Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY258373 Unique Reference Number 10 August 2006 Inspection date Nighat Ghani 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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 16 years. They live in Urmston, close to the local schools, parks and shops. A through lounge/dining room, kitchen on the ground floor and two small bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Currently there are four children on roll. The childminder is registered to mind six children under eight.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local care and toddler group on a regular basis. She 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 enjoy a range of activities that promote a healthy lifestyle. Outdoor play in the back garden and visits to the local park improve children's physical skills. As they play outside they run, swing, kick and slide, helping them to gain control of their bodies. Young children's home routines with regard to meals and sleep times are followed, providing a secure and familiar environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children feel comfortable in a warm, clean and well presented environment. Procedures are in place to protect the children from illness and infection. Children are beginning to learn about simple health and hygiene practices as they wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. This reduces the risk of cross infection. However, the childminder changes young children's nappies on the playroom carpet without any protection, which increases a risk of contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder discusses and agrees children's dietary requirements with parents, which safeguards children's health. Children are offered drinks on a regular basis to quench their thirst. The childminder actively promotes healthy eating providing children with a range of well balanced, healthy and nutritious meals and snacks to aid their physical growth and development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children use a good range of developmentally appropriate play materials, which promotes all areas of their learning. Toys are in good condition and easily accessible, allowing children to make choices and develop their independence. The childminder rotates the toys on a regular basis to maintain stimulation. She ensures that babies can only access toys, which are safe and meet their educational and physical needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk of accidental injury is minimised by the good supervision of the children and the use of appropriate safety features. However, the fireguard, sharp knives in the kitchen drawer, the cooker and some poisonous plants in the back garden are accessible to children, which compromises children's safety. Children are beginning to understand about keeping themselves safe as they are aware that they have to hold on to the push chair and walk near the childminder when outdoors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility to protect children from harm and has a clear awareness of child protection issues and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children share very good relationships with each other and the childminder as they play sociably together and relish in the regular support the childminder provides. They develop early communication skills, for example, the childminder talks to them while they draw with large

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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 coloured crayons and look through picture books. The childminder listens and values what children say and do and consistently offers praise and encouragement, as a result children develop their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are motivated and enthusiastic. They benefit from well planned activities that meet their individual interests, needs and stages of development. For example, while the childminder interacts with the younger children, the older ones get engrossed in playing board games with each other. They enjoy their play and engage in a broad range of inspiring activities inside and outside, which foster their all round development. They freely access the toys, which develops their choice and independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children enjoy putting things together and taking things apart, finding out how things work and why things happen. As a result, they have developed good concentration skills and are motivated in the time they spend with the childminder. They show interest and great delight when feeling different textures of shiny, rough and smooth paper.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities and a positive attitude towards providing an inclusive service. Children increase their awareness about the wider world through play materials, which reflect our diverse society. The childminder talks to the children about similarities and differences to encourage them to respect others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are made to feel welcome in the setting, which makes them feel safe and secure in their environment. Younger children are learning how to share, take turns and play cooperatively. They gradually learn to understand and respect boundaries and what is right or wrong in a caring environment. Children are regularly offered praise and reassuring smiles from the childminder. Appropriate strategies, such as distraction or negotiation are used to promote positive behaviour. Children's achievements are celebrated, which promotes confidence and boost their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated with equal concern and their individual needs are met, since the childminder has sound knowledge and understanding of their backgrounds. She collates information from the parents during a settling in period to ensure that the children are happy and secure within the setting. Information is shared verbally with parents on a regular basis, which contributes towards the continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All the records for the smooth running of the provision are in place. The childminder has an effective system in place to maintain records for each child, which are reviewed and updated on a regular basis. She discusses her policies and procedures with the parents at the initial meeting. Children’s progress and routine are discussed with the parents on regular basis, which promotes continuity, understanding and knowledge of individual child.

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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 The children are relaxed and comfortable in the childminder's home. They benefit from the effective organisation of space and stimulating environment, which they confidently explores making choices about their play. They are well cared for because the childminder spends time playing with them, providing good levels of individual support and attention, which helps them, feel secure. However, occasional lapses in the organisation result in gaps in ensuring children's health and safety.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were raised. These were to ensure parents sign the medication record to acknowledge each entry, obtain written parental consent for emergency medical attention and ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote positive images of disability.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has requested all the parents to sign medication forms and has obtained parents’ permission to seek emergency medical attention. Children have free access to a range of resources that reflect positive images of disability. All the improvements have contributed to enhancing children’s safety and their awareness of positive images of disability.

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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 good hygiene practices are carried out in relation to nappy changing • ensure all the hazards both in and outdoors are minimised.

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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 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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