Childminder in Salford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 307244 Inspection date 28 April 2005 Inspector Jane Pamela Berry

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since June 2000. The childminder lives with her partner and three children in a detached house in Clifton. The childminder is currently caring for eight children who attend on full and part time placements. She is able to collect children from St Mary's Primary School in Swinton. The ground floor of the premises are used for childminding purposes with sleeping and toilet facilities provided in these areas. The children also have access to a small bedroom upstairs. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from consistent routines, ensuring that they are secure and understand what is happening. They experience warm and affectionate relationships, with family members and their peers. Children climb confidently on and off the large equipment demonstrating good physical skills. Good relationships are evident as they play together and with the childminder, who joins in their games readily. Children are given sufficient drinks, however their self-help skills are not promoted enough, such as using a feeder cup when children could be encouraged to move onto the next stage. Healthy living is mostly encouraged, for example children’s dietary needs are satisfactorily met. Children learn about health issues although the use of fresh fruit and vegetables could be developed further. Children's dietary needs are discussed and agreed prior to placements starting. Arrangements for the

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Helping children to be healthy

provision of children's meals are negotiated with parents, although most provide a packed lunch. Children are cared for sensitively and parents are asked to collect them, if they become unwell, thus ensuring the risk of cross infection is minimised. Children learn about the importance of personal hygiene through toileting and hand washing, although they are not always reminded to do so. Children have access to construction toys, activity blocks, jigsaws and mark making materials, helping them develop their fine manipulative skills and physical co-ordination. They enjoy the outdoor environment, going for walks daily in the community. Children access climbing, riding and balancing equipment outdoors and when they visit the indoor soft play area in the school holidays. They also enjoy dancing to the Teletubbies video which is clearly a favourite.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have difficulty accessing their toys stored in the conservatory as it is hazardous and is an area previously not utilised by the children for safety reasons. Children are supervised at all times, thus keeping them safe from harm. Some improvements in order to ensure children's safety were identified, such as exits being free from obstruction and ensuring potential hazards in the conservatory are removed. Children benefit from equipment and furniture that is suitable and safe. They play in relaxed, comfortable surroundings, however they could be allowed greater freedom to follow their own interests. Toys are organised in such as way that they are not always freely accessible to the children, and there is limited access to sensory play

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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 materials. Children have some access to equipment reflecting different lifestyles, such as books with race and culture being portrayed, although this aspect is insufficiently developed. Children's awareness and attitude to disability could be further enhanced through accessible play materials. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder having a satisfactory knowledge of the child protection procedures and knowing what to do should concerns arise. Children are learning about keeping safe whilst in the community by close supervision and sensitive intervention by the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The two children present are very sociable and play happily together. They enjoy playing with the large equipment and the skipping ropes, which they tie around the climbing frame, using their imagination. The children have excellent language skills, and communicate their needs effectively the childminder supports their development by extending their vocabulary introducing new words as they play. The children operate sound activated toys, such as the till as they scan the goods that they pretend to sell to the childminder. Children access a selection of equipment that is appropriate to their individual needs, however limited choices are available. Children colour and stick materials and have opportunities to bake and to manipulate materials, such as making shapes out of the play dough which they enjoy. The children’s natural desire to investigate as they play, is supported by the childminder but could be further developed as the children are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

very able and may benefit from greater challenges. There is limited information available on the activities provided over time and how the children have benefited from their experiences whilst with the childminder. The children are given a choice of one of two activities, rather than the environment set up for the children to make informed choices over what they play with. The childminder is interested in developing and extending the activities provided and has made enquiries regarding further training and development opportunities. The childminder currently has some knowledge of the Birth to Three matters Framework, and has started implement strategies to support children’s developmental progress. She is developing a treasure basket and a collection of natural materials in order to provide sensory experiences for the children, and understands how this can assist children’s learning. The childminder is working to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

improve the opportunities available to the children, such as the development of the physical play equipment introduced recently in the garden and newly developed ‘treasure basket’. The childminder has a positive attitude to self-development and is currently exploring the options available to her to expand her knowledge of child development.

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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 The provision is satisfactory. Children have warm and affectionate relationships with the childminder and the other children and show consideration for one another. They are engaged in age appropriate activities and are interested and well motivated. The childminder takes an interest in what they do and say and supports them in their play and learning. She is attentive to children's individual needs and manages their behaviour well, for example focussing on the things children are good at and distracting the children when conflict arises. Children are learning social skills, such as taking turns and sharing equipment. Children behave and respond well to the positive strategies that are used by the childminder when conflict arises. The childminder is aware of issues relating to special needs, however she has had

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Helping children make a positive contribution

limited experience in this area and identifies the need to attend further training in order to provide for children with additional needs. Children visit the local nursery socialising with other children. They gain experiences of the wider community, when they go shopping and visiting the park. The children noticed a caterpillar on the path and were curious and interested in the explanation given to them about handling it with care, and then leaving it alone, and how it will turn into a butterfly. Children benefit from effective partnerships that are actively encouraged through daily interactions, where information is shared readily. The childminder encourages prospective parents to bring their children to visit, gradually building the time that the children stay. The childminder has good settling in procedures which help to form good relationships, building children's confidence and promoting their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s health, medication, and individual dietary needs are discussed and agreed with parents prior to them starting with the childminder. Parents are informed daily, what their children have been doing, this occurs usually when they collect their children. Younger children have home diaries where parents and the childminder pass on relevant information such as sleep routines. This demonstrates that the childminder builds good working relationships with parents and the children in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder requested the garden, the conservatory and the small bedroom are included as areas to be used by the children. She has made the garden and the bedroom safe for the children’s use and the children were permitted to use the outdoor area, playing on the newly acquired physical equipment on the visit. The importance of maintaining the conditions of registration were highlighted to the childminder, although it was recognised that she has improved the outdoor provision and that the children will benefit from this additional resource. There is still some work outstanding in the conservatory which the childminder is currently addressing. Children's emergency contact and health details, parental consents have all been

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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 obtained and are readily accessible. Parental consents, accident and medication records are all satisfactorily in place. The childminder was unable to locate her renewed certificate of insurance, however previous documents were available for inspection. The certificate of registration is prominently displayed for parents. Children's needs in the event of an accident, are able to be met as the childminder has completed first aid training, giving her up to date information of emergency procedures. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children overall.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to increase construction toys. The childminder has since purchased additional equipment and the children now enjoy building with smaller scale bricks. This promotes their hand and eye co-ordination and physical development.

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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.

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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 potential hazards are out of children’s reach making the area safe for the children in the conservatory and ensure exits are free from obstruction. • Improve children’s access to a range of materials that support and enhance their learning and further develop the opportunities for children to gain personal independence. • Ensure all the documentation is readily available for inspection at all times.

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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 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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