Walker, Carole Maria

Inspection report for early years provision

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316577 Unique Reference Number 26 February 2008 Inspection date Christine Marsh 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 1993. She lives with her husband, one adult child and her 15-year-old daughter in Bury. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder takes children to the library, local toddler groups and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years at any one time and there are currently six children on roll, all of whom attend part time. The family has a pet cockatiel.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has an early years qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good. Children learn good hygiene and personal care through the example set by the childminder. She follows a suitable nappy changing procedure and supports parents in toilet training their children. Individual towels are used by children for drying their hands which reduces the risk of cross-infection. The childminder talks to children about keeping themselves and their environment clean and involves them in such activities. The family have a pet cockatiel and older children enjoy watching the childminder clean out the cage and change its food. Younger children play with sand and water outside and in the spring they help to clean the equipment ready to use it again after a break over the winter.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides breakfasts, dinners and teas for the children. All children are encouraged to try a range of new foods. The childminder provides a range of hot meals and snacks which include fruit and vegetables helping to contribute towards a nutritious diet. Children help the childminder to choose a variety of fresh fruits which they liquidise to make drinks. Sometimes children decorate pizza bases to make their own pizzas for tea. In these ways children learn about the buying and preparation of food. Children have continual access to drinks which keeps them refreshed.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder makes sure that children benefit from fresh air regularly. She takes them to a local urban farm where they stroke lambs and pigs, and to streams where they fish and paddle. She takes them to collect older children from school and to visit parks where they feed the ducks, and playgrounds where they go on rope bridges and swings. In the summer they go out for picnics and older children ride their bikes. In the garden they go on the slide and play a variety of games with soft balls and rackets. Children develop their large motor skills through these activities. Indoors children's fine motor skills are developed as they do jigsaws and play with the train track. Younger children sleep in the travel cot if they need to rest. In these ways children have opportunities to relax as well as to be active.

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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 child-friendly, welcoming environment. For example, there are child sized chairs and tables where children can play and eat comfortably. Children are well settled and move freely around the indoor areas. Toys and games are developmentally appropriate. A good range of books, construction toys and creative materials are available for them to play with. These are stored in tubs that are easy to access. The childminder insists children tidy away some toys before they get out other toys and resources. Children tidy away efficiently looking forward to the next activity they have chosen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risks are identified and minimised, for example, doors are kept locked and the childminder has thought through emergency evacuation procedures that are carried out regularly. She talks to children at a level suitable to their current understanding. For example, she explains that they must not play with marbles with young babies present because of the possibility of them putting them into their mouths and choking. Her practical actions and her discussions with the children help them learn to keep themselves safe. The childminder has attended training on child protection procedures in the past but has not had any training recently. She has a secure

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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 understanding of the types and symptoms of abuse which protects children's well-being and safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They prove themselves to be confident learners. She makes the most of all opportunities explaining carefully to children what they will be doing. She reads to children regularly. One book is about a child doing some of the things they do and she explains, 'You do this too'. Children misunderstand what she means and say, 'No, we three', referring to the number of children present at the time. They also show a secure knowledge of numbers when they count up to eight as they play sorting shapes with her. Children are highly aware of their surroundings and talk about the alphabet chart on the wall comparing pictures with those in their books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Creative activities are enjoyed by the children who play freely with musical instruments, smiling with pleasure at the sounds they make. Outdoors they play with the toy kitchen and toy food, acting out preparing and eating meals. They also enjoy and benefit from more structured activities with the childminder, such as playing a memory game which develops their concentration and visual awareness skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's emotional well-being and sense of attachment are exceptionally well fostered through warm interactions with the childminder. She listens carefully to children and responds sensitively. The childminder fosters positive relationships between the children in her care and this is shown in their relationships with one another. For example, young children gently put their arms around others to show them they want them to come and play with them. Children stroke the heads of babies and toddlers as they lie down on the mat to have their nappies changed. In these ways children demonstrate their enjoyment of each other's company.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children concentrate extremely well as they do jigsaws without any help. Older children make models, such as rockets from salt dough that is made with the childminder. For Easter the childminder arranges an Easter egg hunt. Children follow arrows to find mini eggs that they put into their baskets. The childminder arranges a fancy dress competition which a neighbour judges and she provides a token for a toy shop as a prize.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder makes the most of activities available within the neighbourhood. For example, she walks to a local park with the children where they have lunch in the café and join in a kite making session. Later the children fly the kites they have made experiencing a huge sense of achievement. Children benefit from these stimulating first-hand experiences and tell their parents about the fun they have had during their time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Each child is extremely warmly welcomed by the childminder and appreciated for their individual qualities. Babies show they are happy in her company as they smile raising their hands up to be picked up, and using her legs to pull themselves up to stand. The childminder attends courses to support and extend her work with children. For example, she has undertaken disability awareness training and a course on sign language. She has taught the older children to sign their names and they proudly demonstrate their new skill to their parents when they come to collect them. The childminder uses the internet to find out further information, for example,

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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 about festivals of other religions to inform her work on these topics with the children. Resources, such as books and small dolls represent positive images of different ethnic groups and people with disabilities. The childminder's discussions with the children help them to appreciate the diversity and complexity of the world. They talk about different types of foods, such as rice and pizza and look at maps to show countries where these foods are grown or originate from. Children demonstrate their knowledge by referring to Italy as being shaped, 'Like a boot'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged and praised for their contributions which helps them develop appropriate behaviour. The childminder values good behaviour and gives children a 'Certificate of achievement' when they manage to improve an aspect of their behaviour. Young children behave extremely well. The childminder provides an excellent role model, and they respond to her clear explanations as to why certain behaviours are not appropriate. Through these experiences they are learning right from wrong, to be kind to one another, and to respect other people's feelings. She shares each child's achievements with the others and they enjoy watching their friends learn new skills. As a result, there is a happy, family atmosphere where children are eager to please and even the youngest are developing skills and confidence in their abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Excellent relationships exist with parents, many of whom have had children minded by the childminder over many years. This promotes very good continuity of care for children. 'Thank you' cards show parents' pleasure with the service she provides. The childminder arranges social outings for parents so that they get to know the parents of their children's friends. The childminder seeks the views of parents to ensure that she cares for children in ways which accord with their parents' views on parenting. Children have a very secure sense of belonging as a result of these close relationships between their primary carers.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is very experienced and has a professional approach to childcare. She has an early years qualification which she undertook to further enhance her knowledge and understanding of issues related to childcare and education and to improve her provision.

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Organisation

Time, resources and space are organised to meet children's needs and to provide varied and stimulating experiences while they are in her care. For example, she arranges to meet other childminders and their minded children to provide additional companions for children and she takes children to the local library to choose books. The childminder always maintains ratios and ensures that she takes an additional adult with her on full day outings to help to keep children safe.

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Organisation

Documentation and procedures required by the National Standards are readily available. For example, her certificate of registration is displayed, adults are appropriately vetted, registers are kept up to date, and children's records are updated regularly. These measures promote children's safety.

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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 last inspection the provider was asked to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children. The childminder has attended such a course; her knowledge helps to keep children safe in event of minor accidents.

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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

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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 can be seen 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): • undertake training to update knowledge of child protection procedures.

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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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