Childminder in Oldham

Inspection report for early years provision

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301244 Unique Reference Number 04 October 2007 Inspection date Carol Ann Dixon 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 has been registered since 1991. She lives with her husband and adult son in the Royton area of Oldham. The areas used for childminding are a play room, hallway, downstairs toilet, kitchen/dining room and fully enclosed rear garden. There are currently four children under five years attending. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups and takes children to the local park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The childminder follows highly effective procedures and practices which meet the children's nutritional, physical and health needs. Children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through planned activities and through the daily routines. The childminder helps younger children to understand that they need to wash their hands before meals and after playing outside as she talks to them as she wipes their hands. Older children are provided with soap and individual towels and disposable tissue to wipe their nose.

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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 The childminder implements extremely effective procedures for nappy changing ensuring that hygiene standards are scrupulously maintained. Babies and toddlers are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs in a travel cot or push chair.

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Helping children to be healthy

Promotion of healthy eating is a high priority at the childminder's home. This contributes to children having a very good understanding of why it is important to eat healthily. Menus are carefully planned and balanced to incorporate five fruits or vegetables each day, supporting children to lead a healthy lifestyle. Young children are regularly offered water or milk and fruit throughout the day. Mealtimes are relaxed social occasions where the childminder sensitively and skilfully supports children to begin to gain control of feeding themselves.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children explore, test and develop physical control in stimulating daily indoor and outdoor experiences. Excellent use is made of the outdoor environment which enables children to get plenty of fresh air in all weathers. They put on coats and wellingtons and go outside in the rain. They participate in fun and challenging activities and demonstrate very good coordination and control when riding the wheeled vehicles. Children use paint brushes and rollers and enjoy pretending to paint the fence. They thoroughly enjoy dancing to music and action rhymes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children and parents are very warmly welcomed into the homely environment, which is maintained to a very high standard. This is enhanced by stimulating displays of the children's creative work and photos of the children involved in activities, which increases their sense of belonging.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Sufficient space ensures that children can play and explore in safety and comfort. Resources are of a good quality and include many made from natural materials. Toys and resources are organised very effectively making them easily accessible to even the youngest children. The childminder carefully checks resources, thereby ensuring that they are always safe and suitable for children's use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Comprehensive risk assessments of the premises ensure that safety is continually monitored and reviewed. The childminder has implemented many safety precautions to minimise hazards to children. However, an exposed plug socket within the children's reach presents a safety risk. Children are able to explore the environment independently because the childminder directly supervises them at all times. Children are kept safe on outings as they wear reins and high visibility jackets to ensure their further safety and protection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully safeguarded as the childminder is very aware that the child's welfare is her main concern. She has a very clear knowledge and understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of any concerns about a child. A comprehensive child protection policy is shared with parents to keep them informed of the childminder's responsibilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children feel very secure, safe and contented in the childminder's home. There are close and affectionate relationships creating a happy and harmonious environment where children thrive. High quality interactions between the childminder and children results in confident children

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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 who develop a strong sense of self in an atmosphere of trust. There is excellent consideration to the individual needs of children; their care and welfare is paramount.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder confidently follows 'Birth to three matters' guidance to provide the children with high quality care and education. The childminder monitors children's progress and uses her observations to ensure that the children experience highly stimulating activities that are skilfully planned to be suitable for their age and interest levels.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The young children become engrossed in sensory play with different materials, such as fabric, plastics, wood, metal, tubes and boxes. They love to play with wooden bricks and carefully stack them on top of each other. Children love looking at books and listening to stories, joining in action rhymes and singing sessions. The childminder encourages the children to name the animals and the sounds they make as they look at the pictures together. These activities are helping them to listen, respond to language and build their vocabulary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience daily planned opportunities to explore an extensive range of sensory and creative activities, such as sand, paint, water and dough. They thoroughly enjoy exploring the touch and feel of the sand as they watch it trickle through their fingers. They have lots of opportunities to develop their imaginations through make believe and pretend play. They have great fun dressing up and making pretend meals with the food and utensils.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children have extensive opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through exciting activities, resources and outings. They delight in learning about their local community and visit lots of places of interest, as well as regular country walks and visits to local parks and toddler groups. Children are provided with access to a wonderful range of resources which portray positive, non-stereotypical images and as they participate in various celebrations and festivals. For example, at Chinese New Year they enjoy tasting Chinese food. These activities help children to learn about the wider world and to respect and value differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children significantly benefit from the strong, professional and positive partnerships that the childminder has developed with parents. She fully understands the children's individual health, dietary, social and emotional needs and works hard to ensure that these are reflected and well catered for within the setting. The childminder has implemented a range of written policies and procedures, including the procedure for managing complaints, which are shared with parents. Parents receive daily written and verbal feedback about their children's progress and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder skilfully supports and encourages children to play fairly, share and take turns. Children respond to the frequent and meaningful praise they receive and behave well. The childminder is an exemplary role model who remains calm and positive at all times and uses consistent strategies to promote acceptable behaviour. As a result of these positive strategies children behave very well.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and content in the calm, friendly and well organised home. New children receive consistent and loving care from the childminder to enable them to quickly settle and

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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 feel secure. Children benefit from the relevant training that the childminder has undertaken. She is committed to keeping her knowledge up to date and has attended various training courses to maintain and improve her skills. She regularly monitors and improves upon the quality of care provided as part of an accredited quality assurance scheme.

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Organisation

The children's care is enhanced by the quality of organisation. The childminder has a dedicated playroom which is equipped to be inviting to children. Home-made resources, such as treasure baskets and music boxes with props inspire the children's imagination and encourage them to learn in a fun way. Robust policies and procedures are implemented conscientiously to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Daily routines are flexible to respond to children's individual needs. Most of the required records are meticulously maintained, remain confidential and are easily accessible. However, there are some omissions in medication recording which should be addressed.

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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 the childminder was asked to improve the security of the rear garden and ensure the provision of smoke detectors on every level of the house. These recommendations have been fully addressed, thereby improving children's safety.

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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 all 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): • ensure the safety of low level plug sockets • improve medication records to ensure they are appropriately detailed.

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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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