Childminder, Out-of school day care in Trafford

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

318232 Unique Reference Number 03 October 2007 Inspection date Lynda, Margaret Ronan Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and two adult children aged 20 and 23 years in Timperley, a suburb of Trafford. The family room, conservatory, and downstairs cloakroom are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding six children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder has two cats.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes the minded children to the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is an active member of the National Childminding Association and currently holds the position of secretary of the Trafford branch.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are very secure and happy in the childminder's care. The childminder provides a warm, secure atmosphere for children and plans well to meet their individual needs, for example, enabling children to follow their home sleep patterns.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is effectively promoted as they exercise daily: they walk to and from school; play in the garden using a wide variety of outdoor equipment and regularly visit the local park and carer and toddler group where they play vigorously. Football is a firm favourite and very young children are adept at kicking the ball and are developing their physical skills very well.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from risk of infection in the childminder's home as good hygiene routines are in place, for example, when changing nappies. However, there are some inconsistencies in the application of good practice as children's hands are not always washed before eating. A clear, written sick child policy which is shared with parents also effectively contributes to protecting children from infection.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder plans well to meet children's medical needs: she maintains a current first aid certificate; has two first aid boxes, one of which is taken on all trips out; gathers and records good information regarding children's health needs and maintains detailed records of accidents and administration of medication. However, she does not seek written permission for emergency treatment or advice, which might delay appropriate treatment being given to a child in the case of an emergency.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's growth and health are positively supported as the childminder provides healthy, nutritious home-made meals. Children thoroughly enjoy home-made foods, such as cottage pie and each day have fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder has completed a Tots Healthy Eating award as well as a course on food intolerances and uses the knowledge she gained very well to provide healthy eating for children in her care.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe and secure by the childminder as she supervises children closely at all times and ensures her home is secure. She pays very good attention to safety, ensuring safety equipment, for example, stair gates, are in place and reacts quickly to minimise potential dangers, such as children climbing on the gates. She takes time to explain potential dangers to children and to equip them to become appropriately responsible for their own safety. For example, she discusses looking and listening when crossing roads and asks them to tell her when it is safe to cross.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are at home in the setting; they feel valued as their photos are displayed alongside photos of the childminder's family. The good quality resources are chosen to meet the needs of children and consequently children are involved and interested throughout their time with the childminder. Resources are generally easily accessible to children supporting their free choice and ability to organise their own environment.

p.3

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 Children are very well protected, the childminder has a good understanding of the principles and procedures for safeguarding children and has an excellent written policy which she shares with parents.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are stimulated by the activities offered and challenged to think by the childminder, through skilled questioning. Children are lively, interested and inquisitive to learn.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Very young children learn about colour, size, shape and number through everyday activities and during their play. They count cars and name the colours, shape and size of mega blocks. They name teddies' eyes, ears, nose and mouth and relate them to their eyes, ears, nose and mouth. Young children are very well supported to gain language, mathematical skills and to learn about the world about them.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a wide range of activities: they enjoy making and designing using the plentiful craft materials and relish opportunities to be active in the garden, the park and occasionally at the beach and adventure playground. Children gain an understanding of how things work, different cultures and a sense of history when visiting a variety of museums and exhibitions.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children and the childminder enjoy each other's company and have fun.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave very well in a positive environment. Their desired behaviours and attitudes are very consistently rewarded by praise and encouragement which helps children to become confident and to have high self-esteem. Young children are skilfully guided away from undesired behaviours as they are offered other more interesting activities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is proactive in meeting individual needs, for example, she has attended courses on signing and on meeting the needs of children dealing with loss, separation or bereavement. She has a good understanding of children's needs and uses her observational skills well to work with parents and other agencies to meet identified needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder knows the children in her care very well. Parents comment that their children enjoy their time with the childminder and that they appreciate her patience and kindness. The childminder provides parents with excellent information about her service and their child's day through her shared documentation, a notice board and daily discussions. She shares a complaints procedure with parents but does not have a procedure for recording any complaints received.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to developing her childminding practice. She regularly attends related training and plays an active role in the local National Childminding Association branch. Recent courses attended have included sensory play and the Foundation Stage curriculum.

p.4

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 There are very good systems in place to record children's attendance; these are very well kept and show not only compliance with ratios but also clearly state reasons for absences and departures from normal contracted hours. The records show that the ratios are met at all times, which positively promotes children's well-being and learning.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder organises individual records very well to promote individual care and to ensure confidentiality. All required records and documentation are in place. The childminder shares with parents most informative and well written policies and procedures, which provide an excellent summary of her service and ethos.

p.5

Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to take action regarding two recommendations. She has provided a confidential method to record administration of medication and accidents. Also, the childminder has ensured that all adults living on the premises are suitably vetted, as a result of which, children are better safeguarded.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 to seek advice or emergency treatment, at the time of placement • develop a system to record any complaints which might be received.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5