Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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304204 Unique Reference Number 25 May 2006 Inspection date June Cotton Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 teenage children in Little Sutton, Cheshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding plus the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day and six school aged children before and/or after school and during the school holidays. All children are cared for part time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder runs a local parent/toddler group one morning a week. The family has a dog.

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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 good. Children's health is well promoted as they are cared for in a clean and safe environment. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene practices through daily routines such as washing hands before eating and after using the toilet. However, hand drying facilities do not provide good hygiene. Written records are maintained to ensure children's individual medical and dietary needs are met. The childminder's secure knowledge of appropriate first aid treatment ensures children receive good care and attention.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a routine which incorporates lots of physical exercise and fresh air. They have regular opportunities for outdoor play in the garden and enjoy using a wide range of play equipment, such as balls, sit-on rides and a crawl through tunnel. Children are able to further develop their whole body movements during regular trips to the local park and when they attend toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents' wishes are closely followed regarding the children's dietary needs and special diets are catered for. Children enjoy healthy snacks, which include a variety of fresh fruits, and have access to regular drinks according to their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The environment is very welcoming to children offering ample space for play and to pursue a variety of activities. Children are able to access toys and books easily from those out and from floor level storage boxes. A range of toys are attractively set out to encourage children to explore and play, for example, a play village and roadway are laid out with cars, play people and other props. The rooms used for childminding are well lit and warm, to enable children to play in comfort.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder maintains close supervision of children at all times and has implemented effective procedures to safeguard children on outings. Children's awareness of road safety issues is promoted during frequent walks around the local area. For example, children learn how to keep themselves safe by listening and watching carefully for traffic. Children learn about safety when in the house as the childminder reminds them not to stand on chairs or they will fall. The childminder has appropriate fire safety equipment in place, such as smoke alarms and a fire blanket in the kitchen. However, children have not yet had the opportunity to develop their awareness of fire procedures within the home by practising the emergency evacuation drill. The childminder has a basic understanding of child protection thus ensuring the children's well-being.

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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 confident in the childminder's home. The childminder knows individual children well so is able to provide a suitable range of experiences to meet their needs. They enjoy participating in a broad and stimulating range of activities which engage their interest and meet their individual developmental needs. However, the childminder does not yet use Birth to three matters to assist her in providing the children with a broader range of activities, monitor their progress and share this information with parents. Children have good opportunities to develop their social skills as they play alongside other children and when sitting together at the table at snack and meal times. They also go out to toddler groups where they have opportunities to play with wider groups of children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to initiate their own activities and freely select from a good range of toys and play equipment. They receive very good support during play activities and the childminder promotes children's speech and language skills through effective interaction. She supports their intellectual development, for example, when she talks to them about the shapes they have made with the playdough. Children participate in a range of activities which help to promote their learning in different areas. For example, the garden and local park are regularly used to enable children to practise their physical skills and a wide range of materials are provided to encourage children's creativity and use of imagination such as small world play equipment and craft materials. The childminder fully involves herself in children's play and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children behave well. The childminder is consistent in her approach to managing children's behaviour with an emphasis on positive strategies, which are discussed with parents before the arrangement commences. The childminder speaks positively to children using praise which contributes to their self-esteem. Children learn to be considerate towards each other and older ones help younger ones such as when they make them shapes from playdough.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children pursue activities of their choice developing their skills in decision making and their self-confidence. The childminder does not stereotype play or label toys as being for either boys or girls. As a result children enjoy a broad range of activities and play opportunities. Resources are available to help develop their understanding of the diversity of society. Positive relationships are fostered with parents who are informed daily of their children's achievements. The childminder has not obtained up to date information for recording complaints. Complaints records keep parents informed about the service being offered allowing them to make informed choices for the well-being of their children. Parents' views are actively sought prior to the minding arrangement starting, and the children and parents have opportunities to familiarise themselves with the setting through settling in visits. This contributes to the children being

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and are comfortable with the daily routine and organisation which means they are confidently exploring and investigating play materials and equipment. The childminder has not ensured that persons over the age of 16 years, living in the household, have had the relevant checks. This leads to the minded children being less well protected and is a breach of National Standards. She has not got a copy of the updated National Standards; this leads to her being less knowledgeable about the new regulations. Verbal policies and procedures are used during discussions with parents and information is shared with them daily, keeping them informed about the service and their child's development.

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Organisation

The childminder has some good experience of caring for children and has kept her first aid training up to date to ensure the children's safety. All required records and documentation are in place and well organised. They are stored securely to protect children's well-being with important contact details easily accessed when required. 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 regarding first aid training, knowledge of child protection and record keeping. The childminder has completed a recent first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children to ensure that the correct procedure is used should a child have an accident. She has obtained some additional knowledge of child protection through reading in order to further protect the children. She has the relevant forms in place for recording medication and obtaining parents' permissions prior to giving it. These will be kept together with the children's personal forms which remain confidential. This ensures that the childminder is working in partnership with parents and further ensures the children's safety.

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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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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 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): • use the Birth to three matters framework and use this to monitor children's progress, provide activities and resources to promote their development, and share information with parents • devise a system for making a written record of complaints • ensure that the relevant checks are carried out on members of the household over 16 years of age to further ensure the children’s safety • ensure that up to date knowledge of the National Standards and guidance is obtained.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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