Childminder in Oldham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY231526 Inspection date 12 May 2005 Inspector (Kate) Kathryn, Jane Ryder

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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 2002. She lives with her husband, two adult children and her fourteen year old child in a house in Chadderton, Oldham. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom of the property are used for childminding. There are fully enclosed gardens to the front and rear of the house available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children who attend various days and hours. The family has a dog, a rabbit and a guinea pig.

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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 has an early years qualification and has achieved a Quality Assurance Award.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has effective hygiene routines. She follows a cleaning schedule which ensures the toys are kept very clean and well maintained and involves the children in some tasks such as washing the dolls and home corner equipment. Pet feeding bowls are made inaccessible and nappies are immediately disposed of hygienically. This practice helps prevent the spread of infection and protects children's health. Children are developing a clear understanding of the importance of good personal hygiene through the daily routines. They know why they must wash their hands after petting the dog, rabbit and guinea pig, after using the toilet and before meals to prevent the risk of cross contamination. Children enjoy the opportunities provided for outdoor exercise. They play with equipment such as bikes, balls, swing and climbing frame which supports their physical development. The childminder offers daily walks to the park allowing

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Helping children to be healthy

children to explore the environment and increase their general good health and well being. Children benefit from a healthy, varied diet that appeals to children. They enjoy healthy snack options and are provided with regular drinks. The childminder encourages older children to help themselves to juice at any time. The younger children independently access safety cups which are regularly filled. There are situations where the childminder in response to meeting one child's personal preferences for having the same meal daily, prevents the enjoyment of nutritious food as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder takes good steps to minimise risks for children in her home. She organises space well to enable children to move around safely and independently. However, a new garden water feature poises an element of risk to children. The childminder explains simple rules, such as why children should not open the front door and why they should pick toys up off the floor. This helps children learn the importance of safety in their daily routines. The childminder safeguards children further by ensuring children are only collected by authorised persons, e.g. a password pre-arranged with parents must be given before a child is released to a stranger. Children use a broad range of developmentally appropriate resources which are safe

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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 and of a good quality. These are well organised and stored to encourage independent access, for example, toys for the under three's are on the lowest shelves. Children's safety is protected through the childminder's understanding of her role and responsibilities in child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's house, helped by the good 'settling in procedures' she follows. They make themselves at home and confidently move around the house, giving them a sense of belonging. They become independent as they choose between a variety of toys and activities that are age appropriate and appeal to all the children. The childminder has good knowledge about the level of children's individual development. She provides activities that encourage creativity, imagination, language development and sufficient challenges such as counting games, sorting and pairing washing, different levels of jigsaws and giving teddy breakfast. The childminder has close and caring relationships with the children which increases their sense of trust and helps them to develop a strong sense of self. Good levels of attention and interaction support early communication skills. The children are familiar

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

with the daily routines which make them feel secure and offers them stability. The children relish their time with the childminder who gives them frequent praise and encouragement resulting in the development of self esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children including those with 'special needs' are warmly welcomed into the childminder's setting. The inclusion of children with special needs helps children learn to accept the needs of others. She provides children with some experiences that promote images of familiar and less familiar festivals. This helps children to have an awareness of diversity in the wider world and develop a positive attitude to others. Children behave very well and play together comfortably. They are able to follow the childminders expectations for acceptable behaviour. The use of the childminder's photograph book called 'Happy When' with actual photo's of 'children in her care' reinforces acceptable behaviour in picture form and helps children have a clear understanding of her simple rules. Each child is praised and encouraged frequently and as a result their self esteem is fostered. They are confident in the setting and

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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 positive partnership the childminder has developed with parents. Children settle well because the childminder works closely with parents to ensure she has knowledge about their home routines and preferences. She continues to share information daily by keeping parents verbally informed about their child's progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and development. She regularly attends training to improve the quality of care and education she provides for children and is part of an accredited quality assurance scheme. Effective use of space and resources ensures children are able to confidently move within the home and independently access the toys. This encourages them to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder uses her written policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. The documentation is shared with parents regularly along with verbal feedback about their child's daily activities. This means that they are kept fully informed about her service and their child's progress. Overall, children are well cared for and their individual needs met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of actions given at the last inspection, the childminder now has regular fire drill practices with the children in her setting. She has a detailed plan of the house and written emergency evacuation procedures. This keeps the children safe and helps them become familiar with what they should do in the event of an emergency situation in the childminder's home.

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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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure all children are actively encouraged to experience a healthy diet • make sure the garden water feature is made safe or inaccessible

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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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