Childminder in SalfordOfsted inspection, 14 Nov 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 504168 Inspection date 14 November 2005 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 satisfactory. 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 November 2000. She lives with her two children aged 14 and 17 in a terraced property in Eccles, Salford. The lounge, kitchen and conservatory on the ground floor and the bathroom and two bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden available for outdoor play. The family have a pet cat. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for five children under the age of 8 years. She is able

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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 to take and collect children from the local primary school. The childminder is NNEB qualified and is a member of the National childminder association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment that is well maintained. The childminder exercises good hygiene practices. For example, she washes her hands at appropriate times, uses antibacterial spray to wipe surfaces and follows good nappy changing procedures; minimising the risk of cross infection. Children are developing an awareness of personal care routines as the childminder supports them in wiping their noses and encourages them to wash their hands at appropriate times of the day. Effective arrangements are in place regarding the care of pets. The childminder works in accordance to parent's wishes regarding the provision of food and drink. She provides snacks and meals that include fruit, home cooked meals and vegetables; helping to aid children's growth and development. Children are able to quench their thirst independently as drinks are accessible and replenished on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities to enjoy and develop their physical skills. Younger children are able to move around freely to practice their gross motor skills and they are also able to rest according to their needs. Photographic documentation shows children playing in the sand and enjoying a picnic in the garden. Trips to the park and swimming pool also contribute to children's good health and physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming environment. There is a suitable range of furniture available to allow children to play, rest and eat in comfort. The childminder provides a wide selection of resources to meet the needs of children aged from birth to 8 years. Equipment and resources are checked on a regular basis and the children are involved in helping to wash the toys; ensuring all items are safe and clean. The childminder has a good awareness of safety. All reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that the environment in which children are cared for is safe and secure. The childminder supervises the children well; enabling them to play safely and independently. Children develop an awareness of safety as the childminder explains the boundaries. For example, a child plays with a door, the childminder explains that he may trap his fingers and get hurt. She then diverts his attention to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

another play activity. The childminder has considered emergency evacuation but she has not practiced this with minded children; consequently, children are not aware of what to do in an emergency. For example, in the event of a fire.

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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 all the required documentation and an understanding of child protection matters and procedures; ensuring children's welfare is safeguarded and protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are engaged in a range of age appropriate activities. For example, books, puzzles, wooden building bricks, puppets, dolls, imaginative play materials and musical instruments. The childminder utilises local amenities such as the park, library and parent toddler group; helping to widen children's experiences and giving them opportunities to socialise with their peers. The childminder dedicates time supporting the children in their play. She sits on the same level as the children as they play and interacts with them to extend their language and encourage imaginative play. For example, a child dresses as a nurse while the childminder lies on the floor and pretends to be poorly. The child takes her temperature and listens to her chest. The childminder introduces the names of the equipment he is using such as thermometer and stethoscope and also parts of the body. The childminder offers lots of positive physical contact by means of hugs and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

cuddles. A child sits on the childminder's knee as she reads a story to him. The child nestles into the childminder and listens to the story intently. The childminder shares warm relationships with the children, who are happy and secure in her care. She has a secure understanding of individual children's physical and emotional needs and meets these very well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Trips out to local amenities help children to develop an awareness of their local community. The children develop an awareness of the wider world through the wide range of resources available which reflect diversity. The childminder encourages a positive attitude towards gender as all the children enjoy playing with all activities regardless of their gender. The childminder sets a good role model to the children. She treats them with care and respect and encourages the children to be polite. For example, a child says "what" as he did not hear the childminder when she spoke. The childminder gently corrects him and says "pardon", the child repeats this and the childminder then repeats what she had said. The childminder praises children at every opportunity for their efforts and achievements; helping to raise children's confidence and self esteem. She uses age appropriate explanation to guide children as they play. A child

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Helping children make a positive contribution

plays with a shape sorter, the childminder verbally guides the child, enabling him to successfully post the shapes in the corresponding holes. The child is very proud of

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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 his achievement. Children are developing a good sense of belonging. They move around with ease and confidence to explore their surroundings and extend their play. The childminder shows care and concern for other living creatures. For example, the children help the childminder to feed the fish and they watch with fixed interest as the fish swims around the tank. The childminder has developed a portfolio which she shows and discusses with parents at the initial meeting; helping to forge good working relationships from an early stage. The childminder shares information with parents on a daily basis to keep them informed about their children's activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The record of children's attendance shows that ratios are maintained to promote children's care. The childminder organises space, time and resources well to meet children's needs. However, she did not notify Ofsted of a significant change in relation to the building of a conservatory on the ground floor at the time it was built. The childminder's first aid certificate has expired and this compromises her ability to deal with accidents effectively. All required records that contribute to the continuity of care for minded children are 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 inspections recommendations were agreed in relation to the organisation of resources, play materials that reflect diversity and documentation. The childminder has organised resources so they are more readily accessible to children; enabling them to access toys freely of their choice. Play materials that reflect diversity have been extended; helping to raise children's awareness of the world around them. Written parental consent for transport and an incident record are now in place.

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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 on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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

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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 satisfactory. 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 • Undertake an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • notify Ofsted of significant changes in circumstances.

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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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