Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265201 Unique Reference Number 05 January 2007 Inspection date Julie Firth 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and five years, in the Trafford area. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and there are currently eight children on roll who attend on a variety of placements.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor and two rear bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She takes and collects children from the local nurseries and schools.

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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 cared for in a warm, clean and well-maintained home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Their clear understanding of why they must wash their hands after playing outside and using the toilet reduces the risk of cross contamination. There is an effective sick child's policy in place to prevent the spread of infections and protect children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of physical activities that enable them to develop control of their bodies. Babies are encouraged to reach out for toys developing co-ordination. Young children's routines are followed with regard to meal and sleep patterns, providing a secure and familiar environment. The physical development of older children and those under three years old is fostered by the use of a good selection of outdoor play equipment in the childminder's rear garden, and by regular visits to the park and local groups. They learn the importance of regular exercise through daily routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's growth and development is promoted by the provision of healthy meals and snacks. Children contribute to the planning of the daily menus. Posters that the children have made indicating healthy foods are displayed around the room. They have access to drinking water, fresh fruit and vegetables at all times. Children sit together for meals and snacks and enjoy a relaxed social occasion. The childminder respects parents' wishes and children's needs when providing meals. Their dietary requirements are met well as she works with parents in finding out their child's requirements and respectfully follows these.

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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 welcoming, bright stimulating indoor environment. Rooms are appropriately organised ensuring a balanced range of activities for children. They play in a safe and secure environment where thought is given to making areas used by them safe, with effective risk assessments in place. The childminder has produced a fire evacuation plan and practises it with the children, ensuring they understand the procedures to be followed. Children learn about keeping themselves safe through discussions with the childminder about road safety on the way home from school and out on trips. They participate in planned themes on road safety. Parents give written permission to allow their children to play outside the garden area and children understand that they must be in view of the childminder at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is enhanced by the careful monitoring of toys and activities to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Care is taken to ensure that younger children do not have access to toys and activities which may cause them any harm and older children learn to keep small items out of reach. Children's independence is enhanced by the organisation of resources, which enables them to freely choose what to play with and where.

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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 Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted as the childminder has all the required procedures and documentation in place. She has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures that are in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She has attended recent training and informs parents of the procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy the company of the childminder who has developed warm caring relationships with them. She offers appropriate physical contact by means of cuddles and hugs, maintains eye contact and smiles; as a result, the children are happy, secure, content and relaxed in her home and care. Older children are actively involved in the setting and interact well with the younger children when they attend after school.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at the local groups. They are engaged in a range of appropriate activities which they clearly enjoy, such as art and crafts, creating their own coat hangers, hand prints and Christmas decorations. They are involved in the planning of themes, such as planning holidays, which involves the children packing their clothes into a suitcase. Trips are planned during the school holidays to places of interest and trips to the butchers, library and greengrocers give the children an awareness of their local environment. They are beginning to express their feelings and develop their ideas as they engage in imaginative play, dressing up and with small world animals They are developing good language and communication skills through a variety of informal and planned activities, such as when the childminder reads to the children. Wall displays promote

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

number and letter recognition and their progress is monitored in their own book indicating their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Sensory and sound action toys are readily available for exploratory play. The childminder has a growing awareness of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and has started to use it in her practice. She knows the child's individual personalities, likes and dislikes. However, more planning of activities is required to meet the individual needs of the younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from a range of activities and resources to increase their awareness of diversity and different countries. They celebrate Chinese new year, Indian ,Mexican and Italian cultures. They are valued and respected as individuals and resources are adapted to meet the child's individual needs. A good settling in policy ensures that children become familiar with their surroundings. Children's behaviour is good and they are clear about their boundaries and expectations, which are explained to them and applied consistently. A reward system is in place and children are regularly praised. The older children make their own ground rules and respect that these are required to maintain a safe and fair environment where they can play happily and have fun. Their self-esteem and confidence are fostered as the childminder makes space around her home to display children's work.

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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 Children benefit from the warm and friendly relationships the childminder develops with parents. She has built up good relationships with them creating a welcoming atmosphere. They receive verbal feedback on a daily basis about their child's activities and progress, which helps to promote children's welfare and provides consistency and care for all children. A well detailed brochure of the setting is given to parents and a complaints procedure is displayed on a notice board in the kitchen.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. the childminder is committed to improving the quality of care she provides to children and she recognises the importance of undertaking further training to keep her childminding practices up-to-date. She has completed courses in equality, inclusive play, policies and procedures and first aid. She is in the final stages of completing the National Childminding Association quality assurance assessment. Children are encouraged to explore opportunities available in clearly defined and well-organised areas in the childminder's home. She spends time with all her children to help them feel safe and secure and support them in their play. There is a clear timetable in place to facilitate taking and collecting children from local school. She works closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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Organisation

A comprehensive booklet of policies and procedures are in place, which contributes to the safety and well being of children being cared for. 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

On the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop an understanding of the registration and to provide a smoke alarm on the first floor.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The register indicates accurate times and arrivals of the children ensuring the correct ratios are met at all times. There are smoke alarms on each floor of the premises ensuring children are kept safe.

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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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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): • further develop planning of activities for the younger children by using the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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