Childminder in Salford

Inspection report for early years provision

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307423 Unique Reference Number 18 September 2006 Inspection date Glynis Margaret Kite 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 has been registered since August 1997 and is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and 12 years, in a property close to Walkden town centre, Salford. The property is also close to a park and other children's facilities. The whole of the ground floor, excluding the conservatory, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are seven children on the register. Children attend a variety of full and part time places.

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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 clean and well maintained home. Children benefit from daily routines which promote their health and well-being to a satisfactory standard. Children know and understand the importance of washing their hands, particularly after handling pets at the farm and before eating and that this helps to prevent germs. Children's health is further promoted because toys and equipment are washed on a regular basis and equipment for babies is sterilised. Agreed procedures are in place with parents for the exclusion of sick children and the administration of medication, ensuring all children are protected from the spread of infection. Appropriate systems are in place for recording accidents, all entries are signed by parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder supports the wishes of parents by providing a light snack for children attending after school, as parents prefer to provide cooked meals at home. Children's dietary needs are met appropriately because the childminder keeps records of what children can and cannot have. Children enjoy snacks of fresh fruit and yoghurts. However, the childminder has identified that she could do more to improve children's diet. She also lacks sufficient knowledge of other factors which impact on children's diet, such as the levels of sugar and salt content in processed foods. Children choose sugar free juices or water with their meals and snacks and when they are thirsty. The dietary needs of babies are met well because the childminder maintains their routines based on the written information obtained from parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy outdoor activities, either in the garden or the wider community. For example, children make regular visits to a farm where they can actually pet the animals and learn about them. They also engage in more physical exercise, such as football, running and climbing in the park. Children benefit from the fresh air and physical exercise which contributes to their overall growth and development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into a warm and friendly environment. The space is organised appropriately to enable children to have freedom of movement and to play in comfort. Children make choices from a suitable and safe range of toys and play materials. Children's confidence and independence is increasing as they are able to select toys from easily accessible storage units within their main play area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are generally safe on the premises because the childminder makes appropriate use of some safety equipment, such as safety gates and a fire guard. The childminder has an emergency evacuation procedure in place and children occasionally participate in emergency evacuation drills, this helps to prepare them for any real emergency situations. Children are learning about keeping themselves safe in various situations through discussion and activities, such as road safety and helping to tidy toys away. Provision for keeping babies safe is satisfactory, they have access to toys and play materials which are suitable for their age and stage of development .The equipment is suitable and safe.

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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 protected from harm because the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues and procedures. She shares information with parents verbally regarding her role and responsibilities towards the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's home. Children enjoy making choices and do this with confidence. Children select what they want to do from a wide range of toys and play materials which are appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children are confident and are becoming increasingly independent as they are supported to make choices and decisions for themselves. Children enjoy creative activities and remain focused for sustained periods of time.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children interact well with the childminder and members of her family. Children are supported well in their choice of play and receive lots of praise and encouragement. This helps to boost their confidence and self esteem. The childminder pre-plans some activities for children however, she is flexible in her approach and will follow the children's lead. The provision of play equipment for babies is good. They have access to toys which stimulate sensory development and physical growth as well as promoting social and emotional development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are met adequately. The childminder obtains relevant information from parents and keeps written details. Children are helped to settle in through a process of gradual visits with their parents. The agreed individual routines for babies are maintained, for example, their sleep and feed times. Children are treated with equal concern and respect and as a result are settled and confident in the childminder's home. Children are learning about diversity in the community through discussion and activities. However, they have limited resources which promote positive images and diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The individual needs of all children are met appropriately because the childminder has formed satisfactory relationships with parents. She shares relevant information, such as accident and medication records and maintains confidentiality. Children's behaviour is managed appropriately with the childminder implementing a variety of strategies, based on the children's ages and level of understanding. Distraction techniques, talking to the children and giving them clear explanations about unacceptable behaviour helps children to learn the rules and to respect them. Children behave well.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are closely supervised by the childminder at all times, thus ensuring they are kept safe and secure. The childminder follows required procedures to ensure all other adults on the

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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 premises are checked appropriately. Children are happy and settled in the care of the childminder and interact well with other members of her family.

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Organisation

Children enjoy play in a welcoming environment, where they are able to move around freely and comfortably. Children are becoming more confident and independent as they are encouraged to make choices and interact with their peers in the childminder's home and at events in the community. Children have freedom to select their own activities and follow their own interest. The space is sufficient and organised appropriately to meet the needs of the children attending.

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Organisation

Children's individual needs are met well because the childminder keeps written details of their needs based on information given by parents. Other required records are also in place, such as the register of attendance and contracts with parents which are up to date and available for inspection.

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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

Since the last inspection the childminder has reorganised the toys into several large storage boxes making them more available to children. The first aid box is now checked regularly and the contents replenished as required. Children's attendance is still recorded in the diary, however it is now clear when different children attend. As a result of these actions children now have more access to toys and play equipment and their overall safety is enhanced because the childminder has improved her system for recording children's attendance and regularly checks the contents of the first aid box.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted received concerns relating to National Standard 2 (Organisation) and National Standard 6 (Safety). A Childcare Inspector visited the provision on 29 November 2005. Actions were raised and satisfactorily met by the registered provider. The provider 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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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

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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): • improve the overall health of children by increasing knowledge of healthy foods • provide children with a wider range of resources that promote positive images and diversity • continue to develop policies and procedures for sharing information with parents.

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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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