Hanlon, Bernice Elizabeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY233486 Inspection date 05 July 2005 Inspector Susan Janet Lee

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2002 and she lives with her husband and 3 children aged 12, 13 and 16 in a terraced property the Lower Kersal area of Salford. The lounge, kitchen/dining room and bathroom on the ground floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden available for outdoor play. The family have a dog and fish as pets. The childminder is registered to provide care for three children at any one time and is currently caring for two children. The childminder is able to take and collect children

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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 from the local primary school and 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 a well maintained environment. The childminder exercises good hygiene practice. She follows a clear routine when she changes nappies; children are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times of the day; for example before eating, after using the bathroom and if they stroke the dog; minimising the risk of cross infection. Children's health dietary needs are very successfully met because the childminder works in accordance to parent's wishes. The childminder provides snacks and meals that are well balanced which promotes children's growth and development and raises their awareness of healthy eating. Children are able to access drinks freely to quench their thirst. Children have lots of opportunities to enjoy and develop their large physical skills. A very young child has recently learnt to walk and he is able to move around freely to further develop his new found skill; he walks around the lounge, accessing toys and

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Helping children to be healthy

looking at the fish in a tank. Children have opportunities to play with a good range of outdoor equipment in the garden and to visit the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children develop a good sense of belonging as they are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. They are confident to explore their surroundings. There is a good selection of furniture available allowing children to play, eat and rest in comfort. A wide selection of equipment and resources are available to help children progress in all areas of their development. Resources are organised for easy access and children are able to freely access toys of their choice to extend their play. Toys are checked on a regular basis to ensure they are safe; minimising risks to children. The childminder rotates the toys and also uses a local toy library to add variety and enhance children's experiences. Children's risk of injury is minimised by the childminder's good awareness of safety. The childminder encourages children's understanding and learning in keeping themselves safe; for example, children sit down when they are eating, they hold the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder's hand when they are walking and she is encouraging them to look and listen when crossing a road. She is vigilant in supervising very young children as they play, but gives them space to explore and play independently. For example, a child is able to walk around the lounge whilst he is playing with a push along truck; the childminder is on hand to support as needed. She tidies toys to one side if they become a tripping hazard.

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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 The childminder has all the required documentation and a secure awareness of child protection issues and procedures; consequently, children's safety and welfare are protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder shares warm, close relationships with the children and meets their needs well. She offers lots of positive physical contact by means of hugs and cuddles; as a result, children are happy, secure and confident in her care. The children are engaged in a wide variety of age appropriate activities; for example, lots of baby toys, books, dolls, cause and effect toys, drawing and push along toys. The childminder dedicates much time to supporting children in their play. She sits at the same height as the children as they play and takes an interest in what they do and say. The childminder looks at books with the children and talks to them about colour, pictures and textures. The children invite the childminder into their play. For example a child is playing with a train set; he offers a train to the childminder so that she may play with him. The childminder acknowledges a very young child's attempts to communicate. She

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

echoes his babbles and introduces new words and sounds through play; nurturing and developing early communication skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's awareness of the local community and wider world are enhanced by a good selection of resources that reflect diversity and outings to the park, library, Parent and toddler group and play group. The childminder forges good working relationships with parents from an early stage; as a result, children's needs are recognised and promoted. The childminder welcomes parents on arrival and very young children are happy to wave goodbye to their parents, whilst being cuddled by the childminder; forming trusting three way relationships. The childminder consistently praises children's efforts and achievements to raise their confidence and develop self assurance. For example she acknowledges children's attempts to communicate and admires their drawings. Very young children are becoming aware of their own needs and are able to express these needs. For example a child becomes tired and holds his arms out; the childminder nurses him

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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 The children feel at home in the well organised environment. Space and resources are organised to promote children's independence. The childminder has a high regard for children's wellbeing and is committed to broaden her knowledge and skills to further develop her childminding practice and further improve the quality of care for children. Policies and procedures are in place and these work in practice to promote children's health, safety and welfare. Most documentation is in place; however, written parental consent for medication and emergency medical attention has not been requested and some medication records have not been signed by the parents to acknowledge the entry. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made in relation to safety, documentation and child protection. The childminder has improved children's safety as the fire has been made safe and safety film is to be fitted to one item of low level glazing. She has discussed her responsibility as a registered person with regards to child protection with parents and she has made the regulator's contact details available to them. The childminder has developed an awareness of appropriate policies and procedures with regards to childminding.

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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): • request written parental consent for emergency medical attention, obtain written parental consent for medication and ensure that parents sign children's

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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 medication records to acknowledge any entries recorded.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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