Childminder in Bolton

Inspection report for early years provision

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504874 Unique Reference Number 12 September 2007 Inspection date Jannet Mary Richards 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 1997. She lives with her husband, two sons aged nine and 12 years and a pet cat. They live in a house located in a residential area of Harwood on the outskirts of Bolton. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. This consists of a dedicated playroom and adjoining bathroom, lounge, dining room, kitchen and conservatory. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently caring for a total of three children under eight years and one child over eight. She attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is well promoted. The children develop good hygiene practices during the daily routines. For example, they wash their hands before they eat their snack and after they have finished painting. The childminder reminds them when they forget to do this independently,

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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 discussing why this is important, so that children develop a good awareness of hygiene issues. Her home and toys are maintained in a clean condition, effectively reducing the risk of the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy and nutritious diet whilst in the care of the childminder. They enjoy healthy snacks of fresh fruit. Lunches consist of foods, such as sandwiches or jacket potatoes. Later in the day children may be provided with home cooked meals, such as chicken and vegetables. All dietary needs and preferences are discussed and agreed with parents. The childminder is flexible in accommodating their requests to ensure that children are provided with meals and snacks which meet their needs. The children can reach their own drinks whenever they wish. In addition, the childminder reminds them that they may need a drink, when children return indoors from playing in the garden. This ensures that the children are suitably hydrated whilst in the care of the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are made to feel very welcome in the childminder's home. They benefit from having use of a child-centred playroom where their photographs and art work are displayed, giving them a sense of belonging. They have plenty of space to move around as they play. They enjoy playing in the garden with a good range of toys and equipment, they are able to choose whether to play outdoors or inside. The children can reach a good range of toys in the playroom which they are interested in and which are appropriate for their ages.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children can play safely as the childminder supervises them very well and puts measures in place to ensure that her home is safe. There are effective fire prevention measures in place, such as smoke alarms. In addition, the children practise fire drills regularly so that they are familiar with emergency procedures. However, the fire blanket is not easily accessible posing a small safety risk. The childminder assesses risks to the children very well and takes action to minimise these. When children play on the trampoline, for example, they follow the rules for safety, though this is not yet recorded and agreed with the parents. The children learn about safety routinely. The childminder talks to them about road safety and teaches the children how to use crossings safely. Younger children know, for example, that they have to 'wait for the green man' to cross the road. By talking to the children on a regular basis and setting a good

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

example, the childminder helps the children to learn strategies for keeping safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good awareness of child protection issues and procedures in order to safeguard the welfare of any children she may care for.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy the time they spend with the childminder. They enjoy a good range of activities within the childminder's home and outdoors. They visit toddler groups regularly, local parks, and enjoy organised trips to places of interest, such as farms. In the home they are able to play with a wide range of toys and enjoy exploring and being creative with paint and play dough. As they play the childminder supports children well, she allows them to explore and be creative, developing their own thoughts and ideas. She asks the children questions to encourage their thinking and learning. As a result, children are well stimulated, have fun, develop their imagination, creativity and make good developmental progress. The childminder recognises the value of simple activities where children can develop their ideas and explore their

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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 environment. Children become engrossed when collecting fallen leaves on a spade in the garden, for example, transferring them to a small bucket and then into the dustbin. As they do so they notice small insects, feathers, and concentrate on filling and emptying the bucket. The childminder talks to the children about what they do and see, ensuring that they gain the maximum benefit from the activity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder develops very good relationships with the children in her care. She knows the children very well, their interests and characteristics. The children and childminder clearly enjoy the time they spend in each other's company.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children behave well in the care of the childminder. She is very skilled in explaining the rules to the children. For example, she places herself at child height, ensures that she has their eye contact and full attention, before calmly explaining to them why it is not safe to play down the side of the house. Children respond very well to this approach, which ensures that they fully understand the rules and why they are in place. The childminder uses the same skills to talk to children about differences, explaining very clearly to children in simple terms which they understand. They talk about cultural differences and disabilities when opportunities occur. In addition, they celebrate festivals, such as Chinese New Year. This allows the children to develop a good awareness of, and to value diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works very well in partnership with parents to meet the individual needs of the children. She discusses all issues with them and agrees their care needs. She ensures that they are kept well informed about what the children have been doing, by providing a written diary each day. In addition, she takes time at the end of each day to exchange information with them informally. Written references demonstrate that parents clearly value the service she provides.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The effective organisational skills of the childminder ensure that children are provided with good quality care. Her home, resources and equipment are well organised to meet the care needs of the children. She plans ahead to ensure that children have stimulating activities and suitable meals. She has a strong commitment to childminding. The childminder attends training courses frequently to ensure that her childcare knowledge is up to date. She is able to use this knowledge well in her daily care of the children so that they are happy and well cared for.

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Organisation

The documentation relating to the care of the children is well maintained and recorded.

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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 time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to increase the resources which reflect culture and disability. Since then, the childminder has increased the range of toys and books available to the children with positive images of disability, race and culture. This has led to an improvement in the opportunities for the children to become aware of, and to value differences.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 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 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): • enhance the safety measures by recording a risk assessment and parental consent for use of the trampoline, and ensuring the fire blanket is accessible.

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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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