Childminder in Liverpool

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY230741 Inspection date 21 March 2006 Inspector Ann Lee

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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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her teenage daughter and adult daughter in Mossley Hill, Liverpool. The children have access to the two ground floor living rooms and the hall for play and they only go upstairs to use the bathroom or toilet. There is no outdoor play area but the childminder takes the children on walks to the local school, parks, shops and toddler groups. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and she is currently minding three children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding group.

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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 are protected from the spread of infection and cross contamination because they are cared for in a clean, warm and comfortable house where the childminder wipes the work surfaces with anti-bacterial spray and provides separate towels for the children. Children learn about simple personal hygiene because the childminder makes sure that they wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. She also teaches them about caring for their teeth because she limits their intake of sweets and they read stories about going to the dentist. The childminder has an up to date first aid certificate and two first aid boxes, and she maintains all of the necessary documentation so that she can safeguard the welfare of children in the event of an accident. She has a good understanding of healthy eating and provides children with a varied and nutritious diet which contains plenty of

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Helping children to be healthy

fruit and vegetables. Children sit together with the childminder at meal times so that they enjoy the social occasion and they become more independent because they learn to feed themselves from an early age. There is no garden for outside play but the children enjoy daily walks to school and regular visits to local shops, toddler group and parks. They develop their physical skills as they run and skip in the park, climb on the climbing frames, swing and slide. The childminder takes balls, bean bags and skipping ropes to the park so that children have a choice of activity and can practice different physical skills such as throwing and catching. Indoors, children enjoy dancing to music and chasing after balloons. They have many opportunities to practise their small motor skills when painting, drawing, building with blocks and manipulating puzzles.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe in the childminder's house because all of the necessary safety equipment, such as safety gates, electric socket covers, fire blanket and smoke alarms, is in place to minimise the risk of accidental injury. Children are not usually allowed into the kitchen and they are supervised when they go upstairs to use the bathroom. The childminder has a good understanding of safety issues and she supervises the children closely both indoors and on outings. Children learn how to keep themselves safe because they discuss fire safety and talk about the Green Cross Code and where it is safe to cross the road. The childminder ensures that children are secure in her home and she follows procedures, as discussed with parents, so that they never leave with unauthorised people. The house is warm and welcoming to children and they have some freedom of movement as they play in the downstairs rooms. One living room is designated as

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the main play area and it is fitted out with shelving for the storage of toys and equipment. Children can reach many of the toys and make choices about what they

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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 play with. There is child sized furniture where children can draw, play games and complete puzzles. The other living room is used mainly for rests, sleeps and quiet activities such as watching the television or reading stories. Sleeping children are closely supervised to ensure their safety. Toys and equipment are in good condition and the childminder checks them regularly for cleanliness and safety. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has completed training in child protection, has the necessary emergency contact numbers and understands her role and responsibility in relation to protecting children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit because the childminder has a good understanding of child development and plans a flexible weekly programme of activities, which includes outings and arts and craft activities. The plan takes into account the children's individual needs for sleeps and feeds. The childminder has completed training in the Birth to three matters approach and she uses her knowledge in her childcare practice. For example, she provides 'Treasure Baskets' for babies to introduce them to natural materials. Parents are offered information about the Birth to three matters programme so that they know what she is aiming to achieve with the children. The childminder is a friendly, approachable person who enjoys working with children and helping them to meet their full potential. She develops close, affectionate relationships with the children, talks to them, asks questions and listens to their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

answers. She provides many opportunities for them to have fun and to learn new skills. They enjoy role play using dressing up clothes, arts and crafts, cooking and computer games. Children learn about the wider world on outings into the local community, collecting leaves and cones in the park to make collage pictures, and growing bulbs and seeds. Children are very settled and relaxed with the childminder. They enjoy playing together but often leave their play to clamber on the childminder's knee for a cuddle and a chat. They have fun, sing rhymes and laugh together. Children are bright and lively and they have very good communication skills. They learn colours, shapes, numbers and letters as they look at books, talk together, complete puzzles and play games. Children confidently make their wishes known to the childminder. School age children are allowed freedom of choice about what they do. They talk to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the childminder about their day in school, relax in front of the television and also enjoy arts and crafts and playing board games. They are provided with a home cooked meal at tea time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is welcoming and child friendly, and her training and

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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 experience of working with children with special needs helps her to meet the individual needs of all children. She provides a variety of toys and equipment, such as books, puzzles and dolls which give children positive images of different cultures and religions. However, there are no items relating to disability. The children also take part in arts and craft activities relating to festivals from around the world. This provokes discussion about diversity and helps children to understand about the wider world. Praise and encouragement are used by the childminder to help children to be well behaved, to share and to take turns. She is firm but fair in her approach to behaviour management and occasionally she uses a short period of 'time out' so that children can calm down and become more cooperative. The childminder is quick to hug and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

comfort children when they are upset and they respond well to her caring approach. She discusses behaviour management with parents so that they have a consistent approach and children are not confused. The childminder develops close relationships with parents and provides them with good information about her service both during discussion and via the policies and procedures. She finds out about children's individual needs and invites parents to bring their children for introductory visits so that they settle quickly. Parents are kept informed about the progress and development of their children during daily discussions.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are protected in the setting because the childminder ensures that people who have not been vetted do not come into unsupervised contact with them. Children are well cared for and they benefit from the childminder's knowledge and understanding of childcare issues. She is committed to improving her childcare practice through regular training. The correct ratios are always maintained so that children receive good support and supervision. There are contingency plans in place for emergencies because the childminder belongs to the local childminding network and members provide cover for one another when necessary. The childminder's house is well organised to allow children some freedom of movement so that they become confident and independent. Toys and equipment are stored on shelving in a designated play room. Children can reach many of the items and have choice about what they play with.

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Organisation

All of the necessary documentation is in place to safeguard the welfare and care of children. The records, policies and procedures are well organised and reviewed regularly. Parents are given copies of the policies and procedures and they are kept informed about the progress and development of their children on a daily basis. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements 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 Since the last inspection the childminder has attended training in child protection so that she can protect children from harm. She has obtained books and puzzles which provide children with positive images of different cultures and religions and has a list of infectious diseases to help her to prevent the spread of infection.

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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 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): • ensure that children have an appropriate range activities and resources that provide positive images of disability • keep a record of complaints made by parents which they can see on request.

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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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