Childminder in Tameside

Inspection report for early years provision

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312185 Unique Reference Number 07 September 2006 Inspection date Jeanne Lesley Walsh 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 1996, she lives with her husband, her adult son and her young daughter. They live in the Dukinfield area of Tameside. Childminding takes place mainly on the ground floor of the house, in the lounge, dining room and kitchen. Upstairs there is access to the family bathroom. The children also have use of the rear garden which is fully enclosed and available for outdoor play activities. The childminder is registered to provide care for five children under eight years. The registration does not include overnight care. Children may be taken to and from school and on outings to the local park, shops and library, with parental consent.

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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 cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They are routinely encouraged to wash their hands regularly, for example, after using the toilet, before eating and after playing in the garden, in order to prevent the spread of germs. During the inspection the baby has its hands washed after a nappy change and again before enjoying a snack. All the equipment and changing facilities are clean and well cared for.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy regular exercise both in the garden and out on trips. Photographic evidence shows the children doing hand stands in the garden, playing on the trampoline and the slide. One photograph shows how fascinated the children are when a frog tries to climb up the slide.

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Helping children to be healthy

During the inspection the baby is busy learning to crawl and pull itself up on the furniture. There are also push along toys to help with the physical development of the younger children. The childminder describes activities that encourage older children to run, hop, skip and jump and photographic evidence confirms that the children take part in such activities. The childminder is also aware of the need for children to have rest periods and they are learning how exercise and rest affects their bodies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Discussion with parents ensures that the childminder is aware of children's individual dietary needs. She organises meals well so that the children begin to understand the benefit of a healthy diet from the choice of foods available to them. These include fresh foods, fruit and vegetables and a choice of healthy drinks. The older children are involved in helping to prepare simple snacks, making jelly and baking. The baby also enjoys experiencing the texture of the jelly, as well as the taste. The children talk about their favourite foods and the childminder encourages them to try new foods regularly. Sample menus are available for parents information.

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Helping children to be healthy

Appropriate records that ensure children’s well-being are available. Most of these are in good order. However, children are not fully protected because the procedures followed are not always in accordance with the sick children policy. The administration of medication is discussed with parents but some of the records lack written detail.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children benefit from a well maintained, secure and homely environment. They are able to move around freely and comfortably and are encouraged to make independent choices in their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

They have easy access to a wide range of good quality toys and equipment which conform to safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Positive steps are taken indoors and outdoors to ensure that potential risks to children are minimised. The childminder regularly checks play areas, security, toys and equipment to ensure

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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 that safety is maintained. An emergency evacuation procedure is practised with the children to ensure that they know and understand what to do in the event of a fire. Children also know how to seek help in the event that the childminder becomes ill. The childminder is aware of appropriate legislation when transporting children in the car and she provides safety seats accordingly. She also informs the parents of new laws relating to the use of safety car seats for children.

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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. Good procedures and the required documentation are used to actively safeguard and promote the children’s welfare. Their safety is a priority to the childminder and she records all accidents and incidents that happen to children. She is fully aware of Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and her responsibility to implement them. She has recently completed additional training to further develop her own knowledge so that she can protect the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The minded children are content and settled. The childminder knows the children well and confidently provides for their individual care needs. She is well aware of their different ages and stages of development and she ensures that they are equally challenged and helped to progress. For example, she recognises that one child is getting ready to walk and so she has provided a baby walker and other items that will help to assist the baby's progression.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children participate in a good variety of appropriate play opportunities and activities. They are learning independence as they choose what to play with from the wide variety of good quality resources available to them. Their day is planned to provide a well balanced range of activities to stimulate their interest and development in all areas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children have opportunities to develop their creativity, such as painting, dancing and dressing up. They enjoy both free play and some more organised activities, which they do together or alone, as they wish. One child is showing curiosity by exploring a large activity toy and giggles as the childminder peeps through it from the other side. She helps the child to develop good manipulative and coordination skills as she encourages it to stack the coloured bricks. The children know that their work is respected and appreciated as it is displayed on the board for everyone to see. This helps them to feel valued in the setting. The children can also enjoy looking at the photograph albums that remind them of the previous activities they have shared.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are comfortable and relaxed and share positive experiences as they talk and laugh together. This helps them to develop warm and caring relationships with the childminder and with 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. However, she knows when to sit back and watch as they experiment and try things for themselves. The childminder talks to them about what they are doing and about things of interest. This helps the children to link words with actions and make progress in communicating and developing language skills. She actively encourages children to communicate verbally and develop vocabulary, through talking, listening and generally chatting constantly.

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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 The childminder demonstrates good skills and she has the tools to help children to achieve and to progress. Children are happy and learning and they are developing socially, physically and intellectually. Their individual needs are being met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are provided with a wide range of activities and resources both inside and outside the home. These reflect positive images of culture, religion, gender and disability. They are designed to begin increasing awareness of diversity and understanding of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy experiences that are helping them to develop a firm sense of belonging and become aware of the wider world. They visit the park, the library and other childminders. Photographic evidence shows the children enjoying a visit to a local farm and feeding the animals. The childminder gives other examples of how sometimes she asks the children to lead her to the park. The children enjoy the game which helps them to get used to the area they live in. She also describes taking the children for a walk to visit a friend, following a different route than usual. One child could not understand that they could see the local church from the side rather than from the front. The child thought it was a different church and kept saying, 'Its not my church'. When they went round to the other side they could then see the building from the angle that they usually see it on the way to school. The children are learning about

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children behave well and are starting to learn about right and wrong as the childminder demonstrates a positive approach to behaviour management. She is clearly aware of different ages and stages of development and she tailors her approach appropriately. Children receive praise and encouragement and they are learning to share and to care about each other through talking, explanations and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are reminded of the simple house rules which are based around respect and safety. These are discussed so that the children become aware of them and they take ownership. For example, when the childminder bought a slide for the garden, she talked to the children about safety and together they made some very specific rules about safety on the slide. The children know them well and they make sure that the rules are followed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept informed of their child’s progress through daily discussion. The childminder works hard to foster good professional relationships for the benefit of the children. Documentation from the parents confirms that they are happy with the provider and the care their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are happy and settled in a warm and stimulating environment. The childminder organises activities so that they have sufficient space and can play in comfort. They are encouraged to make choices for themselves from the wide variety of learning opportunities

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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 which are easily accessible. This promotes children's confidence so they eagerly explore their surroundings and initiate their own play.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to developing her own knowledge and skills through attending additional training courses. This is helping her to improve her childcare skills and the service she provides. Children enjoy receiving lots of encouragement and attention from the childminder. She maintains appropriate adult child ratios and the children benefit from having their individual needs met. Their care is agreed with parents through regular discussions and written contracts and their welfare is well supported through good practice, policies and procedures. They are cared for in a secure environment where they can develop and achieve at their own pace. 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 complete the daily register at the time of arrival and departure of the children. Records show that this is now done and the register is kept well. She was also asked to increase her awareness of child protection procedures. She completed a Safeguarding Children training course in January 2006, which has updated her knowledge and awareness of child protection.

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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): • improve the written detail of the administration of medication records and amend the sick children policy accordingly

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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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