Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY340158 Unique Reference Number 02 February 2007 Inspection date Ann 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 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and five years in Mossley, near Ashton-under-Lyne. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time. She is currently minding one child under five years. She takes children to the parent and toddler group, library and local parks. The family has three cats and a dog.

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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 hygienically maintained home. Although the childminder has written her own detailed policies for health, these are not fully implemented because children are not always encouraged to wash their hands after playing with pets or before eating their snack. The arrangements for pets are reasonable and the childminder has taken some steps to ensure that the animals do not pose a health risk to children. This includes keeping written checks of their regular treatments for worms and fleas. However, children have access to the cat litter tray and the pet feeding bowls and this compromises their good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides healthy and nutritious snacks and meals for the children, including fresh and dried fruit and vegetables. She has a written sample menu in place informing parents of the attention that she pays to healthy eating. Children enjoy physical activity both at home and in the local community. Garden games and visits to the park allow children to develop their gross motor skills in the fresh air and help to promote a positive attitude to exercise.

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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 very safe environment where detailed risk assessments are in place for all areas of the home. There are many safety measures in place, including safety gates, a fireguard and plug socket covers which mean that children can move around freely and independently. Children have access to well maintained furniture, equipment and age-appropriate toys and resources which meet their varying needs and do not compromise their safety. They are presented to the children on open shelving to facilitate their independent access and to encourage their decision making skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder gives high priority to fire safety and has recently undertaken a home fire risk assessment with the assistance of the local fire service. Fire evacuation procedures are in place and the children are learning how to keep themselves safe because the procedures are regularly practised with them. All the required procedures and documents are in place to ensure the childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare. A current first aid certificate is held and she has recently updated her knowledge of child protection. As a consequence, she has a secure understanding of her responsibility in line with local authority procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the welcoming environment. A varied range of toys for free play are available for the children; for instance small figures, construction bricks, puzzles and musical toys. This encourages children to make choices and take decisions. Focused activities, such as baking, craft activities, outings to the local parent and toddler group and outings to the shops are a regular feature of the provision. These offer children the chance to be creative and to develop their social skills. Relationships between the children and the childminder are

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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 good and children demonstrate familiarity and security when completing puzzles with her and developing their cognitive skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder refers to the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework when planning activities for younger children. A good understanding is shown of children's development as she identifies possible learning opportunities, such as developing their sense of sight, smell, touch and hearing on a visit to the park. Children's individual interests are also identified and planned for. A recent interest in water was captured by the childminder who provided a small tray of water and some fish toys for a child to play with. This ensured that he was engaged and responsive to the activity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals and have their needs well met. The childminder seeks detailed information from parents regarding children's care needs. For example, children who are potty training receive good levels of support, and their efforts are encouraged and valued as they gain control of their bodies. Children are becoming partially aware of the wider world because the childminder has a small range of toys and resources which promote a positive view of some aspects of a diverse society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder informs parents of her strategies for managing children's behaviour, which include giving children 'time out' in a 'thinking' chair. This gives children time to think about why their behaviour, such as kicking someone, is unacceptable and helps them to learn respect for each other. Parents are provided with good information regarding the care to be provided for their children, including sample activity charts, menus and a wide range of policies and procedures. This ensures that they are able to make a fully informed choice before placing their child in the care of the childminder. Parents are kept informed about their child's time in the setting because the childminder provides verbal information.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The provision is well organised and the childminder has a thorough understanding of the legally required documentation. This is all in place and a good range of written policies and procedures are shared with parents to ensure that they receive detailed information about the service she provides. Good time management throughout the day ensures that children have all of their needs well met in relation to outings, activities, playing and meals.

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Organisation

The space and resources are arranged effectively to enable children to initiate their own play and learning and to promote their levels of independence. The childminder shows a high level of commitment to improving her childminding service. She regularly attends relevant training courses to update and extend her childcare knowledge and practice. All of which contribute to improving the care and welfare of children in the setting.

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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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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

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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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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): • improve the routines for hand washing so that children are learning simple good hygiene practices • minimise the risks to children from the cat litter tray and the pet feeding bowls • extend the range of toys and resources to promote positive images of a diverse society.

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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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