Childminder in Bury

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

316611 Unique Reference Number 18 December 2007 Inspection date Christine Fraser Turner 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 good. 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 1991. She lives with her husband and three children, two adult and one aged 10, in the Lowercroft area of Bury. She uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the property for outdoor play.

p.2

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 three children under five and one child over five. She also offers care to children over eight years. The childminder supports children with disabilities. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds a level 3 child care qualification. She is a member of The National Childminding Association. The childminder visits local parks and parent toddler groups.

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 good. Children are protected from infection and are well taken care of if they have an accident or become ill because the childminder follows current and appropriate health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. Children follow effective hand washing routines.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished through the provision of healthy meals and snacks. The childminder provides different menus for summer and winter. She shares her menus with parents. Children have good access to drinks during the day. They have their health and dietary needs met well because the childminder works effectively with parents. Children rest and sleep according to their individual needs that are discussed with parents, for example, children having their special blanket.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical activity both in and out of doors through visits to local parks and indoor activity centres in. They also use sit and ride toys in the childminder garden.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure, safe indoor and outdoor environment. The childminder has taken positive steps to make her home safe for children. They benefit from good clear floor space where they can move freely and select toys. Children use suitable, safe, good quality equipment that is checked regularly for safety. Toys are rotated so children are given a wide variety of resources.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning to keep themselves safe, for example, as the childminder reminds them about stranger danger and road safety. The childminder keeps children safe on outings because she uses suitable equipment such as, reins. She only takes them to familiar places that she considers safe for children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection and is able to put procedures into practice when necessary.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They take part in a broad range of activities that support their development. They develop their imagination as they play with the kitchen and dolls and prams. They benefit from the childminder planning for their next stage of development and knows which activities children enjoy, for example, playing with play dough. They are encouraged to be independent as they learn to put on their coats. They are encouraged to develop their language through planned daily singing and story times. Children have opportunities to socialise with a wider group of children than those that attend the childminder's through visiting parent toddler groups and linking up with other childminders. Older children get involved in art and craft activities, for example, using clay to create small pots and decorate them or decorate birds with sequins.

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 good. Children are well cared for because the childminder works effectively with parents to meet individual children's needs and ensure that they are fully included in the life of the setting. Good settling in procedures helps children to become familiar with the childminder and her home before they start. Children feel a sense of belonging as they move around comfortably to select their own toys.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play happily alongside each other. The childminder has a clear behaviour management policy in place and older children are informed of the childminder's house rules. The childminder manages children's behaviour according to their stage of development and children are praised for wanted behaviour. Children benefit from resources and activities that help them value diversity.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents and carers are well informed about their child's day through daily verbal feedback and parents of babies on bottle feeds receive written information on the amount they have taken. They know what their child has been doing through the work they take home. The childminder has a written complaints procedure in place. However, although the childminder has no complaints to record the complaints record lacks detail.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a suitable adult who ensures that children are always supervised whilst in her care. The childminder has a commitment to improvement through training, for example, attending training on the 'Birth to three matters' framework and using with children under three. Good use of time and space ensure that children are well supported by the childminder that contributes to children's good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement.

p.4

Organisation

Comprehensive policies and procedures work in practice. Detailed records are in place to ensure children receive good quality care.

p.4

Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to review safety in the garden. The childminder reviewed garden safety following the completion of the conservatory and the garden is now safe for use.

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.4

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.

p.4

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

p.4

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 good. 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): • develop your method for recording complaints.

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