Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY288682 Unique Reference Number 05 September 2006 Inspection date Carole, Jean Bell 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 2004. She lives with her husband and three children aged 14 and eight years and an adult daughter in a semi detached house in the Shaw area of Oldham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house and the front bedroom are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder attends local adult & toddler groups. The household has four pet cats and a dog. There are seven children currently on roll attending part time.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well cared for home where they learn about taking care of themselves and staying healthy. They benefit from very healthy and nutritious snacks which

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 take into account their individual dietary requirements to ensure that they stay healthy. The childminder is experienced in meeting children's individual dietary requirements. Children are able to help themselves to drinks from a water cooler as they need them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning the importance of good hygiene through regular routines, such as flushing the toilet and washing their hands and covering their mouths when they sneeze. They stay healthy because the childminder has a sick children and inclusion policy and good procedures to prevent cross contamination, such as individual towels and facecloths for each child. Documentation is in place to record accidents, medication and children's individual health needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise which contributes to their good health. Visits to the local toddler groups, swimming and outdoor play in the enclosed garden enables them to develop their physical skills and enjoy healthy exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is given a high priority in a safe and secure environment where risks are identified and minimised. They learn about staying safe through regular routines and gentle reminders to take care of the little ones and not to go too fast on cars and bikes. Children are confident in their understanding of road safety rules when outdoors. They understand that they must hold on to the side of the baby buggy and stop at the kerb.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to move about freely to select from a wealth of varied and imaginative toys and resources. They have easy access to the outdoor area and can play indoors or out as they wish. All equipment is of very good quality, age appropriate and safe. Resources are well organised to allow children to make independent choices about their play and improve their confidence and independence skills. They are stored to ensure that very young children cannot access toys for older children that may pose a danger or hazard to their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected. The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection issues and has produced information for parents on physical contact with children to nurture and comfort them without compromising their safety. She fully understands her responsibility under the Children Act to keep children safe and the children's welfare is paramount.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are given a sense of pride in their achievements. Their creative artwork is displayed by the childminder and they are given very good support in their play. The children present were all happy and settled in the childminder's care. They chat excitedly and converse easily with each other and with the childminder. They are confident and self assured in their play and are able to freely select from a very good range of high quality toys and resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's development is fostered by the childminder's knowledge of the children's individual needs and personalities. Their play is enhanced as the childminder ensures that play can develop

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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 spontaneously with the provision of varied and imaginative resources. They enjoy indoor and outdoor play and are gaining awareness of the natural world as they watched, amused, as a spider lowered itself from the washing line and leaped back up again each time it touched a small puddle on the garden bench.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's development is enhanced with good opportunities to engage in exciting and interesting play, such as creative and imaginative play, treasure baskets for babies, books and stories, trips to the local swimming baths as well as visits to the park, market and toddler group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are fully discussed with parents and competently met by the childminder. Children are learning about the world around them and are encouraged to value all people, and themselves, as individuals. Their awareness of other people's cultures, traditions and way of life is developed by the provision of very good resources and activities reflecting other people's lifestyles and cultures. However, the childminder's understanding of some aspects of diversity is limited which hinders the children's learning. She is experienced in meeting children's individual religious and medical needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder speaks positively to the children at all times and works hard at building their self-esteem. Their social skills and respect for people and property are developed through the use of good manners and a high emphasis is given to sharing and taking turns. Their efforts and participation are rewarded by lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from a positive partnership between the childminder and their parents. Children are happy and settled because the childminder spends time getting to know about the varying needs of families who use her service in pre-placement meetings. Good information is shared with parents on a daily basis. The childminder completes a daily journal and development tracker for younger children so that parents can see what they have done during the day and add their own information. This provides consistency of care for the children and involves parents in the day to day care of their child.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for. They benefit from the care of an enthusiastic and experienced childminder. Their development is enhanced by the individual support they receive and the provision of a very good range of activities provided in a homely environment. Children actively contribute to their care by making lots of decisions about their play. Their routine is planned but allows for flexibility and spontaneity.

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Organisation

The documentation and record keeping is effective and children's progress is shared with parents. A detailed and relevant range of policies and procedures are in place to promote the safety and well-being of the children cared for. The childminder is committed to her own professional development through ongoing training and development. She is qualified in first aid and children are protected from harm by the childminder's constant vigilance and supervision.

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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 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 agreed to improve the safety of dangerous substances, obtain parental consent for emergency medical treatment and increase resources reflecting all aspects of diversity. All these recommendations have been complied with leading to a safer and more stimulating environment for minded children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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): • increase knowledge and understanding of diversity to actively promote anti-discriminatory practice.

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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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