Childminder in Tameside

Inspection report for early years provision

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312057 Unique Reference Number 21 February 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 was registered in 1987 and holds a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 in Childcare. She runs her business from her home in the Droylsden area of Tameside. She shares her home with her husband, two of her adult children, a parrot and a dog. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding activities. Toilet and bathroom facilities are upstairs. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. As part of her service she uses local amenities, such as the parent and tots group, recreational parks and other places of interest. The registration is for six children. Currently there are eight children on roll, three of whom 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 provided with healthy, balanced and freshly prepared homemade meals and snacks, which ensures they are well nourished. These include plenty of fresh fruits, such as plums and bananas and a variety of different meats and vegetables, which they really enjoy. Drinks of fruit juices, milk and water are freely available and frequently offered in familiar containers.

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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 Children benefit positively from consistent routines for resting and sleeping, which are discussed and agreed with their parents. They develop a range of physical skills as they freely access sit and ride toys, bikes, scooters and many other toys and activities in the garden. Children are taken outdoors everyday for walks to school, local recreational park, toddler group or other places of interest. They are able to run, jump, swing, skip and slide, and have fun developing their physical skills whilst enjoying healthy exercise and the benefits of fresh air.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are effectively 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 the dining table, with antibacterial solutions. However, she does not wear protective clothing when changing nappies. Children are actively encouraged by the childminder to wash their hands at appropriate times. They are beginning to understand good, simple hygiene practices, such as hand washing before meals, after going to the toilet and after touching animals. Children are cared for in a clean and homely environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder's home is warm and very welcoming and is planned with children and their families in mind. For example, the environment is enhanced with attractive displays of children's achievements, which are well presented. Photograph albums show children engaged in many interesting and exciting activities. A wide variety of appropriate, safe toys are attractively and invitingly presented at floor level, which encourages children to help themselves and make choices in their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Many safety features are in place to protect children, such as gates and electric socket covers. The childminder further considers children's safety as she carries out risk assessments of the premises and equipment. The childminder ensures children develop a good understanding and awareness of how to keep themselves safe during her detailed discussions with them. For example, they talk about the dangers of fire and practise their emergency procedures, and have activities to learn about responsible road safety behaviour and the potential hazards of traffic. Children are able to recite the kerb craft they practise saying 'wait and look for cars, listen'. Children are further protected from the hazards of traffic because they wear high visibility jackets when out walking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected. The childminder has an excellent understanding of her responsibilities to keep children safe and the children's welfare is paramount. She has attended training in safeguarding children and has a sound understanding of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and settled in a very welcoming environment. They are given a great sense of pride in their achievements as their creative work, such as art and craft activities, are attractively displayed by the childminder. An excellent range of good quality toys and resources are freely available to the children, such as a wide variety of books, imaginative play, construction, jigsaws, painting, drawing and creative activities. Resources are very easily accessible to the children. This enables them to develop their independence and easily make decisions about their play. The childminder plans a very successful range of activities for the

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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 children in her care, in line with the aspects and approach of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. This ensures that all children access entirely suitable play to support their developmental needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are given a lot of individual attention and are well stimulated by eye contact, conversation, questions and cuddles. They show excellent levels of concentration in their play. The childminder gives them lots of praise and encouragement, for example, when they read a story together, to increase their knowledge, confidence and self-esteem. Their play is significantly enhanced as the childminder ensures that their play can develop spontaneously with 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

Children make very positive relationships with the childminder and each other. They play very well together and cooperate well in their activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder speaks positively to the children at all times and works hard at building their self-esteem. Their social skills and respect for people and property are developed through the use of good manners and encouragement in simple chores, such as tidying toys away. They are developing an understanding of responsible behaviour through simple house rules. For example, speak nicely to each other, no jumping on the furniture. Their efforts and participation are rewarded by praise and encouragement from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are fully discussed with parents and are competently met by the childminder. Children are learning about the world around them and are encouraged to value people and themselves, as individuals. They have access to an excellent range of toys and resources, such as dressing up clothes, dolls, jigsaws, books and posters and visits to places of cultural interest. This helps to develop their knowledge and awareness of other people's cultures and traditions and the world in which we live.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from a positive partnership between the childminder and their parents. Children settle well because she is aware of their individual needs through pre-placement meetings and the use of contracts. Information is shared with parents on a daily basis. This ensures consistency for children and involves parents in their child's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents testimonials state their 'complete confidence' in the service they receive from their childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a clear sense of purpose which impacts positively on the outcomes for children. She has attended all mandatory training. She is committed to her own professional development. Her service is enhanced by her exceptional commitment to ongoing training which keeps her up to date with current thinking and childcare practices. Mandatory records are in place and are regularly reviewed to promote the safety and well-being of the children. All documentation, policies and procedures are made available to parents. Required documentation and records are well maintained and in kept in good order. Children's progress is shared with parents. Children are well protected from harm by the childminder's vigilance and supervision. She demonstrates a high regard for the care and well-being of all children.

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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 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 made to improve the service. This was to record details of persons authorised to collect children. Systems are now in place to record details of persons authorised to collect children. This ensures that children are cared for safely and consistently.

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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 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.

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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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