Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY331447 Unique Reference Number 03 May 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 lives with her husband and three children aged six, three and two years in a residential area of Oldham. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and the bathroom upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is protected as they learn satisfactory health practices. They wash their hands after using the toilet and the childminder explains the reasons why. The nappy changing procedure is effective and ensures cross-contamination is limited. Most of the required documentation is in place and ensures children's medical needs are protected. However, there is a minor omission in medication records where parents have not countersigned the entry and as a consequence, there is no clear confirmation that they are informed of when their child has been given medication.

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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 Children enjoy opportunities to promote their physical development because they regularly go out for walks and benefit from fresh air and sunshine. They are adept in using wheeled toys and play with them both indoors and outside. Young children have their emotional needs met as the childminder cares for them in a loving manner by giving cuddles and responding to what they want. They rest and sleep according to their needs and in full consultation with parents so that their home routines are followed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder uses information from parents and complies with their wishes. Children learn the importance of healthy eating and are well nourished as the childminder provides them with a range of snacks which include fresh fruit such as bananas and grapes which they enjoy. Drinks of juice or water are always available so that children keep healthy and are never thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a safe and secure environment in which they can move freely and confidently. They access a suitable range of resources and make choices from the toys stored in the conservatory. The childminder uses the necessary safety equipment to ensure children's safety. For example, stair gates and cupboard locks are used to prevent children gaining access to areas of potential risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder talks to the children about keeping safe and not running so that they do not fall as they learn to take responsibility for their own safety needs. However, children have not had the opportunity to practise any emergency evacuation procedures, which could compromise their safety in the event of fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is safeguarded because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary, based on national and local guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy and achieve as they play and learn in an environment where they are able to make choices to enhance their play. The children readily move around the setting, changing activities with confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children go for walks in the park where they enjoy throwing stones in the water and the many opportunities for outdoor play in the garden. Bouncing on the trampoline is a particular favourite. They attend the local play centre where they mix with other children and make new friends. They have sound relationships with the childminder as they sit together to read a story, enjoy a cuddle on the sofa and talk about their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder does not have the 'Birth to three matters' framework and, therefore, no information or its application is applied in practice for young children. She has agreed to obtain this so that young children's play and learning is enhanced.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children and their families are fully welcomed by the childminder. They access all the play materials and can join in all activities provided. Children access a limited range of resources to contribute to their awareness of the immediate and wider world. They benefit from looking at books, but learning about others is affected by a lack of resources and activities which limits their understanding of diversity. The childminder has an understanding of learning difficulties and disabilities, and of the need to work with parents to enable children's individual needs to be fully met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning how to manage their behaviour because the childminder has appropriate behaviour strategies in place. She talks to the children about their behaviour as she sets clear expectations, including no running or jumping on furniture. She assists children in managing their own behaviour by the positive use of praise and encouragement and by diverting younger children on to new activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder fosters sound relationships with parents as she shares appropriate information with them. She ensures parents are aware of their child's time with her by providing opportunities for daily discussions. The childminder is aware of the regulation to keep a record of complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from an environment which is organised to meet their needs and in which they are able to play freely. The childminder makes appropriate use of time, space and resources as children play and learn, because she plays with and talks to them. The childminder has an informal routine in place which is based on the children's needs, enabling them to gain from the activities provided.

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Organisation

Children's needs are met and their welfare protected because the childminder has the regulatory documentation in place, which is appropriately maintained and up to date. Children's details are fully recorded, therefore ensuring parents can be contacted should a situation occur. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 all 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 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): • ensure that medication records are appropriately detailed • improve children's understanding of fire safety • develop a suitable range of activities for younger children as explained in 'Birth to three matters' • ensure children have access to a broad range of activities and resources which reflect diversity.

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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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