Childminder in BuryOfsted inspection, 2 Feb 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY235076 Inspection date 02 February 2006 Inspector (Kate) Kathryn, Jane Ryder

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged 3 and 10 years. They live in a house in an area of Bury. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder cares for a maximum of five children under 8 years of age, and currently there are five children on-roll who attend on various days and for varied hours.

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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 She regularly takes the children out to places of interest, including the swimming baths, toddler group and wacky warehouse. She frequently uses her vehicle to transport the children. The childminder has an Early Years qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing some understanding about their personal hygiene and physical care through the childminders daily routines. However, they are not always encouraged to wash their hands after visiting the bathroom. This compromises children's health. Children's wellbeing is protected by the childminders effective health and safety policies. She has a clear procedure for poorly children, which reduces the risk of cross-infection. Parents are well informed about her medication policy. She is proactive in seeking medical advice for the administration of some medicines. Children are well rested as the childminder provides a comfortable place for them to sleep in line with their individual routines. A travel cot is provided for babies and large comfortable beanbags are available for older children. Children have separate bed-linen which is stored in their own pump-bag. This practice means children are

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Helping children to be healthy

well protected from infection. Children benefit from regular opportunities to take exercise. They frequently play in the garden and park and have weekly visits to a soft-play gym where they learn new physical skills. Children are well nourished through a wide range of balanced meals and snacks. The childminder pays particular attention to ensuring that the majority of meals are home cooked. She often pre-prepares meals the previous evening so that she gives children her full attention. However, greater care must be given to safe food storage and exposed jugs of juice. The risk of contamination compromises children's health. Children sit down at the table together when eating. This ensures that they develop good social skills from an early age.

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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 child-centred home. It has a designated playroom with an adjacent toilet. There is a wide range of furniture and equipment available to allow children to play, rest and eat in comfort. There is an extensive range of good quality resources to meet the needs of the children being cared for. Effective storage enables children to self-select and make choices about their play. The coat-pegs at child height enhance children's sense of belonging. The childminder provides a very safe environment where risks have been effectively identified and minimised, both inside the house and on outings. This includes a

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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 password system if an adult rather than the parent is collecting. Parental consent is obtained prior to children playing on the garden trampoline. A clear emergency evacuation plan is discussed and protects children well. However, a loose hanging alarm cable compromises children's safety. The childminder takes all reasonable steps to keep children safe whilst travelling in her car. She has all relevant documentation in place, including parental permission. She has attended training about safe in-car restraint. She helps children to keep themselves safe whilst a passenger in the car. For example, they must always wear their seat belts, stay close to her side when getting in or out of the car and always be on the pavement side. Through attending child protection training, the childminder has developed a level of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

knowledge that ensures children are well protected and kept safe. She has a clear understanding about her role in the procedures and has all the required guidance in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and confident in the childminder's home. They have developed strong relationships with their carer and other minded children. The childminder is very sensitive to individual needs and has attended training to develop her understanding about meeting specific emotional development. She frequently provides praise which encourages children to actively seek support and cuddles and raises their confidence. Children move freely around the home choosing to play in the playroom or the lounge. They select their own resources and make decisions about what they want to play with. They explore toys with interest and begin to acquire new knowledge and skills about how things work. For example, using hammers and screwdrivers on a tool bench. They have daily opportunities to develop their creative skills and enjoy making collage pictures. Young children join in the activities, and as a result, develop

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their social, imaginative and creative skills. Children spend periods of time on one task. For example, they enjoy gluing magic-maze shapes onto paper. They choose different coloured shapes and make their own patterns. The childminder has developed a resource file that helps her to plan activities for the children. Photographic evidence shows children engaged in a very broad range of activities. For example, mark-making, dressing-up, construction and outdoor play. She organises a variety of educational trips for school-aged children. Recently they have visited the Science and Industry Museum and Jodrell Bank. Children benefit from these varied and stimulating activities. They promote their all round development and widen their knowledge of the world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have regular opportunities to learn about other lifestyles and traditions.

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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 Creative activities are planned to focus on cultural differences and celebrate festivals. For example, children are currently involved in food tasting and making dog puppets to reflect Chinese New Year. However, their knowledge of the wider world is minimised through the small amount of anti-discriminatory toys. Children benefit from an inclusive play environment where they are involved in making choices about what they want to do. Children's individual needs are well known through regular information sharing with parents. The childminder has taken positive steps to ensure that she has a clear understanding of the children that she cares for with additional needs. For example, she has attended training and liaises with a district nurse. The childminder manages children's behaviour with age-appropriate strategies. She

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Helping children make a positive contribution

treats children with individual care and respect. The childminder helps them to learn to show concern for others. For example, she helps children to learn to share and take turns. The childminder celebrates children's efforts and achievements, enabling them to develop their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder has developed an operational plan of all her written policies and procedures. This is shown to parents and discussed at initial meetings; helping to forge good working relationships from an early stage. The childminder gathers detailed information, enabling her to be in a position to best meet children's needs. She shares information with parents on a daily basis to keep them informed about their children's activities and progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's individual needs are well cared for due to the childminders knowledge and understanding of good childcare practice. She values new training opportunities and has attended courses to widen her knowledge and support her work with children. Her written policies and procedures work in practice to promote children's all round development. The childminder organises her space and resources effectively to meet the children's needs. Children move around with familiarity and confidence, and they are making very good use of the space and resources. They independently access the toys and make choices about their play. The record of attendance shows that staff-child ratios are maintained to promote children's care. Children's records are in place and kept to a good standard. Good consideration to maintaining confidentiality is given and records are kept in a locked filing cabinet. The

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Organisation

policies and procedures file is shared with parents and reflects her good practice. Overall, the needs of children attending the setting are met.

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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 At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to notify parents and obtain their written consent to cover the period of time she worked with another childminder and ensure that the playroom, converted from a garage, met safety requirements. She no longer co-minds and therefore further action is not necessary. She maintains safety standards in the playroom and as a consequence children are kept safe.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received one complaint relating to Standard 2: Organisation, Standard 11: Behaviour and Standard 14:Documentation. The complaint related to staff-child ratio's not being adhered to, behaviour management issues and maintaining an accurate record of children's attendance. Ofsted carried out an investigation on 11/04/2005. As a result 2 Actions were raised under Standards 2 and 14. The provider took appropriate action and remains qualified for registration.

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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): • ensure that pre-prepared food and jugs of juice are hygienically stored and take positive steps to encourage children to wash their hands after visiting the toilet • ensure the loose alarm cable is made safe • continue to develop toy resources which reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability.

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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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