Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY332568 Unique Reference Number 23 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 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 2006. She runs her business from her home, which she shares with her husband and their daughter, in the Ardwick area of Manchester. The whole of the ground floor of the property, lounge, hall and kitchen/diner, is used for childminding activities. Toilet and bathroom facilities are upstairs. An adjacent park is used for outdoor play. As part of her service she uses local amenities, such as the parent and tots group, recreational park and library. The registration is for four 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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable environment. They are beginning to understand the importance of good hygiene through regularly reinforced routines, such as washing their hands after going to the toilet and before and after meals. A sick child and exclusion policy is in place and the use of individual towels helps to protect children from cross infection. Children's health and well-being is safeguarded in an emergency situation through prior written consent from parents being sought.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and are provided with frequent drinks to keep them hydrated. They are offered a choice of snacks and homemade meals which include fresh fruit and vegetables, rice, chicken and pasta, toast and crackers.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in beneficial physical activity outdoors. For example, they regularly visit the park so they can run, use the slide and the swings and refine their physical skills. They walk to and from the toddler group and local school.

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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 safe, secure and welcoming home. There is plenty of room for all children and the separated lounge/dining area allows older and younger children to successfully pursue different interests and activities. They use suitable and safe equipment which is all clean and well maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are encouraged to make independent choices about their play through toys, games and equipment, such as musical and construction toys, being presented at low level.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play safely in the home because suitable precautions have been taken. For example, safety gates prevent unsupervised access to the kitchen and stairs, plug socket covers are in place and smoke detectors kept in good working order. A procedure is in place relating to emergency evacuation and regular fire drills take place. This enhances children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe when out walking because the childminder reinforces responsible road safety behaviour, such as always using designated crossings and reminding children to stop, look and listen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder has a sufficient understanding of appropriate child protection procedures which she will put into practice if necessary.

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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 confident and settled with the childminder. They are given lots of individual attention and are stimulated by eye contact, cuddles and questions which encourages their development and language skills. Children's development is fostered by the childminder's good knowledge of children's individual needs and stages of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to select their toys from a range of age appropriate equipment provided to develop their play skills. They interact happily with the childminder and cooperate well in their play. They have opportunities to experience a range of activities, such as construction, musical toys, cars and track, singing and story telling, creative and imaginative play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are valued. The childminder listens to what they are saying and responds positively to them at all times. Children demonstrate their confidence as they freely approach the childminder, making requests for a snack, a drink or to go to the toilet. Children feel good about themselves when the childminder praises them for being so good and a pleasure to look after. She talks kindly to children and responds quickly to their requests for assistance and support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well behaved. Children feel valued as individuals and develop a sense of belonging through the childminder offering praise and encouragement of their social skills and good manners. Children are warmly welcomed into the home and treated with respect and regard.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are becoming independent. They help to tidy away toys before selecting alternatives. Children make choices and select resources in their own play activities. They play with all the resources, participating in role play with each other and the childminder. However, the play materials contain few positive images of our diverse society and this limits children's understanding of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Information about individual children's progress and the day's activities are shared with parents via a daily diary and verbally each day. This ensures children's continuity of care and creates links between home and the childminder. Parents are provided with information relating to policies, procedures and the setting; registration and first aid certificates are clearly displayed. This ensures parents are well informed of the service they can expect for their child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has some knowledge of equal opportunities. Children are beginning to learn about wider society as they access some resources which reflect positive images of society. This helps to promote their understanding of diversity whilst increasing their self-esteem and respect for others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a positive partnership between the childminder and their parents. Continuity of care and consistency for children is ensured by informal daily feedback.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are well cared for. Their development is enhanced by the individual support they receive and the suitable range of activities provided in an organised, homely environment. Children are able to contribute to their care by making decisions about their play.

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Organisation

The childminder is suitably vetted and has completed all mandatory training which ensures children are well protected and cared for. Most required documentation and records are well maintained and kept up to date and children's progress is shared with parents. Children are protected from harm by the childminder's vigilance and supervision. Her service is enhanced by her commitment to ongoing training.

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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 require the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet 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): • increase resources to reflect positive images of race, culture, gender and disability.

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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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