Mrs Dawn Leonie Green

Inspection report for early years provision

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505098 Unique Reference Number 25 January 2008 Inspection date Carol Ann Dixon 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 was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and daughter aged 16 years in Middleton, Rochdale. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there are enclosed rear and front gardens for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five years, one school aged children under eight years and three school aged children over eight years. Most children attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children participate in a wide range of activities that helps them to gain good control and coordination over their bodies. Frequent opportunities for physical activity provide children with lots of fresh air and exercise. They walk to and from school every day, attend toddler

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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 groups and regularly play in the garden. Ball games and playing with the sit and ride toys are firm favourites with the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm and clean home. The childminder implements effective hygiene procedures and routines to protect children from illness and infection. Toys, equipment and surfaces are spotlessly clean. Children are starting to learn about the importance of cleanliness and how to look after their bodies. They wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. However, they share a towel in the bathroom, which presents a risk of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a varied and nutritious diet that includes lots of fresh fruit. Children's likes, dislikes and special dietary requirements are discussed and agreed with parents. They participate in discussions with the childminder that help them find out about and reinforce the importance of healthy eating.

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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 well maintained home. Potential dangers have been identified and sensible safety precautions put in place to minimise risks. The children are safeguarded because the childminder is diligent in her supervision of them. She constantly and directly supervises them at all times and teaches them how to use equipment correctly. Good fire precautions and procedures are in place. A fire blanket is provided in the kitchen, practice fire drills are conducted and smoke detectors are fitted on all levels of the house.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Discussions and activities help children to learn how they can keep themselves safe. For example, they regularly talk about road safety as they walk to and from school. Consistent boundaries and simple rules ensure children have a balance between having freedom and safe limits. They help to tidy up and older children understand to keep toys with smaller pieces out of reach of younger ones. Children choose what to play with from a wide variety of good quality toys that are appropriate for their age and stage of development. The children's safety and protection is of utmost importance to the childminder. She has up-to-date knowledge and training in first aid and child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy being at the childminder’s home, where there is lots of activity and fun as they play and learn. The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of each child's development and uses this effectively to ensure children make good progress and achieve in all areas of their development. The childminding day is planned to provide a well balanced range of activities to stimulate the children's interest, enthusiasm and learning. Children have time to relax as well as to be active. They enjoy looking at books and listening to stories with the childminder. Children are making good progress in developing language skills and becoming skilful communicators. They listen and talk to the childminder, confidently tell her what they want to do and are encouraged to learn their colours, shapes and numbers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children thoroughly enjoy painting. Younger children eagerly cover the whole of the paper and older children express their ideas as they paint recognisable pictures. They have many opportunities to explore a good range of activities which stimulates their creativity, such as drawing, cutting and sticking and dough.

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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 The childminder has good relationships with the children. She knows when to join in and facilitate their play, and when not to in case she interrupts activities. This provides children with lots of freedom to have time to develop their independence in a secure environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have access to a good range of resources that provides positive images of culture, gender and disability, such as books and imaginative toys. Good use is made of local amenities which helps children to develop a sense of belonging and begin to be aware of their local community. However, the childminder has not introduced any activities to help children begin to understand about the religious and cultural beliefs of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses positive methods to promote good behaviour and to manage any challenging behaviour. Children are kept busy and interested; they are responsive to the meaningful praise that they receive, and behave well. Younger children are beginning to learn how to share and take turns. Skilful negotiation and lots of encouragement from the childminder ensures that older children are very well mannered and show care and kindness towards younger ones.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an effective partnership with parents. Children are valued as individuals and their needs are met in accordance with parents' wishes. This is supported by detailed documentation and verbal communication with parents on a daily basis. This keeps them fully informed of their children's activities and routines of the day. Parents speak very highly of the childminder and the high quality care she provides for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel relaxed and at home in the well-organised, stimulating environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder effectively uses her policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Parents are fully informed about children’s achievements, progress and how they spend their day, thus ensuring continuity of care. They understand the childminder’s responsibilities to them and their children. Written records are used to underpin the care provided and agreed with parents. The required records and documentation are generally in place, appropriately maintained and retained. However, written parental permission for seeking any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment has not been obtained.

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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 childminder was asked to develop activities and resources which reflect positive images of disability. This was addressed as the childminder increased the range of resources depicting positive images. She was also required to obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment; this has not been addressed and remains a recommendation arising from this inspection. The childminder was also recommended to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and has fully addressed this by attending a training course and obtaining up to date guidance for local authority procedures.

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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.

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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): • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • develop an appropriate range of activities that promote children's understanding of the religious and cultural beliefs of others • review the arrangements for hand washing to minimise the risk of cross-infection.

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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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