Childminder in Bury

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

316620 Unique Reference Number 10 January 2008 Inspection date Christine Marsh 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 1999. She lives with her two children aged 16 and 13 years old. They live in the Elton area of Bury, close to local schools, shops and other amenities. The house is close to transport links for both Bury and Manchester. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding plus the upstairs bathroom and toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

p.2

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 under eight years. The childminder also cares for children over the age of eight years and currently has one child on roll.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children. She takes children to the local park. The family has a pet guinea pig.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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. Children are cared for in a clean, child-friendly home where the childminder promotes satisfactory hygiene practices, such as an appropriate nappy changing procedure. Children develop personal hygiene skills as they follow routines. For example, they wash their hands after messy activities and after using the toilet. However, they currently share a towel for drying their hands which means there is a risk of cross-infection. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and her knowledge helps to protect children in the event of any minor accidents.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides breakfast, lunch and snacks for the children which include a variety of fresh fruit and some home cooked foods. They have sugar-free juices or water to drink to keep them refreshed. Children are provided with a nutritious diet that promotes their health and well-being.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Fresh air and exercise are provided regularly through walks. She takes children to collect older children from the local school and for visits to local parks where they feed the ducks. They develop their large muscles through these regular activities that contribute towards a healthy lifestyle. Indoors, children play in tents and tunnels and do craft activities developing their fine motor skills and their concentration.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children rest according to their individual needs, for example, babies can sleep in the travel cot when they are tired. In this way children have a suitable balance of active periods and of rest.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment. They are well supervised and enjoy being in the childminder's company. They are protected within the home by the provision of safety equipment, such as smoke alarms and a fire blanket. The childminder assesses risks and possible hazards. She has considered how to evacuate the house using different exits in the event of an emergency. However, she does not currently undertake regular fire drills with the children. This means that they are not prepared in the event of an emergency. When the childminder takes children for walks she uses buggies for babies and teaches older children how to keep safe on roads, by holding hands or on to the buggy when necessary. These measures help to keep children safe on their trips out.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys are in good condition, age appropriate and readily accessible to the children. They are stored at a low height in tubs and on shelves. They include construction materials, books, and imaginative play materials. Children's independence is enhanced by the organisation of resources and the childminder who encourages them to choose their activities and to tidy away toys before getting more out. In this way children are learning to take care of their environment.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound knowledge of issues relating to child protection and of the procedure to follow in the event of any concerns. These measures protect children's safety and well-being.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled in the child-friendly home and benefit from the childminder's knowledge of child development. Babies emotional well-being and sense of attachment are fostered through warm interactions with the childminder who passes toys to babies as they play together on the floor. The childminder demonstrates how to make certain toys make a noise and offers babies the chance to try and do the same. In these ways babies are provided with rich experiences. Babies are happy in her company and thrive on the high level of attention she gives them.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes children to activities in local parks, such as pumpkin carving and teddy bears picnics. They make costumes with the childminder for the teddy bears. Children also enjoy dressing up and imaginative play. Children are experiencing enjoyable learning opportunities through these stimulating activities.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

In the home, craft activities are popular. Snowflakes made by the children decorate one of the walls. This helps to develop children's self-esteem and celebrate their achievements. Children participate in a range of seasonal activities. For example, before Christmas they made truffles, Christmas cards and calendars. They wrapped these up as presents for members of their families. They decorated candles using special wax pens and found suggestions for other craft activities from books. In these ways children are taking the initiative in their play and learning, becoming highly motivated, independent learners. The childminder discusses activities that children do at school reinforcing their knowledge and understanding of different cultures and the festivals associated with other religions.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children engage in baking activities with the childminder, for example, making dough then decorating their pizzas with different foods, such as pineapple, as well as tomato puree and grated cheese. Sometimes the children make patterns or faces on their pizzas. In these ways children are learning about food preparation while they develop their fine motor skills during these companionable activities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder is aware of individual children's needs and is sensitive to the way she treats children, valuing them appropriately. Babies snuggle up comfortably enjoying being held by the childminder or sitting close to her on the floor as they play.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Some books are available that represent positive images of people from different ethnic groups and some are written in two languages. However, resources that reflect positive attitudes to disability are currently limited. The childminder would challenge any negative comments children might make, and she encourages children to be considerate towards others and to look after each other. The childminder helps children learn about other cultures, such as Chinese New Year and they make animal masks and lanterns as part of their activities. In these ways they are becoming accepting of others and learning to appreciate diversity.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is consistent in her expectations of children in terms of their behaviour, and bases these on their ages and stages of development. Children generally behave well as she uses praise effectively and explains what it is that pleases her about their behaviour. In these ways children are learning to behave well and to learn right from wrong.

p.4

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 Children benefit from the warm and friendly relationships the childminder develops with parents. They support one another in the children's care, for example, with issues, such as sleeping arrangements, and share information when children are brought and collected. This helps to promote children's welfare and provides consistency in their care.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a commitment to providing quality care for children. She is a very experienced childminder and has a level 3 qualification in child care. She organises her time effectively to meet the needs of the children she minds, fitting activities around their sleep times and collecting older children from school. This provides them with a varied routine that includes stimulating experiences and meets their current developmental needs.

p.5

Organisation

Documentation required by the National Standards is available. For example, records of children's attendance are kept, the certificate of registration is displayed, and parents sign to give their permission for the childminder to take them out on trips. Her efficient organisation helps to promote children's health and safety, their ability to enjoy and achieve, and to make a positive contribution.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to address issues, such as ensuring all medication and accidents records are signed by parents. These aspects have been suitably addressed which helps to protect children's safety and physical well-being.

p.5

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.

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): • increase resources that reflect positive images of people with disabilities • practise fire drills regularly

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 • review hand washing practices to prevent the spread of infection.

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.6

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.6