Childminder in Oldham

Inspection report for early years provision

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501590 Unique Reference Number 12 September 2007 Inspection date Carol Ann Dixon 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 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 was registered in 2000. She lives in the Chadderton area of Oldham with her adult son and daughter aged eight years. The areas of the house in use for childminding are the lounge, dining kitchen, the upstairs study, the bathroom and the rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for six children and is currently minding four children under five years and three school aged children. The family have a dog, two hamsters and two guinea pigs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and clean home; effective hygiene procedures are implemented to protect them from illness and infection. The childminder regularly cleans surfaces, toys and

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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 equipment to ensure they are spotlessly clean. Children are beginning to learn about the importance of good hygiene; the childminder helps them to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Younger children are helped to brush their teeth. The necessary permissions and records are in place and generally well maintained in respect of accidents and the administration of medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Dietary requirements and preferences are discussed and agreed with parents. Children enjoy a varied and nutritious diet that includes fresh fruit and vegetables. Fresh drinking water or diluted squash is readily available to quench children's thirst and keep them hydrated. Children take part in activities, such as growing tomatoes and making their own pizzas, that reinforce the benefits of healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

They enjoy participating in a good range of physical and outdoor play activities. They ride round the garden on wheeled toys, bounce on the trampoline and climb the steps on the slide. Children experience many outings to local parks and toddler groups. During school holidays they enjoy planned trips to places of interest, such as the airport. These activities promote physical development and provide children with plenty of fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a secure and well maintained home. The childminder has identified potential risks and put effective safety precautions in place to minimise them. Knives and cleaning fluids are stored in locked cupboards and safety gates and plug socket covers are used to help keep children safe. Effective fire precautions and procedures are in place. A fire blanket is provided in the kitchen and smoke detectors are fitted on all levels of the house. The childminder regularly checks them to ensure they are in good working order and she has planned the best way to evacuate the house in an emergency. Children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder regularly practises the evacuation procedure with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe because the childminder directly supervises them at all times. They choose what to play with from a range of safe, good quality, age appropriate toys and equipment. Children are beginning to learn the simple rules that help to keep them safe; they know they must hold the childminder's hand when they are on outings and that they must wait and cross the road together.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and her responsibility to take action should she have concerns. She shares this information with parents and has updated guidance relating to safeguarding procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are provided with an interesting and well balanced range of activities that are designed to be enjoyable and promote their development. Good use is made of local amenities to extend the children’s play and learning opportunities. Children look forward to attending toddler groups where they mix with other children and play with different toys and activities. They also enjoy trips to parks and indoor activity centres.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They build upon their natural curiosity as learners as the childminder supports them with interesting resources, such as treasure baskets which children enjoy exploring the contents of.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 are able to express themselves through a variety of media, such as painting, gluing and sticking, and mark making with different materials. All of the children enjoy baking. Older children help the younger ones to roll out the pastry as they make jam tarts.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and settled and enjoy choosing their favourite toys and equipment. Younger children freely and confidently move from one activity to another with praise and encouragement from the childminder. They enjoy imaginative play where they copy and imitate actions as they play with the pushchair and dolls and pretend to feed them and take them for a walk.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through planned activities, resources and outings. For example, at Chinese New Year they bake and taste food to celebrate the festival. They attempt to eat the food they have made using chopsticks. They have access to a range of books and equipment that provide positive images. They learn about their local community as they visit lots of places of interest, such as toddler groups, as well as visits to local parks, nature reserves and play centres. This provides them with an extensive range of exciting and enjoyable learning experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has consistent expectations of children and supports them to take responsibility for their behaviour. Children respond to meaningful praise they receive for positive behaviour and are helped to understand the consequences of their behaviour in an age appropriate manner. Children are valued as individuals and treated with equal concern. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's needs are met. She actively seeks parents’ views about their children’s needs and interests before the child starts and on a regular basis throughout their attendance. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure continuity of care for children. Parents are fully informed on how their children are progressing and developing through daily discussions. She has implemented a range of written policies and procedures, including the procedure for managing complaints, which are shared with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children explore their surroundings and participate in activities in the well organised home where indoor and outdoor space is used to maximise play opportunities for children. Children enjoy receiving lots of encouragement and attention from the childminder.

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Organisation

The children's care is enhanced by the effective way the childminder plans the day to ensure individual needs are met. Their welfare is promoted through a range of policies and procedures which support the childminder's practice. All required regulatory documentation is well recorded and maintained, however, medication records lack clarity.

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Organisation

Additionally, the childminder has not been able to complete a first aid training course within the required timescale. Therefore, she does not have up to date knowledge on how to deal with accidents and injuries. This is a breach of regulations.

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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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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve medication records. Although some changes have been introduced, records lack clarity and therefore, this remains a recommendation from this inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there has been one complaint made to Ofsted that required the provider to take action to meet the National Standards. The complaint related to National Standard 1: Suitable person, and National Standard 2: Organisation. An inspector visited the childminder and two actions were raised with regard to National Standard 2: Organisation, and National Standard 6: Safety. The childminder responded to the actions and Ofsted was satisfied that the provider remains qualified for registration.

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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 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): • complete a first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children, and which is consistent with any guidance issued to local authorities by the Secretary of State • improve documentation on administration of medication.

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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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