Childminder in WiganOfsted inspection, 17 Feb 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 322642 Inspection date 17 February 2006 Inspector Angela Rowley

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 was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 8 and 18 years in a detached house within the borough of Wigan. Mr Gaulton works part-time as her assistant. The playroom, kitchen, dining room, conservatory and ground floor toilet facility are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding 4 children under 5 years on different days across each week and also one child over 5 years after school.

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 walks to the local school to take and collect children. The family have a pet dog. She holds an NVQ level 3 in childcare and education.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. There are extensive procedures in place which are used effectively to manage children's health. This ensures that the childminder is highly knowledgeable about medical requirements, such as food allergies which she researches fully to ensure that children's health needs are met. Children instinctively practice good hygiene because it is highly promoted and consistently practised in the setting. They become increasingly independent in their own personal care, such as changing and washing without reminders, after nursery and in preparation for lunch. Children help themselves to their own individual cups when thirsty and they enjoy fresh fruit at snack time. A detailed healthy eating policy is consistently practised and imaginatively promoted. Pre-school children know that brown bread makes them 'big and strong'. They talk about the 'good foods' they are growing, such as tomato

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

plants. They enjoy the healthy meals on offer because they play an active part in their preparation. Children develop a positive attitude to physical exercise. Babies and pre-school children enjoy regular music and movement sessions alongside weekly visits to soft play centres, which promote more vigorous play. Older children know the benefits of walking to and from school. They enjoy regular play on equipment at local parks.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in very well maintained premises. They play freely within the small playroom and kitchen, although their movements are then restricted because of the childminder's supervision concerns. Risks of accidental injury to children both in and out of the home are minimised because the childminder is extremely vigilant and uses risk assessments to reduce potential hazards. Children learn about potential dangers and how to protect themselves from harm as they participate in planned activities. These include 'stranger danger' and 'stop, look, listen'. They make displays of their associated artwork as constant reminders. These high quality learning opportunities are completed in response to the childminder's assessment of children's learning needs and contribute extensively to their safety. Children use good quality equipment appropriate to their ages and stages of

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

development. Effective storage systems ensure that children receive a balanced range of play opportunities. However, a limited range of baby equipment means that some areas of early development are not fully promoted.

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 are well protected from potential abuse or neglect. The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures linked to her written policy for parents.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time in the setting. They come in smiling and happy to be there after a morning at nursery. They are eager to get on with their day and operate independently, changing from their uniform and washing ready to make their own sandwiches for lunch. Close and caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and develop a strong sense of self. Communication skills are very well supported through quality adult-child interactions, such as jokes and sharing humour, counting the quarters together as they cut the sandwiches and recalling past experiences which makes children think and remember. A broad range of interesting activities are well planned, using the childminder's developing knowledge of both the Birth to three matters framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum. This provides children with many valuable opportunities for learning and support individual developmental progress. Children

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

begin to make sense of the world and express their ideas as they join in a broad range of exploratory and sensory experiences. For example, babies explore treasure baskets and older children grow fruits and vegetables in both indoor pots and in the garden. Generally, children's achievements are very good, although babies lack some opportunities to develop early physical skills due to the limited range of equipment which promotes this.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are warmly welcomed and play a full part in the provision because their individuality is loved and respected. Children are independent operators. They play very well together, co-operating and respecting each others turn. They receive many valuable opportunities to learn about the world they live in through planned activities, outings and visits in the local community. Children's behaviour is excellent because they receive such good levels of support. The childminder has high expectations and sets consistent boundaries. Children are helped to learn right from wrong and take responsibility for their own behaviour through planned activities, during which they set the house rules. Children use their manners impeccably. An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to children's well-being. Parents views about their child's needs are actively sought before the child starts. A

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

secure gradual admission programme ensures that parents and children are

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 confident with their carer. Extensive written information ensures that parents are fully informed about how the setting operates along with continual exchanges of information. This ensures that children's needs are met and consistently followed.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to continually developing her knowledge and skills. Thorough evaluation systems ensure that the quality of the provision is frequently monitored and improved. The childminder uses her assistant appropriately to ensure children's needs are met and that they are well supported. All legally required documentation in addition to an extensive range of policies, procedures and information about children are well kept and regularly reviewed. This contributes to children's health, safety and well-being. A very child-centred playroom is provided. Space within the provision is sufficient to meet children's basic play needs although the organisation and use of space limits children's abilities to move around freely and access alternative activities. Overall, the high quality of the provision means that the needs of the range of children who attend are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder make improvements to her procedures for recording medication. Children's health and their safety has been improved because recording systems have been improved to incorporate all required details and parental signatures.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted has received one complaint, since the last inspection relating to National Standards 2: Organisation and 6: Safety. The complaint related to numbers of children being cared for and also safety aspects of transporting children in a vehicle. We carried out an investigation on 4 May 2005. We found no evidence that the provider was not complying with the National Standards. We took no further action and the provider remains qualified for 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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 The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

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): • review the availability and use of space to ensure that it is sufficient for children to move around freely and access alternative activities • increase the range of available baby toys to ensure that all areas of development are promoted.

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