Childminder in Rochdale

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

316148 Unique Reference Number 31 January 2008 Inspection date Jane Pamela Berry Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1989. She lives with her daughter and her grandchild in a mid- terraced house, within walking distance of Heywood town centre in Lancashire. The property is also within walking distance of schools and local parks. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home and the bathroom upstairs are used by children. There is also a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a dog and a cat. She is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children under eight, some of whom attend on a part-time basis.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes and collects children from schools. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to playgroup. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and has completed an accredited quality award. She also holds a level 3 qualification in childcare.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children enjoy active games outdoors and they enjoy visiting local amenities, such as Queens Park. They have access to play equipment in the garden. Children enjoy activities at the toddler group with opportunities for sliding, climbing and balancing. Consequently, they are developing their agility and confidence in physical skills. The childminder encourages children to take on age appropriate challenges, such as supervising them playing ball games. This keeps children interested, happy and well motivated.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's awareness of healthy living is promoted, such as discussing healthy food choices which helps to promote their well-being. They enjoy mostly healthy snacks as agreed with parents on admission. The children are well cared for in a clean and healthy environment. The childminder's effective routines ensure areas used by children are suitable. The children wash their hands after using the toilet and prior to eating. The children are gently reminded of the need to maintain personal hygiene, for example, when touching animals or after playing outdoors.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept safe through mostly sound procedures, for example, all fire safety equipment is securely in place and the childminder has easy access to a well equipped first aid box, if required. The children learn about risks through effective role models and discussion. They are warned not to be overly adventurous indoors, particularly when the younger children are present. This helps to minimise accidents and raises their awareness of danger.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures children are aware of stranger danger and associated risks. However, her understanding of safeguarding including dealing with any allegations made against herself and others is insecure. This is a breach of a National Standard. Risks to children are minimised as literature is available. Fire safety is afforded priority with regular practises undertaken and a written policy to keep children safe in the event of a fire.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well settled and are content in an environment that is conducive to their needs, aspirations and wishes. They are able to follow their interests and have a varied selection of toys and equipment.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy using their imagination with small world and activity toys. They particularly enjoy playing with musical instruments and with the pretend activity lap-top. The childminder supports their ideas and encourages them to develop their ideas, to include opportunities for expression through art and craft activities. The children relish these activities, talking animatedly, as they reflect on stories, such as the 'Gruffalo'. They have fun dressing up and having parties to celebrate birthdays and festivals. On these occasions they enjoy home cooking and helping to decorate the cake with icing and sprinkles. At Halloween the children made bat shaped lollies and lanterns made out of pumpkins.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Parents are well informed of the practices adopted, by being given explanations and having sight of the childminder's written policies. This helps parents to understand what to expect from the provision and how their child will be cared for. However, the complaint procedure is not comprehensive enough. Parents express that they are very satisfied with the services they receive and are particularly impressed by the quality of the interactions with their children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The children show good levels of awareness of care and concern. They discover and learn about different lifestyles, such as learning about people with a disability. They have access to positive images of different lifestyles through loan schemes and visits to places of interest. The childminder develops their knowledge and positive attitudes are well fostered through discussions, often extending their experiences at school, for example, learning about different religious beliefs and customs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder encourages children's behaviour by setting ground rules and by having high, but realistic expectations. They rise to these and behave well. She rewards their efforts mostly using praise to acknowledge their achievements, for example, celebrating when they achieve awards for efforts at school. The children are encouraged to recognise effort, for example, saying phrases like 'hot dog' for the older children. This is particularly useful for boys who find praise difficult to offer or receive.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder ensures all adults in the household are suitable and that children are always supervised when visitors are present. This helps to keep children safe from harm. The registers and records are suitably maintained and all the required documentation is available. The childminder has a first aid qualification, however, this expires shortly and despite arrangements for renewal a gap will occur.

p.4

Organisation

Parental consents have been obtained for all eventualities. The childminder is proactive in developing written policies. However, although she has most procedures securely in place some minor revisions to the complaints process and the statement for safeguarding children were noted. This identified that the childminder's knowledge in these areas, whilst satisfactory is not comprehensive. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection recommendations were raised in respect of: updating policies; consultation with parents regarding children's contact with animals; developing systems to ensure all toys are clean; and increasing the range of resources that reflect positive images of diversity, including culture, disability and gender.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has updated her policies and consulted parents regarding any contact with animals. She has developed systems to ensure the toys are always clean and has increased the range of resources that reflect diversity. This ensures parents are better informed, the environment is improved and that the children learn to respect difference.

p.4

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

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted received concerns relating to National Standard 1 Suitable Person. The concerns were originally shared with another agency. A childcare inspector visited the provision on 6 March 2007. An action was raised in respect of ensuring Ofsted is informed, at the earliest opportunity, of any changes in the persons over the age of 16 working or living in the household. This action was satisfactorily met by the registered provider. The provider remains qualified for registration.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made to parents, which they can see on request. The complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 the Local Safeguarding Children Board's procedures are implemented, including a process for allegations made against the registered person or others • ensure the complaints legislation in line with the requirements is fully understood • update knowledge of first aid at the earliest opportunity.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5