Childminder in Trafford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 318347 Inspection date 23 November 2005 Inspector Nighat Ghani

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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 1995. She lives with her husband and 2 daughters aged 21 and 14 in a house in Stretford, convenient to several local schools, parks and shops. All of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There are 11 children on roll, who attend for a variety of sessions. With parental permission the childminder takes children to the local park, toddler groups and other places of interest. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a warm and clean home where the childminder implements good hygiene practices. However, good practice of washing hands before snack time is not followed through as children sit on the carpet where they have been walking and playing to have their snack. This increases the risk of cross infection and contamination. Babies' home routines are followed with regard to meal and sleep patterns, providing a secure and familiar environment. Positive relationships are established and babies are nurtured and comforted through appropriate cuddles, soothing words and eye contact. Consequently, babies are happy, secure and confident. The childminder discusses and agrees children's dietary requirements with parents, which safeguards children's health. Children have access to a range of healthy snacks, which contribute to their physical growth and development. Appropriate

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Helping children to be healthy

records of all accidents and medication are kept, which contributes towards children's good health. Children's health is protected by a comprehensive and effective sick policy which prevents the spread of illness. Children enjoy physical exercise through regular visits to the park where they use large equipment, which helps develop their strength and coordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well maintained and homely environment that offers space for children to explore freely and play in comfort. Children's creative work is displayed around the walls, which makes them feel valued and respected. The children are able to move around the downstairs areas as they play and have easy access to the garden, giving them choices about where they play. The children really benefit from the excellent range of good quality toys and resources. These are organised on low shelves and in cupboards so that the children can access them easily, promoting their choice and independence. The childminder uses her very good knowledge of the children's interests to adapt resources to suit the interests of the children she is caring for, and to ensure that they gain the maximum benefit and enjoyment from their play. The risk of accidental injury to children is minimised as the childminder takes

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

precautions to keep children safe and secure on and off the premises. However, a poisonous plant in the back garden is accessible to children, which poses a risk to their safety. Children are learning the importance of keeping safe as they help the childminder to tidy away toys before they bring out more.

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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 are well protected as the childminder has attended several child protection training courses and is aware of how to follow child protection procedures. She has a written policy in place, is able to recognise signs of abuse and knows whom to contact if she is concerned about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and relaxed in the company of the childminder. Children's self-esteem and confidence is growing through good support and encouragement from the childminder. For example, she encourages children to talk about what they have been doing at school. Children relate well to each other as they share and engage in dressing up the dolls and arranging the furniture in the dolls house for an extended period of time. The childminder has done her training in the Birth to three matters framework and uses this knowledge to provide appropriate activities to enhance children's development. Children are offered a good range of play experiences and activities on a regular basis which enables them to learn new skills and consolidate existing ones. They receive lots of praise for their achievements, which boosts their morale and self-confidence. The childminder uses positive language to actively encourage

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children's enjoyment, pride and manners. Children are given good opportunities to develop both large and small physical skills through a range of activities both within and away from the childminding setting. They practice climbing and balancing skills during outdoor play and their fine manipulative skills during indoor activities such as building models, completing jigsaws and dressing up dolls. Children are provided with first hand experiences as they go for walks, visit local parks and other places of interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of experiences planned by the childminder to develop their awareness of the world around them. They celebrate religious festivals such as Diwali and have the opportunity to taste food from other cultures. A range of resources, which reflect positive images of our diverse society, allow children to appreciate the world around them. The childminder understands that children with additional needs should be cared for in a sharing and inclusive environment. Children benefit from the close working relationships that the childminder has developed with their parents. The childminder provides parents with written policies and procedures which outline the basis of her service promoting children's welfare. Daily informal chats keep parents up to date with the children's routines and continuity of care. This enables the childminder to provide good quality care in

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Helping children make a positive contribution

accordance with parents wishes. Discussions with and letters from parents indicate a high level of satisfaction with the care afforded to their children.

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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 Younger children are learning how to share, take turns and play co-operatively. They gradually learn to understand and respect boundaries and what is right or wrong in a caring environment. Children are regularly offered praise and reassuring smiles from the childminder. Appropriate strategies such as distraction or negotiation are used to promote positive behaviour. Children's achievements are celebrated which promotes confidence and self-esteem.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The children benefit from being cared for by a highly motivated and well organised childminder. She regularly attends training courses to extend her knowledge and qualifications in childcare. Having recently completed training in the Birth to three matters framework she has begun to effectively implement what she has learned in her day to day practice. The childminder's home is a child friendly environment which is very effectively organised to meet the needs of the children and promote independent play and learning. The childminder has written policies and procedures which work very well in practice to ensure that children have good quality care. These are shared with parents verbally and in writing, ensuring highly effective communication and partnership. Overall the care provided meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection there were two recommendations made which were to obtain written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment and to keep records confidential. Since the last inspection the childminder has obtained written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment. This has since enhanced children's health. Regarding keeping records confidential. The childminder now keeps all the children's information in individual folders and these are kept in a drawer for easy access. By implementing this practice the children's welfare is safeguarded and confidentiality respected.

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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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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): • review snack time procedure so that good hygiene practices are maintained • make poisonous plant in the back garden inaccessible to children.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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