Childminder in Rochdale

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY303499 Inspection date 23 March 2006 Inspector Verlyn Ulanda Blake

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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 has been registered since May 2005. She lives with her family, a son aged 6 years, in a residential area of Middleton. Local amenities include shops, a library, nature reserve and schools which are within walking distance. There is one child on register at present. The kitchen, front room and conservatory on the ground floor, and the back bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are registered for minding purposes. There are fully enclosed side and rear gardens available for outside play. The family have two cats, a puppy and two chipmunks.

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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 learn about effective hygiene practices, for example, washing their hands as a part of the daily routine and keeping food preparation surfaces clean to minimise the spread of infection amongst the children. They have a good understanding of healthy foods and choices as these are promoted by the childminder. All food is freshly prepared in the home and are nutritious in content and prepared in consultation with the children and their parents. Specific diets, allergies and religious indications are recorded and respected by the childminder. The practices employed by the childminder helps to minimise the risk of cross-infection. Children are provided with and enjoy snacks and meals which are substantial in quantity and include freshly prepared ingredients so helping to provide a balanced diet. Children self-serve their meals, this makes meal times a very sociable and enjoyable time of the day. Drinks and fresh drinking water are always available, this

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Helping children to be healthy

prevents children from becoming thirsty or dehydrated and contributes to children remaining healthy. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which promote their health. Outdoor activities are provided daily, where possible, and these enable children to improve their physical skills. They play and ride on wheeled toys, a small trampoline, play in a well-equipped outdoor playhouse and enjoy and explore all aspects of nature in the garden. Within the home, there is ample space to allow children to move freely and enjoy activities, which help them to grow and develop. Children have daily access to fresh air on their walk to and from school and exercise as they go for walks to the local park and other places of interest. The equipment that children access helps to develop their small and large muscle skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have the freedom to explore a warm, comfortable child centred environment which is safe and secure. The childminder gives children's safety a high priority. Stair gates, socket covers and other safety features help to minimise accidents to children. Children move freely and safely between the kitchen, lounge and conservatory, which is used as a dedicated playroom. Children relax and settle in whatever area they are in. Good use of rooms within the home allows children to have a separate area in which they can relax or rest. Children have access to thoughtfully chosen resources, which are safe and appropriate for their age and stages of development. Toys are stored where children can reach them easily, which gives them a lot of choice about what they do. Resources and equipment are monitored for compliance with safety standards. Children contribute to their own safety and well-being as they explore topics, such as

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safety within the home. They inform the childminder if any toys are broken or if any

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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 pieces are missing. The childminder has a sound awareness of risks and ensures that children are supervised in the kitchen and garden to ensure their safety. However, poisonous plants in the back garden pose a risk to young children. Children are well protected and their welfare safeguarded as the childminder has completed appropriate child protection training. She has a good understanding of the signs of abuse and knows who to report an incident to in the event of a concern about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are clearly well settled with the childminder and enter with confidence making themselves at home. They are very skilful communicators and interact well with adults and each other, for example, children confidently show the Child Care Inspector, earrings they are making and inform her of many different activities they have completed at the childminders home. There is a great deal of positive interaction between the childminder and the children. Children have access to a good range of activities and resources which promotes their understanding of letter and number work. Displays of children's writing demonstrates their confidence with simple letters and words. Children talk with excitement about a planned trip to go and get some frog spawn to put in the tank in the back garden and about the seeds and bulbs they have planted. Children become excited as they finish making the earrings for the dressing up

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activity. They acquire new skills such as using a pair of pliers which they have never used before to make the earrings. The childminder uses good questioning skills to extend children's knowledge and uses a range of techniques to increase children's participation and enjoyment. The many varied activities available ensure that children learn and make good progress in all areas of their development. The childminder organises and plans each day well according to the needs of the children. They enjoy exploring and experimenting with the dressing up and play dough activities. Older children enjoy creating art work with different materials, completing puzzles and playing educational games. Children also enjoy playing board games with each other, which develops their co-operational skills. All children benefit as a result of the good balance of child initiated and adult led activities which takes place. The flexible routines allow children to pursue their own interest and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

ideas satisfactorily, this helps to ensure that children's play is interesting and varied.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals and an awareness of the cultures of others is promoted by the range of activities and resources, which acknowledge and celebrate differences. Good access to all resources for all children ensures that gender stereotyping does not occur and children make their own positive choices. Children's

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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 needs are well met as the childminder works with parents to follow children's routines and provide continuity and assurance to them. The childminder is keen to ensure that all children are included in the life of the setting. She is less experienced in caring for children with special needs, however, she demonstrates a keen interest to gain more experience in this area. Children are encouraged to show care and concern for each other and play harmoniously. Children behave well in the setting and the childminder promotes consistency by managing unwanted behaviour according to the child's level of understanding and maturity. Their self-esteem and all round sense of self is promoted because children are treated with sensitivity and equal concern. Older children are clearly aware of boundaries and respond positively to the childminder's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

praise and encouragement and the effective reward systems that are in place. All aspects of children's care are discussed and agreed with parents and they are kept informed about their children's well-being and progress on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very settled and confident within the well organised environment. The provision of a separate playroom and the playhouse in the back garden ensures that children are able to initiate and extend their play and learning. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote children's care and learning and the provision of extra information about the services that the childminders provides. This ensures that parent's are kept well informed about their child's progress, welfare and development. Children benefits as a direct result of the childminders commitment to develop her childminding practices. She often attends training events and courses to increase her knowledge about child development in order to develop the quality of the service offered to children and their parents. In caring for children mainly before and after school, the childminder ensures that they receive plenty of individual attention which positively supports their care and

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Organisation

development. Good records, such as registers of children's attendance, accidents and medication are kept up to date. These contribute effectively in promoting children's health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and the ability to make a positive contribution. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted received concerns relating to National Standard 1, Suitability of the registered

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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 person and breach of conditions of registration. A child care inspector visited the childminder on 17 August 2005. Actions were raised relating to informing Ofsted about changes in the childminding arrangements for providing overnight care and the suitability of visitors to the premises. These actions have been met by the childminder who remains qualified for registration.

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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): • assess the dangers posed by poisonous plants.

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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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