Childminder in Bury

Inspection report for early years provision

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316691 Unique Reference Number 21 January 2008 Inspection date Susan Janet Lee 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 was registered in 1990. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in a semi detached property in Radcliffe, a suburb of Bury.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The lounge, dining room and kitchen on the ground floor and the bathroom and toilet on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for three children. She is able to take and collect children from the local primary school and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder works closely with parents to help their children develop independence. For example, she works with parents to help toilet train their children. The children have opportunities to enjoy and develop their physical skills as they walk to and from school in the

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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 fresh air each day; play in the garden and visit the park. All these activities contribute to the children's good health and physical development. The children learn about their bodies and develop control and coordination as they have access to a wide range of outdoor play equipment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in well maintained premises. They stay healthy because the childminder exercises good hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross infection. For example, she provides individual face cloths and hand towels. The children develop an awareness of personal care routines as they wash their hands and brush their teeth at appropriate times of the day. The written nappy changing policy follows good standards of hygiene to help protect the youngest children. The written sick children's policy ensures appropriate measures are in place when children are ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are well nourished and develop an awareness of healthy eating because the childminder provides snacks and meals that are healthy and nutritious to aid children's growth and development. The children also participate in activities to encourage their understanding of healthy eating. For example, they taste honey on crackers and talk about how honey is made by the bees. The children recently made collages of healthy foods. They visited local shops and bought lots of fruit and vegetables and when they returned, they tasted exotic fruits. The children also enjoy baking foods, such as bread. They are able to quench their thirst as drinks are readily accessible to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a homely environment and they have lots of space to move around freely and to extend their play. There is a good selection of equipment and furniture available allowing the children to play rest and eat in comfort. The childminder provides a wide range of resources to meet the needs of the children being cared for. Toys are stored in the lounge at child height enabling the children to freely choose what to play with. Consequently, the children develop choice and independence. The childminder checks resources on a regular basis to minimise risks to children. All items appear in a safe and clean condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of safety and she has taken all reasonable steps to ensure the environment in which children are cared for is safe and secure. The childminder has considered an escape plan. However, this is not practised with the children on a regular basis so they do not develop an awareness of what to do in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. The childminder keeps the children safe on outings. She takes a first aid box, a mobile telephone with the children's contact details, drinks and spare clothes to cover any eventuality. The childminder supervises the children well enabling them to play safely and independently. She encourages their understanding in keeping themselves safe through daily routines, discussion, stories and play activities. The fire safety officer has visited and he spoke to the children about the dangers of fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has developed a child protection procedure. She has a good understanding of child protection matters and procedures; helping to safeguard children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder keeps a record of play activities in a daily diary. The children have access to a range of age appropriate resources and activities. For example, painting, construction, puzzles,

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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 making masks, collage activities, number games, memory games, baking, dominoes, using the computer, colouring and measuring and weighing. The children also benefit from activities outside the home as the childminder utilises local amenities, such as the park, library, garden centre and toddler group; helping to widen children's experiences and give them opportunities to socialise wit their peers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder dedicates time playing with the children. She sits at the same level as the children as they play. The children find a voice and listen and respond because the childminder nurtures their language skills well. She listens when the children speak and responds to answer their questions, introduce new concepts and to encourage imaginative play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are engrossed in their play with a train set and they press buttons to make the train go around the track. The childminder asks what the train is carrying and the children reply that the train is carrying milk. The childminder then extends the discussion to explain where milk comes from. The children develop their fine manipulative skills and hand eye coordination as they draw pictures with crayons. They enjoy listening to story and looking at the pictures with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder shares warm relationships with the children, who are happy and secure in her care. The childminder has a good understanding of children's individual needs and meets these needs well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides an inclusive environment for the children in her care. The children develop an awareness of their local community through trips out. They have access to a range of resources that reflect diversity; helping them to learn about themselves, other people and the world around them. The children also look at other festivals and cultural traditions. For example, they recently looked at Chinese New year. The children looked at a map of China, observed Chinese writing and also tasted noodles. The childminder has past experience of caring for children with special needs and she demonstrates a positive attitude towards such children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure consistency in managing children's behaviour. This gives a clear message to the children about right and wrong. The childminder acts as a good role model to the children. She treats them with care and concern; is calm and patient and uses 'please' and 'thank you'. As a result, the children are polite and behave well. The children receive praise and reward for their efforts and achievements which helps to develop their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder encourages a gradual settling in period to help the children feel secure. The children develop a sense of belonging and they move around with ease. The children are able to make choices and decisions as they choose what to play with and what they would like for snack.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed some written policies and procedures and these are shown and discussed with parents at the introduction meeting. The parents receive copies of the policies and procedures; helping to forge good working relationships and a shared understanding from an early stage. Effective systems are in place to keep parents informed about their children's daily activities. Recent 'thank you' cards show that parents are happy with the service provided, levels of care and activities afforded. Parents comment that their children are cared for in a secure and happy home.

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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 satisfactory. All persons aged over 16 in the household have been vetted; helping to protect children. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate ensuring she has up to date knowledge of what to do in the event of an accident or minor injury.

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Organisation

The childminder records children's daily attendance in a daily diary. This is up to date and shows that ratios are maintained to promote children's care. The childminder organises space, time and resources well to effectively meet children's needs.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed some written policies and procedures and these work in practice to promote children's health, safety and ability to make a positive contribution. However, the complaints procedure does not include Ofsted's address. Most required documentation is in place. This is well organised and stored securely to maintain confidentiality. However, there are no systems in place to record existing injuries and incidents.

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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 a recommendation was agreed in relation to safety. The childminder has minimised risks to children as low level glass in the lounge and knives in the kitchen have been made safe.

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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): • practise the evacuation procedure with minded children on a regular basis • ensure the complaints procedure includes Ofsted's address and develop systems to record existing injuries and incidents.

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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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