Phillips, Deborah

Inspection report for early years provision

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308606 Unique Reference Number 11 May 2006 Inspection date Gillian Patricia Bishop Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 1997. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 11 and 8 years old in the Whitworth area of Rochdale. The home is situated close the Healey Dell, local shops and schools. All rooms within the home are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children under 5 years old during the day, and two children over 5 years old on a before school basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local toddler groups two mornings per week.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn good hygiene practices within everyday routines for hand washing and personal care. They learn to wash their hands before eating and take care of their teeth by regular cleaning, and by eating healthy food. The childminder's procedure for poorly children reflects their best interests and reduces the risk of cross-infection. Children's good health is further promoted by the good consideration the childminder gives to protecting children from the sun.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a good healthy eating policy within the household as they are provided with nutritious snacks, such as fruit, as an alternative to sweet treats. Children develop good social skills as they understand that they must sit down when eating and drinking. Drinks are made available throughout the day so that children can keep themselves independently refreshed. Younger children are encouraged to develop their self help skills as they are provided with their own cutlery so that they can attempt to feed themselves.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air. They frequently go on nature walks and visit local parks. They are provided with a suitable selection of outdoor toys, such as bikes, see-saw and play tent, which they play with in the childminders garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in clean and tidy environment where positive steps have been taken to promote their safety and welfare. The premises are secure and further protected by an internal buzzer system, which alerts the childminder if anybody enters the home. Children are learning to keep themselves safe as a consequence of discussion and rules. Young children know that they must hold hands or wear reins when away from the home and they receive gentle reminders about picking up toys so that they do not trip. Older children are sensitively introduced to issues, such as stranger danger, and they are well versed with the routines for emergency evacuation, which ensures that they remain calm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are provided with a selection of good quality toys and equipment, which offers suitable challenge and interest. Toys are stored appropriately around the room to encourage children to make independent choices about what they want to do. The childminder ensures that equipment is safe, clean and suitable for use because she undertakes routine checks before they are used.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures children's welfare by effective record keeping for accidents and injuries. She demonstrates a secure understanding of local child protection procedures, and she has relevant guidance materials and agency contact numbers to refer to.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and very settled in the childminder's home, they have good relationships with her and they gain a sense of achievement from her praise and encouragement. Children benefit from familiar routines for rest, play and food, which reflect their individual needs. A daily activity sheet is successfully used to record children's activities and eating habits. The record also includes a section to describe 'What have I done for myself?' in order to promote a daily aspect of independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are well occupied in a good range of activities, which successfully promote their development and interests. Younger children are encouraged to use language and repeat new words when they are asked to talk about what they are doing. Children are stimulated by questions, such as 'What sound does the dog make and what colour is the car?'. Children's interest in books is well fostered due to the regularity of story times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's enthusiasm to learn through play is encouraged by the childminder who spends time talking and playing alongside them. Children are encouraged to explore, which ensures that they show curiosity in how things work and the sounds and actions that toys make; for example, when playing with a toy vacuum cleaner. The childminder is keen to further develop the range of play experiences for younger children, but she has not yet begun to implement the Birth to three matters framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children receive a warm welcome, which helps them to settle quickly and develop a strong sense of belonging. They move around the home with familiarity making decisions about what they want to do. Children develop good relationships with the childminder due to the clear direction and support that they receive. Children's individual needs are well known as a consequence of effective communication systems and through observations of their progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's knowledge of the wider world is supported through positive images of others in their toys and books. They learn about the natural environment during nature walks and they explore issues of race, culture and disability during discussions and activities. Children are compiling a picture scrap book about people from various nationalities showing traditional dress and life styles; this promotes children's respect and acceptance of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to show care and concern for others by helping and playing in harmony. Behavioural expectations within the setting are good as children receive consistent messages about what is expected of them. As a consequence, young children are learning to cooperate by sharing and taking turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed good communication systems with parents, which ensures consistency and clear expectations with regard to meeting children's needs. Parents are involved in all aspects of care as they receive written and verbal information about their child's activities and welfare. Relevant documentation is displayed for parents to view and they are provided

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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 with many written policies that outline childminding practices, however, a system for recording parental complaints has not yet been developed.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has completed a relevant first aid training course and she demonstrates a commitment to seek further training in order to extend the range and quality of activities provided for all children. Policies and procedures work in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment and their ability to make a positive contribution.

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Organisation

Minded children are considered to be 'part of the family'. They benefit from the support and reassurance of their carer, which encourages them to actively seek her company for cuddles or comfort. The daily routines for activities, eating and rest create a sense of familiarity and security, which children respond positively to.

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Organisation

Most aspects of documentation are in place with the exception of a complaints record and parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment. Individual files for children's information ensures good confidentiality practices when sharing details with parents. Records are reviewed appropriately so they remain updated.

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Organisation

Overall, children are well cared for and their individual needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was required to increase her knowledge of child protection procedures and develop activities to widen children's understanding of diversity. Children's protection and welfare is now ensured as the childminder has increased her knowledge of local Area Child Protection Committee procedures and she has relevant guidance material for reference. The childminder has a suitable range of toys and resources that promote positive images of others, as they introduce children to issues such as religion, disability and culture. Children benefit from ongoing activities, such as making picture scrapbooks, which celebrate a variety of nationalities and their life styles.

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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 complaint 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 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): • further develop the range of activities provided for younger children, for example, by using the Birth to three matters framework • further develop the range of documentation by devising a complaints record for parents and by seeking written consent to seek emergency medical treatment.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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