Childminder in Manchester

Inspection report for early years provision

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500284 Unique Reference Number 07 July 2006 Inspection date Angela Cuffe 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 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 1995. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 16 and 10 in the south of Manchester. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day and six children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a dog, two cats and a hamster.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming, homely environment. They learn the importance of hygiene and personal care through regular discussions and practise. The babies' equipment and changing area are kept clean as well as the worktops in the kitchen and eating area. The childminder understands the issues surrounding the safe storage and administration of medication. However, children's well being is compromised because the childminder does not have written permission from parents to administer medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy activities which contribute to their good health. Regular walks to and from school promote exercise for children and encourage them to understand how exercise helps them to stay healthy. Visits to the local park provide opportunities for physical play and enable children to make progress in their physical development. They gain confidence and learn how to use their bodies in different ways as they play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand the benefit of a healthy diet from the choice of healthy and nutritious home cooked meals and snacks available to them. This is backed up by regular discussions with the children. The childminder is aware of the need to consider parents' wishes when providing food for the children in her care. Children's individual needs are discussed on induction and recorded in the child detail form. They understand the importance of taking regular drinks and either help themselves or ask for a drink when they are thirsty.

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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 mostly well organised and well maintained environment where they and their parents are warmly welcomed. Young children move around confidently and freely where they are safe and well supervised. The childminder caries out regular risk assessments on the premises, toys and equipment to ensure safety is maintained. The children are beginning to learn about how to keep themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about dangers within the home and during outings. Fire drills are practised on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good range of resources available to meet the needs of the children. This includes some toys made from natural materials. Toys and equipment are clean, well maintained and comply with safety standards. Resources are effectively organised to promote choice and independence, which stimulates children's play and learning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection, in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are comfortable and relaxed in the childminder's home. The sharing of experiences as they talk and laugh together helps develop warm and caring relationships with the childminder and each other. They are given appropriate attention as the childminder is aware of their needs. She gives them support when needed as she sits on the floor, joining in with their games and then watches as they happily play. Children are motivated and interested in the range of challenging age appropriate play activities. The children do not have use of the garden but are taken out on a regular basis where they socialise with other children and benefit from fresh air and excersise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop independence as they freely make choices about how they wish to spend their time. They enjoy the planned activities and then sit on the floor playing with toys from the toy box. They confidently talk about their favourite toys and books and interact well with the childminder as she talks cheerfully to them. The children show independence as they choose where they would like to play. They talk about going out to have lunch and then to collect children from school.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children value each other as individuals. They learn about different cultures through the activities provided and the equipment available to them. They are made aware of the wider world through regular outings and information in books. Children express their needs naturally to enable the childminder to gain a better understanding and build routines. As a consequence, the children are happy and settled in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good behaviour, children's efforts and achievements are acknowledged, recognised and praised appropriately. Consequently, children are confident and have high self-esteem. The childminder speaks positively to the children. She supports and helps them to understand simple house rules, such as sharing and taking turns. As a result, the children behave well. They interact with each other in a positive manner. They understand their boundaries and respond well to discussions and occasional reminders from the childminder. Information about the children's progress is shared with the parents verbally on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's care is supported by the childminder's satisfactory organisation. The daily routine offers a good balance of adult led activities, free play and quiet times. The childminder ensures children have sufficient space in order to play in comfort. She organises play materials to promote children's independence and encourage choices about their play and learning. Children are at home in the comfortable and welcoming surroundings and have settled in well.

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Organisation

The majority of records and documentation are in place. This contributes to the continuity of care of the children. First aid and other relevant training is kept up to date. However, children's

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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 security and well-being is compromised because the childminder has failed to inform Ofsted of relevant changes and doesn't record all of the necessary information in the register.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to continue to develop resources, and develop a range of natural materials to use with babies. She also agreed to establish a written agreement with parents that sets out the expectation of both parties regarding the care of the child and develop systems to record any medication administered to children and any concerns or incidents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has increased the toys and equipment she provides. She has some natural materials but is not currently caring for babies. The childminder has a written contract which is signed and agreed on a regular basis. All medication administered to children is recorded. Any concerns or incidents are recorded appropriately.

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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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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 permission to administer medication • ensure a register is in place, stating the times of arrival and departure of each child • ensure checks are carried out on all persons over the age of 16 in regular contact with minded children.

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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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