Childminder in Manchester

Inspection report for early years provision

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503117 Unique Reference Number 17 December 2007 Inspection date Sheila Iwaskow 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 satisfactory. 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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her three children aged eight, four and one year in the Woodhouse Park area of Manchester. The house is close to local schools, playgroups, shops and a park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minding takes place on the ground floor of the house in the lounge, dining room, kitchen and the conservatory. Toilet facilities are available on the first floor of the house. There if a fully enclosed area at the front and rear of the property for outdoor play. The family have a rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently two children on roll who attend on a variety of placements. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel self-assured in the childminder's home, which is comfortable and generally clean. The childminder has a written sick child policy, which excludes children who are ill from the

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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 setting, protecting them from illness and infection. The children follow an established routine of washing their hands after toileting and before handling food. Discussions about germs help children understand the underlying concepts of good hygiene routines. Self-help skills are developing well and are fostered from a young age. The childminder recognises her responsibility to ensure that her pet rabbit is safe to be in the proximity of children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Weather permitting, children enjoy physical play in the garden, which helps promote a healthy life style. They enjoy riding a range of wheeled toys, exploring the climbing frame and playing with bats and balls. Visits to Wythenshawe park give children the opportunity to run around in the fresh air and play on fixed equipment, such as swings and slides.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular access to drinks to keep them refreshed throughout the day. Meals provided are nutritious and sample menus are available for parents to inspect, if they so wish. Health and dietary needs are recorded and respected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from being cared for in a homely environment, where they have ample space to move around and play freely. The house is maintained at a consistently warm temperature, ensuring children's comfort. Children play mainly in the conservatory, where posters and examples of children's art work create an interesting and stimulating environment. Blinds are in place to protect children from the glare of the sun. Comfortable furnishings are in place to allow children to rest and relax.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Suitable precautionary measures help to protect children from coming to harm. For example, electrical sockets are covered and safety gates prevent children having unsupervised access to the kitchen and first floor of the house. However, written consent is not obtained from parents for their children to use the large trampoline and a risk assessment is not in place to ensure its safety. A fire blanket is available, however, it is not positioned for easy access in the event of an emergency. Fire evacuation procedures are displayed, but not practised with the children. This prevents them from being confident of what to do and where to go, should the need arise. Entrances and exits to the premises are secure and children are appropriately restrained when travelling by car and when in their buggies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well settled in the childminder's company and home. The childminder supports children as they play and forms close relationships with them. The relaxed atmosphere enables children to feel comfortable in expressing their wishes and desires. The childminder has an understanding of what children like and can do. This allows her to provide children with a range of activities which build on and extend their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy story time and regular visits to the library fosters their love of books. Meaningful role play experiences allow children to develop their imagination as they feed the dolls, make a meal in the toy kitchen and dress up. They have lots of fun as they build models from the range of building blocks available. Mark making materials, such as crayons, are available to encourage children to develop early hand writing skills. A sound range of sensory opportunities are available. For example, children make snowmen using cotton wool and create Christmas

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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 decorations using a range of media, including glitter and tinsel. They enjoy exploring the local environment and feel the varying textures of leaves and conkers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a range of activities, which help develop their fine motor skills, such as cutting and sticking. They regularly visit a local playgroup, where they socialise with other children and experience an alternative play environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued for their individuality and treated with equal concern. The childminder gathers all relevant information about children so that she can meet their needs. Children celebrate festivals, such as Christmas and Halloween. However, they are not provided with opportunities to celebrate festivals from other countries. This prevents them from gaining a balanced view of the world in which they live. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards inclusion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. The childminder uses lots of praise and encouragement to boost children's self-esteem. This helps children feel good about themselves. Good manners are promoted and children are treated with care and respect by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Daily discussions with parents keep them suitably informed about their child's day and welfare to promote consistency of care. A range of polices are available to inform parents of the childminder's child care practices. Parents sign to acknowledge that they have read and understood them. A record of children's achievements are kept and give parents an appreciation of the activities children have been involved in whilst in the childminder's care. The complaints procedure is clearly displayed and procedures are in place to log any concerns expressed by parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel secure and confidently initiate their own play. The childminding day is organised to provide children with a balance of rest and play. The childminder recognises her responsibility to protect children from harm and ensures that children are under her direct supervision at all times. Her childminding certificate is clearly displayed, keeping parents fully informed of her conditions of registration. Other documentation, such as a gas certificate are also displayed as a source of information for parents.

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Organisation

Most aspects of documentation are in place and organised to respect confidentiality. However, an omission has been identified; the childminder has arrangements with another registered childminder to leave children in her care in the event of an emergency. However, there is no written consent for this arrangement in place from parents.

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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

The childminder had worked very hard to address the actions and recommendations raised at the last inspection and significant progress has been made. All adults having access to the children have been vetted and a first aid course has been completed. Children's contracts

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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 contain all the required detail and the childminder understands that Ofsted must be informed of any events, which will have a significant impact on her childminding practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now has a sound knowledge of issues and procedures concerning safeguarding children. Smoke alarms are available on all floors of the house and public liability insurance is in place. A balanced range of resources are available to meet all the children who currently attend. Those seen are safe and in good condition. Play materials are easily accessible to the children allowing them to make informed decisions about their play.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Activities provided by the childminder are age-appropriate and are detailed in the body of this report. Resources, which promote equality of opportunity are now available, to help children appreciate diversity. At the last inspection the childminder was asked to provide children with activities, which raise their awareness of the world around them. This recommendation is still to be addressed and has been highlighted as a result of this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

These improvements enhance the quality of care provided for children.

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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 actions 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 satisfactory. 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): • reposition the fire blanket so that it is easily accessible in the event of an emergency and practise fire evacuation procedures with the children • provide children with opportunities to celebrate festivals from other countries • conduct a risk assessment for the large trampoline in the back garden and obtain written permission from parents for their children to use it • obtain written permission from parents to leave children with another registered childminder in the event of an emergency.

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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 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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