Childminder in Bolton

Inspection report for early years provision

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404017 Unique Reference Number 30 July 2007 Inspection date Susan Janet Lee 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 was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 19 in a semi detached property in the Daubhill area of Bolton.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The lounge and kitchen/dining room on the ground floor and the bathroom and the small front bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden available for outdoor play. The family have a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for seven children, of whom six are aged under eight years. She is able to take and collect children from the local primary school and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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. The children are cared for in appropriately maintained premises. They stay healthy as the childminder exercises hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross infection. Effective arrangements are in place regarding the care of pets. The written sick children's policy ensures appropriate measures are in place when children are ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are nourished and develop an awareness of healthy eating because the childminder provides snacks and meals that are well balanced and nutritious; helping to aid children's growth and development. The children are able to quench their thirst independently as drinks are readily accessible to them. The childminder encourages the children to drink more often in warmer weather. The children enjoy a picnic lunch and are able to eat at their own pace.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder follows baby's individual routines providing a secure and familiar environment. They benefit from positive physical contact and interaction with the childminder during personal care routines, such as bottle feeding. Older children have opportunities to enjoy and develop their physical skills as they play in the garden and visit the park. They learn about their bodies and develop control and coordination as they have access to a wide range of outdoor play equipment. Photographic documentation shows the children having fun playing in the paddling pool in the garden, and riding on donkeys and enjoying a picnic in the park; all of which contributes to their good health and physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a homely environment. The setting is bright with famous children's characters painted on the wall in the dining area. There is a wide range of equipment, furniture and resources available to meet the needs of the children being cared for. The childminder checks all items on a regular basis to minimise risks to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Most areas of the environment in which children are cared for are safe and secure. However, lots of resources on the floor and a low level wire in the lounge pose a hazard to the children. The childminder practices the fire escape plan with the children so that they develop an awareness of what to do in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. She supervises the children appropriately indoors, but they are not always under the childminder's direct supervision when they play in the garden and this poses a risk to the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All required documentation is in place and the childminder has a good understanding of child protection matters and procedures; helping to safeguard children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children have access to a range of age appropriate activities and resources, and they are happily engaged and occupied. They also benefit from activities outside the home as the childminder utilises local amenities, such as the park, parent toddler group, the seaside, museums and a sea life centre. All of which helps to widen children's experiences.

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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 The childminder spends time playing and talking with the children. She shares positive relationships with the children, who are happy and settled in her care. Babies begin to find a voice, and listen and respond as the childminder listens to their attempts to communicate and then responds, helping to reinforce early speech patterns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy using their imagination to play pretend games with a range of imaginative toys and small world resources. They enjoy being creative as they draw and colour their pictures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder gathers information from parents about their children's individual needs to enable her to be in a position to meet these needs. The children develop an awareness of their local community through trips out to local amenities. They have access to a range of toys that reflect diversity; helping them to become aware of the wider world. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children develop a sense of belonging. They are able to move around freely and make decisions as they choose what they want to play with. Older children show care and concern for the younger children. The childminder acts as a good role model to the children and treats them with care and concern. As a result, the children are polite and behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed a file that includes some written policies and procedures. This is shown and discussed with parents at the initial meeting. Parents sign to confirm that they have read and understood the policies; helping to forge good working relationships from an early stage. The childminder shares information with parents on a daily basis to keep them informed about their children's activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder further develops her childcare practice by attending training. She has a valid first aid certificate ensuring she has up to date awareness of what to do in the event of an accident or minor injury.

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Organisation

The record of children's attendance is up to date and shows that ratios are maintained. However, the childminder is in breach of a regulation as on a few occasions some minded children have been left unsupervised with a non-vetted person.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed some written policies that work in practice to promote children's health. Most required documentation is in place; however, the childminder could not locate her driving licence during the visit and the complaints procedure does not include a written format to follow should a complaint be raised.

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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 recommendations were agreed in relation to safety and documentation. The childminder has improved safety as she has made the glazed doors in a cabinet safe. The

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Improvements 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 medication record is now signed by parents and the complaints procedure now includes contact details of the regulator.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 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): • minimise the hazards to children indoors (organisation of resources and low level wire) • ensure children are directly supervised at all times when playing in the garden • ensure that children are not left unsupervised with persons who have not been vetted • ensure all appropriate documents are available for inspection purposes (driving licence) and develop the complaints record to include a written format to follow, should a complaint be raised.

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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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