Childminder in Bury

Inspection report for early years provision

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316531 Unique Reference Number 15 January 2008 Inspection date Sue Partington 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 1992. She lives with her husband and two daughters in the Ramsbottom area of Bury, Lancashire.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor, bathroom and two bedrooms upstairs of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a secure paved back yard 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 on a part time basis and one child before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a pet dog that has access to areas of the childminder's home, which are also used by the children.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a well maintained and homely environment. The childminder promotes satisfactory levels of hygiene practices to protect children from cross infection. For example, the home is clean and tidy, she uses hand wash before and after nappy changing and preparation of food and provides the children with wipes to clean their hands. They can rest in comfort when they are tired and follow their own routines comfortably in a welcoming setting. Children happily participate in physical play, for example, walks around the local area, visits to toddler groups and outings to parks provide opportunities for healthy exercise and physical play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and dietary needs are effectively recorded and acknowledged. The childminder is well informed of children's allergies and medical needs, however, on one occasion, written parental permission was not sought prior to administering medication and this is a breach in regulation. The medication was administered in what the childminder considered to be an emergency situation and she is clear that written parental permission should normally be sought before medication is given.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered appropriate drinks and healthy snacks throughout the day. The childminder works in accordance to parents wishes regarding the provision of food and drink as parents prefer to provide healthy packed lunches for their children. The childminder gathers detailed information about children's likes and dislikes and takes this information into account when planning snacks. The childminder works in partnership with parents to help children develop a good awareness of healthy eating, as a result children are beginning to adopt healthy choices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a warm and welcoming environment. Good use is made of space and areas are used to accommodate different activities. Children are able to move around freely and play in comfort. The childminder provides a very good range of resources to meet the needs of the children being cared for. Children are able to select their own toys which are easily accessible. She rotates toys to add variety and checks them on a regular basis to ensure they are safe, minimising risks to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well supervised and they understand and respect safe boundaries. The childminder has developed comprehensive policies and procedures to enable her to be prepared for emergency situations and to ensure that children are kept safe. Children practise fire evacuation with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection issues and procedures and shares information with parents. She fully understands her role to protect the welfare of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confident to make themselves at home. They relate well to each other and the childminder, who has a friendly approach, which enables children to settle quickly in

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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 her care. Children enjoy the local community as the childminder takes them on regular outings. This provides them with good opportunities to socialise, for example, visits to the children’s centre, toddler groups and soft play centres.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to freely choose what they want to play with as the resources are well organised and stored at child height, helping to develop choice and independence. The childminder dedicates time playing and talking to the children on their level. She interacts with them to extend their language, for example, as they read a story book together the children point to the animals, trees and shapes and repeat the words and colour to the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good knowledge of the development of young children and is continuing to develop in this area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are content and show a sense of belonging, due to the warm caring approach of the childminder. Children are welcomed into the homely environment because the childminder values the individuality of each child. Children have sound opportunities to learn about themselves and the wider world. There is a range of books, activities and toys that reflect diversity and encourage children to ask questions about cultures, religions and abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with the parents to ensure that behaviour management is consistent for the children. She uses age appropriate strategies to manage children's behaviour and provides varied activities to prevent the children from becoming bored. The children receive lots of praise for their efforts and achievements to help raise their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's friendly open approach contributes to establishing good partnership with parents. Useful information is exchanged with parents, which helps to identify children’s individual needs. Information about individual children's progress and interesting events are verbally shared with parents on a daily basis to ensure the continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a carer who has a positive attitude to developing her knowledge and keeping up to date with current changes, for instance, she has attended a briefing on the new framework. She has a valid first aid certificate ensuring she has up to date knowledge of what to do in the event of an accident. She is well organised and children's individual needs are supported by the childminder's documentation. The childminder uses some polices and procedures to promote the welfare and care of children. She shares them regularly with parents to keep them informed. This contributes to the continuity of care.

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Organisation

Children are settled and relaxed in the homely environment where they are able to make choices and select from a broad range of organised and accessible resources in play areas. Children have time to rest as well as be active and participate in planned activities. They enjoy opportunities to visit local parks and toddler groups as part of a planned daily timetable.

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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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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were raised to safeguard potential risks and ensure the child protection statement reflects local guidelines. Children's welfare and safety is enhanced as the recommendations have been fully addressed.

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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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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): • make sure written permission is sought from parents prior to administering medication.

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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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