Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY361267 Unique Reference Number 09 June 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 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. She lives with her adult daughter in the Gorton area of Manchester. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. Children are taken to local parks for outdoor play. The family has two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for a total of four children on a variety of placements. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local adult and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder helps children to maintain a healthy lifestyle. She ensures they learn about the importance of good hygiene through everyday routines, such as hand washing before eating. Children understand why they need to follow good hygiene routines to prevent the spread of germs. There are clear agreements about excluding children who are ill, recording accidents and medication, and for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment in an

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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 emergency. The childminder has a current first aid certificate so children can receive the appropriate treatment in the event of an accident. This helps children to stay healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a variety of activities in the fresh air which contribute to their good health. They have regular exercise as they walk to and from school, to the park and to the shops. The children love playing outdoors with balls and running around. Trips to the soft play area further enhance children's development of gross motor skills. These all encourage coordination and balance.

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Helping children to be healthy

Arrangements for snacks, meals and drinks are agreed carefully with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met. The childminder provides healthy, nutritious meals and snacks, such as spaghetti bolognese with garlic bread. She offers drinks to children on a regular basis but they are not freely available throughout the day for children to help themselves. Mealtimes are relaxed, sociable occasions when children sit round the table, sharing news and conversation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move confidently around the childminder's house. The childminder provides a home environment where children can feel happy and settled. They are able to enjoy playing with a fine range of age appropriate, good quality, well kept resources, which meet safety standards. Resources are invitingly and carefully organised to enable children to make their own choices and thus develop their independence. Toys for very young children are stored at low-level within easy reach, while those with small parts are stored on higher shelves accessible to older children. The childminder carefully monitors children's choices of toys to ensure they are safe and appropriate for their stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes many beneficial steps to make her home a safe environment. Smoke alarms are fitted to each level of the home and a fire blanket is in place to ensure easy access in an emergency. There is an emergency escape plan which is shared with parents. Emergency evacuation of the premises is practised with the children to raise their awareness of what to do in the event of a fire. However, the hearth in the lounge poses a hazard to children's safety. Children's understanding of road safety is promoted through discussion and practise as they walk to and from school or to the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands her role in safeguarding children and has a secure knowledge of the relevant procedures. She can recognise possible signs of abuse, is aware of her responsibilities and knows who to contact if there is a concern about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children establish close relationships with the childminder and are clearly very confident and happy in her care. The childminder is extremely positive in her approach and frequently praises and encourages children, which ensures they develop high levels of confidence and self-esteem. Strong emphasis is placed on the development of children’s language. The childminder consistently talks with them to encourage their vocabulary and reads stories. The children snuggle in on her knee, she points to words to give print meaning and involves them by asking questions. She sings songs and rhymes with them to reinforce early speech patterns, for example, they sing 'Wheels on the bus' and 'Twinkle, twinkle'.

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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 Children’s counting skills are effectively promoted by involvement in daily routines, such as counting the number of bricks built in the tower. Popular and successful creative activities include painting and play dough. Exploration with craft materials helps children to represent their experiences, feelings and ideas in a variety of ways. Trips out to toddler groups enable young children to mix with their peers, increase their confidence and play with a wide range of different resources. The children enjoy days out to the museum where they enjoy the exhibits of trains and dinosaurs and are fascinated by the animals at the zoo.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have easy access to a variety of resources which raise their awareness of the wider world. Resources, such as dolls, jigsaws and books, provide the children with an understanding of different races, cultures and abilities. The childminder demonstrates a positive approach towards the inclusion of all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder helps children to begin to consider the needs and feelings of others. For example, she encourages them to take turns and allow everyone to join in the play. Boundaries are very simple but clear; the childminder explains the reasons for them so that children understand. Children develop a growing awareness of themselves and others. They start to take responsibility for their own behaviour and know that they must be strapped in when going out in the buggy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents to understand children's needs and ensure appropriate links with home, thus helping them feel secure and included. Information is shared effectively on a daily basis so that children's needs are met. Parents are encouraged to share any concerns and are made aware of how to make a complaint should the need arise. The relevant paperwork is in place and shared with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are protected and cared for because all adults are suitably vetted. The childminder is experienced and has completed all mandatory training. In addition, she attends ongoing training, such as the Early Years Foundation Stage, in order to keep up-to-date with changes and improve her knowledge and understanding. The certificate of registration is displayed prominently for parents to see.

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Organisation

The adult to child ratio positively supports outcomes for children. Records of attendance demonstrate the childminder works within her registered numbers. This limits the number of children minded, so that all children are able to receive beneficial levels of care. The childminder organises her time well so that she can give children her full attention and meet their needs.

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Organisation

All the required documentation is in place and stored in such a way to ensure confidentiality of information is maintained. This contributes to keeping children safe.

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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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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

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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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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 fresh drinks are available to children at all times • minimise hazards to children from the hearth.

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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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