Childminder in Manchester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY304746 Inspection date 03 November 2005 Inspector Jane Pamela Berry

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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 has been registered since 2005. She lives in the Crossacres area of Manchester with her family. There are schools and local amenities nearby. Children have access to a playroom with toilet facilities and a hand basin. The front and the rear garden are utilised for outdoor play. The childminder is registered for six children. There are currently 10 children on roll altogether.

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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 The childminder has extensive experience of caring for children from birth to 8 years and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are making very good progress in this area. They are discovering what is good for them, such as healthy foods when they eat lots of fruit, vegetables and yoghurts. The children enjoy well planned and nutritious meals. The children help themselves to drinking water semi-independently from a water dispenser or low sugar fruit drinks are provided for them on request. They are learning to become aware of their own needs, such as washing their own hands and faces before meals and after visiting the toilet. The effective routines are of benefit to the children's health and welfare. This includes frequent walks in the locality providing plenty of opportunities to exercise their large muscles and get plenty of fresh air. They have good access to outdoor play as they visit local groups, adventure play areas and play in the childminder's garden. This actively promotes the children's physical development.

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Helping children to be healthy

A good environment, where the childminder places a good emphasis on keeping the equipment clean and hygienic, helps the children develop to their full potential. The children have good opportunities for rest and sleep in a comfortable environment. They are encouraged to follow their own individual interests, such as some of the children opting to go for a walk. This results in the children being well motivated and interested in a broad range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate activities. Children rapidly move on to the next stage in their development and their interest and enthusiasm for healthy living is well fostered.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children benefit from an environment where high quality practices and procedures ensure their safety and welfare is prioritised at all times. There are designated areas for relaxation, sleeping and meals. In addition children benefit from a safe, well resourced indoor play area, where they are able to take risks and fulfil personally identified challenges. They select from a very good range of accessible toys and resources that are of high quality and are suitable for all the children's ages and abilities. Children are learning very effectively about safety in the home and outdoors through activities and discussion. This extends their understanding of potential hazards and how to remain safe, for example the childminder talks to children about staying close to her and whilst on outings places a safety harness on very young children. The children know and observe simple safety rules and how to protect themselves from

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

possible danger, such as continuing to look for traffic as they cross the road with the childminder on the way to the 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 Children’s welfare is safeguarded at all times, by the childminder supervising children well. All personnel who have access to children are assessed as suitable. The childminder is very aware of safety and is extremely diligent in her care of the children, such as giving consideration to the safe evacuation of children in an emergency. The childminder has a very secure understanding of the child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children’s individual needs are met through highly effective strategies. The childminder promotes high quality care, for example young children have access to creative and sensory play experiences like sand and water play activities. Children benefit from consistent care delivered through established and effective routines. They visit the playgroup in the morning, returning for lunch and playing with a varied selection of equipment. In the afternoon they often go for walks or visit places of interest. The children's personal and emotional needs are skilfully recognised and acted upon by the childminder, such as when activities have been exhausted and the children need additional stimulation. The needs of very young children are well met, although enhancements, in line with the principles and ideas from the 'Birth to three matters framework' are not fully developed and recorded. The childminder is aware of the children’s likes and dislikes

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and responds quickly ensuring that the children are satisfied, happy and have their needs met. The children enjoy playing with a good variety of toys and they actively explore the world around them as they look for squirrels in the park. They experience a variety of play activities, including exploratory play with paint and play dough. They enjoy baking activities in the homely and comforting environment. Young children have very many opportunities to explore using all of their senses, such as using jelly, cooked pasta and corn flour. The children are learning through skilful questioning by the childminder about colour, shape and number during play activities. They are developing their language and communication skills as they talk about their experiences and recite rhymes and songs with the childminder throughout the daily routines. Children reflect and learn from their experiences outdoors, as they look at

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

photographs and talk about feeding the ducks at the nearby farm.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are very happy and content in the childminder's care. They are often reluctant to leave as they enjoy and become absorbed in the good range of activities on offer. Children settle very well in the childminders home. This is because they are encouraged to attend for pre-visits with parents before they start. Children build strong relationships between themselves, the other children and the childminder throughout the settling in process. This helps the children to develop positive self

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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 esteem and healthy attitudes and responses to others. Children's needs are promoted as information is shared verbally when parents and children arrive and depart from the premises. Parents are provided with good written policies and procedures that assist the childminder to work in partnership with them. Children benefit from these good relationships being securely established during the admission process. The childminders knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework is not extensive; therefore the quality of information available for parents in this area is not developed to the maximum potential. The childminder presented evidence that training is planned, demonstrating a firm commitment to delivering quality care for all children. The children develop their independence and have many

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Helping children make a positive contribution

good opportunities to exercise choices. This empowers the children to be confident and familiar in their surroundings, enabling them to make well informed decisions as they play. Children benefit from being supported well in establishing boundaries, for example written rules help the children to behave well, such as no shouting or hurting one another. The children are skilled negotiators, engaging in their own activities and sharing the resources effectively. They enjoy the company of the older children and like to help the childminder with daily tasks, like shopping at the local supermarket for fresh produce or baking ingredients. The children's work is valued and their efforts are rewarded by praise and encouragement from the childminder. Their work is displayed around the environment and in their individual special books. Children have good access to resources that portray positive images helping them to understand

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the effects of disability and enabling them to celebrate and appreciate different lifestyles. The children are encouraged to make decisions, such as selecting the resources that they would like to play with and actively contribute to their care by talking to the childminder as they make new discoveries. Communication between children and adults is well developed. This enables children to make rapid progress with their learning and development in all areas.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are protected from harm by the childminder having sole care of the children and by her being vigilant and supervising them exceptionally well at all times. They benefit greatly from the childminders knowledge and experience in caring for children of different ages and abilities. She is trained in the administration of first aid ensuring children can be attended to in an emergency. Consent has been obtained from children's parents for the childminder to seek medical attention. This ensures action may be taken should parents be unable to be reached in an emergency situation, although the wording needs to be amended slightly. The effective routines and clear expectations enable the children to be confident, successful and active learners. Children benefit from a varied and interesting day with a good range of play experiences. The well maintained documentation helps to

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Organisation

maintain the children's safety and welfare at all times. These records are accessible

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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 and are very well organised. Information on the children's interests and achievements are not currently documented, although photographs are collated with samples of children's work in a portfolio. This is shared with children's parents routinely, however links are not made with children's development or the Birth to three matters framework. The services provided to children and their families are enhanced by the childminder having a keen interest in child development and early education, for example the childminder is attending the 'Birth to three matters framework' course in order to develop the services for the younger children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children overall.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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): • provide parents with more information on how their children are progressing in the different aspects of their development and extend childcare practices in line with the 'Birth to three matters framework' • update the records regarding parental consents for emergency medical attention and policies in line with developments that occur over time, for example the recording of complaints.

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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 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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