Childminder in Bolton

Inspection report for early years provision

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315797 Unique Reference Number 14 August 2007 Inspection date Christine Marsh 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 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 has been registered since 1990. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the Harwood area of Bolton. The premises are close to local amenities including shops, a library and a local park. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Toilet facilities are available on the ground floor. The childminder uses one bedroom upstairs as a sleep area for young children. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years. There are currently four children under eight years on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes the children to visit a country park which is a short ride away in her car. The family has a dog as a pet. The childminder attends a local toddler group and childminder groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and has completed Quality First, an accreditation scheme for childminders.

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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 good. Children are kept healthy as the childminder has a good knowledge of food and general hygiene requirements. Children learn good hygiene practices within everyday routines. For example, they wash their hands before eating and after stroking the dog. The childminder talks to them about why this is important. She has an up to date knowledge of first aid. These measures help to protect children in the event of minor accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive regular drinks at snack times and meal times. However, water is not available on a continual basis which means that children are not continually refreshed. Children benefit from the childminder's healthy meals. She provides home cooked meals which are well balanced and nutritious. She involves children in cooking. For example, they make pizzas adding sliced vegetables to pizza bases. She discusses food with them and sometimes they go shopping to buy food for meals they have chosen. Children develop an interest in food through this active involvement in choosing and preparing meals. These cooking activities also help to develop children's fine motor skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air. They have a range of outdoor equipment, such as slides, for different sizes of children, and toys to ride. These help to develop their large motor skills. They enjoy playing with sand and bathing dolls in the garden. The childminder takes children on visits which give them opportunities to explore different surroundings. Children sleep in a travel cot when they are tired. In these ways children's developmental needs for a balance of rest and activity are successfully met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a home environment which is clean, tidy and well maintained. Children are well protected by the childminder's awareness of hazards and her precautions to minimise these. For example, risk assessments are regularly undertaken, hazardous substances are inaccessible to children and smoke alarms are maintained in good working order.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has appropriate arrangements for travelling with the children in her car. For example, she has age and size appropriate harnesses and seats installed to keep children safe. The childminder talks to children about ways of keeping safe, such as how to cross roads carefully, when they go for walks. She has a range of buggies and reins to safeguard children. She makes sure they visit some places with enclosed areas so that children can move freely within safe spaces and have physical exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are provided with a range of good quality toys and equipment which promote their interest, learning and play. For example, a wooden train set, books, jigsaws, treasure baskets and games are available. Children benefit from playing individually, developing their imaginations as they play, and from playing with the childminder who extends their play and encourages them when they need to persevere. For example, she helps children with jigsaws when they need sensitive support in order to succeed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues and procedures. Her knowledge helps to protect children's welfare.

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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 outstanding. Children are extremely well settled in the child-friendly home. The childminder has excellent relationships with them. This supports their sense of well-being and their eagerness to play and learn. They benefit from routines that offer stability and familiarity whilst being flexible enough to make the most of experiences that arise. They are actively involved in every day tasks. For example, when the childminder is washing the large toy cars they ride on, they join in and help. Similarly, when the fire brigade visit to undertake an assessment of the home, the children enjoy supervised play on the fire engine. When they visit animals locally they watch the blacksmith tending to the horse, and they are involved in feeding the baby lambs. In these ways children have a variety of extremely rich, first hand experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Within the home, children access toys freely using them appropriately. For example, they play with natural materials and objects, such as loofahs touching them gently as they feel the texture. Children are particularly interested in a popular character and the associated toy that involves building using toy tools. Children use these tools showing good control of their hands. Children are not very interested in books currently, so the childminder has included books relating to this toy, in the box the tools are kept in. As a result children pick up these books and turn the pages looking at the pictures intently. The childminder tells stories using different tones of voice to interest children in stories and develop their language. She also supports the children's developing language through friendly, informal conversations geared to their current level of understanding as they play happily together on the carpet.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes the children on stimulating visits, for example, to museums and a local aquarium. She is aware of children's interests and chooses visits with these in mind. For example, a popular trip was to a museum to see exhibits relating to bodily functions. Many trips fit in with themes she plans in conjunction with associated activities. These enable children to benefit fully from their experiences. The current theme is summer. This involves a visit to the seaside, playing with sand, and doing related craft activities. For example, children smile proudly as they look at the fish and jellyfish paintings they have done.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are regularly taken to a number of local playgroups for opportunities to meet other children and engage in activities outside the home. The childminder's sensitive interactions with the children help them to progress at their own level and benefit fully from the wide range of stimulating learning opportunities that she provides.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are highly respected and valued as individuals. They benefit from the childminder's close attention to their current developmental and emotional needs, which enables them to flourish in her care. She has a party for each child's birthday inviting other childminders and their minded children to join the celebration.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very happy in her care and parents are extremely pleased with the service that she provides. She works in conjunction with parents to support children, for example with toilet training, and discusses any health issues that arise. The childminder has written consent from parents to take children's photographs and she is collecting photographic evidence of children's experiences. These are being put into individual albums for parents when children leave to

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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 show their enjoyment of activities and visits during their time in her care. This helps raise children's self-esteem and recall their previous experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive images of difference are promoted by the toys and resources the childminder provides. She also discusses differences with children, for example, on their trips when they see people with disabilities or wearing clothes representative of other cultures. Children's rich experiences of visits and opportunities to meet a wide group of other children and adults contribute to their experiences of diversity. This helps children appreciate the diversity of the world and value people of all cultures and ages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder acts as a good role model in the way that she treats the children. She encourages them to learn good manners and good behaviour explaining why actions are helpful. Children are given her full attention, praised appropriately, and treated with genuine affection. As a result they are learning to be thoughtful and considerate towards others.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is extremely well organised. She attends further courses to update and enhance her knowledge and provides mentoring support for other childminders. Her experience and dedication help her to provide a high quality service for children and their parents. Routines are planned around young children's physical needs. Space is well organised to provide an accessible environment for the children which helps them develop their independence. She organises her time very effectively providing children with access to a range of stimulating activities both inside and outside the home.

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Organisation

Documentation is kept in accordance with the National Standards and is used to promote the health and safety of the children. Policies and procedures are extremely thorough and help to keep parents fully informed about all aspects of their children's care. The childminder's strong commitment to the children she minds helps her to promote their emotional well-being and their ability to enjoy and achieve.

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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

At the last inspection the provider was asked to ensure children have separate hand drying facilities. They now have individual hand towels hung over an easily accessible rail in the bathroom. This prevents the spread of infection and promotes children's continuing health.

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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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, that can be seen on request. The complaint 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 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): • ensure fresh drinking water is available at all times.

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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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