Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY358245 Unique Reference Number 14 July 2008 Inspection date Jannet Mary Richards 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 2007 to care for four children. She is currently caring for three children under eight years. She minds at her mother house, which is a terraced house in Middleton, Manchester. The rooms and areas of the house used for childminding are the lounge, kitchen, upstairs bathroom, back bedroom and back garden. The childminder provides an out of school service from local primary schools. There are two pet cats in the household. The childminder has a childcare qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is suitably promoted as the childminder follows generally effective procedures to reduce the risk of the spread of infection. She uses disposable gloves and aprons to change nappies, for example, and ensures that parents keep the children at home when they are ill. The children's routines incorporate healthy practices as they wash their hands often or use disposable wipes to clean their hands before eating. The arrangements for feeding the pet cats,

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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 however, do not promote health as cat food is placed on the kitchen floor where it is accessible to the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children play out in the rear yard every day. In addition they go for walks regularly and visit the local park. These opportunities provide them with plenty of fresh air and exercise and encourage healthy lifestyles.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder takes children's dietary needs and preferences into consideration when planning menus, in order to meet their individual needs appropriately. Menus consist of some home cooked nutritious meals. In addition children have fresh fruit every day. There are times when children are sometimes offered less healthy options, however, such as chicken nuggets and fish fingers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are made to feel welcome in the childminder's home. They have their own child height coat pegs with their photographs and confidently find their own coat as they go to play outside. This helps the children to develop independence and shows them that they are valued and welcome. The children are able to reach a suitable range of toys and books, providing them with some choices about their play. Some resources are limited, however, such as role play and resources made from natural materials.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder supervises the children well, to ensure that they play safely. In addition she checks all areas of the house and garden each morning to ensure that there are no hazards to the children. The children learn about safety as they follow simple rules, such as holding on to the pram when out walking, or asking before they go out to play in the garden. The childminder has a sound awareness of child protection issues and procedures in order to safeguard the welfare of any children she may care for.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy the time they spend with the childminder. They develop positive relationships as the childminder is interested in the children, talks to them and encourages them as they play. When babies make babbling sounds, for example, the childminder makes eye contact with them and repeats their babbles, encouraging them, which effectively supports the children to develop their communication skills. The childminder talks to older children about what they are doing. When filling and emptying a bucket in the water tray, for example, the childminder talks about it being full and empty, promoting the children's learning and development effectively.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make good progress as the childminder has a sound understanding of developmental stages and how to encourage them through play. When younger children are becoming mobile, for example, she plans to put the toys just out of their reach in order to stimulate their movements. The children are clearly settled and happy in the care of the childminder.

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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 good. Children are treated as individuals by the childminder, who meets their needs well. She encourages their good behaviour and respect for each other, thanking them when they share their toys, for example. Children's behaviour is managed well as the childminder has a positive approach and good understanding of how to manage challenging behaviour. The children can play with a good range of toys which raise their awareness of differences. They look at books which portray children with different skin tones and push a doll in a wheelchair, for example. These experiences effectively raise the children's awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works well with parents and carers. They discuss all care arrangements, such as meals and sleeps. The childminder ensures that she follows the children's familiar home routines in order that they feel secure and have consistent care. The childminder has experience of caring for children with specific needs and a positive approach to ensuring that all children are fully included and welcome.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The effective organisation of the childminder ensures that children receive good quality care. She organises her time effectively, preparing meals and activities in advance, in order to spend her time with the children. She has a good commitment to further development, as she attends training courses frequently and implements what she has learned for the benefit of the children in her care.

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Organisation

The documentation relating to the care of the children is well maintained and organised. The childminder has some written policies and procedures which provide parents and carers with useful information about the childminding service.

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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 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): • promote the children's health more effectively by increasing the range of healthy meals • increase the range of toys and resources available overall, particularly role play and natural materials for children to develop their imagination and explore using all of their senses • reduce the risk of the spread of infection by ensuring that the cat food is not accessible 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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