Beaman, Tracy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 500248 Inspection date 22 August 2005 Inspector Kay Margaret Armstrong

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1994. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 2 and 5 years. Her mother, who is a registered childminder, also lives in the property. The family live in the Manchester area close to shops, parks and the library. Children have access to the lounge, dining area and kitchen. Bathroom facilities are on the first floor. There is an enclosed back garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to provide care for four children and she is currently caring for six children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and she gains support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Good hygiene procedures are implemented to ensure children are cared for in a warm and clean home. Daily routines help to promote children's understanding of good hygiene practices, fostering their independence and self help skills. Children confidently take themselves to the bathroom and have a secure understanding of why they need to wash their hands, before they eat and after using the toilet. Children enjoy a wide range of activities that contribute to their physical growth and development. They benefit from fresh air and exercise. They are regularly taken on bike rides, walks and play in the garden. The children visit the park where they play rounders and have the opportunity to use the equipment. All these experiences promote their physical development and to help them gain control of their bodies. The childminder discusses and agrees children's dietary requirements with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

She considers children's likes and dislikes when providing food and drink. The childminder actively promotes healthy eating by providing children with a range of meals and snacks, which are well balanced and nutritious. Children are fully aware of which foods are healthy and state that they really enjoy the fruit, which is provided for breakfast and snacks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children benefit from a well maintained, comfortable, welcoming and homely environment. All safety features are in place to ensure children are kept safe. Consequently, children can move around freely and play safely. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe, both indoors and out. She encourages children to hold hands and stay together when out walking. Children are taught about how to keep themselves safe as they cross roads. Emergency evacuation procedures are practised ensuring children know what to do in the event of a fire. There is very good range of resources available to meet the needs of the children. Toys are clean, well maintained and comply with safety standards ensuring they do not pose a risk to the children. Resources are well organised and easily accessible to the children, which enhances their learning and promotes choice and independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded, as the childminder has a clear understanding and knowledge of the Local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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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 has an excellent rapport with the children. She spends time playing and talking to them. She listens attentively to their questions and responds to what they are saying. As a result the children feel valued and are relaxed, happy and secure in the childminder's home and care. A broad range of stimulating activities are provided by the childminder to promote children's, understanding, knowledge and learning. These offer good levels of challenge to the children, appropriate to their age and stage of development. The children are engrossed in designing patterns to paint on ceramic mugs, which they complete with support from the childminder. Children are able to make choices in their play, becoming independent. They enjoy participating in board games and playing 'ticky-it' together. The children play together well in a co-operative manner. As a result children are making friends and developing skills in negotiation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder fully utilises local resources, which provide a range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate activities for the children. The children talk confidently about the creative activities they have participated in and take pride in their achievements. The childminder supports children in developing their reading skills, as she encourages them to take part in the 'reading voyage' run by the local library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about their wider community through regular outings, varied activities and the range of resources available that reflect our diverse society. Consequently children are becoming aware of differences and developing a positive attitude to others. The childminder speaks positively to children, using encouragement effectively to support their efforts and foster their independence. Good behaviour is acknowledged, celebrated and praised appropriately and children's creative work is valued. As a result the children are confident and have high self esteem. Children are comfortable in expressing their needs, which the childminder recognises and meets appropriately. The childminder supports children to understand and maintain simple house rules, such as sharing and taking turns. As a result, the children behave well and are learning to play co-operatively with each other. Children benefit from the positive relationships that the childminder has established

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Helping children make a positive contribution

with their parents. Informal discussions keep the childminder up to date with the children's routines and any changes that may have occurred.

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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 The organisation is good. Children's care is enhanced by the childminder's organisation. This means they are welcomed into her home, which is clean, well maintained, safe and warm. The majority of records and documentation required by the regulator are in place. This contributes to the continuity of care for the children. However, the children's welfare is compromised, as the childminder has not requested consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and there are some omissions in the daily attendance record. The childminder ensures children have sufficient space in order to play in comfort. She organises play materials to promote children's independence, encouraging them to make choices about their play, learning and leisure time. The children enjoy a range of different play opportunities away from the home, such as visit to the library,

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Organisation

parks and theme parks, for example Camelot. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to complete an appropriate first aid course, to gain written consent to administer medication and to transport children in the car. These recommendations have been fully addressed. Written consent, for children to be transported in the childminder's car and for the childminder to administer medication is now in place. The childminder completed a training course in first aid in November 2004. Children's wellbeing and welfare are enhanced by these improvements.

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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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • request written consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and ensure daily attendance record is maintained.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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