Childminder in Trafford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY330634 Inspection date 03 August 2006 Inspector Nighat Ghani

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged four years and one year. They live in Urmston, close to local parks, shops and schools. The living room, conservatory and kitchen are used for childminding. The bathroom facilities are on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Currently there are two children on roll. The childminder is registered to mind four children under eight years.

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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 The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and clean home where the childminder generally implements satisfactory hygiene practice to prevent the spread of infection. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before having their meals and after using the toilet. However, good practice of washing hands before snack time is not followed through as children sit on a rug to have their snack, which they have been walking and playing on. This increases the risk of cross infection and contamination. The childminder discusses and agrees children's dietary requirements with parents, which safeguards children's health. Children have access to a range of healthy snacks, which contribute to their physical growth and development. Appropriate records of all the accidents and medication are kept, which contribute towards children's good health. However, the childminder has not obtained parents'

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Helping children to be healthy

permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Consequently, in the event of a serious accident or illness the childminder may not act according to parental wishes. Children enjoy a range of activities that promote a healthy lifestyle. Outdoor play in the back garden and visits to the park improve children's physical skills. As they play outside they bounce on the trampoline, run and slide, helping them to gain control of their bodies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel comfortable in a warm, clean and well presented environment. They use an excellent range of developmentally appropriate resources, which encompass all areas of their learning. Toys are in excellent condition and easily accessible, which promotes children’s choice and develops their independence. Space and furniture is well organised to allow children to move around safely and play in comfort. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments both in and outdoors to ensure children’s safety. However, the fire in the lounge, the gas cooker, the radiator in the hallway and the banisters remain a safety hazard to the children. The childminder has not yet devised an emergency evacuation plan. As a result, children do not know what to do in the case of an emergency. Children are well protected in the childminder's care as she has sound knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She is fully aware of the procedures to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

follow if she suspects abuse or neglect.

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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 happy and settled in their environment. They take part in developmentally appropriate play and learning experiences both indoors and outdoors. Children are confident and independent as they enjoy taking part in activities in a safe and supportive environment. Children have an excellent relationship with their childminder who offers them appropriate support and guidance as they take part in different activities. For example, the childminder provides children with excellent reference books to promote their ideas and creativity. She introduces different media and materials for children to freely explore and experiment with. Children engage in a creative activity for a long period of time, choosing different materials, cutting and gluing to create their own cars. Children enjoy taking part in physical activities in the back garden and the local park, such as riding their bikes, climbing on the slide and playing with balls, hoops and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

skipping ropes, which promotes their large motor skills. They enthusiastically participate in creative and imaginative activities, such as painting and drawing, which enables them to express themselves freely.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are warmly welcomed into the home and are treated with equal concern. They feel at ease in their surroundings and freely chat to the childminder about what they are doing. Children gain little understanding of the wider world. They have access to limited resources, which reflect positive images of race, culture, religion and gender. As a result, children are unable to fully develop an awareness of diversity. Children benefit from the close working relationship that the childminder has formed with the parents. Daily informal chats about children’s routines keep the parents informed about their child and promote consistency and continuity of care. Children are learning how to share, take turns and play co-operatively. They gradually learn to understand and respect boundaries and what is right or wrong in a caring environment. The childminder listens and values what children say and do and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

consistently offers praise and encouragement, as a result children develop their confidence and self-esteem. Appropriate strategies, such as distraction or negotiation are used to promote positive behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are relaxed and comfortable in the childminder's home. Most of 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 records for the smooth running of the provision are in place. Children's attendance register is kept up to date, but their exact time of arrival and departure is not recorded, which compromises their safety. They benefit from the effective organisation of space and the stimulating environment, which they confidently explore making choices about their play. However, occasional lapses in the organisation result in some gaps in ensuring the health and safety of the children. Children are well cared for because the childminder spends time playing with them providing a good level of individual support and attention, which helps them feel secure. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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): • maintain good hygiene practices after hand washing and obtain parents' permission to seek emergency advice or treatment • make the fire in the lounge, radiator in the hallway, cooker and the banisters safe • devise and practise an escape plan • increase resources that reflect positive images of diversity

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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 • ensure children's exact time of arrival and departure is recorded.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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