Childminder in Tameside

Inspection report for early years provision

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312209 Unique Reference Number 22 January 2008 Inspection date Kay Margaret Armstrong 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 satisfactory. 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 1988. She lives with her husband and three children, two of whom are young adults and the third child is eight years old. The childminder's uncle also lives with the family. The family live in the Hyde area of Tameside, close to shops, parks and the library. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. The side garden is available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children. Currently there are five children on roll, one of whom attends on a full time basis. The childminder gains support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children clearly thrive because the childminder follows effective and robust hygiene procedures to ensure children are cared for in a warm clean home. Children know and understand that washing their hands helps to keep them well and are confident in following good hygiene procedures independently as they wash their hands at appropriate times with little adult

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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 intervention. The childminder supports children’s independence by ensuring they are able to access appropriate hand washing facilities freely. She also minimises the risk of cross-infection by using antibacterial spray to clean food preparation surfaces.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have lots of opportunities to be active. They play in the garden, where they have access to a wide range of resources. They get lots of fresh air and are beginning to develop a positive attitude to physical exercise as it becomes part of their daily routine. For example, they walk to and from school and have regular visits to the park. Babies have space to crawl around and investigate their surroundings, they are able to pull themselves up into a standing position and practise walking with the aid of the furniture. These activities contribute to children's physical growth and development and support their coordination.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder discusses and agrees children's dietary requirements with parents. Through discussion the childminder clearly demonstrates that meals and snacks are well balanced and take account of the individual needs of all children. Children are beginning to understand the importance of a healthy diet, as the childminder encourages them to eat vegetables and fresh fruit. They are remain hydrated as the childminder provides children with regular drinks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children benefit from a well maintained, homely environment where the childminder places a high priority on safety. They are able to play freely and safely, as the childminder is vigilant. She has a good recognition of the need for a balance between safe limits and freedom. Safe and secure premises are provided that are extremely suitable for caring for children. Children have space to move freely and play in comfort.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised, because the childminder uses regular visual risk assessments to identify and reduce potential hazards. Children are beginning to learn about some aspects of managing their own safety. For example, the childminder encourages children to take an active part in keeping themselves safe, they practise the green cross code, and the childminder gently reminds them not to play with the sliding door into the conservatory as they might trap their fingers. There is a written emergency escape plan in place, however this has not been practised with the children, who are not aware of what to do in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a good range of equipment appropriate to their age and stage of development. Toys are clean, well maintained and comply with safety standards, which minimises risk to the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of child protection issues. She is fully aware of possible signs and symptoms of abuse. The childminder understands her duty to protect children and is aware of the procedures to follow in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy in the setting and have lots of support from the childminder, which increases their sense of well-being and security. The relaxed atmosphere enables children to

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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 settle quickly. The children are able to access the excellent range of resources freely, promoting their choice and independence. They make confident choices about their play and learning as they choose the resources which are effectively organised and easily accessible. For example, they have the opportunity to explore and play with jigsaws, books, construction and creative materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children build secure relationships with the childminder and have fun as they play together. They are given lots of attention as the childminder dedicates her time to playing with them, she is aware of their individual needs and gives them support when needed. The children become engrossed as they play imaginatively with dolls, feeding them bottles and putting them for a sleep in the buggy. The children thoroughly enjoy playing with the dough. Their dexterity is promoted as they squeeze and roll out the dough making cakes and candles. The children learn about mathematical concepts, as the childminder encourages them to count the candles they have made for the 'birthday cake'. She extends their understanding further, as the cake is then cut into ‘halves’ and ‘quarters’. However, the childminder is not yet familiar with the 'Birth to three matters' framework which impacts on young children's development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are warmly welcomed and play a full part in the setting, because the childminder values and respects their individuality. She has a clear understanding of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory play and children are encouraged to participate in all activities regardless of their gender. Children become aware of the wider world as they access a range of resources that promote positive images of our diverse society, such as books, dolls, jigsaws and imaginative toys. Children are becoming aware of difference and developing a positive attitude to others as the childminder encourages them to listen to each other and respect each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well because they are occupied and receive lots of support and attention from the childminder. She acknowledges their achievements with lots of praise and kind words. This boosts their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder supports children in sharing and turn taking. She sets clear and consistent boundaries for the children. This helps them to learn to negotiate with others and take responsibility for their own behaviour. Their good behaviour is acknowledged, celebrated and praised appropriately. As a result, the children are very confident and have high self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationships that the childminder has established with their parents, as their individual needs are consistently recognised and met. Informal daily discussions with parents keep the childminder up to date with the children's routines and any changes that may have occurred. This ensures children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are relaxed as they play comfortably in a well organised, child orientated environment. They benefit from the caring attention of the childminder. Space is suitably organised and used appropriately for the children's activities. The childminder provides a good range of activities to interest the children and they make sound progress in their development. First aid training is kept up to date, to enable the childminder to administer treatment if necessary.

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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 Suitable systems are in place to ensure that persons not vetted have no unsupervised access to children. The childminder understands the regulations and meets most of the requirements, as outlined in the National Standards for Childminding. However, at inspection there was a breach of National Standard 14 as the childminder failed to notify Ofsted of a significant change to circumstances. Records and documentation are appropriately maintained, which contribute to the health, safety and welfare of the children. The childminder cares for children within the required adult to child ratios, this ensures that they are safe and she is able to support their play and learning. 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 agreed to; ensure entries in the accident book maintained confidentiality and to keep an accurate record of the times of children's arrival and departure. Accidents are now recorded in a manner which maintains confidentiality and the times for children's arrival and departure is recorded. These improvements promote children' overall safety and well-being.

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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 satisfactory. 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 children are ware of what to do in the event of a fire • develop an understanding of the 'Birth to matters' framework.

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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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