Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY346240 Unique Reference Number 14 April 2008 Inspection date Carol Ann Dixon 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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and young daughter in the Middleton area of Greater Manchester. She is currently minding two children under five years and two school aged children. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, plus the nursery bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local toddler groups and she takes children to the parks, shops and for nature walks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s care is very well fostered through highly considered routines. Children's individual information is discussed with parents to ensure health and medical needs are identified and adhered to. These are recorded thoroughly in excellent documentation. Children gain an excellent understanding of good hygiene practices and personal care through daily routines. They understand that germs are prevented from spreading by wiping their noses, disposing of tissues

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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 in the bin and washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They learn about dental care as they brush their teeth after meals. The childminder has devised an excellent range of policies and procedures, which are shared with parents, to support her childminding practice. For example, children who are infectious are not allowed to attend in order to prevent the spread of contagious illness to other children. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, which means she can give appropriate care to children if there is an accident. She is meticulous about recording any accidents and provides parents with a copy for their information.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to develop healthy eating habits from a young age, for example, they enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables for their morning snack. The childminder is happy and confident to meet individual dietary requirements of which she has obtained clear information from parents. The childminder is very aware that children need to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep them hydrated. All children have their own water bottle so they can identify their own drinks. Younger children are offered regular drinks by the childminder. A daily diary containing details of the children's food intake is given to parents. The childminder follows guidelines from her training in food hygiene to ensure that surfaces, appliances and kitchen tools are clean and used appropriately. Children enjoy participating in cooking activities where, for example, they bake buns.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children delight in daily planned walks, visits to local parks and outdoor activities which provide them with plenty of fresh air and exercise, as a result they learn how exercise keeps them healthy. They actively participate in a very wide range of opportunities, for example, gardening, sand and water play. They enjoy gaining confidence with varied and stimulating activities to motivate and develop skills, such as pedalling, throwing and balancing. Children access larger apparatus at the local parks. The garden is used as an integral part of the children's play experiences. The childminder ensures children are suitably dressed to enjoy these activities throughout the year.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a secure, welcoming and child centred environment. This contributes to the children's strong sense of belonging and motivates children's enthusiasm. The lounge and hall are vibrantly decorated with child-friendly posters, photographs and the children's art work. The childminder effectively involves children in organising their environment which promotes self-discipline and social awareness. For example, developing their understanding about the routine of putting toys back in the correct place so they will be readily available when other children want to play with them. This is successful as children find the play materials they want in the designated boxes or areas. The lounge is organised to inspire children to use their own initiative and develop their own play ideas. A wide selection of play materials are set out at low-level to allow children to make independent choices. Children are self-motivated in this

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

stimulating environment and find items which interest them. The childminder has an extensive range of play equipment which she regularly rotates to offer children continued variety and challenge in their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a very safe setting where they can move freely and are protected from harm. This is achieved through the thorough risk assessments which are carried out by the childminder, the detailed safety procedures and use of the safety equipment. The childminder is vigilant in supervising children to ensure their safety at all times. The children become familiar with safety procedures both in the home and when out in the community. They regularly practise

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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 the fire drill procedure so they are familiar with what to do in the event of an emergency evacuation. Children learn about keeping themselves safe when out in the community as they follow road safety procedures and wear high visibility vests. They practise crossing the road with the lollipop lady and know they must hold the childminder's hand when on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder works very closely with parents to ensure that the children in her care are effectively protected from harm. She is very vigilant over the collection of children and ensures they are only collected by known adults. The childminder has a very secure knowledge of safeguarding children issues. She has a thorough written safeguarding policy and lost and uncollected child procedures which are shared with parents and carers so they understand the reasons for regulations which safeguard children. This promotes working in partnership for the protection of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are highly motivated and very interested in an excellent range of purposeful activities which provide consistently high levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. The childminder has a flexible approach to implementing her planning, responding to the wishes of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are inspired and freely able to express themselves through a variety of media such as painting, printing, collage and mark making with different materials. The childminder gives high levels of care and attention and uses her understanding of early years guidance, such as 'Birth to three matters', to provide excellent experiences for all children. The childminder plans her daily routine to include activities inside and outside the home. Children visit interesting places such as the museum, farm or lake where they enjoy feeding the ducks. They regularly attend toddler groups where they enjoy music, dancing and socialising with other children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder monitors children's progress and development and uses her observations to plan for their next stages. This ensures children are challenged and make good progress in all areas of development. Children eagerly build models with construction equipment and play imaginatively as they dress the dolls and take them for a walk in a pushchair. Children have frequent opportunities to explore an excellent range of messy, sensory and creative activities, such as musical instruments, painting, baking, cutting and sticking, sand, water and jelly. Children paint their hands, relishing the feel of the paint and then they take prints of their hands. The childminder is very supportive of children and effectively helps them to become increasingly skilful communicators. She constantly talks with the children about what they are doing and things of interest. They excitedly join in familiar songs during singing time and enjoy

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

using the various props available to bring the songs to life. For example, they shine a torch on the ceiling and through some fabric as they sing 'twinkle, twinkle, little star'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children’s sense of belonging is fully fostered through the warm, welcoming and homely atmosphere and the childminder’s overwhelming dedication to their care. She has developed a close and loving relationship with the children and they look to her for support. Children have numerous opportunities to learn about themselves and the wider world as the childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources. These promote a positive view and help children understand differences and similarities. For example, children use books and play

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 with resources from different cultures. Through planned activities, they learn about different festivals, such as Chinese New Year when they made a dragon and enjoyed a Chinese banquet whilst attempting to eat with chopsticks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued as individuals in a fully inclusive environment where they freely access a range of resources which depict positive images of disability. The childminder understands the importance of working closely with parents and relevant professionals to help individual children achieve their full potential. All of the children attending are learning basic sign language to aid their communication skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is excellent due to the clear boundaries and positive role model set by the childminder. Children understand the difference between right and wrong and this is continually reinforced through daily routines and practices, such as caring for each other. Children respond well to the meaningful praise they receive from the childminder and are secure and happy in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's excellent partnership with parents and carers. Parents are kept extremely well informed about the provision. Policies are shared with them and they are kept up-to-date about their children's care and progress through detailed discussions supported by a range of photographic evidence contained in children's individual folders. Parents are exceptionally pleased with the service they receive and are regularly consulted about their views via high quality questionnaires.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a very well organised and caring home. The childminder has excellent relationships with the children and organises her day so she is able to give them plentiful support, encouragement and attention. The home routine of babies and children is followed to help them settle and to ensure continuity of care. All childminding records and documentation are in place. The majority of these are clear, well maintained and stored appropriately. However, medication records are not sufficiently clear to demonstrate the medication and dosage administered by the childminder. The childminder has attended all the required training courses and regularly attends further childcare courses and workshops to help her develop her childminding skills. Comprehensive and detailed written policies and procedures have been formalised and are used effectively to inform and underpin childminding practice.

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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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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 keep a record of all 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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Complaints 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

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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 medication records are clearly detailed.

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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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