Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY295631 Unique Reference Number 16 October 2007 Inspection date Judith, Mary Horsfall 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and eight in Littleborough, near Rochdale, Lancashire. The whole ground floor and the converted basement of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, and there is an enclosed garden 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 five children under five on a part time basis, and one child over five after school for three days per week. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a pet cat. The childminder holds an NNEB qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children benefit from the childminder having detailed health and hygiene policies which are actively implemented. For example, the children remove their shoes on arrival, and have

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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 their own face cloths and towels to reduce the risk of infection. Children are learning about good hygiene practises because the childminder undertakes activities and games with them to develop their understanding about keeping healthy. Younger children say that they wash their hands 'to keep nice and clean'. The house is very clean and well maintained with suitable facilities for the children to rest, play and sleep. The children are well cared for in the case of accidents or illness because the childminder understands first aid and maintains a well stocked first aid box.Children enjoy outdoor physical activities, particularly in the park and the garden where they can run and climb.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating is promoted by discussion and activities such as fruit bingo where children learn about new fruits. Children enjoy snacks such as bread sticks, fruit and cheese. Children benefit from the childminder's clear understanding of the importance of healthy eating. Parents are involved if food policy and are discouraged from providing unhealthy foods such as chocolate and crisps in lunch boxes. Children's individual dietary needs are discussed with parents, recorded and adhered to by the childminder. Limited access to drinking water means children cannot always freely quench their thirst.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a welcoming, child friendly home which is warm, clean and well maintained. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor space, which allows the children to move freely and develop their independence. The basement rooms offer older children a large space with a broad range of freely accessible, safe toys, furniture and resources which are suited to children of school age. The ground floor rooms are used for younger children and, here too, there is an attractive range of stimulating, fun toys which the children benefit from using.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has robust systems and routines in place to ensure the children are kept safe, both in the home and on trips outdoors. These include effective policies such as, an outings procedure which includes the use of reins for younger children and always carrying a mobile telephone in case of emergency. Children are learning about their own safety including road hazards by discussion with the childminder during daily routines, and carrying out activities such as colouring in sheets to alert them to the dangers of traffic.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are further protected because the childminder has undertaken recent training to update her knowledge of child protection procedures, and she has a good working knowledge of safeguarding children policies, ensuring that the children are kept safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle very well because the childminder collects comprehensive information about the children's home life, favourite toys and daily routines. Children make themselves at home in an assured manner, sharing and co-operating well with each other. Children are relaxed and happy in the home and share positive relationships with the childminder. Children are encouraged to develop through their play opportunities with the childminder helping the children to learn letters, songs and colours. Detailed observation records show children's abilities and steps to move them onto the next stage of learning. The children's individual needs are identified and the childminder works with parents to ensure those needs are met. Children ask questions, socialise and are beginning to understand the differences between right and wrong, because the childminder explains about not taking toys from other children who are using them.

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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 Children are relaxed and happy in the home. They share good relationships with the childminder and are confident in asking for help and attention. The children show great interest in the activities and are helped to play in a sharing, co-operative manner. The organisation of the resources encourages independence as the children make choices about activities they wish to undertake. Children enjoy trips out to local facilities such as toddler groups, play gyms and local countryside further developing their knowledge and understanding of the world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a strong policy to include all children including those with learning disabilities and difficulties. Children benefit from familiar experiences and routines during their day which are similar to those within their own homes. Detailed records are maintained of children's individual needs and preferences to ensure that their individual needs are met. Parents are consulted about children's requirements, and are given an information pack which outlines of policies and procedures. Parents are given comprehensive feedback each day about their children's progress and welfare. This encourages a sense of belonging and continuity in the care of the children. Parents are very pleased with the service offered by the childminder, with letters of thanks saying that the childminder is 'flexible' and 'the children thoroughly enjoy their time with her'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to develop a sense of responsibility, as the childminder talks to them very clearly about their behaviour and why it is important to care for other people. There are house rules which are adapted to different ages of children who benefit from regular praise and encouragement. The children benefit from an equal opportunities policy which states that 'every child will be treated as an individual'. Whilst there are some resources which promote equality of opportunity, children do take part in events to celebrate varied cultural activities in the childminder's home which restricts their learning about the world around them.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is highly organised, with all of the relevant paper work in place and some policies going beyond the minimum requirements of the National Standards. Documentation is very detailed, clear and effectively implemented. This helps promote the safety, development and wellbeing of the children. Children's records are stored in a confidential manner and unauthorised persons are not permitted to have contact with the children.

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Organisation

The children play with interest and are supported in their daily activities, enabling them to make progress in all areas of their development. The children are cared for in a supportive, caring environment where their individuality is valued. The childminder has an strong understanding of child development which ensures that the children continue to make progress in all areas. By undertaking further training the childminder continues to develop her knowledge and understanding of childcare issues which benefits the children in her care.

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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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Organisation

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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection there was a recommendation to increase stocks of play resources which reflect equal opportunities. Stocks have been improved but there are few specific activities to involve all children in celebrations of the wider world.

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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 children have free access to drinking water at all times • continue to develop activities which promote equality of opportunity

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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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