Childminder in Oldham

Inspection report for early years provision

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504932 Unique Reference Number 24 August 2007 Inspection date Susan Elaine Heap 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 was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the Springhead area of Oldham. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. A maximum of six children may attend at any one time. There are four children on roll. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local library and local park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. The childminder implements effective hygiene procedures and routines to protect the children from cross infection. For example, children have their own facecloths and towels. They are learning how to manage their own personal hygiene because tissues are easily accessible for children to wipe their own noses. The childminder gives high priority to babies and young children having access to fresh air and lying flat while sleeping; as a result, they benefit from sleeping in the pram in the garden. 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 childminder has up-to-date training in first aid and maintains detailed records of accidents and the administration of medication. This promotion children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Sample menus show that children enjoy a varied and nutritious diet. Some parents choose to provide their own food for their children. The childminder supplements this with healthy snacks of fresh fruit or breadsticks and ensures regular drinks are provided throughout the day. Children are learning about the benefits of healthy eating through their activities and discussions with the childminder. For example, they have made posters about healthy and unhealthy foods and displayed them in the kitchen.

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Helping children to be healthy

They have daily opportunities to participate in a wide range of physical activities either in the garden, walks in the local community or visits to local parks. Younger children enjoy digging in the sandpit or playing on the sit-and-ride toys. They look forward with anticipation to a planned outing to the nature reserve in the afternoon. All these are enjoyable and contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and well maintained home. Potential dangers have been identified and effective safety precautions put in place to minimise risks. For example, smoke alarms are checked regularly and fire drills are practised monthly. Children clearly describe the different evacuation routes to take depending on where in the house the fire may be. Their awareness of keeping themselves safe is reinforced as the childminder talks to them about road safety on their trips and outings and general safety issues as they play in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children have access to a wide range of toys and equipment which are in good condition and suitable for the ages of children cared for. These are mainly stored in low-level storage boxes which means that children can make choices and decisions in their play. As space in the home is compact, the childminder rotates the range of toys to ensure children have a variety of play experiences and do not become bored.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The safety and protection of children are given high priority by the childminder and she has a strong understanding of her role and responsibilities within a child protection situation. Well written policies and procedures are in place and shared with parents, and all the relevant contact numbers are available should the childminder need to report any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and happy in the childminder's home. They have formed very good relationships with each other and the childminder and clearly enjoy each other's company. For example, older children play with younger children singing songs and rhymes and the youngest children snuggle into the childminder as they read a favourite story together. They enjoy looking at photographs together and recalling what they have done and where they have been. Younger children particularly benefit from receiving close support from the childminder. She plays and talks with the children at their level developing their language and communication skills. She offers praise and reassurance, both verbally and with lots of cuddles, when children are unsettled.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children's day is planned to provide a balanced range of interesting and enjoyable activities both inside and outside the home. They have opportunities to participate in, and explore, a

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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 good range of creative and messy activities, such as sand in the garden, gluing and sticking, baking and play dough. Toys and equipment are set out which are suitable for their ages. However, these sometimes do not always offer sufficient challenge for the more able children. The childminder involves them in planning activities, particularly during the school holidays. Children proudly talk about the guitars they have made, and the songs and dance routines they have learnt, for a concert that they are going to perform in the last week of the holidays. Baking, trips out and imaginative play activities are popular with the children. They enjoy using tents outside in the garden to make a house and a cafe and use art and craft materials to create their own menus.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are learning about differences in society and the wider community through their play experiences and discussions with the childminder. For example, the childminder carefully and sensitively explains that some people have problems walking and this is why they need to use a wheelchair. Each child is highly valued and the childminder places great emphasis on making them feel comfortable in her home. They take pride in showing photographs of the birthday cakes the childminder has made for them as they celebrate their special days.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have positive relationships with the childminder and are responsive to her praise and encouragement. They chat happily to one other about activities they have done in the past and what they plan to do in the afternoon. They clearly enjoy each other's company. Children have a high level of awareness of how they are expected to behave through the childminder giving age-appropriate explanations when their behaviour is unacceptable. They actively demonstrate a good understanding of the house ground rules which are in place to keep them safe, help them develop good manners and learn to respect one another.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed strong relationships with parents who praise the childminder highly for the care, support and activities she offers to their children. They value the childminder's positive influence on their children and how she reinforces their parenting. Regular discussions and the use of daily diaries for younger children ensure they are fully aware of their child's day, progress and any issues.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder plans her time and resources effectively to ensure children have access to a broad range of fun and interesting play experiences both inside and outside the home. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are comfortable and at ease in a relaxed and friendly home.

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Organisation

All records and documentation are in place, well maintained and stored confidentially. The childminder has her own written policies and procedures which are up to date, effectively followed in practice and shared with parents. This ensures that they are fully informed about all aspects of their children's care and the good quality of the service provided. The childminder has a high level of commitment to training to develop her skills and knowledge of good quality childcare.

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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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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 was asked to improve the range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and to improve ventilation in the house.

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Improvements since the last inspection

These have both been completed and have improved children's health and understanding of the wider community.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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 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): • continue to develop a range of activities which challenge and interest more able children.

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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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