Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY335160 Unique Reference Number 07 August 2008 Inspection date Judith Anne Kerr 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her three children in the Fallowfield area of Manchester. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding no children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

When a provider does not have children on roll at the time of the inspection, inspection judgements are based on evidence gathered from discussions with the provider and an inspection of the premises, equipment and relevant documentation.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

As there are no children on roll, the quality of the provision cannot be judged better than satisfactory because there is no reliable evidence on which to assess its impact on 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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates her understanding of how children's health is promoted. She describes how they would learn about personal hygiene through their normal daily routines, such as washing their hands before lunch. A clear sick child policy which is agreed with parents during the admission procedure helps to ensure children are not needlessly exposed to illness. The childminder has systems in place to record accidents and any medication given to the children and is able to demonstrate how these would be shared with parents. She is aware she needs to request written consent from parents to seek emergency medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has completed the relevant first aid training. This means if children have an accident while in her care she is able to provide the appropriate treatment. Through discussion the childminder shows a clear understanding of the benefits of physical exercise to children's health. She describes how children can enjoy regular trips to local parks to enhance their physical development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Discussions demonstrate the childminder understands the benefits to children's health from providing a healthy diet which gives regard to individual requirements. She recognises the need to have drinking water readily available at all times to ensure children are well hydrated. The childminder explains how children would be offered healthy choices during snack and meal times. In order to ensure continuity of care, the childminder is aware of the importance of following the same routines for young children as those established at home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a suitably maintained home into which children can be welcomed. The premises are secure and provide comfortable accommodation with sufficient space to meet the children's needs. The premises are well ventilated and are heated to an appropriate temperature. A limited range of toys and equipment are available for the children. The childminder describes how she would set out age appropriate toys each day at child height to allow children to have freedom of choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Reasonable steps have been taken by the childminder to ensure her home offers a safe environment where children are not exposed to risks. Potential hazards have been minimised, such as fitting smoke alarms at both levels of the house and providing a fire blanket in the kitchen. The childminder describes practicing the emergency evacuation procedure to ensure children know what to do and where to go in the event of a fire. She discusses how she teaches children to keep themselves safe by talking about road safety when out walking and ensuring appropriate restraints are used in the car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm and abuse because the childminder has a clear understanding of issues and procedures regarding child protection.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder displays a sound understanding of how she can provide a balanced range of activities across all areas of development to promote children's learning. She describes a balance of adult-led and child-initiated opportunities, including taking the children to the park and library to develop their appreciation of other living things and increase their learning. The childminder uses every day routines, such as tidying away toys and counting the number of cars to enhance their mathematical skills. Activities, such as painting and play dough would help to develop and extend children's imagination and creativity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder talks about encouraging children's confidence and self-esteem through offering praise and encouragement for their achievements and being close by to offer support as required. The childminder explains how she encourages children to choose their own activities. Children's individual daily routines would be supported and acknowledged, through the childminder's understanding of their individual needs. She has a clear understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework which would help to ensure the progress of younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder discusses how she would value each child in her care as an individual in their own right and treat them with equal respect. Children's knowledge of the wider world would be increased through the use of resources and discussing different lifestyles. The childminder describes how she would learn about children's individual needs and the steps to take to meet those needs, such as adapting activities to ensure all children are included. She demonstrates a positive attitude towards the inclusion of all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows a clear understanding of managing children's behaviour as she describes examples of different strategies for children of differing ages. She would use distraction techniques for young children and provide age-appropriate explanations to older children. She recognises the need to encourage children to be kind and respectful to each other, sharing and taking turns as they play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder recognises the importance of establishing open and friendly relationships with parents to promote a sense of security and consistency in children's lives. She describes how she would give parents verbal feedback at the end of the day to ensure they are kept up to date. She is aware of changes to legislation regarding the maintaining of a complaints log and demonstrates how she makes parents understand how they can make a complaint if the need arises.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. There were no minded children present during this inspection. However, observations and discussions demonstrate children could benefit from the suitably organised environment. The childminder demonstrates how she would provide appropriate levels of support to help them feel secure and confident in her home. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to supervise children at all times, thereby safeguarding them from persons who have not been vetted.

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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 Indoor space is laid out to allow children room to play comfortably and freely, gain confidence and as a result, be able to initiate play and make their own choices. The childminder has appropriate procedures in place to promote the welfare of the children. She has a sound awareness of the documentation that needs to be maintained to promote children's welfare.

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Organisation

Overall, evidence suggests that the provision would meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration, 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 have procedures for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents and to keep a record of complaints and their outcome.

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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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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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): • There are no recommendations raised, as children were not on roll at the time of inspection.

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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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