Childminder in Rochdale

Inspection report for early years provision

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316061 Unique Reference Number 14 February 2008 Inspection date Judith, Mary Horsfall 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 1995. She lives with her husband and three children aged 19, 14 and 10in Milnrow near Rochdale, Lancashire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five all day on a part time basis, and three children over eight before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group and play gyms. The family has a pet guinea pig. The childminder holds a level 3 qualification in childminding practice.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children benefit because the childminder has many well implemented, comprehensive health and hygiene policies. These include clear procedures for dealing with infectious illnesses, sick children and toilet training. The children are learning good hygiene practices because the

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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 childminder teaches them about the importance of, for example, hand washing after using the toilet and before eating. The house is clean and adequately maintained, with suitable facilities for the children to rest, sleep and play. Children enjoy outdoor physical activities, such as walking to and from school and playing in the local park. The children are well cared for in the case of accidents and illness because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and a well stocked first aid kit is in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are actively encouraged to eat healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit and bread sticks. At present, the children bring packed lunches but the childminder is willing to provide main meals in consultation with parents. Children's dietary requirements are recorded and well adhered to as the childminder is mindful of particular needs and has prepared a detailed nutrition policy. Children develop good eating skills and table manners because the childminder is active in supporting these areas of care. Children are able to access fresh drinking water at all times, ensuring they do not go thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a warm, welcoming, child friendly home. There is adequate indoor and outdoor space, which allows the children to move freely and develop their independence. The lounge offers children a large space with plenty of freely accessible, safe toys and resources which are well suited to children's ages and stages of development. Comprehensive routines ensure toys are regularly cleaned and checked to maintain hygiene and safety. Attractive child sized furniture ensures children are comfortable and secure when taking part in activities and resting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has effective systems and routines in place to ensure the children are kept safe, both in the home and on trips outdoors. Children are learning about their own safety because the childminder is vigilant and talks to the children about safety during daily routines, for example, children are reminded to tidy toys away when they have finished playing with them in order to avoid tripping over. Good quality procedures are in place to ensure children remain safe in cases of emergency. These include a well written policy which is shared with parents, working smoke alarms in the house and accurately recording the regularly practised fire drill.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are further protected because there is a thorough safeguarding children procedure which is given to parents. The childminder is very knowledgeable regarding child protection issues and has local relevant contact telephone numbers on file.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children benefit from a high quality policy on learning and play which the childminder skilfully implements. The childminder has a high level of awareness of how children learn and she puts a high priority on helping the children settle and make themselves at home. Children are happy, they share resources and co-operate well with each other in a relaxed manner. They speak animatedly with confidence about their play and are keen to learn and join in new activities, such as baking and trying different puzzles. The childminder encourages children to develop through their play opportunities by offering them a wide range of fun and stimulating activities, for example, children enjoy using construction toys and take great joy in building high towers, recognising colours, counting bricks and they squeal as the bricks tumble.

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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 benefit from visits to a wide range of local amenities, such as play gyms, pet shop, library and parks. The children's individual needs are identified because the childminder works closely with parents and asks the children how they are feeling. Children's confidence and self-esteem are raised by the regular use of praise and encouragement for achievement and effort. Children express their needs with assurance and the childminder works closely with the children to support child initiated play activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed and cared for by the childminder in a positive manner and their care is supported by a good equal opportunities policy. Children are encouraged to develop an understanding of wider society by participating in activities around festivals, such as Chinese New Year, Eid and Christmas. Children have access to limited resources showing aspects of a wider society and their learning in this area is restricted, particularly due to lack of images of disabled people. Children benefit because the childminder is well informed about issues relating to children with learning disabilities and disadvantages and ensures that all children are fully involved in the activities on offer.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to develop a firm sense of responsibility as the childminder acts as a positive role model and rewards good behaviour. She talks to the children in a very clear manner about their behaviour and ensures they understand the clear and consistent boundaries. Children are well behaved, polite and considerate because the childminder uses appropriate strategies, such as distraction and discussion to reinforce the importance of suitable behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual routines and care needs are well met in partnership with parents. Children benefit because the childminder has a clear understanding of the importance of good communication. Parents are consulted about children's individual needs and are given feedback each day about their children's progress and welfare. This encourages a good sense of belonging and continuity in the care of the children. Children are protected because the childminder has a thorough complaints procedure which is shared with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is highly organised, with all of the relevant paperwork in place. Documentation is extremely detailed and clear with many policies going beyond the minimum requirements of the National Standards. An excellent booklet is available to parents which includes consistently high policies and procedures. This helps promote the safety, development and well-being of the children. Children's records are stored in a highly confidential manner and unauthorised persons are not permitted to have contact with the children.

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Organisation

The children play with great interest and are highly supported in their daily activities, enabling them to make great progress in all areas of their development. Parents are kept exceedingly well informed about the provision, with the childminder sharing exceptionally good policies and procedures. Because of extended training, the children are cared for in a superior, supportive, caring environment where their individuality is firmly valued. The childminder has a robust understanding of child development which ensures that the children continue to make progress in all areas. Children have access to plenty of space both indoors and outdoors, enabling them to move freely and make significant choices about activities.

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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 previous inspection one recommendation was made. This was to develop a procedure in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder or others. This has been successfully prepared and children's safety is improved.

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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): • continue to develop resources which promote positive images of wider society, particularly of disabled people.

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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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