Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY364642 Unique Reference Number 30 July 2008 Inspection date (Kate) Kathryn, Jane Ryder 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 has been registered since 2008. She lives with her husband in a house in the Blackley area of Manchester. The children have access to the whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom facilities. The local park is used regularly for outdoor play. The family keeps three cats and a tortoise.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time and currently there are three children on roll. The registration does not include overnight care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder promotes good hygiene practices which ensure children are cared for in a warm, clean environment. She follows daily routines for cleaning the home, equipment and toys. For example, she uses an antibacterial product to clean kitchen work surfaces, the dining table, the highchair tray and toys. Children are beginning to develop very good awareness about their personal care needs as they are encouraged to wash their hands routinely and brush their

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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 teeth after meals. They each have individual toothbrushes, face cloths and hand towels, which are easily identifiable through colour. Children are further encouraged by the use of child size steps, which aid independence, and the display of hand wash signs made from their painted hand prints. The childminder has attended first aid training and has good systems for recording accidents and medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular access to fresh air and exercise, which meets their developmental needs and contributes to their good health. Each day they have access to indoor or outdoor activities which help them develop control of their bodies. For example, they enjoy dancing and use dance ribbons, making them twirl around their bodies and in the air. They use the 'door-step' park for outdoor play and frequently take resources to play with, such as skipping ropes, bikes, balls and prams.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder consults parents in order to gather information about children's individual dietary requirements, allergies and preferences. She has good regard to healthy snacks and meals, sample menus demonstrate that food is healthy and nutritious. She involves children in some food preparation, such as making and rolling pastry for the top of stews. She ensures children can keep themselves refreshed by making sure young children can independently access their individual cup at all times. The childminder takes fresh drinking water to the park so that children can quench their thirst after strenuous physical activity. Children begin to learn about healthy diets as they find and match magnetic pictures on the wall chart of the fruit and vegetables they eat.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming home. They have sufficient space to move freely and safely in the ground floor rooms, which have been well organised and create a child friendly environment. Welcome posters and weather and reward charts are displayed and help children feel a sense of belonging. Children are provided with good quality toys and equipment which meet their developmental needs and interests. Some toys are organised at low-level to aid children's independent access, which means that even the youngest children can explore and investigate. There is suitable equipment to support the needs of very young children, such as a travel cot, highchair and appropriate crockery and cutlery.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes positive steps inside the home to minimise risks and keep children safe. For example, relevant fire safety equipment is in place and children become aware of how to respond in an emergency situation as they are involved in monthly fire evacuation drills. Safety gates protect children from higher risk areas, such as the kitchen and the staircase. The childminder frequently transports children in her vehicle but has no evidence of business cover on her insurance document. She obtains written parental consent to transport children in her car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has attended safeguarding training and demonstrates sufficient knowledge about issues related to child protection. She is aware of some of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect, and has some understanding of the referral procedure. The childminder has obtained reference documents, such as current national and local guidance, and has relevant telephone numbers in place.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled in the childminder's home. She develops warm relationships with them and as a consequence children are very happy and settled in her care. Her consistent routines encourage children to settle quickly. She interacts enthusiastically, listening to and talking to the children. She plays with them on their level, either at a table, on the sofa or on the floor. The childminder helps children to build on their experiences, for example, she provides good opportunities for children to role play going to the dentist, following a child's recent visit.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show interest in the range of toys and equipment, which are suitable to their age and stage of development. They are confident in initiating their own play and use their imaginations well as they play with the role play equipment, such as the camera, binoculars and puppets. They have fun making and rolling out pastry, which they later enjoy eating with their stew. Young children benefit from sensory experiences as they handle and squeeze a variety of media, such as wool and sponges. The childminder makes children think as she asks questions, such as 'what do binoculars do?', 'why might we need fillings in our teeth?' and 'do tigers have spots or stripes?'

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans weekly activities, ensuring that children are provided with interesting and challenging activities. She organises daily trips to the park and provides children with frequent opportunities for creative activities. The childminder has accessed Early Years Foundation Stage training and makes detailed written observations about individual children's progress, and demonstrates a strong commitment to improving outcomes for young children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder meets children's individual needs well. She has good procedures for new children, who settle gradually into her care and make a smooth transition from home to the childminder's environment. She consults parents during this period, finding out about children's preferences and home routines. The childminder has a small range of toy resources which reflect diversity and help children to see positive images of other cultures and disability. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties very well. She consults parents and makes links with any other settings children attend, enabling her to best meet individual needs. She takes personal responsibility for developing her knowledge about different medical conditions by using library reference books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages children's behaviour effectively by using appropriate strategies. She uses methods which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. For example, when faced with challenging behaviour she ignores this whenever possible, sets realistic periods of 'time out' beside her on the sofa and sets realistic goals for children to aspire to. She encourages positive behaviour by praising children for their achievements and for good behaviour and by using a reward chart. This helps children develop confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from an effective partnership between the childminder and parents. There are several systems of communication in place, including informal daily conversations, accessibility to her written policies and procedures and the display of menus. This ensures consistency of care and keeps parents fully informed. The childminder has clear knowledge about keeping a complaints record and she has a system in place for logging any future concerns.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has completed all mandatory training since registration. In addition, she has attended a safeguarding course and training related to the Early Years Foundation Stage. This has helped to develop her childcare knowledge and skills further and improved her practice. The environment is well organised and allows children to feel at home and gives them confidence to make choices about what they want to play with. The childminder uses her time effectively to ensure she meets the individual needs of children in her care, such as time to eat, rest and play.

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Organisation

Documentation reflects the National Standards and is used to effectively promote the safety, care and learning of children. However, confidentiality is not maintained with regard to the system used for storing children's individual records. The childminder has developed a setting file containing samples of weekly menus and a range of written policies and procedures, such as safeguarding children, managing children's behaviour and equal opportunities. This ensures that parents are fully informed about all aspects of their children's care and the quality of the service provided. Parents are made aware of their children's progress through informal conversations. The childminder displays her registration certificate and her weekly menu.

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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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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): • make sure appropriate insurance is obtained before transporting children in a vehicle • improve confidentiality regarding children's records, for example, by keeping individual details separate.

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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 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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