Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY333753 Unique Reference Number 25 June 2007 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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since August 2006. She runs her business from her home in the Dukinfield area of Tameside. She shares her home with her partner, their daughter and two cats. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding activities. Bathroom and toilet facilities are upstairs. There is a secure back garden available for outdoor play. As part of her service she uses local amenities, such as the parent and tots group, library and recreational parks. The registration is for five children. Currently there are no children on roll. This registration does not include overnight care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children's good health is promoted. She has systems in place to gather information from parents regarding medical needs. She has relevant documentation in place should emergency treatment be required. She describes how

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 children would learn about their personal hygiene as part of their normal routine, for example, through discussions after washing their hands.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of healthy eating. She talks about encouraging children to be healthy and would provide them with meals, which are home made and nutritious. She explains how children would have access to drinks at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of offering exercise and active outdoor play opportunities for children to promote their good health. There are many opportunities provided for all children to have physical play in the fresh air. However, outdoor play resources in the garden provide insufficient challenge for children. They would visit the park to run, jump and play ball games and play on the large play equipment, which includes swings and a climbing frame. The children would walk in the local park to look at the birds and animals and collect things of interest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Play areas within the warm and welcoming home are well resourced and organised. This helps to promote children's independence. There are a selection of toys and resources in place, which are of good quality and easily accessible as they are stored at low level.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of safety within her home. She has taken action to ensure areas are safe. For example, she has safety gates securely fitted; smoke alarms are in place and sharp knifes are above child height, which would minimise the risk to children, so they can play safely. She explains how she helps children learn about their own safety through discussion about safety inside the home and would teach children how to behave responsibly when out walking. The childminder describes how she would practice regular fire evacuation to ensure children would know what to do in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection. She gives clear examples of procedures to follow in line with the Local Safeguarding Children's Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a good understanding of child development. She describes how she supports children's learning through a range of activities. For example, she talks about encouraging children's social and language skills through regular outings to the local toddler groups and trips to the library. She demonstrates a good understanding of the needs of children as she talks about consistent routines and activities appropriate for different ages and stages of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

From discussion the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of planning a variety of activities for children. She has designated areas in the home to enable children to experience a range of interesting and exciting activities, such as baking, craft and water play. Other space is available for more physical play, for example, music and movement, dressing up, building the bricks, or quieter times, such as constructing a jigsaw or listening to a story.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. From discussion the childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of equal opportunities, giving good examples of how she would meet children's individual needs. She explains how she supports children's awareness of diversity through books and discussions. Some resources contain positive images of our diverse society. These would enhance children's understanding of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive attitude towards behaviour management. She talks about how she would encourage children to play together and respect each other, which promotes positive behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware of the benefits of working in partnership with parents for the well-being of their child. She has produced a portfolio for parents which keeps them well informed of the service they can expect. She has systems in place to gather information from parents regarding likes, dislikes and contact details. She describes how parents are kept well informed about their child's progress. For example, she talks about how she speaks to and shares information with parents on a daily basis, in order to provide continuity of care and to build an effective relationship with the parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children's well-being is promoted. She is suitably qualified to administer first aid. She has an organised approach to her documentation, which is clear, comprehensive and in line with the requirements of the National Standards. She describes how children's details would be recorded individually, to ensure confidentiality and that all records would be kept up to date.

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Organisation

Play resources are organised in a way which helps promote children's free choice. There is sufficient space for children to move freely and play areas are well resourced. From discussion and examination of records, the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of caring for children in required ratios. Overall, evidence suggests that 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 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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Complaints 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

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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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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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 the range of outdoor play resources to provide sufficient challenge for children.

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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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