Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY330807 Unique Reference Number 12 December 2006 Inspection date Glynis Margaret Kite 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 February 2006. She lives with her husband, adult daughter and a son aged 14 years. The childminder also acts as a long term foster carer, and presently fosters two children who are 12 and 14 years of age. Her husband works as a childminding assistant. The family live in a property in Salford, Manchester, which is located close to playgroups, parks, a library, shopping centre and a toy library. The living room, kitchen/dining area, conservatory on the ground floor and the bathroom and landing area on the first floor are registered for childminding purposes. Fully enclosed front, side and rear gardens are available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children under eight.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There is one child on the register at present. Children can attend full and part time places.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 benefit from daily routines which effectively promote personal and domestic hygiene, such as providing children with their own bedding and sterilising equipment for babies. The childminder further promotes good hygiene as she ensures the immediate disposal of nappies and cleans equipment used for this procedure. Children benefit from the interaction afforded to them during intimate care routines, such as nappy changing, because the childminder maintains eye contact and talks to children, thus helping them to feel secure and valued. The overall health and well being of children is further promoted by the childminder because she has included an exclusion policy for sick children within the written contracts, thus helping to prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The dietary needs of individual children are catered for well. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure she is maintaining routines and following their wishes. Parents currently choose to provide meals and bottles for babies. The childminder demonstrated, through discussion, good knowledge and understanding of the importance of providing healthy, balanced meals and snacks for children and intends to offer home cooked meals. The childminder keeps written details of children's dietary requirements and records daily intake to share with parents at the end of the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are maintained to a good standard of decoration and repair. The environment is warm and welcoming with lots of natural light, the home is also maintained to a comfortable temperature, taking account of children who are not yet mobile. Potential hazards to children are identified and addressed, for example, the childminder makes good use of safety equipment, such as fireguards and socket covers, to prevent accidental injury to children in her care. Other safety equipment includes smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and a fire blanket in the kitchen. However, this is not in a secure place and therefore not readily accessible in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy a range of toys that are safe and suitable for their age and stage of development, such as rattles, teething rings, soft textured toys and musical activity centres. All toys and play equipment are of good quality. The childminder provides furniture and equipment which is appropriate to the needs of children in her care, for example, a bouncy chair, activity centre with mobiles to encourage sitting and physical development and a cot for babies to rest and sleep.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is secure in her knowledge of child protection issues and procedures. She is confident that she would recognise signs of abuse and neglect and act appropriately to protect the welfare of children in her care.

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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 the childminder's home. They are beginning to establish a close relationship with the childminder and respond to her with gurgles and smiles. The childminder encourages communication by talking to children and maintaining eye contact. Children are beginning to show a preference for certain toys, particularly those that make noise and have a variety of textures, which they can scrunch and squeeze.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates, through discussion, good knowledge of child development. However, she is not familiar with the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She offers toys and equipment which encourage children to explore new textures and sounds, such as some natural materials and musical toys. The childminder is aware of what the children can do and records some information for parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. To enable the childminder to meet the individual needs of children in her care, she exchanges lots of information with parents and records the details. As a result children's routines are maintained and their needs met well. A programme of gradual visits enables parents and children to meet the childminder and her family and become familiar with the surroundings. Children benefit from these visits and settle quickly. Resources are available which help to raise awareness of the diversity within the wider community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the close working relationship that the childminder has established with their parents. They regularly exchange information, both in writing and verbally. This ensures children's needs are met consistently. However, the childminder has not put in place a complaints procedure which she could share with parents. The childminder understands that a range of strategies may need to be adopted to manage children's behaviour, such as discussion, distraction and time out. The various strategies take account of the children’s ages and their level of understanding. Children behave well.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder follows appropriate procedures regarding the care and supervision of children. They are never left alone in the care of others and all adults on the premises have undertaken relevant checks.

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Organisation

The space and resources are organised well and take account of the children present. The childminder is keen to attend further training and stated her intention to put her name forward for some courses in the future. Most required records and documentation are in place and available for inspection.

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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

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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 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 the fire blanket is secured in an accessible place in the kitchen • enhance the provision for children under three, for example by accessing the "Birth to three matters" training • ensure all required records and documentation are completed and made available for inspection.

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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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