Childminder in Cumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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500280 Unique Reference Number 31 October 2006 Inspection date Barbara Christine Wearing 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 1990. She lives with her husband and five year old child in the Withington area of Manchester. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five all day, and one child before and after school. She attends local parent and toddler groups and takes children to the local library and parks. The childminder has a Nursery Nurse Examination Board certificate (NNEB).

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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 kept healthy and protected from cross contamination as the childminder maintains high standards of hygiene. The house is kept clean and children develop their personal hygiene skills, such as using their own wet wipes to clean their hands before and after eating or using the toilet. Children are well taken care of if they are ill as the childminder seeks emergency medical treatment for children with parents' consent, and follows a clear sick child and administration of medication policy. All necessary information regarding medication to be administered is recorded and parental consent is given. However, parents do not sign the record sheet to acknowledge the entry and confirm that the information is passed on.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a range of healthy and nutritious snacks and home-cooked meals that promote their growth and development. They learn about healthy eating as they choose fruit and vegetables when shopping and discuss food values.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy various opportunities to develop their large muscle skills and coordination indoors and outdoors. They regularly walk to and from school, visit local parks and use a range of equipment in the garden and at local toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that she is aware of and meets children's individual dietary and health needs. She is sensitive and responsive to children's individual feeding and sleeping routines and needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home provides children with a warm, safe and secure environment. Children are happy and confident and fully explore the range of toys and resources available to them. These are well maintained, cover all areas of development and challenge and stimulate the children being cared for. The childminder changes the choice of resources according to the children's interests and development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from accidental injury as the childminder supervises them closely, has all necessary safety measures in place and is aware of potential risks for individual children. Children learn skills to keep themselves safe as the childminder teaches them road safety as they walk home from school and shows them how to use toys safely. Children are well taken care of in the event of an accident as the childminder has a valid first aid certificate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted as the childminder is aware of the safeguarding children procedures and of her role within them. She has the appropriate contact numbers to make a referral, however, these are not easily accessible.

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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 good. Children are relaxed, happy and stimulated. They become engrossed in their chosen activity and the childminder is skilled at interacting with them to provide further challenges and extend their play. They recognise and name colours and learn to recognise shape as they play with a shape sorter. At times they seek the support of the childminder who gives them lots of praise and encouragement, enabling them to achieve their chosen task.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children and the childminder enjoy each other's company and have fun together. A young child is delighted as a baby giggles at him and the childminder states that he is his friend. The child says, 'you are my friend' and offers him his toy. Babies and young children enjoy plenty of cuddles with the childminder as she gives them reassurance and comfort. A baby enjoys playing under the baby gym and accessing other toys that the childminder offers him as he sits up with her support. The childminder is skilled in maintaining babies' interest and responds quickly if they become restless. Most of the resources are conventional toys and there are limited natural resources available for children to explore using and stimulating their senses. Children develop good language skills. The childminder chats to children recalling a recent train trip and imitates babies' babblings. Children enjoy many opportunities to socialise as they regularly visit local

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the individual children and treats them with care and respect. They demonstrate a sense of belonging within the childminder's home and develop a high self-esteem. The childminder has a positive approach to managing behaviour. She ensures that children are aware of the boundaries, is consistent, ensures that children are busy and do not play with toys that encourage violent play. Children are therefore happy, relaxed, care for each other and generally play within the appropriate boundaries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents. Information regarding the provision and the children is shared as children settle, enabling consistency of care and ensuring that children are cared for in accordance with parents' wishes and in line with the childminder's policies and procedures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children become aware of diversity and develop their understanding of others, as the childminder openly discusses differences and similarities that children observe and as they access a variety of good quality books and toys that reflect positive images of our diverse society.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her time and home well, therefore promoting children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Most policies, procedures and records contain all required information and signatures. However, not all are clearly available to parents or easily accessible for the childminder. Children engage in a range

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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 of stimulating activities both within the childminder's home and at local toddler groups, the library and local parks.

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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 previous inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that all persons over the age of 16 years in the household were vetted. The childminder and her husband have both undergone all necessary vetting procedures and her older children no longer live within the household. As agreed at the last inspection the childminder now records the times of children's arrival and departure. Children's welfare is therefore promoted.

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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 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): • ensure that signatures are obtained and kept to acknowledge the administration of medication given by the childminder • ensure that a complaints procedure including Ofsted's contact number is made clearly available to parents and that the number for referring concerns regarding safeguarding children is easily accessible • increase the choice of toys to include more natural resources.

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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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