Childminder in Oldham

Inspection report for early years provision

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301360 Unique Reference Number 10 October 2006 Inspection date (Kate) Kathryn, Jane Ryder 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 1993. She lives with her husband and three adult children. They live in a house in the Chadderton area of Oldham. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family keep turtles and a pet rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder cares for a maximum of six children under eight years of age, and currently there are eight children attending for various days and hours. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 warm, clean home where the childminder promotes suitable hygiene practices by having regular routines for cleaning the home and equipment. Children are beginning to learn the importance of personal care and hygiene issues through the guidance of the childminder. For example, they wash their hands after going to the toilet, before having their snack, and after feeding the rabbit. The availability of paper towels protects children from cross infection. Young children sleeping in prams in the garden are positioned in shade and are adequately protected from the dangers of strong sunshine. The childminder has relevant systems in place to record information relating to accidents and medication for children. However, some entries lack information about the medication and parental permission. This compromises children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular opportunities for outdoor play, which promotes their individual growth and general well being. They benefit from playing in the fresh air in the back garden, walks in the local community and in the park. There are also weekly trips to a soft play gym, where they can practise climbing and balancing skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has appropriate knowledge about individual children's dietary needs. She provides children with adequate healthy snacks of fruit and bread products, such as toast and crumpets. Children understand they must sit down for snacks, which helps to promote social skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home which is well maintained and of a good standard of décor, both of which contribute to a welcoming environment for children. The childminder organises her space well and as a result children have ample space to play in comfort. Toys are arranged in boxes on the floor so that children can independently make choices about what they want to play with. There is appropriate equipment available to aid children's independence, such as a toilet step, which is also used for children to stand on to watch the childminder as she prepares snacks at the kitchen worktop.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Satisfactory procedures are followed which ensure children are kept safe. For example, the childminder carries out formal risk assessments twice a year and visually checks the premises, toys and equipment on a daily basis. There are emergency evacuation procedures and children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe in an emergency situation through the introduction of fire drill practices. The childminder ensures young children are kept safe whilst outdoors through the use of wrist reins and discussions about road traffic danger.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has recently attended training and has updated her knowledge about child protection issues. She is clear about her role and responsibilities in protecting the welfare of

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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 the child and she has devised a written statement that she shares with parents, making them aware of her role in the child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has established an effective settling-in period for new children. It ensures she responds to individual needs and enables children to become familiar with the setting. As a consequence, children develop warm relationships with both the childminder and their peers. For example, young children offer toys to one another and play side by side. The childminder promotes their emotional development well through the use of purposeful praise and encouragement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to play activities that reflect their interests and are appropriate for their age and stage of development. They show interest and concentration in what they do and become involved in activities for long periods of time. For example, they play with construction bricks, making long snakes and name the different coloured bricks; they line cars up and push them in and around chairs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing independence as they make some selections about what they want to play with. The childminder has begun to look at planning for play in her setting and having regard of the 'Birth to three matters' framework would be beneficial to the learning outcomes for young children. The childminder shows strong commitment to developing her practice and has recently embarked on a ten week training course in readiness to introduce the principles which underpin the framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder works closely with parents, making sure she finds out about children's individual needs and routines. She provides children with an inclusive play environment where they are involved in making some choices about what they want to do. She makes good use of a toy library to provide children with a range of anti-discriminatory toys and offers reasonable opportunities for children to explore other people's customs. For example, children have helped to make Bangladesh bread and eaten it during snack time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to learn about responsible behaviour as they follow the childminder's example. They learn to be sensitive to and respect the needs of others, such as when older children help younger ones and are patient with them when they spoil their play. Older children respond well to the use of a star chart and feel a sense of achievement as they receive a small gift for good behaviour. Each child receives regular praise and encouragement, which reflects in their good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed good relationships with parents and children benefit from a clear induction procedure that enables her to gather information about home routines and preferences. Parents are well supported by the willingness of the childminder to settle a child in at school, enabling the easy transition from the childminder's setting into school life.

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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 Information about children's progress is shared through daily conversations. This ensures continuity of care for children and promotes partnership with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a childminder who shows good commitment to regularly update her childcare knowledge and skills through the many short training courses she attends each year. She has recently enrolled on training in 'Birth to three matters' and plans to use her knowledge in enhancing the learning opportunities for younger children. She is fully aware of the vetting procedure for adults and has taken appropriate action for a member of her family reaching the age of 16 years.

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Organisation

Space is well organised to provide an accessible environment for the children which helps them develop their independence. This ensures children are comfortable and at ease in the setting. The childminder balances her time well and manages her ratios in order to provide children with good levels of her time and attention.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures all relevant documents are kept and she displays her registration certificate in a prominent position. She has a clear system for recording children's attendance times and has set up individual children's files, which ensure details are kept confidential. The childminder has prepared a pack containing her written policies and procedures, and each new parent is provided with a copy.

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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 time of the last inspection one recommendation was raised requiring the childminder to obtain parental written consent before giving children any medication. The childminder has set up a system whereby parental permission letters are stapled directly onto the administration record. However, there are some gaps in matching permission letters and medicine administration records. As a consequence, parental wishes and children's health are compromised.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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. 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): • ensure in all cases that parental written consent is obtained prior to administering any medication and make sure records are kept of the medicines administered • improve outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with 'Birth to three matters'.

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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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