Childminder in SalfordOfsted inspection, 31 Jan 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 504898 Inspection date 31 January 2006 Inspector Susan Janet Lee

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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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 10 and 14 in a terraced property in Farnworth, Bolton. The lounge, kitchen and dining area on the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden available for outdoor play. The family have a cat as a pet. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently caring for two children. She is able to take and collect

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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 children from the local primary school and she is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very well maintained home setting. The childminder exercises good hygiene practices to prevent the risk of cross-infection. For example, she wipes work surfaces, wipes children's noses as needed and follows good standards of hygiene in nappy changing routines to protect very young children. Older children develop an awareness of personal care routines as they wash their hands at appropriate times of the day. Effective arrangements are in place in relation to the care of pets. The childminder has a sick children's policy which she discusses with parents and she has a secure understanding of childhood illnesses and exclusion periods to help protect children from infection. The childminder works in accordance to parent's wishes regarding the provision of food and drink. Children's health is promoted by a nutritious and well balanced diet which includes home cooked meals and fruit and vegetables to aid children's growth

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Helping children to be healthy

and development. For example, meals include roast dinners and pasta and rice dishes, and snacks include different varieties of fruit and breadsticks. Meal times are relaxed, social occasions. The childminder sits at the side of the baby in his high chair and feeds him at his own pace; chatting to the baby as he eats his lunch. The childminder has attended training in relation to promoting opportunities for physical play for children and she has a clear awareness of the importance of the benefits of this in relation to children's good health. Children have opportunities to enjoy and develop physical skills and activities through regular play in the garden and trips to the park. Very young children are able to move around freely and practice and develop their large physical skills such as sitting, crawling and rolling.

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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 and homely environment which is of an appropriate temperature. There is a good selection of furniture and equipment available to allow babies and older children to play, rest and eat in comfort. The childminder provides a wide and varied range of resources to meet the needs of the children being cared for. Toys are stored in boxes and cupboards at child height enabling children to access toys of their choice to extend their play, initiate their own ideas and develop independence skills. The childminder checks and cleans resources regularly to minimise risks to children. Resources and equipment are safe, of good quality and suitably designed. The childminder has a good awareness of safety and has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that the environment in which children are cared for is safe and secure.

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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 The childminder protects very young children from danger as she supervises them closely and guides them by using age appropriate explanation and distraction techniques. Older children are well supervised enabling them to play safely and independently. Children develop an awareness of safety as they are aware of house rules; for example, not to go near the cooker when it is being used. The childminder keeps children safe on outings as she takes all necessary precautions. For example, she takes a first aid kit, children's contact details and a mobile telephone with her to cover any eventualities. The childminder has a written emergency evacuation procedure; however, this has not been practiced with minded children and as a result they are not aware of what to do in the event of an emergency, such as a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has attended additional training in relation to child protection. She has all the required documentation in place and a good understanding of child protection matters and procedures; ensuring that children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children have access to a wide range of age appropriate resources and play opportunities. They also benefit from activities outside the home as the childminder utilises local amenities, such as childminder drop-in sessions, trips to the library and the park, and trips to places of interest, such as the museum; helping to widen children's experiences and give them opportunities to socialise with their peers. Very young children have access to toys that are colourful, tactile and that make sounds to promote their sensory development. For example, a baby plays with soft toys, rattles, books, cause and effect toys and musical instruments. He is able to explore and investigate play materials as he turns the wheels of a train round and round and then presses the buttons and waits to see what happens. The childminder knows the children well and is attentive to their individual needs and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

routines. She dedicates time playing and talking to the children and gives them lots of individual attention. The children share warm relationships with the childminder and are happy and settled in her care. The childminder offers lots of positive physical contact by means of hugs and cuddles and the children respond by returning the gestures which they experience. For example, the childminder bottle feeds a baby. He nestles into her chest as he feeds and strokes her chin with his fingers looking intently into her eyes. The childminder nurtures baby's attempts to communicate as she listens and responds to their gestures, facial expressions and playful sounds. She echoes children’s babbles, introduces new words and sings nursery rhymes; helping to develop early speech patterns and communication skills. The childminder has a secure understanding of the children's development and uses play activities to encourage them onto the next stage. For example, a very young

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

child has recently begun to crawl; the childminder takes a toy she knows he likes and moves it a little further away from him. The child moves onto his front and crawls nearer to the toy so that he can reach it.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Trips to local amenities help children to develop an awareness of their local community. The childminder gathers information from parent's about their children's individual needs and routines to be in a position to best meet these needs. The childminder has a written behaviour management policy which she shows and discusses with parents to ensure agreement and consistency. She sets a good role model example to the children as she treats them with care, concern and respect. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements; helping to raise their confidence and self-esteem. For example, a baby knocks a tower of bricks over; the childminder says "hooray, clever boy", the child smiles in response and claps his hands. The children develop a good sense of belonging. They enter the home with ease and are happy to leave their parents on arrival. Children benefit from routines which are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

consistent with their experiences at home. Baby's routines are followed with regard to sleep and meal routines providing a secure and familiar environment. The childminder has developed a portfolio which includes written policies and procedures. This is shown and discussed with parents at the initial meeting to help forge good working relationships and a shared understanding form an early stage. The childminder greets parents warmly when they arrive and chats to them about their children's activities at home; helping to build trusting three-way relationships.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has regard for children's wellbeing as she attends training to further develop her childcare practice. She has a valid first aid certificate ensuring that she has up-to-date knowledge of what to do in the event of an accident or minor injury. The record of children's attendance shows that ratios are maintained to positively promote children's care. The childminder organises space, time and resources well to effectively meet children's needs. For example, the open-plan home setting is well organised to accommodate different activities. The childminder has written policies and procedures which work well in practice to promote children's health, safety and welfare. Most documentation is in place. The childminder maintains individual children's records to ensure confidentiality. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were agreed in relation to documentation

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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 and resources that reflect diversity. The childminder has improved documentation as she ensures that entries in the accident records are signed by parents and the children's times of attendance are recorded in the daily register. The children now have access to a small range of resources that reflect diversity; helping to raise their awareness of the world around them.

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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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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): • practice emergency evacuation procedures with minded children • develop a system to record complaints.

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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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