Childminder in Bolton

Inspection report for early years provision

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315795 Unique Reference Number 18 April 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 1986. She lives in a semi-detached property in the Daisy Hill area of Westhoughton. The childminder has a childcare qualification.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The lounge, playroom, kitchen diner and toilet on the ground floor and the bathroom and two bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 four children under the age of eight years. She is able to take and collect children from the local primary school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very well maintained environment. They stay because the childminder exercises good hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross infection. She follows good

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 standards of hygiene when changing nappies to help protect the youngest children. The children develop an awareness of personal care routines as they wash their hands at appropriate times of the day. They also help to wash the toys to keep them clean and in a hygienic condition. The written sick children's policy ensures that effective measures are in place when children are ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has attended food hygiene training and has a good understanding of the importance of healthy eating. She provides meals that are well balanced, nutritious and wholesome; they include lots of home cooked meals and vegetables to aid children's growth and development. As a result, children are well nourished and develop an understanding of healthy options. The children have opportunities to try different foods from other countries that include different tastes, textures and aromas; helping to develop their sensory experiences. They also enjoy being able to make and prepare their own bread, cakes and pizzas.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder offers lots of positive physical contact by means of hugs and cuddles and the children respond by openly seeking reassurance when they need to. Babies are able to move around freely and practise their large physical movements, such as sitting, crawling, pulling up to the standing position and walking. They have fun playing with a tunnel. They sit at the front of the tunnel and then go on all fours and crawl through to the other end of the tunnel to be greeted by the childminder. The children develop good self help skills as the childminder actively encourages them to be independent. All the children have lots of opportunities to enjoy and develop their physical skills as they play in the garden each day. The younger children learn about their bodies and develop control and coordination as they have access to a wide range of outdoor play equipment and they climb, slide and ride trucks. The children also walk to

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Helping children to be healthy

school in the fresh air, visit the park and feed the ducks; 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 good. The children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and homely environment. Children's artwork, posters and information for parents are displayed and make the environment bright and stimulating for children and their parents. The children benefit from having access to a playroom which is well resourced with furniture and toys. There is a good selection of equipment and furniture available 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. The childminder checks resources on a regular basis to minimise hazards to children.

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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 that the environment in which children are cared for is safe and secure. The childminder talks to the children about the written emergency evacuation procedure; however, this has not yet been practised with the children. Sleeping children are well protected as the childminder checks them on a very regular basis to ensure they are safe and sound. The childminder supervises the children well enabling them to play safely and independently. She encourages children's awareness of keeping themselves safe by using age appropriate distraction and explanation techniques.

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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 effectively protected.

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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 daily routine promotes children's care and welfare. The childminder is a committed and enthusiastic practitioner and has attended training regarding the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She has a good understanding of the framework and provides a wide range of stimulating activities and experiences for the younger children in her care. As a result, the children are actively engaged and occupied. The childminder has a good understanding of children's development and she observes the children at play and uses this information to build on future activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder dedicates much time playing and talking to the children. She sits at the same level as the children as they play and interacts with them at every opportunity. Babies find a voice and begin to listen and respond as the childminder listens intently when the babies babble or say single words and she responds using gentle tones; helping to reinforce early speech patterns. The childminder shares warm relationships with the children, who are happy and secure in her care. She has a secure understanding of children's individual needs and meets these needs well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Resources are stored at child height around the room. The children are able to freely select toys to extend their play; helping to develop choice and independence. Babies make connections as they play on a keyboard and enjoy pressing different keys to produce different sounds.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy being creative as they chalk on the patio in the garden and paint on paper. They are able to explore the paint in a variety of ways as they paint their fingers, dab the paint onto the paper and also use large strokes to cover the paper. They develop their hand eye coordination and fine manipulative skills as they build towers using bricks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder gathers a wealth of information from parents to enable her to be in a position to best meet these needs. Posters are displayed as a means of promoting equality of opportunity and also to encourage discussion with children. The children have access to a good range of resources that reflect diversity; helping to develop their awareness of the wider world. They also celebrate their own and other festivals helping them to value each others similarities and differences and developing respect for other people's cultures and traditions. The childminder has experience of working with parents to help meet children's additional needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of using age and developmentally appropriate strategies 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 younger children to share and take turns; consequently the children develop an awareness of what is expected of them from an early age. The childminder praises children's efforts and achievements at every opportunity; helping to develop their confidence and self-esteem. The children develop a good sense of belonging. On arrival home from the morning walk to school; they enter excitedly and are happy to go and play. The childminder involves the children in daily routines; photographic documentation shows the children helping to wash the dishes. The children learn about other living things. They are currently growing sweet pea flowers and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

help to water the plants in the garden. The childminder helps to make the children feel special; on their birthdays they help to make a birthday cake and then eat it with their friends at snack

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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 time. The children clearly enjoy their time at the childminder's and they thrive on her interaction and attention.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A good settling in procedure helps the children to feel secure. The childminder has developed a comprehensive portfolio that includes written policies and procedures. This is shown and discussed with parents at the initial meeting. Parents are given copies of the polices; helping to forge a shared understanding and good working relationships from an early stage. Parents are involved in evaluating the service provided as the childminder asks them to complete an evaluation form.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a high regard for children's well-being as she attends training in a regular basis to further develop her childcare practice. She 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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Organisation

The childminder records children's attendance in a daily diary and this shows that ratios are maintained to promote children's care. She organises space, time and resources very well to effectively met children's needs and interests.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed written policies and procedures and these work well in practice to positively promote children's health, safety, enjoyment and achievement. All required documentation is in place. These are well organised and securely stored to ensure that confidentiality is maintained.

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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 hygiene and safety.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The children now have individual towels to dry their hands; minimising the risk of cross infection. Family medication is stored safely; minimising hazards to children. The childminder has developed her awareness of current legislation regarding child protection; helping to safeguard children's welfare.

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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): • practise the evacuation procedure with minded children.

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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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