Hirst, Carolyn

Inspection report for early years provision

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316141 Unique Reference Number 25 July 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 outstanding. 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 1993 and lives with her husband and their three children aged 13, 11 and 4 years in the Boarshaw area of Middleton. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor with sleeping facilities provided in this area. Toilet facilities are located upstairs. There is a secure rear garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 12 children on roll who attend part time, or for before and after school and holiday care to accommodate parents needs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is the organiser for the local childminder drop - in group, the vacancy organiser and the link person for all childminders in the Boarshaw area of Middleton.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the Rochdale Children Come First Network. She was awarded the Rochdale Children Deserve Quality Award in 2003. She is a member of Rochdale Childminding Association (RCMA) and the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 family have one cat and a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a very good quality environment where the childminder places a consistently high emphasis on keeping the home and equipment clean and hygienic. There are excellent procedures in place for the cleaning and maintenance of equipment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning to take care of themselves and are developing an excellent awareness of good health and hygiene practices through regular daily routines. They are able to help themselves to wipes and know how to dispose of them hygienically, fresh towels are provided for them every day and they are able to clean their teeth after meals. They stay healthy because the childminder has a very comprehensive sickness and exclusion policy and excellent procedures to prevent cross infection. They are protected from infection because the childminder is very well informed about children's health care matters such as how to keep them free from infection when visiting farms or playing with animals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a range of very healthy and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks which are freshly cooked and prepared. These take into account their individual dietary requirements to ensure that they stay healthy. The childminder is experienced in providing vegetarian options and dietary requirements for children from other cultures.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an extremely good range of physical activities which contributes to a healthy lifestyle. They develop a high degree of self confidence through unlimited use of a wide range of outdoor equipment and regular walks. They are able to access outdoor play in the enclosed garden at all times. They benefit from highly effective planning and routines which provide plenty of fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's safety is given the utmost priority in an extremely safe and secure environment. Risks are identified and minimised by robust procedures such as risk assessments and safety reports for gas and electrical equipment. Children are learning to keep themselves safe through excellent safety routines when outdoors and are developing a very good sense of road safety when walking to and from school. They understand rules such as using the lollipop lady and practicing the green cross code at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children move freely between rooms and the garden to select from a wealth of varied and imaginative toys and resources. All equipment and resources are of very good quality, age appropriate and regularly checked for safety. They are very well organised to allow children to make independent choices about their play and improve their confidence and independence skills.

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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 extremely well protected. The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. The children's welfare is promoted by her clear understanding of her responsibilities under the Children Act and her response to any concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from being cared for in an extremely clean, comfortable, well furnished and cared for environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children present were extremely happy and settled in the childminder's care. Children are very confident and self assured in their play and older children are praised for helping younger ones in their activities. The children happily sang along with "Tommy Thumb" as they cleaned each of their fingers after gluing their pictures. Children's independence and self sufficiency are very well developed through easily accessible and well labelled, high quality resources and equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's individual needs are met through the childminder's excellent planning and reviewing of play and resources. The childminder has attended training in planning and assessment and plans over a three year period . Children work at their own level on interesting monthly topics, such as "What can we see outside?". The childminder is extremely skilled in offering reassurance and developing children's play and in recognising their immediate needs, such as helping the youngest child to use scissors, so that no child feel excluded from the activities. Children's play is significantly enhanced as the childminder ensures that play can develop spontaneously with the provision of varied and imaginative resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience a very wide variety of activities including crafts, imaginative play and visits to local places of interest. They are given a sense of pride in their achievements as their work is displayed and held in individual portfolios. The childminder produces written assessments for each child and uses these to support and plan for the next stage in development. Children enjoy excellent creative play and visits to local places of interest. Their language, communication and thinking are developed as they are stimulated in discussion and through very skilful questioning about their play, such as "who do you think lives in this house, where are they going to?". Children are all given a high level of individual support in their play from a very enthusiastic childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are learning very well about the world around them and are actively encouraged to value people, and themselves, as individuals. They enjoy a wide range of very interesting experiences, planned to develop their awareness of other peoples cultures and traditions. The childminder has a very pro-active inclusion policy, is extremely experienced in caring for children with special needs, and meets with other professionals to ensure their needs are being met. All children's individual needs are fully discussed with parents and are confidently met by the childminder. Procedures for monitoring and evaluation of children's progress are excellent.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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 speaks very 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 very well developed through the use of good manners, simple house rules and encouragement in small chores. Their efforts and participation are rewarded by lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder and as a result behaviour is very good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from an extremely positive partnership between the childminder and their parents. Their needs are promoted through excellent systems being in place for sharing information, such as newsletters, notice board and questionnaires and a detailed information pack is available to new parents. Parents of pre-school children have access to a daily diary which they may add information to, ensuring consistency of care between home and the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The very effective routines and extremely good planning of activities enable children to be confident and happy in their play. They benefit from an excellent range of indoor and outdoor experiences giving them a varied and interesting day. Children actively contribute to their care by making decisions about their play.

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Organisation

Children's freedom of choice is enhanced by an extremely well organised and set out environment. Children move comfortably between activities, making selections and gaining confidence and independence skills.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the care of a highly motivated and extremely well organised childminder. The documentation and record keeping is excellent and well detailed information on children's developmental progress and their achievements are regularly shared with parents. Children are protected from harm by the childminder's constant supervision and vigilance. She is trained in first aid and her service is greatly enhanced by her commitment to further training and personal development.

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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 agreed to raise children's awareness of other cultures with the provision of further resources for the home corner and to ensure children's safety by making a first aid available on outings. These recommendations have been carried out leading to a safer and more stimulating environment for 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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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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