Childminder in Wirral

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY224912 Inspection date 03 April 2006 Inspector Jean Evelyn Thomas

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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 2003 and lives with her family in Birkenhead on the Wirral peninsular. She lives with her husband and children aged 13, 10 and 9 years. The ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. The toilet facilities are situated on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a pet budgerigar. The childminder is registered to provide care for six children under 8 years. The childminder is currently minding two children on a part-time basis. Older children are minded. She walks to local schools to take and collect children, attends parent and

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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 toddler sessions and visits parks and the urban farm. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable setting. The childminder protects children from the risk of cross contamination by providing individual towels for hand drying and by regularly washing toys and equipment. Children's needs are generally met if they become unwell. The sick child policy is shared with parents before the arrangement commences. However, parental authorisation is not obtained to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and the list of communicable illness is not available for reference. The childminder provides balanced and nutritious home cooked meals incorporating fresh meats, vegetables, dairy products and fruit. For the mid morning snack the children enjoy slices of banana and milk. Children's dietary needs and preferences are fully met as information is obtained from parents. However, children are not always given healthy options for the after school snack. Drinks are available at all

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Helping children to be healthy

times, including bottled water or pure juices. Children participate in activities that promote a healthy life style, such as having regular fresh air and exercise. They are taken to parks and open spaces where they can run freely and use larger apparatus to gain control of their bodies. Children walk to and from school. The childminder helps babies' progress to the next stage of development through use of the domestic furniture to help pull themselves up and specifically designed baby toys and equipment. There is clear floor space where babies can roll and crawl.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a homely environment that offers space to play in comfort. There are areas where children can rest, relax or pursue more robust activities. There is an adequate range of play material. These are stored in boxes, low level, allowing children to make their own choices in play. For the younger children the childminder has a variety of age appropriate play resources that are rotated to maintain their interest. Children are cared for in a safe setting because the childminder takes reasonable steps to minimise risks. These include isolating areas through use of safety gates, making rooms inaccessible and securing the front door to ensure children can not leave the premises. Children learn about safe practices as they practise the evacuation plan and follow road safety procedures. Children are protected because the childminder understands her role in child

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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 protection. She has relevant guidance materials to support her work and is able to put appropriate procedures in practise when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from the settling in procedure to enable them to become familiar with their new care environment and to help them feel emotionally secure. Children are content and happy. They receive cuddles and develop a strong bond with the childminder which increases their sense of belonging and well-being. The younger children make themselves understood as they express their feelings when hungry, tired and happy. The childminder responds well to meet their needs. The childminder supports children's play by sitting at floor level and offering guidance in building blocks and with the shape sorter. Sound and language is promoted in nursery rhymes and action songs. Together the children and childminder sing and perform actions. The childminder praises and claps when they finish. The children similarly respond with delight. Children confidently play with the range of toys set out

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and show an interest in books. They learn at an early age how to handle books properly and turn pages. The childminder appreciates the differing needs of children after a busy day at school and caters for the individual personalities and interest of the children. She is aware that some children wish to relax whilst others are ready to purse play. There are opportunities for children to be creative using a variety of resources including paint, craft materials and small world play. However, the young children are not exploring the variety of mediums available to help them be creative and learn. The computer is available for the older children to use to help develop their technology skills. Children learn about their local community as they visit the urban farm, shops and school. They regularly attend toddler groups which helps to develop their social skills and self confidence playing with a larger group of children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a limited selection of resources to increase their awareness of diversity of society these include books, small world play figures, role play food and cooking utensils. Children have opportunity to self select toys they want to play with and there is no gender bias. Children are respected and encouraged through frequent praise which helps them understand when they have done 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. This helps children feel secure, learn what is right and wrong and to respect each other. The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet children's individual needs. She values the information obtained from parents to ensure the appropriate care is offered to the children. Records are maintained on the events of the younger

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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 children's day and are shared with parents. These records identify how activities link into the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are safeguarded as the childminder ensures persons who are not vetted do not have unsupervised access to the children. The childminder has attended training to support children's welfare and development including ' Birth to three matters' frame work, equal opportunities and child protection. The indoor environment is organised allowing children to have opportunities for free play, eat socially and sleep without disturbance. Children benefit from the support and individual attention as the childminder keeps within the required ratios and does not care for the full capacity of children at all times. The childminder's recording systems are up to date, clear and readily available when needed. The attendance register is marked daily and all relevant documents are signed by parents. However, a log to record complaints has not been prepared. Confidential information is securely stored to ensure it can not be accessed by

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Organisation

unauthorised persons. Overall the provision meets the needs of all children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the childminder has completed equal opportunities training and some play resources and books are available to help children understand the diversity of society.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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.

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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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • obtain written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and have the list of communicable illnesses available for reference to ensure appropriate action is taken when children are not well • review children's after school snack to ensure they are able to make healthy choices • ensure younger children have opportunity to explore a range of sensory and tactile mediums to help them develop competence and creativity • devise a system to maintain a log of complaints.

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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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