Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344785 Unique Reference Number 17 April 2007 Inspection date Cathleen Howarth 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 registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12, 13 and 14 in Fitton Hill, Oldham. Most of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time, and is currently minding 12 children on a part time basis. There are six children on roll aged over eight who mainly attend before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children, and attends parent/toddler and playgroups. The family has a pet guinea pig which lives outside and has supervised access to the house.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties, and children who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are routinely taken care of if they have an accident or become ill. There are appropriate procedures in place, for example, medication, accident, and existing injury records, to promote children’s continuing care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s good health is safeguarded when the childminder maintains adequate standards of hygiene and cleanliness in areas used by children. Older children are beginning to understand simple health and hygiene practices, such as washing their hands before snack and after using the toilet. However, there are inconsistencies when the childminder forgets to clean the baby's hands before lunch, and runny noses and faces are not cleaned as required. This increases the risk of spreading infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are used to walking from school and enjoy playing outside. They use the climbing frame, nets and slide, in addition to various push and pull equipment. They use the tricycles to develop muscle tone and coordination. Older children know to rest according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to learn the importance of eating healthily. The childminder reinforces this by providing nutritional snacks, like fresh fruit, water and juice. There is suitable provision for children with special dietary requirements and food preparation procedures are sound.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe environment which is effectively risk assessed before they arrive. They are learning boundaries and limits. For example, they know to keep gates closed and they know not to play on the stones at the side of the house, in order to keep safe. The childminder has sound understanding of the need for a balance between freedom and safe limits. As a result, children have sufficient choice in where they go. In good weather the patio doors are left open for children to decide where they play. Children are kept safe on outings when they use reins and wrist bands, and older children hold onto the buggy. Road safety is continuously reinforced.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with accessible resources and equipment that are of suitable design and condition. The childminder checks items regularly for repair and replacement. Children are learning to keep themselves and other’s safe and to avoid accidental injury. For example, they help the childminder to tidy up the toys to prevent trips.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All fire safety precautions are in place. There are no blocked exits, adequate smoke detection, and a fire blanket is kept in the kitchen. Children practise the emergency evacuation plan, which effectively encourages them to take responsibility for themselves. Babies are checked regularly when they are asleep. The current public liability insurance certificate is available for parents to view.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are appropriately safeguarded. The childminder understands her role in child protection. She knows the procedures to follow should a concern arise.

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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. Children use a suitable range of resources and materials to generally support their care, learning and play. Items are rotated and loaned from the local authority toy library to provide variety, which helps to sustain their interest. Children have sufficient opportunity to develop mathematical thinking. They sing songs that effectively reinforce numbers and counting. They clearly show interest in what they do, for example, when they use paints to make pictures. Their social relationships are suitably supported when they play with friends at the setting and the playgroup. They are learning to share, take turns and to be kind during their play. Children acquire new knowledge and skills when they help to look after the family's guinea pig. They are keen to feed the guinea pig, and know how to hold it gently. Children relate well to their carer and babies are appropriately cuddled and rocked to sleep.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s language is effectively extended when they make mother’s day cards. They write their message in English and their home language. They also make chocolate hearts and arrange them attractively in baskets to take home. However, on occasions, children are not sufficiently challenged in order to help them take the next step. For example, during water play there were missed opportunities to extend their play and learning. In addition, there are limited facilities for nappy changing and toilet training. This hinders children’s overall care and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated with equal concern. Boys and girls share accessible resources, and all children are fully included and involved. There are appropriate systems in place to provide for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. Children are beginning to develop an awareness of human differences in the wider community. This is achieved when positive images of diversity are promoted through toys and activities. A relevant example of this is when children learn the origins of exotic fruits which they like to eat.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

In the main, children are looked after according to parents’ wishes. Written parental consent has been obtained for some childcare practices, like applying sun cream and outings. Parents know how to raise concerns through the complaints procedure. Most of the children’s individual needs are met and the childminder has knowledge and understanding of each child’s background. However, the childminder is not fully aware of each child’s stage of development, such as toilet training. Additional information is also required with regard to meals, especially for children who attend other settings in the same day, such as playgroup. A breakdown in communication confuses children and makes them unsure, although children generally behave well. The childminder uses age appropriate strategies, such as distraction and explanation, to effectively manage a broad range of children’s differing behaviour. There is a sufficient balance of adult-led

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and child-initiated activities that allow children to make choices and decisions, which positively promotes their confidence and self-esteem.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to continual improvement. She has developed a satisfactory understanding of the National Standards. The organisation of space is effective and there are clearly defined areas for meals, rest and play. The childminder makes good use of her time and plans activities. She is flexible and considers children’s interests

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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 and wishes. Daily and weekly routines are well established and children feel safe in a predictable and familiar environment.

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Organisation

All the required documentation is in place to promote children’s care, welfare and learning. Children's records are easily accessible for parents to view, in addition to well written policies and procedures. 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 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): • ensure children's personal hygiene routines are thorough and consistent, such as cleaning hands, noses and faces as required • improve nappy changing and toilet training facilities and procedures • provide more challenging activities and consistently support children to take the next step • exchange information with parents and other childcare providers, to consistently meet the individual needs of children with regard to meals and toilet training.

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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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