Childminder in Rochdale

Inspection report for early years provision

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316059 Unique Reference Number 14 November 2007 Inspection date Susan Elaine Heap 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Rochdale. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog. A maximum of six children may attend at any one time. There are five children on roll. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler groups and takes children to the local parks. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where the childminder effectively promotes good hygiene practice by having regular routines for the cleaning of the home and equipment. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene and take responsibility for their own personal care. Even the youngest children are confident enough to tell the childminder when they want to go to the bathroom. They know which is their individual towel and which one

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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 belongs to each of the other children. This promotes their understanding of good hygiene and minimises the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are adopting healthy choices with food as the childminder gives this high priority. She ensures that children receive regular drinks during the day, and provides healthy, balanced and nutritious meals which are prepared from fresh ingredients. Their individual dietary needs are met effectively because the childminder works well with parents. For example, there are secure systems in place to effectively manage the diet of those children who are allergic to certain food; their individual food and ingredients are stored on a separate shelf in the fridge. This protects children and promotes their health and well-being effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Suitable arrangements are in place to minimise the risk of infection from pets. Food bowls are moved out of the way of crawling babies and dog faeces is removed immediately from the outside area. There are relevant documents in place for the recording of accidents and administration of medication and the childminder has a current first aid certificate. In addition, she has detailed information about the care of individual children. This effectively promotes children's good health, care and welfare, especially those who have allergies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy fresh air and exercise daily as the childminder plans good opportunities for physical play which is enjoyable and meets their individual developmental needs. As a result of this, they enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. For example, through visits to adventure play centres, toddler groups, walks in the fresh air along the canal or playing in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for at home where positive steps are taken to promote children's safety. For example, the childminder undertakes visual risk assessments daily and completes a detailed written risk assessment of the home, both indoors and outdoors, toys and equipment and outings every six months. This ensures that any safety hazards are identified and appropriate action is taken immediately to keep children safe. The home is very warm and welcoming and allows children plenty of free space to play imaginatively or creatively in the lounge, dining area or conservatory. Children are able to independently select toys and equipment from a wide range of good quality resources which are developmentally appropriate and meet safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children effectively learn to stay safe through their daily activities and outings through the childminder talking to them about road safety and safety in the home and garden. Although children are supervised at all times, the childminder takes extra safety precautions on visits further afield, such as trips to the zoo, by wearing a fluorescent jacket and children wear a name card on their outer clothes with the childminder's name and mobile contact number on. In addition, weekly discussions about fire safety ensure children develop a good understanding of what to do in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder has a clear understanding of her role in child protection and information is shared in writing with parents. All the relevant documentation and telephone numbers regarding the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's house. They are happy and confident and fully involved in their play. Warm and caring relationships are evident between the childminder and the children and also with the childminder's family and other children in her care. This actively contributes to children's sense of belonging. For example, children often kiss and cuddle the childminder without any prompting and they actively talk about their friends during their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play happily with the childminder. For example, they enjoy playing with the play dough with her and beam with delight as they roll and squeeze the dough between their fingers, enjoying the sound of the new words the childminder introduces, such as soft and squidgy. They become independent learners as they are able to choose from a good range of toys, equipment and books. Children are able to develop their creativity through activities, such as painting, drawing and sticking. These activities are particularly enjoyed by the children who attend for before and after-school care and evidence of their art work is clearly on show.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of children's needs and plans a wide range of activities to promote their development. For example, there are consistent daily and weekly routines for children to visit adult and toddler groups, craft sessions, walks in the fresh air and adventure play centres. Older children benefit from opportunities to relax after school, complete home work or play with board games uninterrupted by the younger children. As a result, children are never bored or restless as there is always something of interest for them to do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are effectively met and they are fully included in the activities provided both in the home and in the community. The childminder provides a good range of activities which increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, children's special days, such as birthdays, are celebrated and they learn about different cultures and festivals through making cards for Eid, Diwali, the Jewish and Chinese New Year and trying different foods.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works successfully in partnership with parents to meet the needs of each child. For example, gradual admission is used as a way of building up relationships with each child and their parents. Information is shared informally at the beginning and end of each day. There is a good variety of written information available for them, such as policies and procedures, consent forms and information regarding the regulator, Ofsted. However, although the childminder has a clear understanding to record any concerns raised by parents, she has no knowledge of the revision to the National Standards in October 2005 regarding the procedures to follow following a complaint. The childminder has introduced the use of scrapbooks for each child. These include photographs of them at play and samples of their creative artwork. This gives parents a record of their children's progress and a valuable memento of their time in the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of effective strategies to use to manage children's behaviour which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Lots of verbal praise and cuddles are given to children for their achievements and she consistently gives explanations if their behaviour is inappropriate. As a result, children are well

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 behaved. They develop a good understanding of what is expected of them and respond positively to the childminder's praise and direction, such as when they are asked to tidy up.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. There is a good range of written documentation available for parents, such as policies and procedures, contracts and consent forms. However, there are some gaps in the detail required to fully meet the National Standards. For example, the register does not show children's actual times of attendance, vetting procedures have not been fully completed for one member of the household and, although her written policy includes a statement on what would happen if an allegation is made against herself, it does not include the procedure to follow should an allegation be made against a member of the household.

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Organisation

The childminder is proactive and committed to pursuing further training which enhances her childcare knowledge and daily practice with the children. For example, she is currently attending a training course on Portage work and has attended several other training courses since her last inspection. This has effectively improved children's care, safety and learning. Children are cared for in a positive and supportive setting where they receive good levels of attention from the childminder which ensures they are secure and that their individual needs are met. Time and space is well organised to provide an accessible learning environment for children which allows them opportunities to develop their independence skills. 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 complete the attendance record correctly and to improve children's safety regarding exposed plug sockets and the lock on the bathroom door.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Steps have been taken to show the times of children's arrival and departure in the daily register, however, these have not been fully completed and a further recommendation has been raised following this inspection. Socket covers or plugs are now in place and the lock on the bathroom door has been removed. This has improved children's safety and the way in which documentation is maintained.

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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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Complaints 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

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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 that all the required vetting procedures are completed on members of the household • improve documentation to ensure that attendance records clearly show times of children's arrival and departure and include the procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse being made against a member of the household in the safeguarding children policy • improve knowledge and understanding of the recording of complaints in line with regulations and provide more detailed information in the complaints procedure so that parents are aware of the timescale for resolving complaints.

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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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