Childminder in Trafford

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 318548 Inspection date 04 August 2005 Inspector Andrea Bradshaw

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband, adult daughter, son and 3 children aged 12, 10 and 8 years. They live in Timperley, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and an upstairs bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding six children who attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder also cares for children aged over 8 years before and after school. The childminder walks to collect and take children to local schools. The childminder

p.2

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 attends local parent and toddler groups.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into a home that is clean and warm. Effective cleaning procedures help to protect children from illness. This helps to keep children healthy. Children learn simple hygiene routines to help keep themselves clean and learn the importance of personal hygiene. Children are protected from cross contamination by the childminder excluding children who are ill. The childminder's written records support children staying healthy however, some documentation is absent. Children enjoy a range of activities that promote physical development including push and ride cars and swings. This helps children gain control over their bodies. Children's dietary needs are recorded and the childminder ensures that the diet is in line with parents wishes. This helps to keep children healthy. Children are offered fresh fruit for a snack everyday and a varied and balanced mixture of meals. Children

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

can access drinks throughout the day, and children are encouraged to drink frequently. This promotes children's awareness of their own needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children experience a warm welcoming environment, with their work displayed on the walls. They have a large amount of space in which they can move freely. Play space is organised to allow safe access to toys and resources. Children are encouraged to keep the environment safe by helping to tidy toys away. This helps to keep children's space free from hazards. All the toys and equipment that children require is kept clean and checked daily to ensure it is safe. Children's play area is safe because the childminder take positive steps to ensure hazards are removed and risks minimised. Children remain safe when outdoors because the childminder gives older children an awareness of possible dangers, and tells them how to keep themselves safe. Younger children are protected by the childminder using restraints and simple instructions. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities and has a written policy on child protection. Children are only

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

collected by authorised adults. This helps children keep safe.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children appear happy in the childminders care and develop strong relationships with her based on trust and are happy to share information on their home life with her. Play space is organised so that children can engage in a variety pursuits, and can

p.3

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 make selections from the toys available in low level storage boxes. Children can access different parts of the house for varied activities. This ensures their needs are met, and encourages children to enjoy and achieve. Children extend their language and their thinking skills by the childminder's effective questioning. The childminder encourages children to engage in joint activities and learning to play together, such as taking part in a puppet show. Younger children are nurtured by the childminder and she encourages the older children to also take care of the younger children. Younger children's learning is sometimes restricted through the childminders limited use of formal planning and development of activities.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder is aware of children's individual needs and responds to them, such as offering reassurance to younger children, and reinforcing boundaries to older children. Children have limited access to the resources and toys reflecting diversity. This could limit their understanding of the world in which we live. The childminder makes herself aware of the changing and developing needs of the children. This helps to offer children continuity of care at home and in the setting. Children's specific needs are met by the childminder liaising with parents; accessing information, advice and support. Children are well behaved, they play together, taking turns and sharing. Children know the boundaries and house rules, due to the childminder using strategies appropriate to the children's age and understanding to help manage their behaviour. This enhances children's social skills. Parents are

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

offered daily information on how their child has spent its day. All information is kept confidential, and children benefit from the positive relationships between parent and childminder. This helps continuity of care for the children.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home in the childminder's care and are able to express themselves in comfortable relaxed surroundings. Children's varying needs are met because the childminder organises her space appropriately. Children can engage in a range of activities within the designated play space. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities to inform the regulator of any changes to her registration or circumstances. The childminder ensures children are only cared for by appropriately vetted adults. This helps to keep children safe. Most documents and records are in place and this aids the smooth effective running of the setting. The childminder is committed to improving the quality of the care that she provides to children. She has completed two courses to keep her childcare practices up to date. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.4

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

A recommendation was raised in previous inspection to improve children's safety. The childminder was asked to ensure the garden area was safe for children and the hazards were minimised. The work in the garden area has been completed and the area is now safe for children. A recommendation was made on the previous inspection to improve the documentation. The childminder was asked to ensure that the vehicle insurance included business use and that the driving licence was available for inspection. These documents were in evidence.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • ensure written permission for emergency medical treatment and advice is in place for each child • develop a suitable range of activities for the younger children, for example by using the Birth to three framework • ensure children are able to access toys and resources reflecting positive images of diversity.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5