Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY334530 Unique Reference Number 03 October 2006 Inspection date Anne Drinkwater 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 lives with her sister and son aged 13 years in the Woodhouse Park area of Manchester. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Bathroom facilities are situated on the first floor.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently four children on roll who attend on a full and part-time basis. With parental permission children are taken to local parks and adult and toddler groups. 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 are introduced to appropriate hygiene practices through everyday routines for hand washing. They learn the importance of good personal hygiene from an early age because of the childminder's consistent reminders. The childminder adopts good practices for nappy changing, for example she ensures nappies are hygienically disposed of. This minimises the risks of cross infection. Children's health and well-being is successfully promoted by the childminder's policies and procedures for accidents, sickness and medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is knowledgeable about children's dietary needs. These are adequately recorded and parent’s wishes are followed. Special diets are accommodated as one child is vegetarian, which ensures routines for young children reflect those already established at home. Healthy meals and snacks, such as nutritious home cooked foods and fruit introduce children to a healthy eating regime. Children develop good social skills as they sit at the dining table with the childminder for meals. Children enjoy regular drinks and are continually refreshed as their feeder cups are frequently topped up.

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Helping children to be healthy

A flexible routine ensures children rest, eat and sleep according to their needs. Children benefit from opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air and they enjoy daily walks in the local parks. Children regularly attend toddler groups where they can develop new physical skills, such as running and climbing. Young children are gaining in confidence when using equipment, which requires them to push or pull, for example, when manoeuvring wheeled toys across the room using their feet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are appropriately cared for in a welcoming and child orientated home. Displays of children's artwork and the availability of toys and equipment ensure children feel happy and secure in their play environment. Children are provided with a suitable selection of toys and resources, which represent their developmental stage and interests. These are stored in low level boxes, which encourages children to be self sufficient in their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are protected by some safety and security measures, which reflect the current age and ability of children attending. The childminder is proactive in ensuring children's safety, for example, requesting a fire officer visit to ensure the home is safe, however, gas appliances are not routinely checked. The childminder ensures children are directly supervised when using the local parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well-being is adequately supported because the childminder has a basic understanding of child protection issues. However, she is not familiar with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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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 content because they are cared for in a positive and supportive environment. Children enjoy an appropriate range of play provision and activities, which supports their learning and development. For example, they extend their imagination skills as they play with action figures and role play resources. They enjoy a wide range of picture, story and reference books and use their manipulative skills with puzzles and games. In addition, children use an adequate range of resources and equipment to promote their creative skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. As a result they develop a good sense of well-being. Children develop some independence skills as they select activities of their own choosing. The childminder supports children's communication skills through effective chatting and questioning, consequently children are confident communicators.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A flexible balance between adult-led and child-initiated activities enables children to learn at their own pace. They also mix with other children through regular attendance at toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are well met because the childminder knows them well and records their individual needs. The childminder is supportive to children who speak English as an additional language. She has taken time to learn some key words, which helps children feel settled and assured. However, play resources which reflect the wider world are not readily available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an understanding of right and wrong because the childminder uses positive strategies. For example, good behaviour is promoted with lots of praise which increases children's self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Satisfactory partnership with parents contributes to children’s well-being. Parents are encouraged to contact the childminder daily to allay any concerns they may have. The childminder's flexible approach reassures parents and they develop a sense of trust with the childminder. However, the childminder has not updated her complaints procedure in line with recent changes to the regulations.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for within a warm and welcoming home where the childminder makes appropriate use of the space available to meet their needs and routines. For example, children use the dining room for floor play, table top activities and meal times. In addition, the sitting room provides an alternative quiet area for the children.

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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 The childminder shows a commitment to improving her practice to promote positive outcomes for children. Since registration she has acquired a place on the pre registration course and is due to complete a statutory first aid course.

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Organisation

The childminder has most policies and procedures, which underpin her childminding practice and these, are shared with parents. 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 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.

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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): • update knowledge and understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures • develop the range of resources and activities, which widen children's awareness of culture, race, disability, religion and gender • ensure gas appliances are routinely checked to ensure their continued safety • ensure a complaints procedure and a recording log book is available to parents and available for inspection.

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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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