Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY243944 Unique Reference Number 11 July 2007 Inspection date Marina Anna Howarth 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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and two children, aged six years and one year in the Norden area of Rochdale. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with toilet facilities located on the first floor. A bedroom is used to facilitate resting and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time. She is currently minding two children under five years during the day and three children over five years, before and after school and during the school holidays. She walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the nature reserve and park. The childminder does not offer overnight care for children. The childminder holds the National Vocational Qualification level two in childcare and is currently working towards completing a level three qualification.

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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 cared for in a warm, safe, clean and highly maintained environment. They understand the importance of personal hygiene and staying healthy through daily routines, as they consistently wash their hands after visiting the toilet, before eating and after playing outside. There are pictures of children's hand prints located near the wash areas, used as a gentle prompt for children to wash their hands. They are developing a good understanding of why it is important to do so. For example, one child has given the children a demonstration of how to wash their hands properly to remove the germs. This resulted from a visit to the child's school from a nurse, who used an ultra-violet light to show the germs on the children's hands and the correct way to wash them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing an awareness of a healthy diet as they are actively encouraged to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Each child has their own tick chart, and each time they have had one portion of fruit or vegetables they receive a tick. As a result of this, children are enthusiastic about maintaining their healthy diet. Children show an active interest in their meals and snacks as the childminder offers them a selection of healthy choices. Older children are consulted when she devises the weekly menu and they are encouraged to make their own snacks using a variety of ingredients. Meal and snack times are encouraged to be a social occasion where the children sit together with the childminder and her family while they are eating. Younger children sit at a child-sized table together whilst they enjoy their snack of assorted fresh fruit. They are given brightly coloured plates with pictures of their favourite

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Helping children to be healthy

characters on which they excitedly show the Inspector.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical activity on a regular basis as the childminder takes them to the local park, they go on nature trails and walks to and from school. Children also have access to a rear enclosed garden where there is a variety of climbing equipment, balls and hoops. She also accesses the local toddler group where there are a variety of opportunities to explore physical activities and she visits indoor soft play centres.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are alert and well rested. For example, the childminder discusses individual sleeping routines with parents and incorporates these, where feasible, into her daily routine. Children are able to rest in the designated bedroom or on the comfy sofas located in the living room.

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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 child focused environment where safety is given high priority. They are able to move around the designated areas safely and independently as the childminder has identified and minimised risks for children in the home. Their developmental needs are met through the provision of an extensive range of safe, high quality toys and resources. These are very well organised and stored in child-height storage units to encourage children's independent access. Items are located to enable even the youngest child to select safely and independently. The childminder has devised a risk assessment check list which is completed on a regular basis. As a result, safety remains a priority and children are protected well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are developing an awareness of fire safety as the childminder has devised and practised emergency evacuation procedures. This ensures that the children are familiar with the process

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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 and the childminder is able to identify any possible problems that may be encountered. Children are becoming aware of their own safety and the safety of others as the childminder offers explanations. For example, children are encouraged to tidy up the activities when they have finished, so they do not trip over the toys and hurt themselves. Older children are aware of simple procedures to follow in the event of the childminder having an accident, as there is an accessible envelope with emergency contact numbers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has the majority of all the required procedures and documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She has devised extensive policies and procedures and has a sound knowledge of the procedures to follow in the event of any child protection concerns. However, the current policy refers to the local authority procedure and does not refer to the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children's enjoyment and achievements at the setting are greatly promoted through the excellent documentation in place, including photographs of the children, daily diaries, beautiful displays of the children's artwork and in-depth progress files.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop a vast amount of confidence and positive self-esteem through the interaction, care, love and attention they receive from the childminder. Children are valued and treated with trust, concern and respect by the childminder who has a wonderful manner and overwhelming warmth. Children thrive in the fabulous, relaxed and homely environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is skilful in encouraging children to make very good progress in all areas of development. For example, they participate in a wide range of activities and themes which extend their knowledge. They are currently looking at animals and identify different types of animals, visit the zoo, the pig farm and visit the local horses. Younger children enjoy exploring books with pictures of farm animals. One child says 'pig', 'hello pig, oink, oink'. Another child picks up a toy duck and says 'duck, quack, quack', and puts the duck into a tray of water the childminder has provided. Children learn about different festivals as they celebrate Chinese New Year, where they visited the Chinese supermarket to select the ingredients for their Chinese banquet.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's individual needs are thoroughly met through the extensive range and amount of toys, resources and equipment. They flourish through the stimulating and purposeful activities and experiences. Children's play is promoted through the childminder's infectious enthusiasm and passion for having fun. Enthusiasm and sustained enjoyment is evident throughout the inspection.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are starting to learn about differences in society and the wider community through their play experiences and discussions with the childminder. They are valued and respected as individuals and their views about their care and play are sought verbally. Their specific needs are well met by the childminder who works in very close partnership with parents to offer very good care to children. This ensures children are fully included in the life of the setting.

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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 Children understand responsible behaviour as they follow the role model set by the childminder and tidy their toys away with gentle prompting. Each child receives praise and encouragement which reflects in their good behaviour and sense of achievement. Children begin to be sensitive to, and respect the needs of others by the childminder encouraging discussion about being kind to each other and feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed good relationships with parents. Information is shared in a variety of ways, such as daily diaries for younger children and regular newsletters, and their views about children's care are sought by the use of evaluation questionnaires. This ensures continuity of care for children and promotes partnership with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder plans her time and resources well to ensure children have access to a range of fun and interesting activities both inside and outside the home. Space is effectively organised to provide an accessible environment for the children which helps them to develop their independence. The environment is child friendly as children's artwork and photographs adorn the walls. As a result, children have a strong sense of belonging.

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Organisation

The majority of the documentation is kept in accordance with the National Standards and is used effectively to promote the safety, care and learning of the children. However, although there is a clear record of accidents which have been countersigned by the parent on each entry, the overall written parental permission is signed after the accident has occurred instead of being signed prior to the accident occurring. As a result, children's safety may be compromised if emergency medical treatment were required. The daily register indicates the attendance of children which demonstrates that ratios are being maintained. However, the times of arrival and departure are completed in advance which may not illustrate the accurate times.

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Organisation

Policies, daily diaries and progress reports ensure that parents are kept informed about all aspects of their children's care and the good quality of the service provided.

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Organisation

The childminder has a high level of commitment to attending further training and updating her skills and knowledge. She holds the National Vocational Qualification level two in childcare and is currently completing level three. As a result of this, children benefit from her continued development, knowledge and understanding of good quality childcare practice.

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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 was requested to continue to access training. She has continued to extend her knowledge and development by accessing an extensive range of training related to her childcare practice. This is ongoing.

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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 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 that the child protection policy has reference to the Local Safeguarding Children Board • ensure that written parental permission is requested, at the time of the induction period to the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice • ensure that the daily register includes an accurate record of times of arrival and departure.

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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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