Childminder in Wirral

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 306248 Inspection date 01 December 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 1992. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Oxton, Wirral. She works together with an assistant. The whole of the first and ground floors of the childminder’s house are used for childminding, the bedrooms are used for sleeping only. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time when working alone. When she works with an assistant she may care for a maximum of seven children at any one time. She is currently minding nine children on a part-time basis, all are under five years of age. The childminder goes to 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 pre-schools and nurseries to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children participate in activities that promote a healthy lifestyle such as having regular fresh air and exercise and making good use of equipment that promotes their all round physical development. The childminder has a wide range of wheeled toys, as well as climbing and jumping apparatus to develop their strength and co-ordination. 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. They have their own towels, preventing cross contamination. The childminder keeps good records with regards to accidents but does not yet record existing injuries to ensure that the children are fully protected. The childminder has good procedures in place if the children become ill in her care. She contacts parents and the children do not attend if they have a contagious or

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Helping children to be healthy

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.

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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 very well organised welcoming environment in which they can feel secure. The playroom is decorated with children's art work and colourful posters, giving them a sense of belonging. They confidently select toys and equipment from the broad accessible range provided. The childminder checks them regularly to ensure they are safe for the children to use. All areas of the premises are made safe due to the childminder's ability to make thorough risk assessments suited to the children's different ages and abilities. An evacuation plan has been devised and practised with the children so they are familiar with the procedure to protect themselves in an emergency. The children learn about keeping themselves safe when out in the community through repetitive procedures, such as when the childminder teaches them about road safety. This, coupled with the childminder's continual vigilance in supervising the children keeps them safeguarded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and will take the appropriate action if an accident occurs. She has a good understanding of child protection procedures thus ensuring that the children are protected.

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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 and settled and confident in the stimulating setting. Their independence is enhanced as they freely select toys and activities which are of interest and stimulating, playing with a well equipped farm set and talking about the animals. They eagerly interact with the childminder, who listens to them and takes an active interest in what they are doing. Children use their time purposely and enthusiastically, however, the childminder does not yet use Birth to Three Matters to help her to plan for the next stage of their development. They participate in a wide range of activities for a sustained length of time such as enjoying stories. They interact well with each other showing a respect for others around them. Children initiate conversation and are willing to talk about what they are doing and recalling events such as going on a train. Children have opportunities to enjoy a wide range of activities which develop their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

creativity and imagination such as craft, small world play, music 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 objects. They enjoy their play such as when they play with the well equipped train track.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave well. They respond positively to the childminder's positive approach to good behaviour through effective praise and encouragement. Children learn what is expected of them through the childminder's clear ground rules. Children benefit from the good partnership between their parents and the childminder. 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. The childminder ensures that the parents are fully informed of their child's day through informal chats as well as daily diaries. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their specific needs are identified and accounted for by working with parents. Children are beginning to develop an awareness of diversity and their understanding of others is developed when they have access to dolls and books provided by the childminder and when they celebrate

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Helping children make a positive contribution

festivals such as Chinese New Year. However the childminder does not have resources to reflect disabilities; this limits their opportunities to gain an understanding of this area of diversity. The children feel secure as the childminder is familiar with their routines and supports them well in gaining confidence, for example, encouraging children with independent feeding.

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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 The organisation is good. The children benefit from the childminder's thoughtful approach to their care and well being. She ensures that Ofsted have been kept informed of changes; this ensures that persons over 16 in the household are checked and the children are protected. The childminder has further developed her childcare knowledge through training which is beneficial to their needs. She keeps well organised records and shares these appropriately with parents, thus contributing to safeguarding the children. However, she does not record when her assistant is present. The rooms in the childminder's home are well laid out to incorporate free play and relaxation. Children have good support in the way in which resources and activities are used for their social, emotional, physical and creative

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Organisation

development, giving them great enjoyment. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Some recommendations were made at the last inspection, these related to the presentation of toys and equipment, knowledge of child protection and medication records. The childminder now presents her toys and equipment attractively and has made them easily accessible to the children; she has attended a child protection training course; has obtained parents written permission for seeking emergency first aid and treatment; and has a system in place for completing medication records in the correct way.

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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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • extend the existing range of resources, activities and play opportunities to reflect and promote positive images of disabilities • provide broader challenges for children under 3 using the Birth to three matters framework as a guidance • improve record keeping by ensuring that a record is kept of when an assistant is present and by recording existing injuries.

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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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