Childminder in Trafford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY235497 Inspection date 12 December 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 outstanding. 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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 16 and twins aged 13 years, in Urmston an area of Trafford. The whole of the ground floor and 2 bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding four children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. 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 outstanding. Excellent hygiene routines and clear explanations increase children’s understanding of the importance of washing their hands to help maintain good health. Children fully understand how germs can affect their bodies and make them ill if they do not wash hands. The childminder takes excellent steps to promote children's health, for example, by providing children with individual towels to ensure that there is no risk of cross infection. Children's health and wellbeing is further protected by childminder implementing excellent hygiene practices, such as, using different coded chopping boards and wearing an apron when preparing children's meals. A clear sick child policy is in place, which is shared with the parents to ensure them that the children are well looked after, should they become ill. Children are well protected as the childminder ensures that all parents give their consent before any

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Helping children to be healthy

creams and lotions are applied. Children are provided with excellent opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. They thoroughly enjoy playing in the garden and the local park using equipment such a climbing frame, swings, slides and ball games which promotes their co-ordination and muscular control. The childminder is very aware of healthy eating and has an excellent understanding of food nutrition, which is evident through planned menus. These are shared with the parents and adapted to accommodate individual child's dietary requirements. Children have an excellent understanding of the importance of a healthy diet. They discuss about the importance of eating different vegetables as they play shopping, cooking and serving food in the home corner. Children’s thirst is quenched by them independently accessing drinking water freely. Children’s health is promoted by use of comprehensive policies and procedures, which are shared effectively with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder maintains her home in high standard of repair and decoration where children are extremely relaxed and are confident to move about freely and safely between the play areas. An excellent range of well maintained toys and equipment stimulates children's interests and supports their learning extremely well. The childminder gives a high priority to children's safety. She carries out regular risk assessments both indoors and outdoors to ensure that risks are identified and action taken to minimise them. Children understand potential hazards and dangers, indoors and outdoors and comply with the childminder’s superb safety practices. For example, they know the importance of waiting at the kerb, where to cross the road and to stay close together during trips to the park.

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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 because the childminder has excellent knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She is fully aware of her responsibilities to safeguard children's welfare in line with Area Child Protection Committee guidelines. She has attended child protection training and devised her own procedures, which are shared with parents so that they have a clear understanding of her role.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy the time they spend with the childminder and benefit from the excellent range of inspiring and challenging activities provided to them. Strong emphasis is placed on imaginative and creative play, for example, children enthusiastically explore media and materials, such as, water, paint, sand and play dough. They are engrossed in dressing up and acting out different stories, which they have read with the childminder. Children gain excellent first hand experiences from visiting the local park and the shops. Children enjoy an excellent relationship with the childminder, their sense of fun and enjoyment is strongly encouraged, and the childminder is extremely affectionate and caring in her approach with them. As a result the children extremely happy, settled and relish their time in the childminders care. Children's individual needs and learning is exceptionally well supported and extended

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

by the childminder in all areas of their development. For example, while a younger child is sleeping the childminder devotes her time with the three year olds, talking about the weather, days of the week and the months of the year. Children are confident and can recognise and sound out the letters in their own names. The childminder knows the children very well and uses her detailed observations and expert knowledge of child development to effectively plan for the next steps in their progress. The childminder is very aware of Birth to three matters framework and has implemented this into her practice with great enthusiasm to inspire the development of the young children in her care. She provides activities which are highly stimulating and challenging, which children enjoy and benefit from.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from the comprehensive and purposeful range of interesting and age appropriate activities provided by the childminder. Children's awareness of different beliefs, cultures, abilities and disabilities are extended, through excellent resources, discussions, reference books and visits to the local library. Children's learning is reinforced by childminder helping and encouraging children to use their information collated from the library to plan and participate in different activities. This includes activities, which reflect different festivals, costumes and countries. Children are valued and respected as individuals. This is evidenced by the high levels of respect and care they show to others. They are kind, considerate and

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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 welcoming. They help each other putting on dressing up clothes and then co-operatively engage themselves in role play. They have formed close relationships with each other, as the younger ones show great excitement when they see the older children arrive from the playgroup. The childminder is very attentive to the children's individual needs and knows when they are ready for a rest or for some quiet cuddle time. Children regularly go on walks to the park, where they are encouraged to observe the environment and nature. Children are extremely well behaved supported by the childminder who works in a consistent way with all children ensuring that firm boundaries are in place that are fully understood by children of different ages. Children benefit from highly effective relationship between the parents and the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder. Parents are extremely happy with the care provided by the childminder. The childminder shares her comprehensive written policies and procedures with the parents, which ensure that they are aware of every aspect of the care their children receive. Information is exchanged at the end of each day including any messages from the playgroups, which ensures continuity of care. Although the childminder has not yet cared for children with special need she has accessed training to develop her knowledge and understanding so that she can support everybody to develop their full potential.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children thrive, learn and play in a home where effective use is made of all areas, allowing different activities to take place at the same time which are suitable for young children keeping them safe. All activities offer children good levels of stimulation and challenge. The childminder has excellent organisational skills. Children's individual needs are skilfully met by the childminder who works in flexible ways to enable individual considerations to be taken into account, as demonstrated through trips and visits planned outside of the home to coincide with the babies rest and mealtime routines. Exceptional documentation, policies and procedures are in place, copies of which are given to parents keeping them fully informed of her childcare practices. The childminder successfully uses each child’s individual record forms, which are completed in excellent detail, to inform her planning and care. She works fully in

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Organisation

accordance with parent’s wishes and children's preferences. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were raised. These were to make sure potential hazards in the home were removed, or made safe and supply parents with written information regarding Ofsted contact details and ensure information is

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Improvements 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 recorded regarding children's individual needs. The childminder has now fixed a fire guard in front of the gas fire so that it is inaccessible for the children and garden is now free of hazards. Parents are now provided with a complaint procedure which includes Ofsted details. Children's contracts and information forms now include all details relating to individual needs. All these improvements have enhanced children's safety and wellbeing.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints since the last inspection. 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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