Childminder in Trafford

Inspection report for early years provision

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318176 Unique Reference Number 22 January 2008 Inspection date Lynda, Margaret Ronan 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 1992. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in Timperley, a suburb of Trafford. The kitchen, playroom, lounge and first floor bathroom are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is qualified to level 3 in childcare. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children grow strong and gain good physical skills as they enjoy running, hopping, jumping, climbing, balancing and riding bikes at the childminder's home, in the park, at adventure playgrounds and at the childminding group. The childminder ensures children have lots of

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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 weekly opportunities to play vigorously and to benefit from fresh air. The childminder has attended training to enable her to support children's interest in sport and playing actively and puts into practice what she has learnt.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy as the childminder consistently follows very good hygiene routines to prevent the spread of infection. She supports children to take care of themselves and become independent particularly well, for example, babies hands are washed after their nappies are changed which sets a very good model for them to follow.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are treated appropriately for minor injuries as the childminder is qualified in first aid. Documentation relating to accidents and medication is well maintained. Written procedures for a medical emergency, signed and agreed with parents, will ensure children receive good care and that communication is effective.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's well-being is positively promoted as they eat healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. Children choose to eat salad items, brown bread and fruit and talk with relish about meals and mealtimes sat sociably at the table with the childminder. Children learn how eating healthily benefits them through discussion and art work, for example, producing collages of different fruits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy and emotionally secure because the childminder is warm and kind towards them. Her home is safe and welcoming. A wide range of attractive, safely maintained toys which are organised into themed storage boxes encourages and effectively supports children's independence and ability to develop their own ideas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children of all ages are appropriately safeguarded through the childminder's close attention to safety. The childminder risk assesses her home and when going out on outings she takes action to ensure dangers are minimised. For example, she has placed all dangerous substances in high cupboards in the kitchen, has suitable safety precautions in place, such as fireguards and ensures all children walk close to her within sight and reach when outside. The childminder talks to children about crossing roads and the level crossing safely. Very young children describe what happens before the barrier comes down at the rail crossing and what they must do and how they must walk in the white lines because there is no footpath. Children learn to keep themselves and others safe because they are learning about road safety when they are outside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected. The childminder shares a clear policy with parents and will only release children to adults with the prior consent of their parents. She ensures children are not left unsupervised with persons who have not been vetted. The childminder is able to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse, such as unexplained marks or changes in children's behaviour. She keeps local child protection guidance to hand so she can act if she has concerns. Therefore, children are effectively safeguarded from the risk of possible harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children clearly enjoy their time with the childminder, they are extremely relaxed and happy in their surroundings. They encounter a wide range of activities and experiences which stimulates all areas of their development. They have regular opportunities to play with other children of

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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 a similar age through visits to groups and other childminders. Children benefit from the childminder's skilled involvement in their play and her understanding of when to step back and allow them the space and time to develop their own ideas and imaginations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are appropriately challenged to gain new skills. The childminder competently observes individual children and provides activities that effectively promote their next steps in learning. For example, she encourages the children's dexterity by building a train track with them, providing dressing up activities and by using building bricks that offer suitable challenge to different ages of children. Other children are supported to think as they count rings and are asked what sound transformer starts with and other familiar toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are independent and responsible, because the childminder plans the environment very well and has good routines to support them. Children learn responsibility tidying toys which they have finished with, carrying plates through to the kitchen and they enjoy washing them up. They make genuine choices about what they play and which resources they use which helps them to think and act independently. Children, for example, use their imaginations and free choice to gather cars, trains and fire engines from different boxes and use the large trains to form a garage for the cars, whilst the fire engines deliver the petrol.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very well behaved. The childminder takes every opportunity to reinforce the positive actions, attitudes and achievements of children. She devotes time to children and ensures they are constructively busy. She treats children with respect and offers them constant praise and encouragement, as a result, they are confident and show respect and concern for others. For example, when a child is upset other children offer them hugs as does the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about others in practical situations, through visiting play groups, art exhibitions and museums. Opportunities for children to form positive images about culture, religion and disability form an integral part of the childminder's practice. The childminder knows the children in her care well and she plans well to successfully meet their individual needs. Children returning from a busy morning at nursery are given space to play imaginatively whilst babies have quiet time and space to sleep.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder puts high priority on meeting the needs of all children in her care and has identified a need to improve her knowledge of none verbal communication skills to support children with additional needs and babies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents report that they appreciate the good care offered to their children. The childminder has robust systems in place to ensure effective communication with parents so that she is clear about their wishes and they know all about the care she offers. For example, she invites parents and children to visit her several times before children are placed with her and has a comprehensive file about her service which includes policies and procedures, evidence of courses she has attended, as well as evidence of public liability insurance and many other aspects of her service.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very well protected and cared for by the childminder, who ensures they are closely supervised and that persons in close contact with them are suitable.

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Organisation

The childminder is conscientious, committed, organised and has a high regard for the wellbeing of all children. She keeps herself very well informed of legislative changes and new ideas in childcare and education through attending courses and an active involvement with the National Childminding Association. The children are secure and at ease in the well organised environment. All necessary documentation is in place and is comprehensive. The childminder has additional written policies and procedures that describe the good care of the children and allow parents to better understand the care their children receive.

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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 childminder agreed to take action to develop her existing knowledge of child protection. The childminder has attended a child protection course and has kept herself informed of changes regarding safeguarding children, as a result, children are secure in her care.

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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, 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 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): • further develop non-verbal communication skills.

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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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