Childminder in Trafford

Inspection report for early years provision

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318297 Unique Reference Number 17 January 2008 Inspection date Nighat Ghani 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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her husband and an adult son in Timperley an are of Trafford, which is close to the local shops and park. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are 10 children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions. With parental permission the childminder takes children to the local park, toddler groups and other places of interest. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained home. Children learn about good hygiene practices as they wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They are provided with individual towels, which prevents the spread of infection. The childminder's effective sick child policy also ensures appropriate measures are taken to protect children from the risks of cross infection. This contributes to maintaining a healthy environment for the children.

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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 Children's health is promoted as they are offered a suitable choice of healthy meals and snacks, as well as drinks throughout the day to ensure that they are kept hydrated. Children are beginning to respond to routines as they are encouraged to sit at the table when eating. During this time they have the opportunity to try new foods and healthy options, such as home cooked vegetables and fruit, however, children's allergies, likes and dislikes are not recorded, which compromises children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder understands the importance of outdoor play for keeping children healthy. Children enjoy a range of physical activities in the childminder's garden or in the local park and fields on a daily basis. They participate in a range of play activities using large equipment which helps them to promote their strength and co-ordination. They enjoy regular dance sessions indoors, where they exercise and stretch their bodies.

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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 clean, well maintained and organised house. They are welcomed into a secure environment where there is ample space for them to move around safely. They are able to help themselves to the many safe toys and resources, as they are stored in low storage boxes for easily access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are supervised at all times by the childminder. Effective measures are in place to prevent accidental injury. The childminder has identified many potential hazards and taken good steps to reduce these, for example, children do not access the kitchen except when accompanied by the childminder. All the sockets have safety covers on them. The childminder has devised her emergency evacuation procedure, which is regularly practised with the children. This ensures that the children have a good understanding of how to protect themselves in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder is clear about her role and responsibilities relating to keeping children safe from harm and neglect. She is clear that her first responsibility lies with a child and is confident about the procedures to follow and who to contact in the event of a concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled at the childminder's house. They enter confidently, make themselves at home and relate well with each other. They regularly attend the local toddler groups, which gives them the opportunity to mix with other children. Children enjoy taking part in stimulating activities, for example, exploring different textures from a tray full of bark, pebbles and leaves. They move from one room to the other independently and choose from a good variety of toys, books and activities, which are displayed on low shelves and boxes for easy access.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans activities to ensure that the children make good progress in all areas of development, for example, while looking through a farm animals book, the childminder promotes children's language by encouraging them to make the different sounds of the animals. Children visit the park on a daily basis, where they feed the ducks, make collage pictures, play musical instruments and sing along to nursery rhymes.

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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 enjoy a good relationship with the childminder. Their sense of fun and enjoyment is encouraged and the childminder is affectionate and caring in her approach with them. As a result the children are happy, settled and enjoy their time in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder respects each child's individuality and responds to their needs in a positive manner. Children are developing a positive view of the world through accessing good range of resources and play materials. They learn about their environment by visiting the local toddler groups and the park. The childminder has good understanding of children with learning difficulties or disabilities and knows the importance of working in partnership with the parents. Children are all valued and included as the childminder provides a caring and nurturing environment where each child feels a sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play well together, they share and take turns with encouragement from the childminder, for example, when playing the fishing game children are encouraged to take turns and share the fishing rods. Children are learning about good manners as they say 'thank you' for their drink. Children are well behaved and are aware of the expectations and boundaries within the childminder's home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents, which gives her a good knowledge of the children, enabling her to meet most of their needs and develop consistency of care. Good communication systems are in place which ensures children are cared for in accordance with parents' wishes. Written information as well as verbal feedback at the end of the day keep parents informed about their children and activities. A good settling in policy is in place, which helps children to become familiar with the childminder and their surroundings at their own pace.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to her continual professional development. She has attended various courses relating to childcare and education, for example, sign language, Foundation Stage, learning difficulties or disabilities, awareness policy writing, autism, 'Birth to three matters' framework and setting the scene to inclusion,. She has secure knowledge of child development and creates a safe and secure environment in which children develop.

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Organisation

Most required documentation is in place. Policies and procedures are shared with the parents so that they are fully informed of her childcare practices. Daily routines are well planned to offer balance and variety of play.

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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

There were three recommendations made at the last inspection and these were to ensure the electric cupboard is inaccessible and the garden is safe for children, ensure knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures is up to date, acquire the current child protection procedures, ensure the complaints procedure is updated in line with recent amendments and a complaints log is available.

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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 Since the last inspection a cupboard has been built around the electric meter, which is kept locked. The garden fence near the shed has been repaired. The childminder has attended, 'Local Safeguarding Children Board', training and the current procedures are in place. Through discussion the childminder demonstrated good awareness of the complaint procedure and a complaints log is in place and available for the parents. All these improvements have since enhanced children's safety.

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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's allergies, likes, dislikes and preferences are recorded.

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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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