christmas tree decorations made out

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of pastry. The childminder took great care to explain to the children how their created shapes would have to be baked before tying a ribbon on them and hanging them on the tree. Some of the completed decorations were seen and included a selection of wreaths, stars and bells. The childminder gives meaningful support and praise to acknowledge their achievements. Children are confident and encouraged to make decisions throughout the day, as they easily and freely self select which activities they want to participate in or which toys they want to play with.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled and comfortable in the childminder's care because she develops positive relationships with the children and makes them feel welcome. Children's individual needs are identified during a pre-admission discussion with their parents and an agreement reached as to how those needs will be met. Children's progress and development is shared effectively with parents in different ways, including verbal feedback as children are collected, or through written and pictorial development records. Children's art and craft work completed during the day is given to them to

p.4

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 take home, enabling their parents to see the types of art and craft work undertaken. Children learn about the world around them and develop an understanding of how and why people differ from one another. This is achieved by children accessing a varied range of toys, resources and activities which increase their awareness of diversity. Children have the opportunity to self select which activities they want to participate in and which toys they want to play with and there is no gender bias. Good behaviour is positively promoted in the childminder's home and children behave well and have good manners. Appropriate strategies are in place to manage children's unwanted behaviour and to hopefully achieve some consistency, the strategies used by the childminder to manage such behaviour are included in the

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

pre-admission discussion held with parents. Parents have access to the childminder's comprehensive written policies and procedures and these also form part of the pre-admission discussion.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home in this well-organised and stimulating environment. Children can initiate and extend their own play and learning by easily accessing toys and resources of their own choosing. The childminder provides good levels of support and supervision to meet the needs of the children well. Children settle well and are made welcome by the childminder. The childminder keeps parents fully informed about the children's day and the activities they have participated in, and children take art and craft work home on a very regular basis. The childminder ensures that all personal documentation relating to the children she cares for, is stored in a safe and secure place, thus ensuring confidentiality for the children and their families. All legally required documentation relating to children's health, safety and well being is in place. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that appropriate information is maintained before administering medication to a child in her care. The childminder has now devised appropriate documentation for parents to complete prior to such medication being given. There were also two issues relating to safety raised and the first was to ensure that fire drills were practised and children made aware of the evacuation procedures that would be implemented. The childminder has indeed practised fire drills with the children, who are now aware of the procedures to be implemented in the event of a

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 fire. The third recommendation related to some materials that were in the garden following the completion of some work and the childminder ensured that it was cleared away at the earliest opportunity and the garden was made a safe area for the children to play in.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • consider how drinks can be made freely accessible to all children in the different age groups

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6