Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY340943 Unique Reference Number 03 April 2007 Inspection date Jannet Mary Richards 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 has been registered since October 2006. She lives with her husband in the Bolton area. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is currently caring for two children under eight years before and after school and during school holidays. The family has two pet cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and healthy home environment. During daily routines they learn to care for their own health needs, they regularly wash their hands and learn to wipe their own noses, for example. The childminder keeps toys and equipment clean in order to reduce the risk of the spread of infection. In addition there are suitable written procedures for dealing with children's illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy suitable meals and snacks. Menus are prepared in advance and shared with parents. The children can choose from a range of healthy snacks, such as fruit and rice cakes.

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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 In addition they can reach their own bottles of drinking water which are placed within their easy reach. This helps them to recognise when they become thirsty and become independent in their self-care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy spending time outdoors. They enjoy the fresh air and exercise which encourages them to develop healthy lifestyles. They often visit the park after school, for example, or play on bicycles in the childminder's garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are made to feel welcome in the childminder's home, which is a child-centred environment. They have the benefit of being able to play in a designated play room. Their drawings and paintings are displayed on the walls, which helps them to feel welcome and valued. They can access some good quality toys and books which are within easy reach and allow them to make their own choices about what they play with. There are few role play resources at the present time, which limits the children's opportunities to dress up and engage in imaginative play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's home is generally safe for children, though two hazards were identified during the inspection. The children learn about safety issues in order to keep safe. They know not to talk to strangers when they are out, for example, and to hold the childminder's hand when crossing the road. They are able to look at some books about safety issues with the childminder, which helps them to develop their understanding of safety issues.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a suitable awareness of child protection issues and procedures in order to safeguard the welfare of any children she may care for.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very happy and settled in the care of the childminder. The relationships between the children and childminder are very good, the children clearly enjoy her company. The childminder has a good awareness of children's needs and how to ensure they feel settled and happy. She has a written settling in procedure which works well in practice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy a wide range of exciting planned and free choice activities. They go on outings to museums and parks with the childminder, for example, and they enjoy planting seeds and observing how they grow. They can select from the toys and books available to them and choose whether to play indoors or out. As they play the childminder talks to them and asks them simple questions to encourage their thinking and learning. When they look for Easter eggs in the garden, for example, the childminder talks to them about looking under and inside objects to find the eggs. Later they observe what the weather is like today and record their findings on a weather chart. The childminder plans activities with the children which ensures that the children are interested and enjoy the play activities available to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children respond well to the positive approach of the childminder. She praises them often and encourages their efforts. They understand the simple house rules and as a result they behave

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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 very well. The children have access to a good range of books, toys and posters which reflect culture, gender, race and disability. The childminder talks to them about differences which enhances their understanding of the world and its people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works very well in partnership with parents and carers in order to meet the needs of the children. She has experience and an awareness of how to support children with a disability or learning difficulty. Each day the childminder exchanges information with parents both verbally and in the form of a written diary which ensures that they are well informed. She has a flexible and accommodating approach. She consults with parents about her childcare service and adapts her practice in response to their suggestions. This effective partnership ensures children's needs are met in accordance with parents' wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The effective organisation of the childminder ensures that the children are well cared for and happy. Her home and resources are well organised and welcoming to children and parents. She plans ahead to ensure that children have many interesting things to do. She is enthusiastic and committed to childminding. She attends many short courses to develop her knowledge of childcare issues which she is able to use in her day to day care of the children.

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Organisation

The documentation relating to the care of the children is recorded appropriately and stored safely. The clear policies and procedures are shared with parents and are used in practice to ensure good quality care.

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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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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 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 all electrical sockets are inaccessible and the fire blanket can be accessed easily • continue to develop the range of resources for children to engage in imaginative role play.

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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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