Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 304686 Inspection date 07 February 2006 Inspector Suzette Butcher

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 13 and 12 in Handbridge, Chester. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play and the family have a pet rabbit. The childminder is currently minding 4 children on a part-time basis, of whom, 3 are under 5 years. She walks to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children. The childminder takes children on walks and on outings in the local area.

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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 satisfactory. Children are comfortable and cared for in a warm, welcoming home where hygiene routines are in place to protect children and minimise the risks of cross infections. Children wash or have their hands wiped before eating and older children look after their own toileting needs. They understand that they are washing away germs when they wash their hands after stroking the rabbit or before they handle food. Children are encouraged to develop independence and confidence in their personal care and self help skills as they practise with dressing up clothes or help to blow their own nose. Every child enjoys participating in physical play. Outings to parks and walks by the river provide opportunities for healthy exercise and to develop skills on large play equipment. A game of ball or a ride on a toy car in the garden encourages children to develop their physical skills. Children's health and dietary needs are protected in accurate records and parent's

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Helping children to be healthy

preferences are respected. Healthy options are available at snack time with a choice of fresh fruit or a plain biscuit. Parents provide all their own child's meals. Children access their own drinks independently and young children are offered drinks on a regular basis. Everyone enjoys sitting together at the table to eat at meal times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move about safely and explore accessible areas within the childminder's home where potential risks are successfully assessed and safety issues considered. For example, a large safety gate restricts younger children's access to the kitchen to minimise risks after the childminder realises that they can easily move the smaller safety gate. Young children are safe and well supervised indoors and outdoors. Safety items such as reins or wrist straps are used on outings to ensure children's safety on busy roads. Older children understand and respect boundaries within the home and learn about keeping themselves safe as they use the Green Cross Code when crossing roads. Children confidently select their own toys from a collection of resources in accessible boxes in the lounge. Younger children have limited access to resources that are more suitable for older children because they are stored away or kept in another room.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This enables children to make their own choices from an age appropriate selection. Good safety standards are maintained with all resources and the childminder checks equipment on a weekly basis to make sure all items are safe. Children are encouraged to help to tidy away and take care of equipment as they put puzzles back carefully or neatly fold dressing up clothes. Children are able to rest or sleep in comfort. They benefit from recognised homely routines and have access to familiar comforters when tired or feeling unwell. Children are protected by the childminder's

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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 sound understanding of child protection issues and procedures. Contact details are available and the childminder attends relevant training to update her knowledge.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle happily with the childminder and confidently start to explore play opportunities on their own or with other children. They have time and space to choose their own games and develop imaginative and exploratory games with play phones, dolls and small world toys. Younger children enjoy experimenting with cause and effect toys and they are offered appropriate support and encouragement to complete a shape sorter. Children enjoy a balance of free play and adult direction when the childminder introduces new ideas or redirects games. However, play opportunities are limited with few opportunities for young children to investigate and experiment with natural resources or different sensory materials. The Birth to three matters framework has not been fully introduced to extend learning experiences for younger children. Children enjoy being with each other and share warm relationships with the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder. Communication and language is encouraged and developed by the childminder as she listens and responds to children's questions and comments on their play. Children enjoy looking at books and sharing a story together. Older children initiate and develop imaginative role play games where they dress up as a princess or create a picnic for everyone to join in. Opportunities are organised for older children to enjoy age appropriate activities away from the younger children. They explore creative activities with gluing, sticking and colouring or they make interesting shapes and patterns with play-dough. They help with baking and make biscuits under the childminder's supervision. Every child enjoys outings in the local area when they go to feed the duck on the river or look forward to special trips to the zoo.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn how to share, take turns and play cooperatively in imaginative games and free play situations. Young children happily explore the opportunities available together and gradually learn to be careful and gentle and respect each other's needs. Children relate well to the childminder and enjoy lots of cuddles and hugs when they seek comfort and reassurance. They enjoy snuggling up to share a story together and happily make room for another child. The childminder regularly offers each child praise with reassuring smiles and encouragement to promote their confidence and self esteem. Minor disagreements are skilfully dealt with in a way that is appropriate to each child's age and stage of development. For example, a younger child is distracted and redirected to play with a second phone when two children want the same toy. Older children are encouraged to be aware of and understand the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

consequences of their actions through quiet discussion.

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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 Children are helped to consider and value diversity in the childminder's sensitive care. They have access to a good range of resources such as books, dolls and dressing-up clothes that promote positive images of race, gender or disability. Older children share their experiences from nursery when they introduce new words from the Chinese New Year and organise tea parties with oriental foods. Children with additional needs are supported and actively included and individual preferences are identified and acknowledged. Information about individual children's progress and interesting events are shared with parents in daily chats at handover. Time is taken to share any further information with parents in phone calls or quiet private discussion. The childminder passes on messages to and from a child's teacher to create positive information links. Children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

settle in quickly and happily in the homely environment. Parents are pleased that their children are very happy in the childminder's home and comment on their overall satisfaction with the quality of care provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and relaxed in the homely environment where areas are organised for different activities such as investigating opportunities in the lounge or playing with play-dough at the kitchen table. Children are able to make choices and select toys from accessible storage in play areas. They enjoy opportunities to go on walks and outings in the local area or to collect other children from nursery in a clearly planned daily timetable. The childminder is experienced and has a basic understanding of child development. Children benefit from her relaxed approach where their individual personalities are allowed to develop. Documentation is in place to meet the basic requirements to protect children. The childminder verbally informs parents of her policies and procedures on their first visit. However, parents are not given information on the policies and procedures in the

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Organisation

event of any complaints. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to increase resources and toys which reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity and disability. A good range of toys and resources are available for children to benefit from the positive images of diversity.

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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.

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Complaints 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

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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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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): • increase knowledge and understanding of Birth to three matters framework to increase opportunities for young children • provide a complaints policy and procedure for parents.

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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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