Childminder in Salford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 307350 Inspection date 24 May 2005 Inspector Susan Janet Lee

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1996. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 9 and 15 in a semi detached property in Boothstown. The lounge, dining room, playroom and kitchen on the ground floor and the bathroom and toilet on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden available for outdoor play. The family have a dog as a pet. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time and she is currently caring for six children who attend on a variety of

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 placements. The childminder is able to take and collect children from the local primary school and she is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and welcoming environment, where good procedures and practices are in place to promote children's health. The childminder has a secure awareness of the importance of good hygiene practices, and implements good routines, for example, she ensures good standards of hygiene when changing nappies to protect young children. Young children are becoming familiar with personal hygiene routines; for example the childminder wipes a child's hands before lunch and the child holds her hands out. Children's dietary requirements are successfully met because the childminder discusses children's dietary needs with parents and works in accordance to their wishes, for example one child is a vegetarian and the childminder prepares meals that are creative and appealing. The childminder provides snacks and meals that are healthy and nutritious which promotes children's growth and development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children are able to move around freely in the childminder's home and they develop and practice their physical skills, for example walking, kneeling and standing on tiptoe. Photographs show all children enjoying a range of activities which contribute to their good health and physical development, for example, playing in the garden on a slide and riding bikes, visits to the park, walks in the fresh air, along the canal to feed the ducks and a trip across the river Mersey on a ferry.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to move about freely between the lounge, dining room and playroom safely and independently. The childminder provides a wide range of toys to help children progress in all areas of their development. Resources are checked regularly to minimise risks to the children. The childminder takes positive steps to minimise risks and as a result children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Younger children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe, for example, the childminder supervises younger children well to allow them to move freely and explore their environment, if they touch something that may be a hazard, she gently says "no, don't touch" and then leads them away. Older children learn about safety in the home and on outings, for example, they follow house rules and are beginning to learn the Green Cross Code when walking to and from school.

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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 childminder has all the required documentation in place with regard to child protection procedures. She has an awareness of possible signs of abuse and recognises her responsibility to protect children from harm; however, this is compromised as she is not fully aware of the procedure to follow should she have concerns in relation to abuse or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder shares warm, caring relationships with the children, she is responsive to their individual needs and shares lots of positive physical contact with younger children by means of cuddles and hugs; therefore, children are happy and secure in her care. The childminder sits at the same level with the children and she supports them well in their play and learning, consequently children invite her to join in their games. The childminder nurtures younger children's communication skills, she acknowledges their attempts to communicate and introduces new words and concepts through play and every day activities. She listens and answers when they babble as they play. The child enjoys repeating simple words the childminder uses in play situations, as she introduces simple descriptions of animals, texture, number and colour; as a result, children's language is extended and early speech patterns are reinforced.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good awareness of the current interests of older children in her care and provides resources that they find interesting, ensuring they are engaged, stimulated and occupied.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel a sense of belonging in the childminder's home and at ease in company other children and members of the childminder's family. The childminder builds good relationships with parents and works closely with them to ensure children's individual needs are recognised and promoted. Children learn about the wider community through various activities and trips, for example, the children celebrated Chinese New Year and visited a Chinese supermarket where they bought some food and when they returned home they had the opportunity to taste noodles, prawn crackers and sesame toast. The childminder praises and celebrates children's efforts and achievements which raises children's confidence and self esteem and develops their self assurance. Older children learn right from wrong as they abide by the house rules and are supported by the childminder in turn taking and problem solving.

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Organisation

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 organisation is satisfactory. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare and care of children. These are shown to parents at the introduction meeting to forge a good working relationship from an early stage. All appropriate records and documentation are in place which contributes to the continuity in the children's care. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate, which promotes children's safety and welfare. The way in which the childminder organises her time and support to the children positively promotes their emotional well being. Children feel at home and secure in their surroundings and they use and explore their surroundings with confidence. Most children are able to freely access toys of their choice and as a result develop independence; however, younger children's choice is limited as toys for their age

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Organisation

group are not well organised. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder ensured a metre cupboard was made safe and that relevant contact details in relation to child protection were available. The childminder has improved children's safety as the metre cupboard is now fitted with a lock, making it inaccessible to children and all relevant contact details regarding child protection are readily available.

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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): • improve children's safety and welfare by updating knowledge of the child protection procedure

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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 • further improve the organisation of resources for very young children.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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