Phipps, Caroline

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

500476 Unique Reference Number 07 June 2007 Inspection date Sara Haigh Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been minding for 19 years and has been registered since 1992. She lives with her husband and two of her children aged 22 years and 15 years in the Levenshulme area of Manchester.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for six children and currently has two under eight year olds attending. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends various local child care groups on a regular basis. Minded children are taken to the local parks, shops, play barns and country parks. The childminder takes and collects children to and from the local school. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and she has a qualification in childcare and special educational needs.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are kept healthy and protected from the spread of infection and cross-contamination as the childminder maintains good levels of hygiene. Children develop skills and independence in their personal hygiene as they follow routines, such as washing their hands after using the toilet, before eating and using wipes after they have been outside. Children are well cared for in the case of illness as the childminder follows a sick child policy and administration of medication policy.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a choice of healthy and nutritious snacks prepared by the childminder, such as fruit and raisins. Meals are mainly provided by parents and are stored appropriately and safely by the childminder. Occasionally the childminder provides meals to promote children's growth and development, some of which are home-cooked, for example, spaghetti bolognaise, lasagne or a roast dinner. Children have free access to drinks throughout the day ensuring that they are hydrated and refreshed. Children's individual needs and routines with regard to diet, health and sleeping are catered for.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular opportunities to be active. They enjoy walking to the shops, park and local childcare groups. Children also walk to and from school daily and visit the farm and local country parks in the school holidays. During warmer weather children also develop their large muscle skills and coordination as they play with a variety of outdoor play equipment, such as a trampoline, slide and basket ball.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play happily within the warm, welcoming and secure environment of the childminder's home. They have adequate room to explore the range of resources available. Activities are alternated to maintain interest and according to children's individual needs and stages of development. Resources are well maintained and offer appropriate challenges for the children being cared for. Toys are checked for safety and discarded if damaged.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory regard for children's safety and provides close supervision, thereby minimising the risk of accidental injury. However, the wooden cover to the cellar in the garden poses a risk to children as the wood is splintered. Children can access sharp cutlery and cleaning substances in the kitchen as the cupboard locks are broken. Cleaning substances are also accessible in the bathroom. Children are supervised at all times and understand the need to be in sight of the childminder when outside of the setting. Children are learning to accept responsibility for their own safety as they become aware of road safety and stranger danger.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from the risk of fire because the childminder has an effective fire evacuation plan which is practised with all the children and smoke alarms are fitted on every level of the house. The childminder recognises her responsibility to protect children from harm and has a sound knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy the company of the childminder who has developed warm, caring relationships with them. Children are secure in the setting which is demonstrated by their developing sense of humour. For example, when the childminder tells the children that they are going to use tights to go on their arms to hold their rocket back-packs in place, a child laughs and says 'tights go on your legs not your arms!' The childminder offers appropriate physical contact by means of cuddles and hugs, and maintains eye contact and smiles. As a result children are secure, content and relaxed in her home and care.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and stimulated as the childminder has a sound understanding of the children and of their stage of development. Children are beginning to express their feelings and develop their ideas as they engage in imaginative play with home-made rocket back-packs, road-crossing lollipop sticks and dens under the kitchen table. The childminder spends time with the children and supports them well developing good language and communication skills as they complete sentences that the childminder is saying about past experiences. She uses descriptive language and initial sounds to give them clues. The childminder interacts purposefully with the children to help them write their names, to count using their fingers and to identify colours. The children have various opportunities to engage in art and craft activities. They use their shoes to print patterns, cut out pictures from old cards and stick foam pieces onto paper to make collages.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Parents were touched to receive tissue flowers sprayed with perfume for Mother's Day. Examples of their art work are kept in individual work books and the children are proud to reminisce as they share their books with the childminder and their parents. Younger children enjoy exploring the various sensory and sound action toys in their exploratory play.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have daily opportunities to go out and about, exploring their local environment and widening their knowledge of the wider world. The childminder provides opportunities for children to socialise with their peers at local childcare groups. Children enjoy making food strips with fruit, nuts and seeds for the birds in the garden and feeding the ducks at the park.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel a sense of belonging in the setting through a trusting and secure relationship with the childminder. The childminder implements good settling in procedures to ensure that new children are happy and confident in her care. Children generally play harmoniously within the childminder's boundaries. Minor altercations are dealt with in a calm and consistent manner and each child is treated with individual care and respect. They learn responsible behaviour through the childminder giving them explanations and talking about consequences.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for by a childminder who works in partnership with parents to meet children's individual needs. The childminder has a high regard for parents, is sensitive to their needs and has good relationships with them. The childminder obtains information which enables her to meet children's individual needs and develop consistency of care. The care of children is enhanced through the daily verbal exchange of information regarding their progress and welfare.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder interacts with the children in a way that promotes equality of opportunity, talking about the differences that the children observe. She provides a positive role model for children and uses language that does not conform to stereotypes. Children develop their awareness of our diverse society through toys, books and resources.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a clear sense of purpose to providing quality care for all children. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They confidently explore their surroundings and benefit from well planned routines both in and out of the home. The childminder adequately organises her time, space and resources and is flexible in order to meet children's individual needs. Children's individual needs are agreed with parents through regular discussions and children receive appropriate attention from the childminder. Written contracts are in place but not all consent forms are fully completed by parents. Children are safe and protected as the childminder fully understands the need for vetting household members.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder maintains adequate ratios thus improving the safety for children. However, the daily attendance register has not been completed since February 2007 and the childminder could not provide evidence of a current first aid certificate.

p.5

Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve the method of sharing information with parents. The childminder exchanges information daily with parents both in person and if necessary, on the telephone. Each child has a workbook where dated and annotated pieces of art work are kept and are regularly shared with parents.

p.5

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. 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 cannot access sharp implements in the kitchen, and dangerous substances in the kitchen and bathroom • make the wooden cover to the cellar in the garden safe • maintain an up-to-date record of attendance and ensure all consent forms are fully completed

p.5

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 • ensure that a current first aid certificate is obtained and maintained.

p.5

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

p.6

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

p.6