Childminder in Trafford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY312116 Inspection date 27 February 2006 Inspector Lynda, Margaret Ronan

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 15,13 and 10 in Brooklands, a suburb of Greater Manchester. The ground floor of the childminder’s house with the exception of the front lounge is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local park.

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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 is registered to care for 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 3 children all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well settled and happy in the setting as their emotional needs are well met. The childminder builds strong relationships with them, talking and laughing with them. As a consequence, toddlers enter the setting confidently, arms outstretched for a cuddle from the childminder. The children are healthy and strong; this is because the childminder encourages them to follow a healthy lifestyle. Children walk to local schools on a daily basis and regularly visit parks and local toddler groups where they practise balancing and climbing skills. The childminder recognises very young children's enjoyment of practising walking. She gives them good opportunities to do so. A wholesome diet of mainly home-prepared fresh foods and avoidance of processed foods successfully supports children's physical growth and well-being. The childminder gathers detailed information about parental wishes, children's

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Helping children to be healthy

preferences and any allergies they may have. She shares a menu with parents. The childminder has a good knowledge of, and interest in, food values and current issues and assiduously reads labels to monitor such things as E-numbers and fat and sugar content. Children learn to make healthy choices by being involved in the preparation of food, such as pizza and discussing the toppings they are using. Children are protected from germs and infection through good hygiene routines. Children learn the importance of such routines through discussion and involvement. For example, the children do this by helping to clean the table before and after meals. The childminder gives good attention to minimising the spread of germs in other ways, such as ensuring children's noses are wiped and tissues disposed of correctly. She also adheres to a sick child policy she shares with parents. The children who become sick or have an accident are well cared for because the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder has a first aid qualification. She communicates well with parents to gather good information about health matters and agrees with them in detail what she must do in the case of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe as the childminder supervises them very closely to minimise risks. This includes holding a toddler's hand to help them off some furniture and explains calmly why they should not climb on it and insists young children hold her hand whilst walking outside.

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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 has conducted an effective risk assessment of her premises and taken remedial action where necessary, such as moving the lock on the toilet door and complying with fire precautions required in the National Childminding Standards. She has a good awareness that risk assessment is a continuous and ongoing process and describes assessing the rooms, which the children access on a daily basis. She also raises children's awareness of risk to help them become aware and appropriately responsible for their own safety. For example, the provision of metallic markers for the edge of steps to make children aware of a possible danger. The children have good space to pursue their interests and needs. Children are able to sleep quietly whilst others play, access their toys independently and freely move

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

around the ground floor of the home. The good range of well maintained indoor toys and equipment meets the needs of the children currently attending very well. The children are interested and stimulated by the toys available to them. The toys are organised effectively to support children to access them independently and to extend their play. Children are well protected because the childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures and has comprehensive information which she shares with parents, including her own written child protection procedure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are absorbed, motivated and interested by the activities made available to them. The childminder actively promotes their independence by involving them in the choice of activity and ensuring that the activities offer appropriate challenge. The childminder instinctively understands how children learn. She encourages them to copy her use of a tambourine shaking it high and low. She plays the piano for them to sing and dance to and talks with them, all of which contribute to their listening and language skills. Toddlers explore their senses feeling, smelling and examining an exciting variety of textures, shapes and smells in a treasure bucket. Toddlers are very vocal and observant because they are constantly talked to by the childminder who invites them to join in her running commentary on the wheels turning on the bus, the passing cars and plants growing in the garden. She places an

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

emphasis on listening skills, as well as talking, thus successfully supporting toddlers to gain language. The children clearly enunciate words and have a growing vocabulary. Children learn through practical hands-on experiences; their dexterity improves using a variety of household implements, craft materials and musical instruments. For example, children learn to recognise colour whilst modelling with different coloured play dough. The children consolidate their learning because the childminder makes time for them to revisit and practise newly acquired skills. Toddlers and the childminder take delight in practising negotiating the step whilst others 'read' their favourite book to the

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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 childminder word for word. The children turn the page at just the right point. The childminder knows the children very well. She is able to describe their abilities, interests and skills in detail and provides resources and activities based firmly on what children are interested in. Her emphasis on planning to move children to the next stage in their learning is less consistent.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very well behaved. The childminder praises children and is calm in her approach to the children, providing them with clear consistent boundaries and manages behaviour in a way that is appropriate to their age and stage of development. She skilfully distracts young children from inappropriate behaviour by starting to play a musical instrument and singing. They are quick to stop what they are doing and join in the singing. The childminder has developed house rules for older children. She does this with their input, sharing the decisions about the behaviour management policy with the parents. The childminder has signed the National Childminding Associations behaviour management code. She shares this code with parents. The childminder is committed to working effectively with parents and to good communication. She is diligent in seeking information from parents about what their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

child is like. The childminder provides them with comprehensive information about every aspect of her service and their child's time with her, including photographs of activities. As a consequence, the children receive consistent care. The childminder has a good induction system for new children and parents and has devised a checklist under each of the National Standards to inform parents what they should expect of her. She knows each child as an individual and gives priority to meeting their needs. For example, she ensures the toys that are put out each day effectively meet their developmental needs. The childminder strives in making the toys attractive to children. Children learn about the world we live in through practical experience. They eat Chinese food at Chinese New Year; dress up in saris from the dressing up box and listen to music from different cultures. Children do not learn as effectively about

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children and their families are warmly welcomed by the childminder who opens her home to them, displaying photographs of the children on the walls and displaying their work in the conservatory. She provides children with specific space to store their own belongings. Children are independently able to engage in a wide range of activities, as space and

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 resources are very well organised. This helps in meeting the different needs of different age groups and the different interests of children. Older children are able to access more complex craft materials and work at a large kitchen table whilst toddlers use large crayons at the small table in the conservatory, both being supervised by the childminder. The childminder has a commitment to good child-adult ratios to enable her to give individual attention to children. The childminder has ensured that all required qualifications are current. For example, a first aid qualification; she is also committed to enrol in further child care courses. Children benefit from her commitment to an effective dialogue. Parents play a part in comprehensive, accurate and well kept documentation. This informs the childminder

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Organisation

of parents' wishes and the children's needs. All parents have access to this service. Overall, the needs of children attending are met.

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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 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): • provide resources that help to support children to form positive images of different religions and of disability • ensure plans clearly focus on moving children to the next stage in their learning, for example, by using the Birth to three matters framework.

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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 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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