Childminder in Salford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 307373 Inspection date 14 June 2005 Inspector Verlyn Ulanda Blake

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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 1998. She lives with her husband who is also a registered childminder and has been since 2001. They have two children aged 16 and 11 years. The family live in the Cadishead, Irlam area of Greater Manchester. They live within walking distance of a library, shopping area and schools. All of the ground floor of the premises are registered and all rooms on the first floor excluding the main bedroom and second bedroom to the front of the property. There is a fully enclosed rear 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 offers occasional overnight care for two children under eight years. There are six children on the register. The childminder is a qualified Nursery Nurse (NNEB) and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder has a good knowledge of and exercises effective health and hygiene practices, such as washing her hands after changing the babies nappy to prevent the spread of germs. Children know that they wash their hands before and after meals and at other times during the day. Children rest and sleep according to their individual needs and routines. Children are well nourished. They enjoy a freshly prepared home cooked tea each day and a range of fresh fruit and vegetables. They benefit from a relaxed social mealtime routine where the serving bowls are placed on the table and each child serves themselves. Children of different ages sit together for mealtimes, as a result they acquire new skills, have well developed table manners and learn to think about their own needs and consider the needs of others. Children have regular drinks and water throughout the day. Children's individual health and dietary needs are met as

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Helping children to be healthy

the childminder works well with parents. Children enjoy physical activity. They play in the back garden where they get plenty of fresh air and exercise. They access large climbing equipment such as a slide, see saw and swings developing their large muscles. They go to the parks regularly as there are three nearby. They play with the fixed equipment in the park and a range of bats and balls and other resources developing their small muscles skills, strength and co-ordination.

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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 warm, welcoming, safe and secure environment. They have sufficient space, furniture and equipment that allows them to play in comfort. The layout of the furniture in the lounge enables children to move about confidently, freely and independently exploring their surroundings and making choices about their play. Children are clearly happy, relaxed and settled within the childminders care. Children play with an extensive range of high quality indoor and outdoor resources and play materials, which are safe and suitable for the varying needs, ages and abilities of the children. Toys and resources are regularly replenished, providing sufficient challenge and stimulation for children.

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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 kept safe on the premises through the close supervision and effective safety measures in place such as stairgates, fireguards and smoke alarms which contribute to children's safety. Children are kept safe on outings as the vehicle in which they are transported has the appropriate car seats and restraints in place. Children's knowledge of road safety is developed through discussion. In the home children learn to keep themselves and others safe by putting toys away after use and making sure that babies do not have access to toys which may cause harm to them. Children are protected because the childminder understands her role and has a working knowledge of child protection issues and is able to put the procedure into practice when necessary. The childminder is proactive in ensuring that adults on the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

premises who have regular access to the children are suitably vetted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop confidence and self-esteem as they initiate their own play setting their own challenges, such as a child who enjoys putting pieces into the ark shape sorter and emptying it saying 'yeh' and laughing. Children show interest in what they do and imitate what adults do. A young child is given a drink, she takes a sip then goes into the kitchen to find a bottle for the baby doll, when she finds it she brings it into the lounge where she proceeds to feed the baby doll laughing as she feeds her. Children are clearly relaxed and contented in the childminders care. Children acquire new knowledge and skills as they engage in role play with the childminder and their adult son. Children have lots of fun pretending to be the doctor, giving the childminders son an injection, giving him medicine and listening to his heart beat. The adults happily engage with children making suggestions to make the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

play more interesting and exciting such as banging on the stethoscope to make the sound of the heart beat. Children build positive relationships with all members of the family and with the other minded children often asking for their peers who are absent. Children have their individual needs met as the childminder engages with children using resources that bring children onto their next stages of development. The childminder skilfully uses the animals from the game that the child has chosen to help to develop her language skills and speech.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for by the childminder who works effectively with parents to meet their individual needs. Children benefit from the regular exchange of information with parents which promotes continuity of care and understanding of each child. Children are treated as individuals and their interests and stages of development are taken into consideration when the childminder plans and organises activities.

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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 a toddler group four mornings a week where they mix with children of similar and different ages and children from a range of different backgrounds, so they are learning and developing all the time. Children become aware of wider society through discussion and the range of resources in place which promotes a positive view of the wider world and raises children's awareness of diversity and the beliefs of others. Children feel a sense of belonging at the childminders home and know where to find all the resources that they want to play with accessing them independently. Children have a developing awareness of responsible behaviour and know the boundaries that are in place, responding to the verbal and non verbal requests made by the childminder. Children work harmoniously with others as they share toys and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

resources making choices and taking decisions, developing their self-esteem and respect for others.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a well organised environment. All registered areas of the premises are well used to promote children's skills and abilities. Toys and resources are well organised, stored safely and rotated on a regular basis to maintain stimulation. All toys are accessible to children which encourages them to make choices. Children's progress and routines are discussed with parents along with any changes ensuring that all care provided for children is up to date. The childminder has completed first aid training in the past and is aware of the action to be taken in the event of an accident or emergency, however her first aid certificate has now expired. Children's daily attendance registers are in place, policies and procedures work well in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. As a result the provision

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Organisation

meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous Children Act inspection recommended that the childminder extend the good range of baby toys and resources provided particularly reflecting the female gender and to obtain permission from parents for transporting children in a vehicle. Very good progress has been made. A wide range of resources have been purchased that are suitable for the younger aged children, particularly reflecting the female gender and permission has been obtained from parents for transporting children in a vehicle. Children have access to a wider range of resources suitable to their age and stage of development and they are cared for with accordance to parents wishes.

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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 There are no complaints to report.

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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): • Complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young 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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