Childminder in Salford

Inspection report for early years provision

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307428 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2007 Inspection date Susan Janet Lee 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 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and 17 in a detached property in Walkden, Salford.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The lounge, dining room, conservatory, kitchen and play/utility room on the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden available for outdoor play. The family have two snakes as pets but these are not accessible to minded children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for 10 children who attend on a variety of placements. She is able to take and collect children from the local primary school.

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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 well maintained environment. They stay healthy because the childminder ensures good hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross infection. For example, she washes her hands before preparing snack, uses anti-bacterial spray to wipe work surfaces and provides children with individual towels. The children develop an awareness of personal care routines from an early age as they wash hands after using the bathroom and before eating. The written sick children's policy ensures appropriate measures are in place when children are ill. The first aid box is well stocked to ensure that accidents may be dealt with quickly and effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works in accordance to parent's wishes regarding the provision of food and drink. She has a good understanding of the importance of healthy eating and she provides snacks and meals that are nutritious and include fruit, home cooked meals and vegetables to aid children’s growth and development. As a result, the children are well nourished and develop an awareness of healthy options. The children are able to quench their thirst independently as drinks are readily accessible to them; the childminder ensures that very young children have a drink at regular intervals. Snack time is a relaxed, social occasion; the childminder sits with the children and chats to them as they eat their snack.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies benefit from routines that are consistent to their home experiences as the childminder follows their individual routines; providing a secure and familiar environment. They are able to move around freely to practice their large physical skills such as sitting, crawling and pulling themselves up to the standing position. Very young children benefit from lots of positive contact, eye contact and interaction during personal care routines. The children have opportunities to enjoy and develop their physical skills as they play in the garden and visit the park and a soft play centre on a regular basis. Children talk about playing in the park and having fun playing on the slide and the bouncy frog and horse; all of which contributes to their good health and physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a warm, welcoming and homely environment for the children in her care. There is a good selection of equipment and furniture allowing babies and older children to play, rest and eat in comfort. The childminder provides a wide range of resources to meet the needs of the children being cared for. She uses a local resource centre to enhance children's experiences. Toys are stored at child height enabling the children to freely access toys to initiate their own ideas and to extend their play; developing choice and independence. The childminder checks equipment and resources on a regular basis to minimise risks to children. All items appear in a safe and clean condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of safety and all reasonable steps have been taken to ensure the environment in which children are cared for is safe and secure. She checks smoke

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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 alarms on a regular basis to ensure that they are in working order and the gas central heating is checked annually to ensure it is safe. The childminder has considered an emergency evacuation procedure; however, this is not practised with minded children on a very regular basis. The children are kept safe on outings as the childminder takes a first aid box; children's contact details, a mobile telephone, drinks and spare clothes to cover any eventualities. The childminder supervises the children well so that they are able to play safely and independently. She uses age appropriate distraction and explanation techniques to keep very young children safe. Older children develop an understanding of keeping themselves safe as they learn about the house rules.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All required documentation is in place and the childminder has a secure understanding of child protection matters and procedures; ensuring children’s welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The written daily routine and activities policy demonstrates children's welfare and needs are promoted. The children have access to a range of age appropriate activities and resources and they are actively engaged and occupied. They also benefit from activities outside the home as the childminder utilises local amenities such as the library, park and parent toddler group; helping to widen children's experiences and give them opportunities to socialise with their peers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder spends time playing and talking to the children. She sits at the same level as the children as they play and interacts with them to extend their language and to encourage imaginative play. She shares warm relationships with the children, who are happy and secure in her care. The childminder has a good understanding of children's individual needs and meets these needs well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies have access to a range of resources that are colourful, tactile and that make noises; helping to develop their sensory experiences. Very young children begin to find a voice and begin to listen and respond as the childminder listens as they babble and responds in gentle tones; helping to reinforce early speech patterns. She provides lots of positive physical contact by means of hugs and cuddles. The children snuggle into the childminder when she reads them a story.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children make connections as they post shapes successfully into a shape sorter. Older children enjoy being imaginative and creative as they make towers and models with bricks. They develop their fine motor skills and hand to eye co-ordination as they build towers using cylindrical bricks. The children enjoy listening to a story and then they sing songs and join in with the actions of the rhyme.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of equality of opportunity and ensures that all children have opportunities to access to all activities. She encourages the children to be kind

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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 and helpful towards each other. Children develop an awareness of their local community through trips out. There is a good range of resources available that reflect diversity; helping children to develop an awareness of the wider world. For example, books, puzzles, dressing up clothes and small world resources. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards children with additional needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses strategies that are age and developmentally appropriate to manage children’s behaviour. She acts as a good role model to the children as she treats them with care and concern; uses ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and encourages the children to share and take turns; consequently, the children develop an understanding of what is expected of them from an early age. They receive praise and encouragement for positive behaviour and their efforts and achievements at every opportunity; helping to develop their confidence and self-esteem. For example, very young children successfully post shapes into the correct spaces; the childminder claps and congratulates them. The children are clearly proud of their achievements as they smile broadly and clap their hands. The children develop a good sense of belonging and move about with ease and confidence. They enjoy being with the childminder and thrive on her

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Helping children make a positive contribution

interaction and attention. The children are able to make choices as they decide what to play with and what fruit they would like for snack. Older children show care and concern for younger children as they offer them toys to play with.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder encourages a gradual settling in period; helping children feel secure and building trusting three way relationships. She has developed a portfolio which includes written policies and procedures. This is shown and discussed with parents at the introduction meeting; helping to forge good working relationships and a shared understanding from an early stage. The childminder shares information with parents at the end of each day to keep them informed about their children's activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility to notify Ofsted of any significant changes. All persons over the age of 16 have been vetted; helping to project children.

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Organisation

The record of children’s attendance is up to date and shows ratios are maintained to promote children’s care. The childminder organises space, time and resources well to effectively meet children’s needs.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed written policies and procedures that work in practice to promote children’s health, safety and welfare. All required documentation is in place; these are well organised and securely stored to maintain confidentiality. However the certificate for public liability insurance could not be located for inspection purposes.

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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 last inspection recommendations were agreed in relation to health, safety and first aid.

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Improvements 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 The childminder has developed her awareness of childhood illnesses. She has improved safety, as low level wiring has been made safe and debris in the garden has been removed. Equipment and toys are now better organised ensuring safety and easy access for children. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate ensuring she has up to date knowledge of what to do in the event of an accident or minor injury.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 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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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): • practise the emergency evacuation procedure with minded children on a more regular basis • ensure public liability insurance certificate is available for inspection purposes.

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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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