Smith, Josie

Inspection report for early years provision

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322807 Unique Reference Number 21 November 2006 Inspection date Susan Janet Lee 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 was registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and three adult children in a semi detached property in Leigh.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The lounge, playroom, dining room, study, kitchen and bathroom facilities on the ground floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for 11 children who attend on a variety of placements. She is able to take and collect children from the local primary school and she 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 good. The children are cared for in a well-maintained environment. They stay healthy as the childminder exercises good hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross infection. The children learn about personal care routines as they wash their hands at appropriate times of the day. A good range of toiletries are available in the bathroom allowing older children to wash their hands independently. The written sick children's policy ensures that appropriate measures are in place when children are ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary requirements are successfully met as the childminder gathers information from parents about their children's specific needs and take this information into account when planning snacks and meals. The childminder has attended training in relation to nutrition and she has a good understanding of the importance of healthy eating; consequently, the children develop an awareness of healthy eating and they are well nourished. The childminder displays menus for parents' information. She provides snacks and meals that are healthy and nutritious and include fruit, yogurts and home cooked meals with vegetables, aiding children's growth and development. The children are able to independently quench their thirst as drinks are readily accessible to them. Snack time and lunchtimes are relaxed, social occasions.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies benefit from routines that consistent with their experiences at home as the childminder follows their individual sleep and meal routines, providing a familiar and secure environment. The childminder provides lots of eye contact and gentle interaction as she feeds the babies and nurses them to sleep. Older children develop good self-help skills as they independently go to the bathroom and select toys. The children have lots of opportunities to enjoy and develop their physical skills as they play in the garden and visit the park and a soft play centre on a regular basis. The children benefit from two outdoor play areas that have been planned to meet the needs of both the younger and older children. They are able to learn and discover about their bodies as they have access to a wide range of outdoor play equipment. The children also walk to and from school in the fresh air, which contributes to their good health and physical

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and homely environment. There is lots of room for the children to move around and play in comfort. The children benefit from a dedicated playroom which is well resourced with equipment and toys and they are able to extend their play into all of the rooms. For example, they play with a truck and they steer it from the playroom into the hall and then the dining room as it travels on its journey. The childminder organises space well to accommodate different activities. There is a good selection of equipment and furniture available allowing babies and older children to play, rest and eat in comfort. There is a wide range of resources available to meet the needs of the children being cared for. The childminder checks resources on a regular basis to minimise risks to children.

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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 childminder has a good understanding of safety and she has developed risk assessments for the home and the garden. All reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that the environment in which children are cared for is safe and secure. The childminder has a written emergency evacuation plan and this is practised with the children on a regular basis to help them develop an awareness of what to do in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. The childminder keeps children safe on outings as she completes a risk assessment before the trip takes place and she takes a mobile telephone, children's contact details, a first aid kit and drinks to cover any eventualities. The children develop an awareness of the importance of keeping themselves safe from an early age as the childminder uses age-appropriate explanation and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All required procedures are in place. The childminder has attended training in relation to safeguarding children and she has a secure understanding of child protection matters and procedures, ensuring children's welfare is effectively safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has attended training in relation to the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She has a good understanding of the framework and uses her understanding well to provide a range of activities for children under three years of age. The children are happily engaged and occupied. They also benefit from activities outside the home as the childminder utilises local amenities, such as the park, library, farm and playgroup, helping to widen children's experiences and give them opportunities to socialise with their peers. In the school holidays the older children have opportunities to visit museums and the cinema, and go bowling.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder spends time playing and talking to the children in her care. She sits as the same level as the children as they play. The children develop good communication skills from an early age as the childminder nurtures their attempts to communicate. She listens to the children when they speak and responds in gentle tones to reinforce early speech patterns. The childminder shares warm relationships with the children, who are happy and settled in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Resources are stored at child height in the playroom and children are able to access toys freely, enabling them to initiate their own ideas and develop choice and independence. The children enjoy being together and they make connections, listen and respond as the childminder reads a story to them. The children enjoy being creative as they draw pictures. The childminder talks to them about what they are doing and introduces concepts, such as colour and shape. The children engross themselves in imaginative play with the small world resources. They introduce a story line into their game and speak quietly to voice their characters as they play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder gathers a wealth of information from parents about their children's individual needs to enable her to be in a position to best meet these needs. The children develop an awareness of their local community through trips out to local amenities. A good range of

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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 resources that reflect diversity are available to help the children to develop their understanding of the wider world. They children celebrate their own and other festivals to help them value each other's similarities and differences; for example, Chinese New Year and the Jewish Festival of Light. The childminder has experience of working closely with parents to meet children's special needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder acts as a good role model to the children as she treats them with individual care and respect, uses 'please' and 'thank you', and encourages them to share and take turns. As a result, the children develop an awareness of what is expected of them and they behave well. The childminder acknowledges children's efforts, achievements and positive actions and attitudes; consequently, they develop confidence and self-esteem and they feel valued and respected. Older children are able to express themselves in a safe environment. The children develop a good sense of belonging. On arrival home from playgroup, they enter with ease and confidence and go happily to play. They enjoy being in the childminder's company and also share warm relationships with other members of the family. The childminder helps the children to value co-operation and to foster a caring attitude towards each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed an information pack for parents and this includes the previous inspection report, policies and procedures. The information pack is given to parents at the initial meeting, helping to forge good working relationships and a shared understanding form an early stage. The childminder shares information with parents at the end of each day to keep them informed about their children's activities and she produces regular newsletters to keep parents informed about forthcoming events.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder keeps herself up to date with current legalisation and notifies Ofsted of significant changes. She has a high regard for children's well-being as she attends training to further develop her childcare practice. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate, ensuring she has up to date knowledge of what to do in the event of an accident or minor injury.

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Organisation

The record of children's attendance shows that ratios are maintained to promote children's care, learning and play. The childminder organises space, time and resources effectively to meet children's needs.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed comprehensive written policies and procedures and these work well in practice to positively promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Most required documentation is in place; however, there is no system to record complaints. Documentation is stored securely to maintain confidentiality.

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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 last inspection recommendations were agreed in relation to safety and documentation. The childminder has improved fire safety as she has fitted smoke alarms to each level of the

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Improvements 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 property. Written parental consent for medication is now in place and the contracts have been reviewed and updated where necessary.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 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 a system to record complaints.

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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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