Childminder in Salford

Inspection report for early years provision

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504141 Unique Reference Number 10 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 five and nine in a semi detached property in Swinton, Salford.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The lounge and dining kitchen on the ground floor and the bathroom and two bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden available for outdoor play.

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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 three children. She is able to take and collect children from the local primary school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a well maintained environment. They stay healthy as the childminder exercises good hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross infection. For example, she uses

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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 antibacterial spray to wipe work surfaces and door handles and follows good standards of hygiene when changing nappies to help protect the youngest children. The written sick children's policy ensures appropriate measures are in place when children are ill. However, the first aid box is not sufficiently stocked and this may compromise the childminder's ability to deal with accidents or minor injuries effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works in accordance to parents wishes regarding the provision of food and drink. Children are well nourished and develop an awareness of healthy eating as the childminder has a good understanding of the importance of healthy options. Snacks include chopped fruit and vegetables and meals are home cooked, which helps aid children's healthy growth and development. The childminder ensures that babies have drinks at regular intervals. Older children are able to independently quench their thirst as drinks are readily accessible to them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies benefit from routines that are consist to their home experiences as the childminder follows their individual sleep and meal routines; providing a secure and familiar environment. They also benefit from lots of positive physical contact, eye contact and soothing interaction during personal care routines. Babies are able to move around freely and practice their large physical skills such as rolling, stretching and sitting supported. Older children have opportunities to enjoy and develop their physical skills as they play in the garden and visit the park on a regular basis; all of which contributes to their good health and physical development. The children learn about their bodies and develop control and coordination as they have access to a good range of outdoor play equipment. The children enjoy playing in the garden and they have fun kicking and throwing a ball with the childminder.

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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 welcoming and homely environment. They have lots of space to move around and extend their play. The childminder organises space well to accommodate separate active and quieter activities. There is a good selection of equipment and furniture available allowing babies and older children to play rest and eat in comfort.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder provides a wide range of resources to meet the needs of the children being cared for. Toys are stored at child height enabling the children to freely choose what they want to play with, which helps them to make choices and develop independence. The childminder checks and washes toys on a regular basis to minimise risks to children. All items are of suitable design and appear in a safe and clean condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of safety and has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that the environment in which children are cared for is safe and secure. She practises the emergency evacuation procedure with minded children so that they develop an awareness of what to do in the event of an emergency such as afire. The childminder supervises the children well enabling them to play safely and independently. She encourages very young children's awareness of keeping themselves safe through age appropriate discussion and distraction techniques.

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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 clear understanding of child protection matters and procedures; helping to safeguard 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 good. The childminder provides a range of activities and resources and the children are actively engaged and occupied. Children also benefit from activities outside the home as the childminder uses local amenities such as the park, story time at the library and parent toddler groups. This helps to widen children's experiences and gives them additional opportunities to socialise with their peers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She has recently begun to observe the children at play and record their progress using aspects of the framework. The childminder dedicates time playing and talking to the children. She sits at the same level as the children as they play and interacts with them at every opportunity to extend their language and to introduce new concepts. She shares warm relationships with the children, who are happy and secure in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies have access to a wide range of toys that are colourful, tactile and that make noises; helping to develop their sensory experiences. They begin to find a voice and listen and respond as the childminder nurtures their attempts to communicate. For example, when they babble, the childminder listens carefully and then responds in gentle tones to help reinforce early speech patterns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy playing with wooden bricks and the childminder helps them to build a tower. She introduces words such as big, little, small and tall. The children then explore different ways of constructing models as they build outwards and upwards. The children develop their fine manipulative skills and hand eye coordination as they play with a yoyo. They carefully move the yoyo up and down to control its rhythmic movements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder offers lots of positive physical contact by means of hugs and cuddles. The children respond by opening their arms out for a cuddle and sitting on the childminder's knee when she reads them a story. They also enjoy a tickling game and there are lots of laughs and giggles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children gain an awareness of their local environment through trips out to local amenities. They have access to a range of resources that reflect diversity and this helps to develop their understanding of the wider world. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that children's cultural backgrounds are valued and respected. She demonstrates a positive attitude towards children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses age appropriate strategies to manage children's behaviour. She acts as a good role model to the children as she treats them with individual care and respect and uses 'please' and 'thank you'. As a result, the children develop an awareness of what is expected of them from an early age. The childminder praises children's efforts and achievements at every opportunity and this helps to develop their confidence and self-esteem. The children develop a good sense of belonging and they move around with ease and confidence. They clearly enjoy being with the childminder and they thrive on her interaction and attention.

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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 The childminder has developed a portfolio that includes written policies and procedures. This is shown and discussed with parents at the initial meeting; helping to forge good working relationships and a shared understanding from an early stage. The childminder shares verbal information with parents at the end of each day and also provides written documentation each month to keep parents informed about their children's activities and progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder attends training on a regular basis to further develop her childcare practices. However, she is in breach of a regulation as she does not currently have a valid first aid certificate and this compromises her ability to deal with accidents and minor injuries effectively.

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Organisation

The record of children's attendance is up to date and shows that ratios are maintained to promote children's care. The childminder organises space, time and resources effectively to meet children's needs.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed policies and procedures that work in practice to promote children's health, safety and welfare. All required documentation is in place and is well organised. However, the accident record does not include sufficient information regarding the location and nature of injuries. The childminder maintains children's individual records to ensure confidentiality.

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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 partnership with parents. Effective systems are in place to keep parents informed about their children's activities. Parents have been provided with details of the complaints procedure and the contact details of the regulator.

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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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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 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): • replenish the contents of the first aid box as required • ensure a valid first aid certificate is maintained • ensure the accident record includes sufficient information regarding the location and nature of the injury.

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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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