Childminder in Bury

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY254769 Inspection date 10 June 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 2003. She lives with her family in a semi detached house in a residential area Prestwich, a suburb of Bury. Facilities within walking distance include a park, library, schools, a toddler group and a playgroup. All rooms downstairs are used for childminding except the front lounge. Toilet facilities are also provided on the ground floor. One bedroom on the upper floor is used for sleeping purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 is registered for three children and currently has five children on roll altogether. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a clean home where the childminder places a good emphasis on hygiene and routines that promote children's welfare. Pets are managed well to avoid children's health being compromised. The children's toys are cleaned frequently and the childminder ensures that the environment is suitable for the children to play in comfort. The space available is utilised very well to support children’s physical needs. Children have many good opportunities to experience outdoor life, such as playing in the garden on the swings. They go for walks in the locality each day. The children enjoy playing robust games outdoors and whilst indoors they enjoy listening to music and dancing to their favourite songs. This helps the children to exercise their large muscles, thus promoting their growth and development. The children enjoy good provision for meals, and although these are not pre-planned

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Helping children to be healthy

they are nutritious and healthy, such as cheese on toast, followed by yoghurt and fresh fruit. The children are learning to become aware of their own needs, for example helping themselves to drinks which are readily accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's needs are well met and their safety and welfare is prioritised. The childminder affords children’s safety high priority. The childminder contributes to children's safety by having all the required procedures and documentation satisfactorily in place. She identifies and minimises risks to children, through effective supervision and safe systems being in place that protect children from harm. Children are learning how to remain safe by establishing clear boundaries within the environment, for example not standing near to the swing. The children have lots of space to move around at will and have easy access to resources. They are able to select from a wide variety of play materials that are suitable, clean and well maintained. The welfare of children is safeguarded through the childminder being knowledgeable about protecting children from harm, such as through the local Child Protection

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedure. Children's needs in the event of an accident are met by the childminder

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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 having attended First Aid training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children are happy, well stimulated and enjoy an excellent range of accessible quality play materials. They use their imagination and natural creativity very well as they explore a wide variety of resources. The children's individual needs are met with an interesting and varied selection of play opportunities. such as dancing to their favourite action rhymes. The children’s needs are extremely well met by the childminder, who is very skilled and experienced. She has a very good understanding of how to promote their all round development, such as through sensory play opportunities, for example baking. The childminder monitors children's progress as they grow and develop new skills. This helps with the planning of activities that support children's learning and ensures that they are well stimulated, through purposeful play activities. Care routines are consistently followed developing children's ability to participate and make informed

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

choices and decisions. Children's language skills are effectively promoted through dialogue, songs and stories. This fosters their love of books and an interest in reading and writing is emerging. The children are learning as they play, when they are asked by the childminder to name colour and shape, and some of the young children are able to recognise and name the heart and the diamond shapes in a book.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder meets the needs of all the children extremely well. The children socialise at local groups and share equipment and resources competently. They are learning to control their behaviour, for example when taking turns and sharing their ideas. They play well together, meeting the very high expectations placed on them and their behaviour is exemplary. The children have many good opportunities to learn about the world in which they live. They are developing positive attitudes and are learning to play harmoniously and work with their peers. The children respond well to their environment. They are developing a sense of right and wrong. They are sensitive to the needs of others, for example when someone gets hurt whilst playing, they show concern and comfort one another. The children enjoy visits to local groups and to the library offering them experiences in the wider community. They are developing a good awareness of different lifestyles,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

such as learning to respect one another as individuals. Positive attitudes to inclusion are well developed. The children benefit from non stereotyped play opportunities, such as equal access to equipment. Positive attitudes to race and disability are fostered appropriately.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a well organised and effective environment. The care and development needs of the children attending are very well supported. The childminder uses robust systems to ensure the children's welfare is promoted at all times. Children's needs in the event of an accident are satisfactorily met by the childminder holding a First Aid Certificate and attending training and development opportunities regularly. Parental consent has been obtained for most eventualities. The childminder agreed to ensure that this covered all eventualities with immediate effect. Parents have access to good information about the care their children receive. This includes well maintained records, written procedures and information on the activities the children are involved in whilst in the care of the childminder. This approach enables parents to be well informed and included in their children's development and

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Organisation

learning. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children overall.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to develop the that range of toys reflecting diverse lifestyles and to extend her knowledge about equality issues. Children now have a wide range of equipment that represents the society in which we live and equality is actively promoted through play. The provider was asked to develop her understanding of the child protection procedures. The childminder demonstrated a clear understanding of the procedures, however she would like to develop this aspect further, thus safeguarding children by accessing further training in this specialist area. The provider was asked to obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children. This was due to administering topical applications for medical conditions. None of the children require this treatment, however the provider was advised that parental consent was also required for sun cream to be administered and to obtain parental consent for all eventualities.

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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

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 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): • continue to develop the already high quality procedures that are in place for the safe management of the provision, such as obtaining parental consent for all eventualities.

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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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