Childminder in Rochdale

Inspection report for early years provision

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316250 Unique Reference Number 01 October 2007 Inspection date Jannet Mary Richards 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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her husband and two children, aged eight and 16 years, in the Middleton area of Rochdale. Their home is situated within walking distance of a park, schools, library and local shops. The whole ground floor is used for childminding, along with the bathroom on the first floor. There is a secure garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently caring for two children under the age of eight years. She also cares for older children before and after school, and during school holidays. The childminder has a relevant childcare qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted well. During routines and play activities the children learn the importance of health and hygiene. The childminder and children often discuss health issues. When playing with a dolls house, for example, they talk about what the doll needs to wash her

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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 hands, and why it is important to wash the germs away. The childminder has clear health and hygiene policies which are put into practice well, to ensure that children are cared for in a healthy environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the provision of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. They enjoy helping to prepare meals, such as omelettes, which encourages them to have an interest in the foods they eat. They are able to reach their own drinks, encouraging them to recognise when they are thirsty and need a drink.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have plenty of fresh air and exercise to promote their good health. They walk to local schools and often visit the local parks. In addition, they play in the garden with a good range of equipment, such as slides and wheeled toys, to develop their physical skills. The childminder ensures that they have warm protective clothing to enable them to play outdoors in different weather. They particularly enjoy splashing in the puddles in the rain, for example.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and welcoming home environment where priority is given to their safety and well-being. The childminder carries out effective risk assessment and daily hazard checks, to ensure that her home is safe for children to play in each day. In addition she talks to the children about safety issues so that they understand and are able to stay safe, both in the home and outdoors. Children learn, for example, how to cross the road safely, and know that they must not enter the kitchen when the childminder is cooking. The children can play with a wide range of good quality books and toys which are appropriate for their ages and interests. They can move around the downstairs areas as they play, giving them scope to develop their play ideas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good awareness of child protection issues and procedures in order to safeguard the welfare of any children she may care for. She keeps her knowledge up to date by attending training on this subject.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and content in the care of the childminder. They are able to follow their own familiar routines for sleep and meal times which helps them to feel secure and settled. They clearly enjoy being with the childminder, they ask her lots of questions and seek cuddles when they wish. The childminder responds with warmth and interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy a wide range of enjoyable and stimulating activities, which help them to learn and develop. As they play the childminder talks to them about what they are doing, ensuring that they are interested and benefit from their play. As they play with play dough, for example, they talk about how they roll it back and forward, and compare the size, colour and patterns of the dough. The childminder plans a very good range of activities for the children. In addition she gets to know the children well and records the progress they make. However, she does not yet link the records of progress to the planning of activities. This means that some opportunities to encourage development may be missed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children are well consulted about what they do. They plan what activities they would like to do during school holidays, for example, and complete simple questionnaires. In response

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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 the childminder plans and adapts play activities to suit the children's wishes and interests. This approach shows the children that their opinions are valued, and ensures that they are interested in the activities available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave well whilst in the care of the childminder. She has a positive approach and treats the children with respect. Children learn to take responsibility for their own behaviour, by making simple rules for safe play which they know and understand. The childminder has attended training and has a very good awareness of how to deal with more challenging behaviour. She has a good awareness of how to accommodate the differing needs of individual children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

As they play the children learn about differences. They dress up in clothing from different cultures, for example, and discuss why one of the dolls has a walking frame. Their understanding is developed further when they celebrate different cultural festivals, such as Eid and Chinese New Year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The relationship between the childminder and parents and carers is good. They discuss and agree all care issues. Parents and carers are provided with a wealth of written information in the form of newsletters and a handbook. This ensures that parents are very well informed, and that children receive care which is consistent and responsive to parents' wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The effective organisation of the childminder ensures that children are safe, happy and well cared for. The childminder plans and organises her time very well so that children have plenty of interesting things to do. She has a good commitment to childminding and developing her childcare service. She attends training regularly and is able to put what she has learned into practice, to the benefit of the children.

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Organisation

The documentation supporting the care of the children is thorough, informative, well organised and maintained. It provides parents and carers with detailed information about the childminding service.

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Organisation

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 time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain written parental consent to seek medical treatment in an emergency. The childminder has now obtained the relevant written consent for all children in her care. This has led to improvements in the documentation which supports the care and safety of the children.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 the observations of children, to use more effectively in planning the next steps in their development.

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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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