Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY285837 Unique Reference Number 01 October 2007 Inspection date Barbara Christine Wearing 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 June 2004. She lives with her three children aged 11, eight and six years old. The family live in the East Didsbury area of Manchester, which is close to shops, parks and main transport links. The whole of the house is used for childminding, the sitting room/dining room being the main play area. The bathroom facilities are on the first floor. The rear garden, which is enclosed, is available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for three children during the day and two children before and after school. The childminder walks to take and collect children from school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and gains support from Sure Start.

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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. The childminder maintains high levels of hygiene throughout her home and encourages children to develop good personal hygiene routines. Therefore, they are protected from the spread of infection and cross contamination. Children are well taken care of if they are ill as the childminder follows a clear sickness policy and administration of medication procedure that she discusses with parents. She requests parents' consent for emergency medical treatment and has an up to date first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and enjoy a wide selection of homemade meals that provides them with a healthy balanced diet. Children have drinks available to them throughout the day but this is often juice rather than water. Children enjoy learning about healthy eating and have a good understanding of food values. They are sometimes involved in preparing meals, for example, as they help to make a pizza choosing and putting on various toppings. The childminder works closely with parents and observes and listens to children. She, therefore, has a thorough knowledge and understanding of children's dietary, health and sleeping needs and routines and meets them accordingly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies enjoy being nursed as they have their bottle. Their well-being is promoted as the childminder is highly responsive, recognising when they are tired and giving them lots of affection and comfort if they become unsettled or restless. Children are relaxed and secure. A young child greatly enjoys a cuddle with the childminder and drops off to sleep on her knee.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy lots of opportunities to develop their large muscle skills and coordination. They regularly visit local parks and indoor play areas and use various toys and equipment available in the childminder's garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home provides children with a safe and homely environment. Children move independently and confidently around the house exploring the range of resources and activities on offer and following the childminder as she attends to the needs of the baby. The childminder has a wide range of toys and resources that meet the needs of and provide stimulation for children of all ages. She makes an appropriate selection of these readily accessible to children on a daily basis and children explore them with enthusiasm. Older children independently access a wider range of resources that are stored in low level units. Younger children are aware of these resources and indicate to the childminder if they want to use them. For example, a young child sits at the table and the childminder realises that he wants the paper and pens. The child squeals with delight as the childminder presents him with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a high regard for children's safety at all times, while giving them opportunities to explore and develop their skills and independence. All necessary safety measures are in place in and outside of the home. Children develop an understanding of keeping themselves safe as they learn about road safety and develop their skills in climbing with appropriate support and supervision. Therefore, the risk of accidental injury is minimised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted as the childminder has a sound understanding of the guidelines for safeguarding children in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and

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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 of her role within these. She ensures that children are protected from inappropriate material when using the computer as she has a parental control programme that limits the websites that can be accessed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, relaxed and stimulated. The childminder interacts with the children and they become highly involved in their play. Children have fun as they engage in a variety of activities. They develop their physical and mark making skills as they chalk on the ground outside and use felt tip pens to draw pictures inside. The childminder gives children praise and encouragement and asks questions to extend activities and their learning. She asks children to find the red pen lid and talks about which pieces fit into the puzzle that they do together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take delight in exploring a range of natural 'shiny and round' objects that the childminder has collected in a sensory bag. She encourages children to use their senses as they explore a cotton wool ball that has a scent of roses. Young babies enjoy reaching and grasping at mobiles on the baby gym and the childminder and young children join in as they play with the musical toy. Children develop their language skills as the childminder listens to them, takes an interest in them and is responsive to their verbal and non-verbal communications. She chats to the children throughout the day.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

During school holidays children benefit from various outings. They particularly enjoyed a recent trip to an art gallery where they became engrossed in drawing their own pictures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has an excellent relationship with the children. Children are able to make choices and the childminder is caring, sensitive and responsive to their needs. Children are, therefore, secure, content and develop a strong sense of belonging and high self-esteem. There is a calm and friendly atmosphere; children and the childminder treat each other with care and respect. The childminder has a positive approach to behaviour management, giving children praise and reassurance. She has appropriate expectations and boundaries for children of different needs and ages which she gently reinforces.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Consistency of care is maintained and children are cared for in accordance to parents' wishes as the childminder works closely with them. Information regarding her childminding practices and the needs of the children are discussed during an initial visit and as the child settles into the provision. The childminder has a complaints procedure and is aware of the requirement to record complaints. Information regarding children is shared verbally on a daily basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children become aware of diversity and develop their understanding of others as they access toys and resources that reflect positive images of race, gender and disability. The childminder is highly aware that she provides a role model for the children and takes opportunities to discuss differences and similarities as children make observations. Children enjoy learning about various celebrations and festivals, often following on from topics they have been doing at nursery or school. The childminder ensures that children's choices are not limited as a result of conforming to stereotypes and will challenge negative comments.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her time and home well and is flexible in order to meet children's and families' individual needs. She demonstrates a genuine interest in children and enjoyment in her work as a childminder. Children engage in a wide range of stimulating activities and experiences both within the childminder's home and when going on trips out to parks, play centres, museums and galleries. Necessary documentation is in place. A clear record is kept of accidents that occur while children are in the childminder's care, however, no record is kept of existing injuries to children. The childminder follows appropriate policies and procedures which are shared verbally with parents and, therefore, promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.

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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 agreed to continue to develop toys that reflect diversity and provide some resources in natural materials. Children now benefit from a wider range of these resources and toys and are, therefore, able to increase their learning and understanding of diversity and have more opportunities to explore a wide range of materials that stimulate their senses.

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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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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): • provide children with fresh drinking water throughout the day as an alternative to juice • further develop the accident records to include existing injuries.

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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 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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