Childminder in Tameside

Inspection report for early years provision

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311974 Unique Reference Number 04 March 2008 Inspection date Barbara Law 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 2001. She runs her business from her home in the Haughton Green area of Denton in Tameside. She shares her home with her husband and their three children. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding activities. The bathroom and toilet facilities are upstairs. There is a secure back garden available for outdoor play. As part of her service she uses local amenities, such as the recreational park and other places of interest. The registration is for five children. Currently there are six children on roll, of whom two are aged over eight years. This registration does not include overnight care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and welcoming environment. They are provided with healthy, balanced and freshly prepared homemade meals and snacks, such as casseroles and stews with fresh meats and vegetables. This ensures appetites are satisfied and children are well nourished. Snacks include plenty of fresh fruits, savoury crackers and yogurts. Drinks of juice, milk or water are freely available and frequently offered in familiar beakers.

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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 Young children benefit positively from consistent routines for sleeping, which are discussed and agreed with their parents. They develop a range of physical skills as they chase a football or manoeuvre themselves around the room and furniture. Children are taken outdoors every day for walks to the local recreational park, shops or other places of interest. They are able to socialise whilst enjoying the benefits of fresh air.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from some risk of infection and helped to maintain good health because the childminder is meticulous in her cleaning procedures. For example, she follows her own cleaning routine and ensures she thoroughly cleans equipment, such as toys, high chairs and changing areas, with antibacterial solutions. However, she does not wear protective clothing when nappy changing. Children's physical needs and well-being are met by the childminder who recognises when they are tired or thirsty and provides opportunities for them to rest, eat and drink as they need to, to meet their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing new skills, such as pushing the pram which raises self-esteem and gives them confidence in their abilities and coordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment where their safety is given a high priority and hazards are identified and minimised. They are protected by good procedures, such as risk assessments and by the provision of electric socket covers and stair gates. The childminder ensures that she has emergency contact details accessible at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to move about freely and make their own selections from the wide range of toys and activities. Resources are readily accessible to the children which contributes to improving their confidence and independence skills. All equipment is of very good quality, age appropriate and safe. For example, a pacer walker, high chair and a sturdy buggy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of child protection issues. The children's welfare is promoted by her very clear understanding of her responsibilities to keep children safe and the children's welfare is paramount.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and outings to the park and other places of interest helps them to increase opportunities to be sociable. Children are encouraged in the development of communication skills as the childminder constantly asks questions, looks at books, reads stories with the children and talks to them. They are developing confidence and self-esteem as they are praised for effort and achievement. They respond to the praise they receive as they practise new skills, such as pushing the doll's pram along, or colouring a picture with crayons.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's development is fostered by the childminder's knowledge of their needs and personalities. They are given lots of individual attention and are stimulated by kisses, cuddles, conversation and eye contact. They interact happily with the childminder, affording complete attention when she sings softly. Their play is significantly enhanced as the childminder ensures that children's play can develop spontaneously with, for example, the provision of imaginative resources, some of which are everyday household items.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are fully discussed with parents and are competently met by the childminder. Children are beginning to learn about the world around them and are encouraged to value people and themselves as individuals. They have access to a small range of toys and resources which reflect positive images of wider society, such as dolls, jigsaws and books. This helps children to begin to develop their knowledge and awareness of other people, cultures and traditions and the world in which we live.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing an understanding of responsible behaviour. They are given lots of praise and the childminder speaks positively to them at all times. Their social skills and respect for people and property are developed through the use of good manners and simple house rules. The childminder takes into account their level of understanding and maturity which promotes children's welfare and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from a very positive partnership between the childminder and their parents. Children settle well because the childminder is aware of their individual needs through pre-placement meetings and a very good settling in routine. Parents are given good, detailed information about their children's care. Parents have contracts, and verbal feedback is provided daily. This provides consistency for the children and involves parents in their children's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Testimonials from parents confirm their satisfaction with the service, stating that the childminder provides a caring, nurturing environment for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for. They benefit from the very good organisation of an enthusiastic childminder. Their development is enhanced by the individual, caring support they receive. Children actively contribute to their care by making decisions about their play. Good time management throughout the day ensures that children have their needs well met in relation to play, sleep and meals. Space, time and resources are effectively organised.

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Organisation

The childminder has most documentation in place, which is in line with the requirements of the National Standards. This positively supports children's health, safety and well-being. However, she does not maintain a record of injuries children have sustained elsewhere. She demonstrates a high regard for the care and well-being of all children.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to her own professional development through ongoing training. She holds an up to date first aid certificate. Children are protected from harm by the childminder's vigilance and supervision.

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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 three recommendations were made to enhance the childcare practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and obtain a copy of the latest government guidance. She was asked to make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed

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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 if they have a complaint and finally, to record the written consent of parents to accommodate children's individual sleeping routines.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attended a training course which has developed her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She has a copy of the governments latest guidance on safeguarding children. This ensures that children are well protected.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Systems are in place to provide information to parents of the procedure to follow should they have a complaint against the service. Consent from parents indicating their child's individual needs, is obtained and recorded. This ensures that parents are kept informed of the service and the well- being of children is considered.

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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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The complaint 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): • take positive steps to prevent the spread of infection, for example by wearing protective clothing when changing nappies. • increase the range of resources which reflect positive images of wider society • maintain a record of existing injuries to 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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