Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY240704 Unique Reference Number 05 March 2008 Inspection date Nighat Ghani 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 2000. She lives with her son aged five years. They live in a house in Tyldesley close to schools, pre-schools, parks and schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, this includes the lounge and kitchen. The children have use of the bathroom on the first floor. 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 care for five children at any one time and there are currently seven children on roll who attend on part- time basis. The childminder attends local toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in clean and well maintained premises. They benefit from the childminder taking positive steps to prevent the spread of infection amongst them. For example, parents of the children with infectious diseases are requested to keep their children at home. Children are reminded to wash their hands before meal times and after using the toilet. Children's

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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 wellbeing is protected by the childminder keeping accurate records of accidents and medication. However, she has not obtained permission from all the parents' to seek emergency treatment, which compromises children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is promoted as they are offered a suitable choice of healthy meals and snacks. They are offered drinks throughout the day to keep them hydrated. However, the childminder has not recorded all the children's allergies which compromises their health. Children enjoy sitting together at meal times, and have the opportunity to try new foods and healthy options such as home cooked vegetables or fruit. Information is shared with parents to encourage children to vary their diet in a relaxed, social environment with other children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have plenty of opportunities for physical play and benefit from fresh air as they regularly visit the local park and play in the back garden. They use the large equipment, such as the climbing frame, swings and see-saw, and play ball games in an open space which strengthen their muscles and co-ordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children confidently explore the surroundings due to the effective organisation of space. They access a well-equipped lounge and kitchen, which is decorated with children's work and provides a child friendly environment. This helps children feel valued and welcome in the childminder's home. There is an excellent range of toys and activities available for both indoor and outdoor play. All the equipment is kept in good, clean condition and conforms to safety standards. The appropriate organisation and accessibility of the toys encourages children to make independent choices throughout the session. Activities are all set out within easy reach and they are changed regularly to maintain children’s interest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments are carried out regularly to ensure children's safety. However, the sharp edged hearth around the fire in the lounge has gone undetected, which is a safety hazard to the children. General safety within the home is good and security is such that children cannot leave the premises without supervision. An emergency escape plan is in place and fire drills are practiced on a regular basis, which ensure that the children are aware how to evacuate the premises if required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has sound knowledge of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures, which promotes children's safety and welfare. She has attended training and understands her role and responsibility with regard to keeping children safe from harm. She has all the relevant documentation and contact numbers if she had any concerns about the safety or welfare of children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, settled and secure. They have good relationships with each other and the childminder, as they play together and benefit from the regular support the childminder provides to enhance their learning. Children are good communicators as they confidently ask questions and eagerly chat with the childminder and each other. Children develop good self-esteem and confidence as the childminder listens and values what they say and do. They extend and practise their learning through her skilful and spontaneous questioning.

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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 learn different colours and shapes while doing creative activities. For example, the childminder cuts the tissue paper in different shapes for children to do a collage picture. As a child picks up a piece of tissue paper she shows it to the childminder and says, 'look it's a pink square.' Children's knowledge is extended by the childminder taking them on trips. For example, children happily talk to the childminder about the train ride she has planned for the children over the Easter holidays. Younger children's language is promoted as they sit with the childminder and complete a large puzzle.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has attended Birth to Three Matters training and has embraced this framework with great enthusiasm. She now uses this effectively in practice to promote the development of the younger children in her care and provide activities which they enjoy and benefit from.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident and happy in the care of their childminder. They have good relationships with the childminder, which makes them feel safe and secure in their environment. However, they have few opportunities to develop an awareness of diversity within the wider world as they have limited resources and activities to raise their awareness of gender issues, race and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and supported by the childminder who works in consistent ways with all children, ensuring that firm boundaries are in place that are understood by children of different ages. She makes sure that explanations given to children are in keeping with their level of maturity and understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good understanding of children with disabilities. Working in partnership with parents and other agencies contributes significantly to children's well-being. The childminder collates information from parents about their children's needs to ensure these are met effectively. Information about children's achievements and progress is shared by the childminder, providing parents with a daily diary. Parents are encouraged to put comments in the diary about what their children have been doing over the weekend, which promotes continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home so that children can move around safely whilst making choices about what to play with. The childminder uses a comprehensive set of written policies and procedures, which enhance the care of children and contribute to keeping them safe and healthy. She attends training on a regular basis, which enhances the care and education of the children in her care.

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Organisation

The childminder has implemented records to show when emergency evacuation practises are undertaken and also introduced daily diaries for individual children to record what children do when they are in her care. She maintains accurate records of children's attendances, which contributes to their safety. The childminder regularly reviews all the information relating to the children in her care. She has appropriate insurance cover, and has displayed her current registration certificate in the entrance hall.

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Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she 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

There were four recommendations made at the last inspection and these were to devise a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious, further improve systems for sharing information with parents, improve the range of nutritious meals served to children to promote healthy eating and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Policy about exclusion of children who are ill or infectious is now in place and shared with the parents' at the initial meeting. A daily diary system has been implemented to ensure parents are kept fully informed about their children's day at the childminder. Children are provided with freshly home cooked nutritious meals to promote healthy eating and the childminder has obtained written permission from all the parents' but one to seek emergency treatment and advice. All these improvements has since enhanced children's health and safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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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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): • obtain all the parents' permission to seek emergency treatment or advice and ensure all the children's allergies are recorded • make the fire in the lounge safe • continue to increase resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice

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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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