Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY355583 Unique Reference Number 16 April 2008 Inspection date Carla Owen 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.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with her partner and 18 month old son in the Weaste area of Salford. The childminder lives within walking distance of shops, a library, parks and also other childcare facilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for no more than three children under eight years at any one time. She currently has one four year old and one 18 month old child on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a very clean and well maintained environment. Children are learning basic hygiene routines to prevent the risk of cross contamination. For example, they wash their hands at appropriate times of the day, such as before mealtimes and after going to the toilet. They have their own flannels which are used after mealtimes to clean faces. An effective sick

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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 child policy is in place to reduce the risk of cross infection. Children with any infectious illnesses are excluded from the home and parents are contacted if children should become unwell whilst in the childminder's care. Children are cared for appropriately in the event of an accident as the childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and a fully stocked first aid box is within reach.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and regular exercise. They play in the back garden at every opportunity where they enjoy games such as football. However, the resources available for outdoor play are limited, which results in children's physical development not being fully promoted. Children enjoy regular trips to the local parks and shops which helps them gain an awareness of their local environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's good health is promoted. Nutritious snacks such as fruit and breadsticks are provided for them. Parents provide packed lunches for those children staying during lunch time. Individual drinking bottles are available to the children to allow themselves to keep hydrated and refreshed throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into bright, well lit and well ventilated premises. Rooms are kept at an adequate temperature to ensure children's comfort as they play. A sufficient range of toys and resources are available for the children which are of a good quality and meet their interests. However, the accessibility of the toys does not promote children's independence and allow them to freely make choices in their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are generally kept safe within the childminder's home. Good use is made of safety equipment to keep children from harm. For example, safety gates have been erected throughout the home to restrict access to particular areas. Entrances and exits are kept secure at all times to prevent unwanted visitors entering the premises. The outdoor area in the main is safe, however some hazards were identified on inspection. Ivy and the outside drain is accessible to the children which poses a potential risk. Children are protected in the event of a fire as an emergency evacuation procedure is in place which has been practised with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected as the childminder demonstrates a solid awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedure to follow if she should have any concerns about a child's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy themselves in the comfortable surroundings of the childminder's home. They have formed good relationships with their peers and the childminder and are clearly secure and happy in her care. The childminder has planned and provided a sound range of activities for the children. They enjoy arts and crafts activities such as painting, drawing and gluing and sticking. They observe growth as they plant seeds and watch them grow and learn about measure as they bake. Children's sensory development is promoted as young children explore the textures of the treasure baskets. They use their imagination as they play with small world toys and develop language skills as they look at books and sing familiar songs. The childminder currently has a limited knowledge of how to promote children's learning development and plans to attend training to ensure children make good progress whilst in her care.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are treated with equal respect and concern within the childminder's home. They are beginning to gain an awareness of the wider world as the childminder talks to them about people's differences. However, there are limited opportunities for children to learn about cultural diversity and access resources which reflect equal opportunities. Children are well behaved. The childminder adopts appropriate techniques to manage behaviour, such as distraction for younger children and explanations for older children. This allows children to understand the boundaries of acceptable behaviour within the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are currently no children within the childminder's care with learning difficulties or disabilities. However, she understands the importance of adapting activities and working closely with parents and outside agencies to ensure children feel included and have their needs fully met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A solid partnership has been established with parents. Informal chats on a daily basis keep parents well informed of their children's care. The childminder obtains a suitable amount of information from the parents to ensure she understand how to meet the children's needs and allow them to settle quickly.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children express themselves freely within the childminder's home. The childminder understands her responsibility to protect children from harm and ensures they are well supervised at all times. She has attended regular training to keep herself up to date with current issues and to improve her childminding practise. Ratios are maintained at all times and the childminder manages her time to ensure all children receive equal amounts of attention and support.

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Organisation

All aspects of documentation were available at inspection, well maintained and stored to respect confidentiality.

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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 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 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): • develop the resources for outdoor play and make toys more accessible to the children • develop knowledge and understanding of the curriculum for children under five and how children learn • develop resources which reflect equality of opportunity • ensure the drain and ivy in the rear garden is inaccessible to the children.

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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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