Pearl, Angela

Inspection report for early years provision

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307369 Unique Reference Number 08 July 2005 Inspection date Verlyn Ulanda Blake 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 the 4th of August 1999. She lives with her husband and son aged 3 years. The family live in a property in the area of Greater Manchester. The property is located close to a park, library, parent and toddler group, playgroups and schools. The whole of the ground floor, first floor and loft are used for minding purposes.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are fully enclosed front and rear gardens available for outdoor play. There are four children on register, all of whom attend over several sessions throughout the week. The family have two cats. The childminder has a National Nursery Examination Board certificate (NNEB) she is also registered for sponsored childminding. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. All children have their health and dietary needs met. This is because the childminder works well with parents to ensure that she receives sufficient information to enable her to meet children's needs with accordance to their wishes, such as knowing when children are due for their next bottles or meals. All children are provided with regular drinks and food in good quantity, in order to meet their individual needs. Careful consideration is given to dietary and specific needs. Meals are healthy and nutritious.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy as the childminder follows good health and hygiene guidelines. Older children wash their hands at the appropriate times of the day. The baby changing routine is thorough. The childminder uses anti bacterial sprays to wipe down the changing mat and work-tops. She washes her hands after changing the baby. Young babies have their hands wiped with wet wipes before they are given a drink of water. Each child has their own bedding. The practices used reduce the spread of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

All children have regular opportunities to engage in physical activity. They have access to a large front garden with a range of fixed equipment, such as a swing, slide, sand pit, bats, balls, trikes, two and three wheeled toys. Babies access a baby gym. This allows all children to develop good control and coordination over their bodies. Children enjoy being able to take part in active and more restful play.

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Helping children to be healthy

All children rest according to their respective needs in keeping with their individual routines. Children enjoy a close, warm supportive relationship with the childminder as she holds them in her arms, giving them lots of cuddles, hugs and attention. The childminder has a flexible routine which allows children to pursue their interest, such as choosing their own resources by reaching out for them, or selecting items from the range that is attractively arranged and accessible to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children have a good sense of belonging within the setting. They are warmly greeted and a range of their art-work is on display. They settle quickly and are clearly contented in the care of the childminder. All children have choice in an environment kept safe by the childminder, who has a good recognition of the need for a balance between freedom and safe limits. Therefore careful planning is done to make sure that all children can engage in activities of their choice whilst keeping younger children safe from items that could be hazardous to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in premises which are maintained to a high level of cleanliness, repair and decoration. Children move around confidently, with space organised effectively to promote their growing independence indoors and outdoors. All children play with a very wide range of resources which are safe, durable and conform to safety standards. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised as the childminder completes thorough risk assessments on a daily basis.

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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 She is extremely vigilant about children's safety and supervision, as demonstrated by making regular checks on sleeping children with the use of baby monitors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety and protection is assured with the childminder's knowledge of indicators of abuse. She has a clear understanding of what to do in the event of identifying a concern. All children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted through the effective recording procedures in place. For example, procedures for collecting children and parent consent forms are updated and reviewed regularly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Very young children respond positively to the sound of the childminder's voice. They respond by kicking their feet and waving their hands with excitement. They clearly enjoy the positive interaction with the childminder who is constantly talking to them and asking them questions. Children make choices and become increasingly aware of others in the room, following them with their eyes and observing features within the environment. Children show a caring attitude to others as older children show the babies what they have made or what they are playing with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children of different ages have their varying needs met as the childminder provides an environment which is conducive to effective learning. For example older children play team games, build with construction materials and play with puzzles with eight pieces, whilst the babies play with a range of manufactured toy with bright colours and sounds which they explore with interest. However, the range of natural materials to stimulate their sensory development is limited.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies early communication skills are supported well as the childminder sings songs and rhymes, such as 'the wheels on the bus'. She also shows them visual representations, reinforcing early speech patterns. The childminder maintains good eye contact and gives lots of warm smiles to engage the children. The nurturing environment and close, caring relationships helps to develop a sense of trust and security for all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern and their specific needs are met because the childminder knows individual children well. She responds quickly and appropriately to children when they are tired, happy, thirsty or hungry. Effective working relationships with parents results in a good understanding of children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities and recently attended additional training. She uses the knowledge gained to consolidate and improve her practices. She continually develops the resources which reflect positive images and plans a range of festival celebrations, such as Chinese New Year. As a part of their daily play, children access a good range of quality resources and opportunities that raise their awareness and understanding of the immediate and wider world.

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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 Children attend toddler groups where they mix with children of different ages and abilities and develop their social skills. Children are very well behaved. Their contributions and achievements are valued and rewarded by the childminder, who gives them ongoing praise and encouragement, resulting in raised self esteem and confidence. They learn about boundaries and expectations, through the age appropriate explanations given by the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children thrive, learn and play in a home where effective use is made of all registered areas. The childminder has very good organisational skills. Children benefit from the informal planning completed by the childminder, who plans her days and activities in advance to ensure that children access a wide range of play experiences inside and outside of the home. The childminder shows good commitment to broadening her knowledge and skills in childcare and, as such, has attended over seven course since the beginning of the year.

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Organisation

The well organised documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are in place and reviewed on a regular basis. The childminder has positive relationships with parents and the very useful exchange of two way information impacts on the overall care afforded to children. The policies and procedures in place work well in practice to promote children's health, safety and ability to make good progress at their own pace. The needs of the range of children are well met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous Children Act inspection recommended that the childminder develop children's access to toys and equipment and improve fire safety precautions by maintaining the smoke alarm on the ground floor in working order.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made good improvements. Toys and resources are now stored around the dining room. The childminder has purchased accessible storage containers that children can easily move from one area of the house to another. Children can now access toys and resources independently and make choices about what they play with.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Smoke alarms are positioned on each level of the premises. They are maintained in good working order which enhances children's safety.

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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

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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 a range of natural resources developing young children's sensory experiences

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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

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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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