Childminder in BuryOfsted inspection, 7 Jun 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 502768 Inspection date 07 June 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 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 2001. She lives with her husband and their two children in a semi-detached house in the Walshaw Park area of Bury. There are shops, schools and a park nearby. The children have use of the through lounge/dining room and one bedroom and bathroom upstairs. Outdoor play is available at a nearby park. The childminder is registered for four children and she currently has four children on roll, some of whom attend part time.

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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 family have a dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She regularly visits other childminders in the area. She completed the Introducing Childminding Practice course in October 2001.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a clean home where the childminder places a good emphasis on hygiene and routines that promote children's welfare. Pets are managed well to avoid children's health being compromised. The children's toys are cleaned frequently and the childminder ensures that the environment is suitable for the children to play in comfort, although limited space is available. Children have many good opportunities to experience outdoor life, such as visiting the park and feeding the ducks. They go for walks in the locality each day. The children enjoy dancing to their favourite songs and play robust games. This helps the children to exercise their large muscles, thus promoting their growth and development. The children enjoy good provision for meals, and although these are not pre-planned they are nutritious and healthy, such as home made potato pie and vegetables, followed by fruit yoghurt. The children are learning about foods that are good for

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Helping children to be healthy

them as they try to eat at least five fruits or vegetables daily. They are learning to become aware of their own needs, for example helping themselves to drinks which are always accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder affords safety high priority. She identifies and minimises risks to children, through effective supervision and safe systems that protect children from harm. Children are learning how to remain safe by setting up rules and clear boundaries within the environment, for example not throwing their toys. Space is at a premium, however this is well managed ensuring children's needs are well met and their safety and welfare is prioritised. Children select from a wide variety of play materials that are suitable, clean and well maintained. The childminder contributes to children's safety by having all the required procedures and documentation satisfactorily in place. Children's needs in the event of an accident are met by the childminder having attended First Aid training. The welfare of children is safeguarded through the childminder being knowledgeable about protecting children from harm, such as through the local Child Protection

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children's individual needs are met with an interesting and varied selection of play opportunities. They are happy well stimulated and enjoy a good range of accessible play materials. They use their imagination and natural creativity very well, such as pretending to be Super Heroes and dancing to their favourite song 'Amarillo'. Their needs are well met by the childminder who is experienced and has a good understanding of how to promote their all round development, such as through sensory and exploratory play materials. Children have many good opportunities to socialise and to learn about the world in which they live. They are developing a positive attitudes and are learning to share resources and to negotiate through play. Care routines are consistently followed developing children's ability to participate and make informed choices and decisions. Children's language skills are effectively promoted through dialogue, songs and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

stories. This fosters their love of books and an interest in reading and writing is developing. The children are learning as they play, when they are asked by the childminder about colour and shape and the sounds of the farm animals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder meets the needs of children very well. Children are developing an awareness of different lifestyles and positive attitudes to inclusion are fostered. They socialise well at local groups and share equipment and resources. They are learning to control their behaviour, for example when taking turns and sharing their ideas. They play well together and are very well behaved. The children enjoy visits to local groups and to the library offering them experiences in the wider community. Children respond well to their environment. The children are developing a sense of right and wrong. They are sensitive to the needs of others, for example when someone gets hurt whilst playing, they show concern and comfort one another. They are learning to respect one another as individuals. The children benefit from non stereotyped play opportunities, such as equal access to equipment and positive

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Helping children make a positive contribution

attitudes are fostered, although this aspect is identified for further improvement.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well organised and effective environment. This supports the care and development needs of the children attending. The childminder uses good systems to ensure children's welfare is promoted at all times. Parents have access to good information about the care their children receive. This includes well maintained records, written procedures and information on the activities the children are involved in whilst in the care of the childminder. This approach enables parents to

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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 be more informed and included in their children's development and learning. Children's needs in the event of an accident can be met by the childminder who holds a First Aid Certificate and attends training and development opportunities regularly. 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 childminder was asked to obtain signed permission for children to be transported in a vehicle and to increase resources reflecting positive images of race, gender, disability and culture. The childminder has obtained parental consent for transporting children in a vehicle and increased the equipment available for the children. The development of equipment continues to be identified for further improvement, as difficulties have arisen in obtaining quality resources that portray positive images of disability and other lifestyles.

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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): • continue to develop the environment by raising children's awareness of different lifestyles and to build on young children's development and learning, through the principles of the Birth to Three Matters Framework.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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