Childminder in Manchester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 500284 Inspection date 15/09/2009 Inspector Angela Cuffe

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1995. She lives with her husband and two children aged 19 years old and 12 years old in Gorton, Manchester. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. The childminder walks to local schools and parks. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and also runs a local parent and toddler group. The family have three dogs, four cats and a hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years old at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently eight children on roll, two are in the early years age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, as well as the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides sufficient challenges and activities for children in her welcoming and inviting home. Children benefit from the consistent routines and make sound progress in their general development. The childminder has attended some relevant training courses since the last inspection and has clearly identified areas for further improvement, which particularly focuses on further developing the individual observation and assessment files and planning.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 obtain written consent from parents prior to administering any medication  promote the health of all children by taking necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection  conduct regular meaningful observations and ensure each child’s next steps are identified and incorporated into the planning  ensure risk assessments cover the storage of cleaning substances and sharp knives.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection and is aware of her responsibilities, should she have concerns about a child in her care. Appropriate policies and procedures are in place and shared with parents. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments in the home and during outings. However, these assessments have not identified storage of cleaning materials and sharp knives, which poses a risk to children. Fire drills are practised regularly, which This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensures children understand what to do, should the need to evacuate the premises arise. The childminder also practices road safety with the children during outings.

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the early years provision

Records and documentation are maintained in suitable order and provide information relevant to the general care and welfare of children. For example, their emergency contact numbers, individual preferences and personal routines. However, this does not include prior written permission to administer medication. The childminder shares information through discussion with parents on a regular basis. She displays relevant information, such as certificates and has started to work on observation and assessment files. Parents are kept informed of children’s activities and routines both verbally or written.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality and diversity in her practice to ensure children have a good understanding of the way other people live. Resources are of good quality and are mostly stored within easy reach of the children. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure learning programmes are used to enhance children's development. Parents provide positive feedback and are complimentary about the care their children receive. Continuity of care for the children is enhanced, as the childminder develops positive links with the other provisions that the children attend. Most of the previous inspection recommendations have been completed, resulting in improvements to health and safety for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, relaxed and settled in the childminder's home. They enjoy a warm relationship with the childminder, who interacts well with them. They sit on her knee, whilst she reads them a story, she responds positively to their questions, which ensures they feel valued. Children learn about a healthy lifestyle, they have regular opportunities to be active and to develop good coordination skills, as they use large equipment in the nearby park. Children read books and play with cars and child-size kitchen implements. They sing happily to the 'Wheels on the bus'.

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and outcomes for children

Children make steady progress towards the early learning goals in relation to their capabilities, because the childminder knows them well and provides activities to build on their interests and curiosity. This promotes a personalised approach in learning through play. The childminder is aware of the six areas of learning. She uses a basic format for logging what activities children have participated in during the day, but she does not make meaningful observations of each child's achievements or match them to the expectations of the early learning goals. This impacts on the planning for children's progress to the next steps in their development.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s health is promoted to some degree because most hygiene practices reduce the risk of cross contamination. Surfaces, toys and equipment are kept clean and children independently use hand washing facilities. However, children are not encouraged to use tissues or to wash their hands when they sneeze, which impacts on their well-being. The childminder provides healthy, home cooked meals This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 using fresh ingredients and provides fruit for snacks. Children have access to drinking water at all times, to enable them to satisfy their thirst when needed. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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