Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY269156 Unique Reference Number 24 May 2006 Inspection date Jean Evelyn Thomas 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 2003. She lives with her husband and child aged three in Birkenhead on the Wirral peninsular. The lounge and kitchen on the ground floor and the playroom on the first floor are used for childminding. The sleep facilities are also situated on the first floor. There are toilets on both floor levels. There is no outdoor play area. Children are taken to the local parks to enjoy physical activity.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for three children under eight years. The childminder is currently minding three children on a part time basis. She takes and collects children to and from local schools and also attends toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 cared for in a clean and comfortable setting where good hygiene procedures helps to prevent the spread of infection. The children have their own towels and drinking beakers and can easily identify these through individual colours. The towels also have the same symbol attached as on their coat peg and their name is embroidered on. Children know about simple hygiene practices through familiar routines, such as washing hands before and after eating. However, the children who are wearing nappies are not washing their hands after being changed to extend their understanding about this aspect of personal hygiene. Children are protected when they are ill. The childminder follows appropriate measures in making the children comfortable and contacting parents. Parents are informed about the sick child policy. The childminders knows the specific action to take if children contract a communicable illness in

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Helping children to be healthy

order to safeguard the other children in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop healthy eating habits from the meals provided by the childminder. The childminder incorporates fruit, vegetables and dairy products into the diet. Food products containing sugar and salt are limited. As a regular activity children help to prepare the ingredients for their meal. Exploring the food that they eat and discussion with the childminder further promotes children's understanding of a healthy diet. Children's dietary needs are discussed with parents before the arrangement commences. Drinks are available and accessible at all times. Children learn to respond to their bodily needs and are confident to drink whenever thirsty, for example, during a play activity.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in activities which promotes a healthy lifestyle, such as having fresh air and exercise. There are no outdoor facilities on site, but children visit parks, the urban farm and the beach on a regular basis where they can use different large apparatus or run in open spaces. Children develop their fine motor skills when they use utensils for play dough, paint brushes, writing tools and handling small play equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and well organised setting. There is ample space for children to play in comfort. The registered areas of the home are used to meet the needs of the children allowing them to rest, play and eat together. Children's art work, photographs and posters are displayed. Toys and books are attractively set out to encourage children to play. The childminder has a large stock of play equipment and changes the range available to offer children greater variety and stimulation. The childminder is also a user of the toy lending library. Children confidently move around the play room helping themselves to the wide selection of resources and activities available. These are carefully monitored and supervised by the childminder to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children's care needs are met through the childminder having appropriate equipment. For

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

example, high chairs with harnesses, cots, prams and car seats for different ages of children.

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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 Children are cared for in a safe setting. Hazards are minimised as the childminder completes a risk assessment. Children learn about keeping themselves safe both in the home and outdoors through discussion and guidance from the childminder. For example, road safety, fire evacuation procedure and use of car seats. Children do not leave the premises unsupervised due to the level of supervision offered and the security device in place on the front door.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues and her responsibility in following procedures to safeguard children. She regularly updates her knowledge through training sessions to ensure the correct practice is implemented.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confident in their surroundings and make themselves at home. They relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at carer and toddler groups. This includes a group where the children learn sign language through play activities. The childminder provides activities which take into account children's individual interests, for example, growing plants and trips to the urban farm. The childminder is interested in what children do and say and becomes actively involved in their play, such as completing jigsaws and a threading activity. In the role play area the children develop their play idea which involves washing the kitchen gloves that they had worn in their pretend play. They load up the play washing machine. The childminder talks about what they need to clean the clothes and answers questions about how the machine works using batteries. This develops children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

understanding of simple technologies. The children peg the gloves on the washing line in the play room and regularly check if they are dry. Children are interested, motivated and their all-round development is promoted through the childminder's involvement. The activities offer children good levels of challenge appropriate for their age and stage of development, such as varied designs of jigsaws, construction and introducing shape and number concepts into craft work. There are many opportunities for the children to be creative and use their imagination through craft, art work, role play and small world play. The childminder allows children to play at their own pace enabling them to work through their creative ideas until they are ready to move onto another activity. This is successful through the childminder's organisational skills and an understanding of children's needs and interests. Books are a strong feature and are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

positioned in different areas of the setting. Children learn how to handle and enjoy books from an early age.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is introducing the Birth to three matters framework to further enhance the children's learning and play opportunities. She is completing observations and assessments on the children to formally plan for their next stage in learning and play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a comprehensive understanding of equal opportunities. Children have equal access to all play materials and activities. The range of play resources, books, posters and activities promotes a positive view of the wider world and increase children’s awareness

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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 of diversity and their understanding of others. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Activities are organised to ensure all children are included. Children's individual needs are met as they follow their normal daily routine as discussed with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play harmoniously together. They behave well and respond to the childminder's sensitive handling of any behaviour situations. Children gain confidence and self-esteem as the childminder rewards achievement through positive praise. Children are self-motivated to learn since they can depend on the affirmation and warmth of the trusting relationship they have with childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive working relationships developed with parents. Children are looked after according to parents' wishes. These are discussed before children start and written consents are obtained as required, such as transporting children and emergency treatment. Parents are kept well informed about the service as they receive an information booklet and the certificate of registration, policies, procedures and the Birth to three matters framework poster is on display. However, the complaints procedure does not reflect the guidance changes to the National Standards. The childminder keeps a photographic record of the children she cares for and the activities children undertake, which is shared with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures persons who have not been vetted do not have unsupervised access to the minded children to protect them from harm. Children's care, learning and play are fully supported by the childminder because she gives them individual attention. Children feel at home and at ease in the bright, welcoming and well organised environment. They are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning and are gaining independence. The setting allows children to enjoy both quiet and more robust play. Comfy seating is available in both the playroom and the main lounge.

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Organisation

The childminder is experienced and undertakes additional relevant training to update her knowledge and understanding of key issues in childcare, for example, first aid, behaviour management, equality, diversity and food hygiene. Children's general well-being is maintained by the use of the documentation and from the procedures in place. Information is shared daily with parents to keep them informed about the service, their child's routine and activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care.

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Organisation

Children's health, safety and learning is promoted. Children are provided with a range of age appropriate activities throughout the week and have the opportunity to socialise with others. Overall the provision meets the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the harmful products have been made inaccessible, the fireguard has been secured to the wall, information has been obtained about the communicable illnesses and individual hand washing towels are provided to promote children's safety and well-being.

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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

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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.

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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): • further develop children's understanding of personal hygiene by introducing to them the hand washing routine after their nappy has been changed • ensure the written procedure complaints reflects the amended criteria.

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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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