Childminder in Oldham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY136517 Inspection date 21 December 2005 Inspector Glynis Margaret Kite

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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 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 has been registered since 2002. She lives with her 3 children aged 11, 6 and 3 years, in Oldham, Manchester. Minded children have use of the lounge/dining area on the ground floor and bathroom on the first floor and access to outdoor play in the back garden. The childminder lives within walking distance of local shops and parks. There are 5 children on the register. Children attend for a variety of full and part-time sessions. There may be a maximum of 3 minded children on the premises at any one time.

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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 is a member of the National Child Minding Association. The childminder holds the NNEB Early Years Qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from daily routines which promote good personal hygiene. Children know and understand the importance of washing their hands at appropriate times, and that this prevents the spread of germs and infection. The premises, toys and equipment are clean and maintained to a satisfactory standard. Children are further protected from the spread of infection because the childminder implements an exclusion policy for sick children. Clear accident and medication records contribute to the overall well being of children. Children benefit from home cooked meals. They enjoy a varied diet, which includes fresh fruit and vegetables everyday. The childminder is aware of the children's food preferences and provides for them in agreement with parents. Children also enjoy foods from other cultures. Children are encouraged to ask for drinks, and do so with confidence. The children may also access drinking water at any time.

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Helping children to be healthy

All children benefit from regular outdoor activities. They frequently visit the local park, go for walks or play in the garden. Children know that regular exercise helps them to grow and keeps them healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Parents and children are welcomed into a warm, friendly homely environment. Children move around freely and with confidence. They have access to a good range of toys and play materials, which are in good condition and appropriate for their ages and stages of development. Children have access to some resources that promote diversity. However, these are limited and do not include resources to reflect positive images of special needs. Children are kept safe while in the childminder's care because she makes good use of safety equipment such as fireguards and stair gates. She also has some written policies and procedures in place to promote the safety of children in various circumstances. For example, a written procedure for children becoming lost or un-collected. Children are learning about keeping themselves safe through discussion. Clear instructions are given by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The welfare of children is further promoted because, through training, the childminder has good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures based on the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. A written statement informs parents of her duty to protect children in her care.

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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 are very happy and settled in the childminder's home. They interact well with the childminder and her family. They are confident and enjoy a wide range of activities, both indoors and out. The childminder offers toys and equipment to stimulate children's interest and imagination. She ensures that children of varying ages and stages of development have access to suitable toys and equipment. The childminder actively engages the children in play and offers appropriate support when needed. Children also support and encourage each other. They are kind and caring towards each other, with older children helping the younger ones. The younger children benefit from lots of opportunities to increase their skills and knowledge of language and mathematical concepts through play, using books, puzzles and construction. The children benefit from daily opportunities to play outdoors. They enjoy going to the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

park where they have opportunities to climb, swing, run and play football. They are also learning about the wider community during these outings. Children frequently engage in first hand experiences, such as, baking and other creative activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. To enable the childminder to meet the individual needs of children in her care, she exchanges lots of information with parents and keeps detailed records for each child. As a result, children's needs are met well. All children are treated equally and with respect. They are provided with a good range of resources and activities to promote and extend individual progress and development. However, they have limited access to resources that reflect diversity in the community. Children do have an awareness and participate in some activities within the local community. Children are supported well by the childminder, and as a result, they are confident and happy. Children play well together. They share and take turns. The children know and understand the house rules and behave well. Children show a kind and caring attitude towards each other and respond positively to the childminder. Children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

benefit from the friendly, open relationship between their parents and the childminder. She shares all written information, including her policies and procedures and exchanges verbal information on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder holds early years qualifications and has attended additional training to support her role of childminder. The children are settled and freely express their feelings for the childminder. She follows required procedures to ensure children are protected while in her care and provides close supervision for all of the children. The

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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 available play space is satisfactory and meets the needs of the children. The childminder makes good use of written records to ensure the individual needs of children are met well. She has also provided written policies and procedures, which are shared with parents and reflect her provision. Records and documentation are up to date and available for inspection. However, the childminder's first-aid certificate has expired. Overall, the provision meets the needs of those children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children are protected from harm because the childminder has updated her knowledge and understanding of child protection through attending training. She has also written a statement for parents information.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Concerns were raised regarding an allegation that the childminder is minding children in excess of registered numbers, [National Standard 2.2] and an allegation that the childminder does not supervise the children when walking to and from school [National Standard 6.16]. We investigated these concerns by visiting the childminder on 7 January 2005 and raised 2 actions in relation to national Standards 2 - Organisation and 14 - Documentation. A monitoring visit was carried out on 21 January 2005. The childminder had responded appropriately to the actions raised. The childminder remains qualified for registration. 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 then 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):

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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 • improve the provision for younger children for example by introducing the Birth to three framework.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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