Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY271020 Unique Reference Number 21 April 2008 Inspection date Angela Cuffe Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and daughter aged five years in Denton, Manchester. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding five children under five years on a part-time basis, and six children over five years before and after school on alternate days. The childminder attends the local parent–toddler group. The family has two cats.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their health. Each day there are outings where children benefit from fresh air and exercise. Regular visits to the local park improve

p.2

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 children's physical skills and enable them to become increasingly aware of the way different activities effect their bodies. For example, they know when they need to rest or take a drink.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Their clear understanding of why they must wash their hands after stroking the cats and after using the toilet reduces risk of cross-contamination.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They help themselves to drinking water throughout the day. The childminder takes account of parents' wishes and the children's likes and dislikes when providing food. Meals are home cooked and varied and are detailed in a menu. Children also benefit from the weekly food-tasting activity where they have the opportunity to taste fruit they have not tasted before.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the ability to move around and freely choose from the toys and activities available. There is a satisfactory range of toys and equipment which are well organised and stored within their reach. This includes natural materials and art and craft equipment, which provides children with appropriate stimulation and encouragement. The children have sufficient space to play comfortably indoors and access to a safe and secure garden for outside play. The risk of accidental injury is minimised by the regular checking of play materials and risk assessments of the premises. However, there are some hazardous plants in the garden and sharp knives and cleaning materials are stored within easy reach in the kitchen, which poses a risk to children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy outdoor play. The childminder uses strict routines to ensure safety whilst on outings. Discussions about road safety and 'stranger danger' give the children a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Fire safety is enhanced by the regular practise of fire drills.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection, in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well at the childminder's home. They are confident and relate well with the childminder and each other. They socialise with other children through regular attendance at local toddler groups. Children become independent as they choose between a variety of books, toys and activities, which appeal to all children. The childminder interacts well with the children and meets their individual needs well. For example, when a child was waking from sleep, the childminder gently stroked their face, got them a drink and sat them on her knee whilst they were slowly roused. Good eye contact was used and the childminder smiled at the child to make them feel at ease.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children happily listen whilst the childminder talks about what they will be doing later. They will be walking to school to collect their older siblings. The children play with a range of age-appropriate toys. They thoroughly enjoy pressing the buttons and making the figures pop up, driving the cars around the road mat and into the garage and turning the pages of the

p.3

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 books. When it was raining outside, the children talked about splashing in puddles with their wellington boots, which they intended to do on their way to the school.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children value each other as individuals. They learn about different cultures through the activities provided and the equipment available to them. They are made aware of the wider world through regular discussions and information in books. Children express their needs naturally to enable the childminder to gain a better understanding and build routines. As a consequence, the children are happy and settled in the childminder's care.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Good behaviour and children's efforts and achievements are acknowledged, recognised and praised appropriately. Consequently, children are confident and have high self-esteem. The childminder speaks positively to the children. She supports and helps them to understand simple house rules, such as sharing and taking turns. As a result, the children behave well. They interact with each other in a positive manner. They understand their boundaries and respond well to discussions and occasional reminders from the childminder. Information about the children's progress is shared with the parents verbally on a daily basis.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a well organised and caring home. The childminder has good relationships with the children and organises her day to enable her to give them lots of support, encouragement and attention. The home routine is followed to help new children settle and to ensure continuity of care. Children confidently explore their surroundings and choose what to play with from the easily accessible toys and activities.

p.4

Organisation

All childminding records and documentation are in place, clear, well maintained and stored appropriately. The childminder has attended all the required training courses to help her develop her childminding skills. This enhances the continuity of care of the children. As a result, children's safety and security and the childminder's partnership with parents is enhanced.

p.4

Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to attend a paediatric first aid course. The childminder attended a course on the 18 December 2007, which will expire on 17 December 2010.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

This action taken by the childminder has a positive impact on the care and well-being of the minded children.

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 safe storage of sharp knives and cleaning materials • ensure hazardous plants are made safe or inaccessible to the children.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5