Childminder in Manchester

Inspection report for early years provision

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500516 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2008 Inspection date Barbara Law 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 1994 and employs a full-time assistant. She runs her business from her home in the Abbey Hey area of Manchester. She shares her home with her husband and their adult daughter. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding activities. Toilet and bathroom facilities are on this floor. Outdoor play is accessed at the nearby recreational park. As part of her service she uses local amenities, such as the parents and tots group, childminders drop in group and other places of interest. The registration is for six children. Currently there are nine children on roll. This registration does not include overnight care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are provided with healthy, balanced and freshly prepared meals and snacks. These include plenty of fresh fruits, such as oranges, and a variety of different meals of meats and vegetables, which they really enjoy. Drinks of milk, diluted fruit juice and water are freely

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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 available and frequently offered in familiar bottles and beakers. This ensures that children are kept well nourished and hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children benefit positively from consistent routines for resting and sleeping, which are discussed and agreed with their parents. They have fun dancing and moving to the music and have space to pull themselves up with the help of the furniture when learning to walk. Children are taken outdoors every day for walks to the local recreational park, toddler group or other places of interest. They develop a range of physical skills as they are able to run, jump, swing, skip and slide, and have fun developing their physical skills whilst enjoying healthy exercise and the benefits of fresh air.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a clean and homely environment. They are effectively protected from the risk of infection and are helped to maintain good health because the childminder has a clear sick child policy in place. Children are beginning to understand good, simple hygiene practices, such as hand washing before meals and after going to the toilet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is given a high priority in a safe and secure environment. Risks are identified and minimised, both indoors and outside, by a range of safety measures, such as fire evacuation procedures, smoke alarms, locked external doors and good routines when outside the home. Children learn about road safety and understand simple rules, such as holding hands and listening for traffic when walking outdoors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to move about freely in the playroom and select from a good selection of safe and imaginative toys and resources. All equipment is of good quality, age appropriate and safe. Resources are well organised and stored at low level. This allows children to make independent choices about their play which improves their confidence and independence skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected. The childminder has a good knowledge of local safeguarding children procedures and keeps up to date with changes to legislation. The children's welfare is promoted by her clear understanding of her responsibilities to keep children safe, and she ensures that parents are made aware of her responsibilities by recording any existing injuries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's care. They are developing confidence and self-esteem as they are praised for effort and achievement. They are given very good support in their activities and are encouraged to learn at their own pace. Children are given good attention and are stimulated by eye contact, cuddles and conversation. The childminder is extremely good at extending children's language development and reasoning by asking open questions, such as 'what will the bear do next?' when children are story telling. Children are confident and self assured in their play and are able to select from a good range of high quality toys and resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's development is fostered by the childminders knowledge of the children's individual needs and personalities. Their play is significantly enhanced as the childminder ensures that play can develop spontaneously with the provision of varied and imaginative resources. Children present were involved, stimulated and interested in their play. For example, happily combing

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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 hair with brushes from the treasure basket, zapping items they had bought from the shop, or reading a story about going on a bear hunt. They help themselves to a variety of different resources within easy reach.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are fully discussed with the parent and are competently met by the childminder. She is very aware of the children's physical and emotional needs and ensures that children feel secure and settled. Children gain an awareness of their local environment and the diversity of the wider world from a good selection of resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, and by celebrating festivals from different cultures. For example, Chinese New year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder speaks positively to the children at all times. Their social skills and respect for people and property are developed through the use of good manners and positive house rules that the children have helped to develop. Their efforts and participation are rewarded by praise and encouragement from the childminder who takes into account their level of understanding and maturity. This promotes children's welfare and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a positive partnership with parents. Continuity of care and consistency for children is ensured through informal daily feedback, the childminder's flexibility and the use of contracts. However, some documentation lacks detail. Parents have access to policies and procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for. They benefit from the good organisation of their enthusiastic and experienced childminder. Their development is enhanced by the individual, caring support they receive. Children actively contribute to their care by making decisions about their play. Good time management throughout the day ensures that children have their needs well met in relation to play, rest and meals and the childminders organisational skills ensure that they have opportunities to attend groups to meet with their friends and to socialise. Space, time and resources are effectively organised.

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Organisation

Most mandatory records are in place and are regularly reviewed to promote the safety and well-being of the children. However, the daily record of attendance does not reflect the times of arrival and departure of children. This compromises children's safety. All documentation, policies and procedures are made available to parents. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all children. She is committed to her own professional development through training and she is trained in first aid. Children are protected from harm by the childminder's vigilance and supervision.

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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 two recommendations were made to improve the service. The childminder agreed to advise parents on the procedures for making a complaint, and to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. A complaints procedure together

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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 with the address and telephone number of the Regulator has been included in the portfolio of policies and procedures available for parents. This ensures that parents know how and to whom to make a complaint if necessary. The childminder has attended training in child protection, ensuring that children are cared for in a safer environment.

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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

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): • ensure all relevant detail, in particular the parents place of work, is recorded on the child's personal detail form • ensure the daily record of attendance reflects times of arrival and departure

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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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