Childminder in Tameside

Inspection report for early years provision

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503316 Unique Reference Number 31 July 2006 Inspection date Sarah Taylor 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 2001 and lives in Denton with her husband and son. They have a pet cockatiel. The whole of the downstairs is used for childminding, except the kitchen, and children also have access to an upstairs bathroom and secure garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The registration is for five children and at present there are seven children on the register. There is no overnight care and there are no assistants.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has completed a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education. She is a member of the local Childminding Network and 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 protected from infection through the childminder's thorough cleaning routine, as she wipes surfaces down with anti bacterial spray, and ensures that toys and equipment are cleaned. Children learn about keeping themselves clean and healthy as they wash their hands at appropriate times and blow their noses. Children sleep under supervision from the childminder and they enjoy fresh air every day when the play in the garden, in the park or visit shops and local attractions.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy diet with the childminder. Snacks provided are nutritious and children enjoy fruit and vegetables, sometimes from the childminder's own garden. Children eat together and chat about their favourite food as the childminder supports the youngest children in feeding themselves. They can access water, juice or milk throughout the session and this further contributes to their good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from well organised space where they can move around and choose what they would like to play with. The home is in a good state of repair, is well ventilated and is lit by natural light.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is maintained as the childminder's house and garden are secure. There is safety equipment in place, such as smoke alarms, cupboard locks and stair gates and the childminder ensures that children use an appropriate car seat when being transported in the car. Toys and equipment are checked to ensure that they do not pose a risk to children and younger children are discouraged from putting things into their mouths.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about personal safety when out of the setting as the childminder talks to them about safety near roads and about talking to strangers. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to safeguard the children and ensures that they are well supervised. She has a good understanding of child protection issues and understands her responsibility to protect the welfare of each child. She knows who to contact with concerns and would report anything she was worried about using the local Safeguarding Children Board's guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and happily choose a game to play with each other or alone. They use the construction toys to build trains and buses and the childminder plays with the children on the floor, making a station and a ticket office. Children enjoy the role play game and make cups of tea for everyone in the play kitchen.

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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 Children can select what they would like to play with, and the childminder ensures that they have what they would like. For example, the youngest child looks at the crayons and paper and the childminder soon sets up a drawing activity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder skilfully supports and extends children's speech as she echoes and reaffirms what is being said. For example, the child says, 'little one' and the childminder repeats and says, 'yes'. She talks to the children and holds conversations, valuing what they say, which makes children feel worthwhile and important.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn about colours and shapes as they chat about the colours of the construction bricks and the shapes that can be made using their fingers and hands. The childminder reinforces the names of the colours using the bricks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunities to socialise when attending the setting as the childminder takes them to toddler groups, to play centres, and other local attractions. They learn how to share and to tolerate one another as the childminder reinforces the idea of sharing and joining in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children access a good range of resources, which reflect positive images of society. They learn about the wider world as the childminder celebrates different festivals, such as Easter and Chinese New Year. Children with additional needs are supported.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved and the childminder continually reminds them to share and to play with each other. They learn about manners as the childminder reminds them to say thank you and to stay at the table until they have finished eating.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from continuity of care as the childminder passes on important information at the end of each session to the parents of each child. For example, she tells them what the children have eaten, whether they have slept and how they have been in general. The childminder provides parents with information about the setting and the care that she offers, and makes her policies clear to prospective parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a well qualified carer who holds relevant qualifications in childcare and education. She holds a current first aid certificate, which ensures that she understands how to treat injury and illness. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding network and this enables her to keep up to date with good practice and developments.

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Organisation

The childminder is careful to ensure that the correct ratios are maintained at all times. She organises her practice well, ensuring that children have time for active play, fresh air, and social play using some of the local groups and attractions.

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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 Policies and procedures are in place to further enhance the care offered at the setting. Children's records detail their individual requirements and contribute to continuity of care. However, parental consent for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment is missing from the children's records.

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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, the childminder was asked to make the rear garden safe. The garden is safe and secure and all issues have been addressed. This ensures the safety of the children.

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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): • ensure parental consent for seeking emergency medical treatment is in place for each child.

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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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