Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY249212 Unique Reference Number 17 September 2007 Inspection date Shirley Leigh Monks-Meagher 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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and nine year old daughter. They live in a terraced house in the Audenshaw area of Tameside. There are a number of shops, libraries, parks and parent/toddler groups in walking distance. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom upstairs are used for childminding. There is a small back yard that is fully enclosed and available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for six children under eight and currently has four children on roll, three of whom attend part-time. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and maintained home. The childminder follows some basic hygiene practices to minimise the risk to children of cross infection. However, she is inconsistent in her practice of washing her own hands when changing nappies and encouraging

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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 children to wash their hands as part of their personal toilet routine. This limits children's learning about good personal hygiene. An effective sick child and exclusion policy protects children from illness and children are encouraged to follow their own natural routines; they rest or sleep when tired and use their comforters from home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are recorded and respected. Children are provided with healthy snacks throughout the day and the childminder provides lunches unless the parents wish to provide their own. Samples of lunches provided are sandwiches, soup and crusty bread or meatballs and pasta. The childminder keeps her fruit bowl full and encourages children to enjoy fruit as part of their 'five a day'. Children are kept refreshed and hydrated. They drink water, and sugar-free juice, frequently.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy activities which contribute towards good health. They walk regularly to toddler groups and to school to collect older children. They enjoy opportunities to ride trikes and manoeuvre cars and buggies. Lots of fun is had climbing through and rolling round in the tunnel. Babies have sufficient space to crawl and explore, suitable and sturdy furniture and equipment helps them to pull-up and practise their mobility. Children are developing strength, co-ordination and balance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a secure environment and have access to appropriate facilities. There is sufficient play space for children to engage in a variety of activities. Children can easily and safely choose toys and resources from tubs that are at their height. Safety standards are maintained with all toys, equipment and resources. They are cleaned regularly and damaged items are discarded, minimising risks to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are supervised vigilantly by the childminder, who spends her time playing and talking with the children. She successfully undertakes risk assessments on her premises to minimise hazards, and follows sensible procedures when taking children out. Fire precautions are in place. Children are learning about personal safety. They discuss road safety when out walking and are reminded to be careful when swinging toys that they do not hit anyone close by them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a basic awareness of the procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child's welfare. She shares information about her responsibilities with parents and has relevant contact numbers to hand. She documents accidents, incidents and pre-existing injuries in a two-way sharing process with parents. Children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time with the childminder. She gets down on their level and plays with them. She gives them good attention, supporting their efforts and introducing activities. They are settled and secure in her home and share warm and loving relationships with her and their peers. Children respond well to her affectionate manner, they are easily reassured by her warm tones, frequently share hugs and cuddles, climb onto her knees and snuggle up.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing confidence; they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities that are regularly rotated by the childminder to stimulate their interest. They spend their time purposefully, exploring activities and opportunities which contribute towards their development.

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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 For example, children are beginning to make connections. They identify people puzzle pieces with themselves by the colour of the hair or skin and discover how to turn the power on the interactive toy so that the lights flash in a pattern and the monkey chatters. They are developing communication skills because the childminder listens and responds to their requests and baby babble. Babies are able to explore their surroundings and particularly enjoy tactile and sound activities, such as the music from the telephone and the fabric octopus. The children visit local toddler groups to widen their social circle and experiences. The childminder is aware of the developmental needs of young children and provides many suitable activities, although she has yet to fully implement and extend sensory play in line with the 'Birth to three matters'

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children happily explore the opportunities and activities that are available. They are gaining an awareness of the similarities and differences of people in our society in a positive manner because their play materials reflect positive images. They are gradually learning to respect boundaries and recognise right from wrong in a supportive and caring environment. Children help to tidy away toys, are beginning to share resources and take turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to develop independence. They make choices about activities, select resources and are learning to feed themselves. Children know what toys and equipment are available to them. For example, they search through the tubs to find the doctor's bag of instruments to extend their role play. Children receive regular praise, reassuring smiles, applause, hugs and cuddles from the childminder in response to their efforts and achievements. As a result children have a real sense of belonging and are becoming confident and self-assured.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder discusses children's needs with parents and records them to ensure she is offering the most appropriate care to their child. Written agreements are in place. These protect children's welfare. Information relating to the setting, such as the complaints procedure and the safeguarding children policy are shared with parents via written documents. Daily verbal sharing keeps parents updated on children's progress, interesting events and sleeping, feeding and changing patterns. This approach provides children with continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and relaxed in the homely environment. They have sufficient play space which is organised appropriately to promote their independence and choice. Children benefit from a suitable carer who meets the National Standards.

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Organisation

Children benefit from routines that are built around their individual needs and provide a variety of activities and experiences that generally contribute towards positive outcomes for children's health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and foster their confidence.

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Organisation

All legally required documents and records that contribute to children's safety, welfare and well-being are in place and up to date. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to increase her awareness of the local safeguarding children procedures and increase her resources for school age children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has obtained the updated version of the 'What to do if your worried a child is being abused' summary booklet and has appropriate contact numbers on file. She has familiarised herself with the local safeguarding children's board procedures and feels confident she can follow them should the need arise. She is booked on further training with Sure Start. As a result of these actions children's welfare is better safeguarded. Resources have been increased to include age appropriate reading books, a cricket set and board games such as monopoly, word play and scrabble. Age-appropriate activities have been introduced, such as baking and opportunities to help with the preparation of their own snack. Children of school age have sufficient resources to engage in age-appropriate activities.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 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 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): • improve toilet and nappy changing procedures to increase children's wareness of personal hygiene and minimise cross infection • continue to develop activities and sensory experiences for younger children by implementing the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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