Childminder in Salford

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 504110 Inspection date 19 May 2005 Inspector Lynda, Margaret Ronan

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2001; on occasion she works with an assistant . The childminder lives with her two children aged eight and seven. There are seven children on roll, all three pre-school children and four school age children, except one, are part time placements. The family live in a detached house in a residential area of Swinton, close to local parks and amenities. The whole of the ground floor of the property and the children's bedrooms are used for childminding. There are fully enclosed gardens to the front and rear available for outside play. The rear garden contains a covered pond.

p.2

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 The childminder helps to organise a carer and toddler group for minded children and attends this group twice a week. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are very secure, they receive continuity of care, following the same sleeping and eating patterns as they do at home. They enjoy a warm and caring environment where the smiles, hugs and laughter the childminder rewards them with ensure they feel safe. Hygiene standards and routines followed ensure children's health is safeguarded. Older children are encouraged to be responsible for their own well being and to know why such things as washing hands are important. However younger children are not given opportunity to wipe their own hands for example after eating, this is done for them and they are not offered explanations as to why it is important to do so. Children thrive as their physical needs are very well met; good attention is given to ensuring children exercise: whilst climbing on the indoor frame; learning to walk with a well designed stable walker; or on regular visits to the park. Children benefit from

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

eating and drinking a sufficient and healthy diet, they are enthusiastic in confirming they enjoy the snack of dried apricots and raisins.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a safe environment where meticulous attention is given to: precautions such as having stair gates in place; the choice and maintenance of equipment and continual risk assessment of the environment and children's activities. Children are always with in sight or hearing of the childminder, she for example, regularly observes a sleeping child in an adjacent room. Children are well protected as a result of the childminder's adherence to documented procedures and her knowledge of child protection issues; which is evidenced in her use of accident records to identify potential dangers. Children become aware and responsible for their own safety, as they are given explanations that they can understand for example for why they should not walk with maracas in their mouths and as they discuss procedures to follow in case of a fire.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and as a result they are able to take full advantage of the

p.3

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 wide range of activities available. They develop excellent conversational skills chatting constantly with the childminder, they laugh as they roar like lions and clop like horses. The childminder asks questions of the children to extend conversation and shows an interest in their activities and conversation as a consequence children are confident. Young children enjoy an excellent range of sensory experiences: they paint with fingers, giggle as their hands and faces are brushed with a soft paint brush, make jelly and shudder in resonance with a triangle that is struck gently close to their ears. Children build independence making choices about what to do. They progress in all areas of learning, as they discuss colours, numbers and patterns in everyday life. Can children pass a blue sock to put in the washing machine?

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are absorbed in well chosen age appropriate activities, whilst developing a picture from fuzzy felt they discuss animals and the noises they make, how many are there of each sort? They have excellent opportunities to extend their understanding of language and mathematics.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very well behaved. They receive positive encouragement to behave well, through the smiles and thanks offered by the childminder; for example, for helping each other. They know what the boundaries are and are aware of expectations. Good manners and co-operation are emphasised even for the youngest children who are encouraged to say please and thank you and to share. Children benefit from the strong relationship between home and the setting based on excellent communication. Parents report they appreciate the use of a comprehensive file of information and the daily chats that enable the childminder to closely observe their wishes and provide consistent and harmonious care for their children. Children have access to good resources that portray positive images of groups within society; however these are not effectively used to provide opportunity for children to have first hand experiences and discuss issues that would allow them to build a true

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

understanding and appreciation of other cultures and religions.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children and their families feel welcomed by the childminder who displays the photos of minded children and their work alongside the photos and work of her family. Children have the use of a dedicated room in which they can access a climbing frame and toys and equipment at child level supporting their independence and physical development. The space in the rest of the ground floor is used effectively to allow children to move freely, be creative and have quiet times. Children receive continuity of care as a result of the ongoing dialogue between their parents and the childminder

p.4

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 which is recorded accurately in well kept documentation. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that parents were aware of a complaints procedure and that accurate times of attendance were recorded. Children's safety has been improved by the inclusion of a complaints procedure in a comprehensive folder of information available to parents and by the accurate recording of times of attendance in a well kept register.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 there has been one complaint, this related to National Standards 12.3 ( partnership with parents); 3 ( care, learning and play); 7 ( health) and 11 ( behaviour management). Ofsted asked the provider to conduct an internal investigation into these concerns and her response was found to be satisfactory. The provider remains qualified for registration.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 younger children's opportunities to take responsibility for their own well being • provide opportunities, in the setting , for children to have meaningful experiences of other cultures and religions.

p.5

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:

p.5

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 www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5

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

p.6