Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY366480 Unique Reference Number 13 May 2008 Inspection date Victoria Gail Halliwell 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 has been registered since 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 11 years, in a semi-detached house close to Bolton town centre. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, in addition two bedrooms on the first floor are used to provide overnight care for children. There are no facilities for outdoor play at the premises.

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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 minding one child under eight, before school. No children were present at this inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is given very high priority by the childminder, who ensures high standards of cleanliness are maintained throughout her home. Established routines are effectively implemented and children are given clear explanations to ensure they are learning about the

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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 importance of good personal hygiene. For example, regular hand washing and brushing teeth after meals. Individual hand towels and bed linen are provided to help prevent cross infection and the childminder is clear about the exclusion of children who become unwell, to help minimise the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing healthy eating habits because the childminder provides an appetising and nutritious breakfast. For example, egg on toast or cereal and fresh milk according to children's needs. Very good consideration is given to children's preferences and the childminder routinely consults with parents about children's dietary needs. Children are encouraged to drink water and this is particularly encouraged during warm weather, to ensure children do not become dehydrated. The childminder is aware of the benefits of fresh air and regular exercise and weather permitting walks to school with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are warmly welcomed into the childminder's well maintained home. They are able to move around freely and benefit from a spacious 'family' room where they are able to relax in comfort, access they own play materials and have lots of space to engage in floor play activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of safety within her home and has sited a range of appropriate safety equipment, to ensure children of all ages can move around safely. She has devised a health and safety policy, which details how the premises will be kept free from hazards and how sleeping children will be well supervised. Good consideration has been given to fire safety, advice has been sought from a fire safety officer and good practices introduced to help keep children safe. For example, records of weekly smoke detector tests are maintained and an appropriate emergency evacuation plan has been devised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded by the childminder, who is aware of her duty to protect children from possible harm and has a basic knowledge of possible signs and symptoms of abuse. However, whilst she would seek advice, she is not sure who she should contact to make a referral and is not aware of her local child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder talks warmly about the children in her care and values the positive relationships that have developed. She talks of her enjoyment, when in the company of and caring for children. She is mindful of children's needs and is responsive to their individual routines, for example, recognising that school age children who arrive very early may need time to rest before school, or may prefer to eat their breakfast a little later. A suitable range of age appropriate play materials are provided by the childminder, who respects the choices of the children in her care. Consequently, school age children make informed choices about how they spend their time before school.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder values children as individuals, she works closely with parents to ensure she is well informed about children's lifestyles and celebrations which are important to them. She is a positive role model who encourages children to find out about the cultures and beliefs of

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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 others and actively raises their awareness through discussion and stories. During festivals, advice is sought from parents, so all children can participate and recognise events that are important to their peers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning right form wrong because the childminder consistently implements positive behaviour management strategies. She talks of the importance of setting a positive tone, of valuing children and teaching them to be well behaved through positive re-enforcement and recognition of good behaviour. To this end, the childminder handles incidents of unwanted behaviour gently and teaches children self discipline as they learn to negotiate, take turns and share.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with parents and actively encourages parents to share what they know about their child, both prior to admission and during continued informal discussions. Parents are very well informed about many aspects of the childminder's service, including the childminder detailed complaints procedure, which is consistent with current regulations. However, the childminder has not sought all appropriate parental consents in writing, for example, consent to transport children in a vehicle and consent to seek emergency medical treatment.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is well organised, she utilises space within her home well and implements a flexible routine to meet the individual needs of children in her care, allowing children to rest, eat and play in accordance with their own routines.

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Organisation

She has clear systems in place to ensure that documentation relating to individual children is confidentially stored. Attention to most documentation is good, but, the childminder has failed to maintain an accurate record of children's hours of attendance, this is a breach of regulations. She has however, maintained a summary of the hours that children attend and due to the limited care she has provided to date, has a clear knowledge of children's attendance. Overall, the provision meets the needs 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): • increase knowledge and understanding of Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures • ensure all relevant parental consents are obtained • maintain a daily record of children's hours of attendance.

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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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