Childminder in Wigan

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 322556 Inspection date 11 July 2005 Inspector Anne Mort

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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 2001. She lives with her partner and 3 children aged 8 and 9 and 9 in Orrell, near to Wigan. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There are four children on roll. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

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 provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities that contribute to their good health. The toys and equipment on offer enable children to practise their physical ability and develop fine and gross motor control. Children make good use of outdoor apparatus and have freedom of movement to use their developing skills. High priority is given to cleanliness and children practise good hygiene habits with hand washing a part of the daily routine. Nappy changing presents as very good practice in preventing the spread of infection. Children begin to understand what constitutes healthy eating and are offered frequent drinks. Children's dietary needs are well met and they are presented with healthy meals and snacks. Parents wishes are respected as the childminder works in

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Helping children to be healthy

consultation with them. Parents are given opportunity to record their child's health and dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move round the home independently. They freely select activities from a range of good quality toys and equipment. Children's physical skills are developing and their safety is supported as their play is supervised by the childminder. She monitors their choice of materials to make sure they are safe and appropriate for the children's age and stage of development. Risks to children indoors are minimised as the childminder takes reasonable steps to ensure their safety, for example, the provision of safety gates in the home and locked cupboards. On the whole children are presented with age appropriate and safe toys and equipment. However further risk assessment is to take place outside with regard to the swing in the rear garden to ensure children's safety. Children's welfare is supported by the childminder's awareness of her role in child protection issues. However, this would be improved upon if the childminder were to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle very well in the childminder's home. They are confident and relate well to the childminder. They are developing manipulative skills and learn through the direct interaction of the childminder. She guides and supports their play. Children also have opportunity to freely choose an activity. This is due to the childminder presenting age-appropriate play materials that are easily accessed. Children develop their communication skills as the childminder uses age-appropriate conversation and questions. She listens to the children's confident attempts to reproduce sounds and words. The childminder promotes the children's independence

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 by offering varying levels of support. Children are encouraged to try activities themselves, for example, using building blocks and stacker cups. Children relish sensory experiences such as the handling and scrunching of paper and, at times, of being allowed to walk barefoot on grass. Children spend their time purposefully and thoroughly enjoy exploring a wide range of interesting play materials. Children also experience the wider world as they are given opportunities for trips out.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's needs are met as they take part in a care routine agreed between the childminder and the parents. Children with special needs would be welcome if the childminder felt she could meet a specific need. Children play harmoniously and are well behaved. They can choose where to play and what to play with. This develops their independence and own thought processes as they select resources and activities that interest them, for example, the stacker cups. Children can access age-appropriate toys and equipment but their knowledge of the wider world would be enhanced if the childminder presented resources or planned activities that promote positive images of culture, gender and disability. Parents note on documentation all relevant details about their child to enable the childminder to provide appropriate care. There are arrangements in place for the childminder to exchange information about a child and the day's events as the child is

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's care and wellbeing is supported. The childminder is aware to keep children safe from persons who have not undertaken a vetting procedure. She is vigilant when on outings. Children are secure and at ease in the childminding environment. Children play in tidy, uncluttered rooms that lead to an enclosed rear garden. These areas give space for free movement and exploration. Children's needs are met as the childminder manages her time effectively. She attends to children's developmental needs and ensures supervision of their play. She accommodates and stimulates the children's conversation when introducing additional resources. She ensures suitable toys and activities are available. Documentation is held and used to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Parents have paperwork made available to them that illustrate contractual matters and agreements. However improvement is required regarding parental

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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 permission for the childminder to give medicine. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection partnership with parents has been improved in the additional information now made available to them. Children's safety has been promoted in that smoke alarms are checked on a regular basis. Consideration is still to be given to the presentation of resources that reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability.

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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): • undertake a risk assessment of the swing in the rear garden, that it poses no hazard to children • seek the latest written guidelines with regard to child protection issues • consider presentation of resources or planned activities that illustrate positive images of culture, gender and disability • obtain prior written permission from parents before the administration of medicine.

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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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