Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY136718 Unique Reference Number 04 August 2006 Inspection date Sheila May Price 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 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 2002 and lives with her partner and school aged daughter in north west Liverpool. The whole of the ground floor, and the bathroom and rear bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight at any one time and currently looks after two children aged under five. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends a childminder support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy having plenty of opportunities to be physically active using the good range of equipment in the garden, such as a trampoline, a slide, a swing and a seesaw. They play outdoors

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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 daily and go for walks on a regular basis which keeps them fit and healthy. Children are learning healthy routines. The childminder follows safe hygiene practices and encourages children to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They are able to sleep and rest comfortably when needed.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder supervises children well and teaches them how to play safely to minimise accidents. However, she has allowed her first aid certificate to lapse which means that she is not up to date on procedures for dealing with an emergency, which could put children at risk. Arrangements for dealing with emergencies are written in policies and discussed with parents, however, misunderstandings could occur because the childminder has not asked them to confirm in writing whether or not they authorise her to seek emergency treatment or advice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are met in partnership with parents. They have an overall balanced diet and regular access to drinks. During hot weather children enjoy having chilled water straight from the fridge. The childminder has recently attended a course on nutrition that has helped develop her awareness of healthy eating so this can be shared with parents and children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy in the safe, secure and welcoming environment. The childminder ensures all hazards are isolated and equipment is safe, such as the large trampoline, which is well guarded with netting. Children rarely have an accident in the setting because of good supervision and the childminder's understanding of their physical capabilities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children follow the childminder's example in moving toys out of the way when they run about outside, gaining a good understanding of how to move safely. The childminder carries out fire practises so that the children learn to recognise the sound of the smoke alarm and evacuate the house quickly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is not very familiar with the Local Safeguarding Children Board's procedures but has a basic understanding of child protection issues and signs and symptoms of abuse. She ensures children are not left alone with anyone who has not been checked for suitability.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are developing good social, intellectual and physical skills through the childminder's warm relationship with them and the good range of activities she provides. There is both routine to help children feel secure and choices to allow children the freedom to explore. Children are confident to ask questions and initiate conversations. The childminder helps them to learn skills of negotiation when equipment needs to be shared.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder engages in children's activities to help them develop skills, such as batting a ball, and makes the activities fun. She encourages them to select jigsaws which offer them physical and intellectual challenges. Children like to count, name colours and recognise letters

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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 in every day activities, such as when they share books or do jigsaws. They have regular opportunities to be creative when painting, cutting and gluing and in role play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Regular trips to the park or the shops develop the children's awareness of their wider community and the natural environment. Children are well equipped to go out in all weathers and enjoy the sensory experience of stamping in puddles and sheltering under their umbrellas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children behave well and learn to have respect for the needs of others. This is due to the childminder setting clear boundaries and having a positive approach towards the children which encourages their good behaviour. There are opportunities for children to play with others of their own age and experience and be in a larger group, such as when they attend the childminder drop in. This helps the children develop useful social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures children are able to make their own choices from a range of equipment to suit varying interests and abilities. Children's individual needs are met well in partnership with parents. The childminder has little experience of including children with special needs as she has not yet looked after any children with learning difficulties or disabilities or developed this yet in her training.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good relationships are fostered with parents. They confirm that their children are very happy with the childminder and are making good progress, particularly in social skills. Daily informal dialogue about the child's day helps parents follow this up when the children are at home. The childminder keeps a record about each child and how they are progressing to share with parents, which helps them work together over children's continuing development.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her day, the premises and the resources well so that children enjoy themselves and their needs are met. She understands ratios to be met and considers children's capabilities and the practicalities of meeting individual needs when expanding her provision.

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Organisation

Regulatory records are suitably organised and kept up to date. The childminder is following a quality assurance programme to improve her knowledge of the National Standards and guidance. She is, however, not complying with all the underpinning criteria under first aid qualifications and parental consents, which could impact on children's health in an emergency.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended training on Birth to three matters and is beginning to apply this knowledge to her planning and record keeping for children aged under three. She has not yet fully developed her knowledge of child protection issues and disabilities to apply in situations which might occur in the future.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were two actions relating to safety for the childminder to meet following the last inspection. She has improved fire safety precautions by developing a fire evacuation procedure and practising this with the children. This means that children are better protected. The childminder has yet to fully familiarise herself with the local child protection procedures but has new contacts for obtaining advice. This partially improves the safeguarding of children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were four recommendations in the last report relating mostly to the range of equipment and record keeping. The childminder now keeps a clear record of the times children attend to meet regulatory requirements. She now has an awareness of the kind of communicable diseases that would require reporting. Good progress has been made in improving the range of equipment for older children to use so that they have suitable choices and some new dolls and books have been obtained to reflect diversity. These all contribute to better outcomes for children's welfare and development.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. The childminder is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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): • ensure that a current first the aid certificate is maintained • continue to develop knowledge and understanding in relation to child protection and the inclusion of children who have learning difficulties or disabilities • ensure that written parental permission is requested, at the time of placement, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future.

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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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