Childminder in Bolton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY235705 Inspection date 14 March 2006 Inspector Ann Bamford

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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?

Then childminder offers care from her home in the Harwood area of Bolton. The home is close to shops, schools and other amenities. The childminder has been registered since 2003 and is a member of The National Childminding Association. She also holds a recognised qualification in early years childcare and education. Children have use of the lounge, the dining kitchen and access to a first floor bathroom. There is an outdoor play area. Care is available from 07.30 until 17.30 each weekday with the exception of bank

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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 holidays. The childminder lives with her husband and two children. The family have a cat, which is present during the time care is offered. At the time of inspection there were three children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder makes very effective use of training such as basic food hygiene to raise children's awareness of how to reduce germs. Children are starting to take responsibility for their own hygiene needs as they wash their hands independently or encourage others to do when playing imaginative games. The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of individual children's need and likes in relation to food. She uses this very well to ensure that children have a balanced diet and eat a wide variety of food. Children are developing a positive approach to eating and drinking healthily as the childminder offers praise to a child for drinking, for example, fresh apple juice. Her gentle encouragement of children to keep trying things they do not really like fosters children's positive attitudes to healthy eating. Children are developing strong healthy bodies as the childminder offers them regular

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Helping children to be healthy

opportunities for physical exercise, such as walking to school. They are also developing skills, such as pedalling a bike, as the childminder skilfully assesses and provides opportunities and encouragement for children to learn.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept very safe in the home as a result of the childminder's effective use of identifying and reducing risks. Children are developing an awareness of how to negotiate for example, stairs, in a safe manner as they follow her gentle reminders of how to negotiate them safely. She ensures there is ongoing safety as appliances, such as gas fires are checked regularly by registered service agents. The childminder's careful consideration of toys and equipment means that children are free to select toys from a range that is suitable to their stage of development. Children are developing an awareness of how to avoid injuries as the childminder involves them in tidying up when there are toys out which may cause them to trip. Older children are able to tidy away independently. Children are developing an awareness of action in the event of an emergency as the childminder practises the plan with them. Older children can describe how they would

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

exit the home in the event of a fire. In addition to this children are developing an enhanced awareness and confidence in how to deal with an unforeseen event as the

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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 childminder talks to children about strangers and how to act to keep safe. The childminder's secure knowledge of her responsibilities in protecting children and her confidence to act in the event of a concern relating to child protection issues ensures that children are fully safe in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are purposefully engaged in activities during their time spent in the setting. The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of child development. She uses this skilfully, to plan activities which develop children's skill and enjoyment. Children are free to select their own toys and equipment from a range available. The childminder plays alongside children offering them additional information, such as why builders wear helmets when drilling. She assists children's development of concentration skills by asking children, for example, what will happen when the toilet flushes. The childminder's careful observation and recording of what children can already do ensures that she asks children questions and offers them advice in order to develop specific skills and knowledge. Children are developing the ability to communicate effectively as the childminder encourages them to be aware of the likes and needs of others. Children are starting

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to play collaboratively as the childminder encourages older children to offer toys to those younger than themselves. The childminder takes an imaginative approach of what children do whist in her care. By displaying work around the home, or in attractively presented folders, she enhances children's positive attitudes towards learning. Children are becoming competent learners as they delight in doing activities which they can then put in their folder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel a sense of belonging as the childminder greets them as they arrive and they have their own space to hang their coat. They are developing an awareness of the wider world as the childminder makes use of the local library to provide books and stories which present positive images of difference. She makes effective use of the skills in her own household as children learn about the Chinese way of life or how to speak everyday words in Cantonese. Children are generally cared for in line with parents wishes. The childminder makes use of written consent for specific areas of care such as application of sun cream or outings. The childminder uses information she gathers from parents about children's needs to offer care which is individualised and, to some extent, transparent to parents. However, there is only a small amount of written information available to parents on the details of how care is offered. It does not cover how the childminder

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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 will meet individual needs when providing care. This impedes the working in partnership with parents as, in the absence of time to discuss verbally, parents will not know how every aspect of care is offered. The childminder holds an adequate knowledge of special needs. She is clear how to gather information in order to asses how she could offer care to a child who had special needs. Children are developing responsible and considerate behaviour as a result of the childminder's clear encouragement of children to consider others needs. Children of mixed ages play harmoniously together as a result of the childminder's careful planning of equipment and her regular reminders to older children to share and offer toys to younger children. Children are polite and well behaved as a result of the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

specific praise they receive from the childminder for saying please and thank you to each other.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home and her time very effectively to care for children. Her planning of care for children ensures that she balances the needs of her own family against the needs of children she cares for. The childminder takes steps to ensure that adults who are in the home are suitable to be around young children. She makes effective use of her original training to care for children and is well able to define what knowledge and skills she needs in order to develop her practise. She makes good use of records to support safe care as all records are current and easily available during the inspection. Children are developing an awareness of the need to be organised as the childminder discusses and involves them in the planning of time. Older children can make decisions about whether to use time to travel in the car or to walk. Her skilful explanation and planning help children develop an awareness of the passing of time

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Organisation

and knowledge in how to manage it. The provision meets the needs of all children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was requested to ensure that she fully understood and complied with all conditions of the registration. Since that time the childminder has increased her knowledge and understanding of her conditions of registration. She has demonstrated this understanding by applying for a variation to her certificate when she added another child to her own family. This has increased the safe care of children.

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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 Ofsted received concerns from another agency regarding National Standard 6 - Safety. These concerns were initially investigated by the other agency, then referred back to Ofsted in order that they could investigate whether national standards were being met. Ofsted investigated these concerns by carrying out an unannounced visit on 4 May 2005 and raised an action in relation to National Standard 2 and two actions in relation to National Standard 6. The provider has provided a satisfactory response to the actions raised. The provider remains qualified for registration. The setting is required to keep a record of complaints. This record may contain information on complaints other than those referred 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 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): • increase the information available for parents on how care is offered

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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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