Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344557 Unique Reference Number 17 April 2007 Inspection date Shirley Leigh Monks-Meagher 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and six years in the Newton Heath area of Manchester. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and currently has one child on roll, who attends for three days a week. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with bathroom facilities situated on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The family has a dog and a cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy home where some sensible hygiene procedures are in place to protect children. However, the childminder does not immediately wash her hands after changing a soiled child or encourage hand washing after touching the family pet, putting children at risk of cross-contamination. Children can rest or sleep in comfort when they are

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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 tired, following their own natural pattern and using their own, familiar comforters from home, such as a dummy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and dietary needs are well documented and respected. Children are offered frequent drinks of water which keeps them refreshed and hydrated. Children benefit from a choice of healthy snacks provided by the childminder. For example, fresh fruit or crackers. Currently, the children bring their own lunch and the childminder stores them appropriately to maintain good health. Children sit round the table at mealtimes, which are unhurried, social occasions where children learn to feed themselves competently and make healthy choices.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy activities which contribute towards their good health. Children benefit from free access to a secure outdoor play area where they run and play with balls and manoeuvre wheeled toys. This approach to exercise and fresh air fosters children's physical development and promotes their enjoyment of healthy lifestyle activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a maintained and welcoming environment. They have access to appropriate facilities. Children are well supervised and are beginning to understand about safe boundaries. They learn about personal safety, such as wearing harnesses when in buggies and feeder chairs and how to open and close doors and drawers without trapping their fingers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder undertakes regular risk assessments of her home and garden to minimise hazards and keep children safe. Their safety around toys and equipment is maintained because the childminder vigilantly cleans and inspects the safety standard of her resources regularly. For example, she spends her time with the children and ensures children who are new on their feet are additionally protected by placing a rubber mat under the conservatory step. However, children's welfare is not fully protected because the childminder has not sought written consent for emergency medical advice and treatment or obtained the appropriate vehicle insurance to enable her to transport children in her car. Fire precautions have been taken. The childminder has appropriate equipment in place and has a written evacuation plan but has not yet practised this with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an understanding of the signs and symptoms that raise professional concerns about a child, holds the relevant contact numbers on file and knows the procedures to follow. She recognises that her knowledge is basic and has, therefore, scheduled to attend further training in June. Children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and secure in the childminder's home. They enjoy their time with her because she gets down to their level and plays with them, supporting their efforts and introducing fun activities. For example, when the childminder sings about galloping horses, great excitement is generated by jumping up and down on her knee. Much fun is had with the stacking cups as they disappear under bigger cups or roll about the floor once the tower is knocked down and a screwed-up newspaper ball makes interesting noises.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children share warm, trusting relationships with the childminder. She speaks to them in warm tones, gives them good eye contact and reassures them sensitively when they are uncertain.

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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 Hugs are freely exchanged. Communication and language is encouraged and developed by the childminder who listens and responds to children's early speech patterns. She talks consistently about what is happening and what they are doing. For example, counting as she stacks the cups, naming the animals that pop-up when the switch is turned or pressed and where the ride on the tricycle is taking them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to play freely, developing and practising their skills. For example, building, role playing with small world toys, listening to stories and looking at books, exploring textures and sounds, music, action rhymes, dressing up and discovering for themselves in a supportive and caring environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children happily explore all the opportunities available. They are beginning to respect boundaries and recognise right from wrong in the supportive and caring environment. Children receive regular praise, reassuring smiles and cuddles from the childminder. Appropriate strategies are successfully and imaginatively used to promote positive behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to become independent. They are learning to be themselves, make choices about their play activities and select resources. Children are encouraged to play with all the resources, many of which are helping them to develop positive attitudes towards some of the similarities and differences in our diverse society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder discusses the needs of the child with parents to ensure she is offering the most appropriate care to their child. Information about children's progress and interesting events is shared verbally with parents on a daily basis. This provides children with continuity of care and creates links between home and the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and relaxed in the homely environment where they can make choices and select toys and equipment from suitably organised and accessible resources in ample, safe and secure play space.

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Organisation

Children benefit from a suitably qualified carer who is experienced in childcare and has a good knowledge and understanding of children's developmental needs and is pro-active in furthering her professional development through additional training.

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Organisation

Most required records and documentation which support children's safety, welfare and well-being are in place, organised, confidential and secure. However, the register reflects children's contractual hours rather than actual hours attended each day.

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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

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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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 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): • improve hygiene procedures, such as nappy changing and around pets, to fully protect children from cross-contamination • practise fire evacuation procedures with the children, ensure emergency consents are in place and obtain appropriate insurance for any vehicle used to transport minded children • ensure the register accurately reflects children's actual attendance hours.

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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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