Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY321143 Unique Reference Number 11 October 2006 Inspection date Barbara Law 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 2006. She runs her business from her home, which she shares with her husband and their three children, in the Stretford area of Trafford, Manchester. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding activities. Toilet and bathroom facilities are upstairs. There is a fully enclosed back garden available for outdoor play. As part of her service she uses local amenities, such as the parent and tots group, the childminders group, library and recreational parks. The registration is for three children, currently there is one child on roll. This registration does not include overnight care.

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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 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 and meals which take into account their individual dietary requirements to ensure that they stay healthy. They are learning about healthy food and choose fresh fruits and vegetables when out shopping.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning the importance of good hygiene through regular routines, such as 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 a very effective nappy changing procedure. 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 park, toddler groups, the childminder group 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 pick toys up from the floor when they have finished playing with them.

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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 wide range of varied and imaginative toys and resources. 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 according to age and height to ensure that very young children can't 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 clear understanding of her responsibilities to keep children safe, the children's welfare is paramount. She has attended training in child protection and has a sound understanding of the procedures to follow with any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and very settled in a warm, welcoming environment. They are given a sense of pride in their achievements as their creative work is thoughtfully displayed. A wide range of very good quality toys, resources and activities are available to the children, such as singing and dancing, construction, books, jigsaws and creative play. Resources are easily accessible to the children and this enables them to develop their independence and make decisions about

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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 their play. The childminder has some understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses her knowledge to provide some activities for younger children. However, children do not always have enough opportunity to explore and discover natural materials and resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are listened to, given lots of individual attention and are stimulated by eye contact, conversation and questions. They show good levels of concentration in their play. The childminder gives them lots of praise and encouragement, for example, when reading a story together, to increase their confidence and self-esteem. Their play is significantly enhanced as the childminder ensures that their play can develop spontaneously with the provision of imaginative resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make positive relationships with the childminder and each other. They play very well together and co-operate in their activities.

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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 peoples cultures, traditions and way of life is developed by the provision of good resources and activities reflecting other peoples lifestyles and cultures.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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 is aware of their needs and offers a flexible service for parents who work shifts or odd hours. Good information is shared with parents on a daily basis. The childminder completes a daily record 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 good organisation and the care of an enthusiastic childminder. Their development is enhanced by the individual support they receive and good time management which ensures their emotional, physical and developmental needs are met. Children actively contribute to their care by making decisions about their play.

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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 All required documentation and records are well maintained and kept up to date and children's progress is shared with parents. 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

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

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): • develop the range of activities for children aged under 3 years, for example, by using the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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