Childminder in TraffordOfsted inspection, 31 Aug 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 318237 Inspection date 31 August 2005 Inspector Andrea Bradshaw

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1976. She lives with her husband in Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor except the front lounge is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed area for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for six children of preschool age on a part time basis and six children of school age before and after school. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. The childminder attends locally based playgroups with the younger children.

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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 The childminder does not currently support any children with identified special needs or children who speak English as an additional language.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from cross infection by the good hygiene routines in place when the childminder changes children's nappies. Children are kept free of infection by the childminder's exclusion of sick children. The childminder ensures children can play in a clean, warm, well maintained and ventilated room, with easy access to toileting facilities. The childminder gently reminds children of the importance of maintaining personal hygiene, such as hand washing, this encourages children to take responsibility for their own hygiene and promotes emerging independence. Children are encouraged to rest and sleep in line with their personal routines, this helps children maintain their general health and wellbeing. Children can access outdoor play daily in the rear garden or park. This helps them develop their physical skills. Children are offered a varied and balanced diet and have constant access to water

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Helping children to be healthy

and sugar free juice. The childminder offers a menu that can accommodate specific dietary needs. The childminder prefers to offer home cooked meals to children and uses little processed foods. Children could benefit from the inclusion of more fresh fruit and vegetables in their diet. The childminder records any specific dietary needs or allergies on the children's file.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a clean, airy and well maintained play area. The childminder monitors sleeping children and minimises risks around the home, through the use of socket covers and smoke alarms. This helps to keep the environment safe for children. The childminder ensures appropriate safety equipment such as safety gates are in place. Older children are encouraged to learn about road safety, through discussion with the childminder. This encourages children to learn how to keep themselves safe and become aware of dangers. The childminder protects children from dangers inside the home and on outings. Children can access toys and resources safely from low level storage. Children have access to suitable safe furniture that is appropriate to their age. The childminder regularly cleans the areas that children play in to ensure they are kept clean, this helps children stay safe. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities to protect

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children and has completed child protection training recently. The childminder has a written policy in place to support child protection, this helps to keep children safe.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children move freely and confidently around the play space and they are relaxed in the childminder's care. The childminder uses local amenities to provide children with different play environments where the children are given opportunities to mix with peers and engage in activities different from those offered by the childminder. Children are involved in a range of fun activities at the childminder's home, including singing, story telling, building bricks and playing with cars and the garage. The childminder and children enjoy a warm, relaxed relationship as they share a joke and laugh together. Young children are encouraged to express themselves and the childminder supports them to recognise and respond to their needs. The childminder expands children's learning by effective questioning, and introduces simple science through age appropriate explanations. Children are encouraged to try

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

new challenges and the childminder gives practical advice and praise to support children. Children are happy to engage with visitors and will play independently of the childminder, yet approaching her for support. Children can choose which toys they play with from the selection available, they are able to access them easily. Children are encouraged to develop their social skills by using their manners, the childminder encourages this. The childminder ensures older children have the opportunity to play with more complex games out of the reach of younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are offered the chance to play with toys showing positive images of diversity, this enhances children's awareness of the world in which they live. The childminder treats children as individuals and liaises with parents to establish their specific needs. The childminder is aware of the support systems in place if children are identified as having special needs, this ensures children receive the services they require. The childminder's experience and knowledge of child development, helps to support children's developmental progress. Children are given consistent boundaries to adhere to. The childminder gives children clear explanations as to why their behaviour is unacceptable, this encourages children to manage their own behaviour. Younger children are offered distractions appropriate to their age. Children are offered praise for good behaviour, this builds their self-esteem and helps them to feel valued. Children benefit from the positive

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Helping children make a positive contribution

relationships built between parents and the childminder. Information is exchanged daily and the childminder gives parents written information at the beginning of the placement.

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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 Children are kept safe and well in the organised environment. The childminder ensures children are only cared for by suitably vetted adults. The childminder organises her space to allow children freedom of movement and access to toys and resources. Children can access additional activities when the childminder attends childminder playgroups with the children. The childminder's extensive experience caring for children helps her to recognise and respond to their needs. The childminder undertakes additional training to ensure her knowledge and practice is in line with current guidelines. Children benefit form the good level of support and individual attention as the childminder keeps within the required ratio's. Records and documentation are in place, well organised and shared with parents.

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Organisation

This helps to offer continuity of care to children and aids partnership with parents. The childminder is committed to improving the quality of the care that she provides for the children, by exchanging information with parents. Overall the provision meets the needs of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to provide a range of natural materials to encourage sensory development. The childminder has completed this by involving children in the collection of natural products and ensuring children have access to a variety of non plastic items.

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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): • develop a suitable range of activities for the younger children, for example using the birth to three framework.

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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 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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