Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY257277 Unique Reference Number 06 August 2007 Inspection date Nighat Ghani 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 three children aged 11, five and three years. The family lives in Sale, an area of Trafford, close to shops, the schools and parks. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of four children at any one time. There are currently

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

two children on roll, who attend on a part-time basis. The childmind receives support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and clean environment where the childminder generally implements satisfactory hygiene practice to prevent the spread of infection. They are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet. However, they do not wash their hands before eating, and they share the same towel to dry their hands on. This does not fully safeguard children

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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 from cross-infection. Good nappy changing procedures are in place, for example, the childminder wipes the nappy changing mat after use and washes her hands afterwards.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder discusses and agrees children's dietary requirements with parents, which safeguards children's health. Children have access to a range of healthy snacks which contribute to their physical growth and development. They have access to regular drinks to ensure they remain hydrated, as the childminder encourages this and makes these readily available. Records of all the accidents and of medicine administered are in place but lack detail, which compromises children's health. In the event of a serious accident or illness the childminder acts according to parental wishes, as parents' permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities that promote a healthy lifestyle. Regular visits to the park give them the opportunity to run around in an open space and use large equipment, which promotes their coordination and muscular control.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel comfortable in a warm and welcoming environment. They use a good range of developmentally appropriate resources which encompass all areas of their learning. Toys are in good condition, however these are not easily accessible, which limits children’s choice and independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder carries out regular risk assessments, both indoors and outdoors, to ensure children’s safety. However, the smoke alarm at the top of the stairs and the bolt on the downstairs toilet remain safety hazards to the children. An emergency evacuation plan is in place and practised with the children on a regular basis. As a result, children are aware of what to do in case of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected in the childminder's care as she has sound knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She is fully aware of the procedures to follow if she suspects abuse or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in their environment. Their individual needs are respected and taken into consideration by allowing them to follow their natural sleep, rest and eating patterns. Babies enjoy the colours and sounds of manufactured toys, such as an activity centre, which they explore with interest. However, children have insufficient opportunities to make greater use of their senses and creative abilities by, for example, exploring different sensory experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a warm, close and supportive relationship with the childminder, which contributes to their sound sense of belonging. They are beginning to make friends with one another as they learn to share and take turns. Younger children learn new skills and techniques as they turn and press different knobs on the activity centre. Young children receive lots of cuddles and they develop early communication skills as the childminder chats to them about what they are doing.

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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 During school holidays the children enjoy a good range of activities outside of the home. They visit many places of interest, which gives them the opportunity to learn about their environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are warmly welcomed into the home and are treated with equal concern. They feel at ease in their surroundings. Children have access to limited resources which reflect positive images of race, culture, religion and gender. As a result, children are unable to fully develop an awareness of diversity and understanding of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the close working relationships that the childminder has formed with the parents. Good information is gathered from parents on entry to enable her to provide warm, consistent care for their children. This information is updated as needs change. Daily informal chats about children’s routines keep the parents informed about their child and promote continuity of care. All the policies and procedures are available and shared with the parents on entry.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning how to share, take turns and play cooperatively. They gradually learn to understand and respect boundaries and what is right or wrong. The childminder listens and values what children say and do and consistently offers praise and encouragement; as a result, children develop their confidence and self-esteem. Appropriate strategies, such as distraction or negotiation, are used to promote positive behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children receive good levels of care from the childminder, who meets their individual needs. The majority of the required records and consents are in place to promote the children's welfare. Children's attendance register is in place, however their actual times of arrival and departure are not recorded. The childminder has devised her own policies and procedures to enhance her childcare practice. These are accessible to the parents at all times.

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Organisation

The childminder is keen to update her knowledge and skills by attending courses, such as 'Birth to three matters' training. Children are well protected in her care as the childminder ensures that they are never left in the care of people who are not vetted. Children's overall care, learning and welfare is enhanced by the information shared between parents and the childminder. As a result, children are happy and secure.

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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

There were three recommendations raised at the last inspection. These were to extend resources that reflect diversity, improve fire safety precautions by providing a smoke alarm on the ground floor and notify Ofsted of any changes in circumstances.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has introduced some new resources that reflect diversity, which gives the children the opportunity to learn about the wider world. A smoke alarm has now been installed on the ground floor, which has enhanced children's safety.

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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 Regarding the third recommendation, the childminder fully understands that in order to protect children in her care she must notify Ofsted of any changes in her circumstances.

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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 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): • promote good hygiene practice before eating and after hand washing • update details on accident and medicine forms • make the toilet door safe and ensure the smoke alarms are maintained in working condition • ensure toys are accessible to the children • increase resources that promote equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. • maintain accurate records of attendance.

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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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