Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY222966 Unique Reference Number 17 July 2008 Inspection date Susan Elaine Heap 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 satisfactory. 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 May 2003. She lives with her husband and son aged five years in Chadderton, Oldham. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house and the two rear bedrooms are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

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 nine children for before and after school care, term time only. Children attend different sessions. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy home where the childminder promotes good hygiene practices by having regular routines for cleaning the home and equipment. They learn about the importance of good hygiene and personal care through the daily routines. For example, they wash their hands after stroking the dog and before eating.

p.2

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 receive healthy, balanced and nutritious snacks each day which includes fresh fruit and vegetables and receive clear messages about the benefits of a healthy diet. They happily make their choices from attractively presented platters of carrot batons, cherry tomatoes, fresh fruit and tubes of yogurt on their arrival from school. Their individual dietary needs are met because the childminder works well with parents and information is shared verbally on a daily basis. They are beginning to understand the effect physical exercise has on their bodies as they pour themselves drinks of water when they return from playing an energetic game of football.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to engage in physical activity which promotes their good health and physical development. Each day they have access to indoor or outdoor activities which help them to develop the control of their bodies, such as playing in the garden or walking to and from school.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment where their development needs are met through the provision of a satisfactory range of safe, good quality and developmentally appropriate resources. These are generally well-organised. For example, toys and resources are stored in see-through boxes to enable children choice and independent access.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Appropriate steps have been taken to ensure children's safety, such as monthly routines for checking the toys and equipment. The childminder keeps parents well informed of any safety issues. For example, she notified parents in writing prior to recent building work being undertaken and written details show how children would be kept safe during this period. A detailed fire evacuation plan is in place and this is discussed with the children. However, this is not practised which means that children do not fully learn what to do in an emergency. They are learning to keep themselves safe on their walks to and from school as they cross at the pelican crossing.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected well because the childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. All the required documentation and telephone numbers are in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are relaxed and settled in the childminder's home and have formed good relationships with her and her family. They are interested and involved as they energetically play a game of football together in the garden. They have opportunities to make decisions and choices in their play as the childminder consults with them what they would like to do, or they make their selection from the range of toys and equipment available. This enables children to think about how they would like to spend their free time. They are involved in a satisfactory range of age-appropriate activities and experiences that promote their learning and enjoyment. For example, creative activities, games, dressing up or playing with small world figures. Some planning takes place, such as baking activities, when children are present for longer periods

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Each child is valued as an individual because the childminder takes time to find out about their needs. For example, during the gradual admission process children are invited to stay for an afternoon. This means that the childminder can find out more about their likes and dislikes and enables sound relationships to be built. Each child has a cake, card and small present on their birthday which gives them a sense of belonging.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows a sound understanding of behaviour management strategies and acts as a positive role model. Explanations as to why certain behaviour is unacceptable are always given and children regularly mirror the childminder's use of please and thank you during their play and activities. House ground rules are discussed with the children, such as not playing ball games in the house. As a result, children behave well and have a good sense of what is expected of them.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are met by the childminder who works in close partnership with parents. Parents are informed verbally on a daily basis about their child's day and are kept informed in writing of any major changes, such as the recent building work. The childminder is fully aware of the regulation regarding maintaining a complaints record; she has all the relevant documentation to hand, should the need arise, and parents sign to say they have read and understood this. Most of the required written documentation required to work effectively in partnership with parents, such as contracts are in place. However, there is no written consent for the application of sun cream and the childminder does not discuss her role within the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures with parents.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has devised her own information booklet with simple written policies which demonstrate how she promotes the safety, care and learning of children. Each parent reads and signs this during the gradual admission process. This keeps parents informed about aspects of their children's care and the quality of service provided. All documentation relating to children is stored individually and confidentially. However, the attendance record does not record the times of children's arrival and departure.

p.4

Organisation

Space and time are well organised for children to play, eat and rest in comfort on their arrival from school. The childminder provides a good level of care and supervision which ensures that children are confident and secure in their surroundings. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to: improve knowledge of the local area child protection procedures; improve safety regarding low-level glass, security of the garden and the storage of cleaning equipment and sharp knives; and improve storage of toys and equipment so that they are more accessible to children.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attended safeguarding training, safety glass and cupboard locks are in place and toys and equipment are stored in boxes to enable children to access these independently. These have all improved the quality of children's care, safety and learning.

p.4

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

p.4

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 satisfactory. 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): • develop the practice of fire drills • improve partnership with parents by explaining the childminder's role in a safeguarding situation and obtain parents' written consent for the administration of sun cream • ensure the attendance register records the times of children's arrival and departure.

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