Childminder, Out-of school day care in Wigan

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 322613 Inspection date 24 May 2005 Inspector Victoria Gail Halliwell

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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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her husband and son aged 12 years in Astley. There are local schools and shops nearby. The whole of the ground floor and specified rooms on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. There are 11 children on roll, including 9 school age children who attend on a part time basis.

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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 cared for in a warm, clean home. They learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through established daily routines such as hand washing before snacks and after toileting. The childminder adopts appropriate hygiene practices in relation to nappy changing and food preparation to prevent the spread of infection and maintain the children's good health. Further improvements could be made to the system for obtaining parental consent to administer medication. The childminder provides sufficient meals and snacks in accordance with hours of attendance. Pre-school children receive regular small snacks such as toast or fruit to supplement their main meal and maintain their energy levels. Convenience foods are frequently served at meal times which do not generally promote healthy eating for under fives. School age children are encouraged to make healthy choices when

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Helping children to be healthy

choosing a snack after school. Older children are becoming increasingly independent as they help in the preparation of snacks. They have continuous access to drinks. Children enjoy daily opportunities to explore the outdoor environment weather permitting. They confidently use the resources provided by the childminder to promote their physical development. Young children negotiate pathways and steer prams and cars with increasing skill and control. They have regular access to large open spaces such as parks which enable them to run freely, weekly trips to a soft play centre encourages the children to refine their climbing and balancing skills. School age children independently select skipping ropes and footballs, or play games such as tag which help them stay healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a good understanding of safety within her home. She routinely completes her own risk assessments and takes appropriate action which ensures children of all ages can move around her home safely. Very good systems are in place to ensure the children are safely escorted to and from school. Children are becoming increasingly aware of possible dangers through discussion and explanation. Road safety is regularly discussed and clear explanations have been given to ensure the children understand the importance of appropriate behaviour on the road side. Children have access to a broad range of good quality toys and play materials, which meet safety standards. Toys for younger children are pre selected by the childminder to ensure they are developmentally appropriate and children can use them safely. The childminder has a limited awareness of child protection issues and needs to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

further increase her understanding to ensure she can take appropriate action to protect a child from harm.

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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 in the childminders care. They move confidently around her home and make choices about where they sit and play. The childminder has a thorough knowledge of children's individual needs and personalities, and provides good support to help them feel secure. Several children have been in her care for many years and enjoy an open and relaxed relationship. They confidently express their feelings, sharing experiences and talk openly about anxieties or concerns they may have. Children of all ages make choices about the activities they engage in promoting their independence. Under 5's follow a varied weekly programme of outings. This provides many opportunities for them to explore and learn more about the local community and the natural environment, as they visit the shop, bank and nature reserve. All children have excellent opportunities to develop their social skills. They are becoming

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

increasingly aware of the needs of others as they work co operatively as a group, taking turns with resources and listening to the views and experiences of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals. The childminder is aware of and takes account of individual circumstances or needs. She encourages the children to respect and support one another to ensure all children, including those with special needs participate fully in activities. Children have few opportunities to increase their awareness of cultural diversity. However the childminder responds positively to spontaneous discussions and comments made by the children to encourage them to respect and appreciate cultural differences. Children are generally well behaved and respond to the childminder's positive behaviour management strategies. Clear explanations and consistent boundaries help children learn right form wrong. Simple explanations and distraction is effectively used with younger children. Recognition for good behaviour increases the children's confidence and self esteem. The childminder knows many of the children's parents well and has developed

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Helping children make a positive contribution

relationships which meet their individual needs. Parents of under fives are updated daily and are aware of the weekly routine. Many school age children spontaneously share their experiences directly with their parents. The childminder works particularly closely with parents during difficult periods when children require additional support. She is sensitive to the privacy of individual children and makes arrangements to speak privately to parents to avoid any embarrassment or upset.

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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 childminder is very well organised and meets the needs of the children attending. She cares for a high number of children before and after school each day and implements established routines and practices to ensure the children are happy and feel secure in her care. Children are familiar with the daily routine, they enter the childminder's home confidently and move around freely selecting their own activities and making choices. The childminder plans her time well to ensure she is able to support or talk to individual children who may want to discuss their day. The weekly routine for under five's is well planned to incorporate individual time with the childminder and social experiences with other children. The childminder keeps sufficient documentation to ensure the setting is satisfactorily

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Organisation

managed and the welfare of the children is promoted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has improved her system for recording children's attendance and has ensured that Ofsted have been notified of any relevant changes. She has been less effective in raising her awareness of the local Area Child Protection Procedures. A further recommendation has been raised to ensure the childminder is able to take appropriate action to protect a child from possible harm.

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve the system for ensuring parental consent is obtained in relation to the administration of medication • increase your knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures so that you can take appropriate action if you have concerns about a child.

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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 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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