Childminder in Bolton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 315716 Inspection date 05 April 2006 Inspector Victoria Gail Halliwell

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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 by her Local Authority prior to 2001. She lives with her husband and one adult daughter in a detached house in Westhoughton near to Bolton. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under 5 and three school age children.

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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 satisfactory. Children's good health is well promoted by the childminder, who maintains a good standard of cleanliness throughout her home. Good practices, such as regular hand washing and effective nappy changing procedures, help prevent the spread of infection. Exclusion policies are effectively implemented if children become unwell. Children are becoming aware of the importance of regular hand washing through routine daily practices. Older children are reminded to wash their hands before meals and after toileting whilst younger children have their hands washed. Occasionally, steps are taken to increase children's awareness of good hygiene practice, such as providing individual hair brushes and towels. However, this practice is not consistently implemented. Good systems are in place to ensure the family's pets do not pose a hazard to the children's good health. Children's basic dietary needs are met by the childminder. The childminder provides

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Helping children to be healthy

a selection of cooked meals, which require little preparation. Most meals contain processed food, such as chicken nuggets, tinned spaghetti and frozen potato. As a result, children have few opportunities to learn about the importance of healthy eating. Children are provided with regular drinks. Many are reluctant to drink water and, following discussion with parents, juice is routinely given. The daily routine is not always well organised and on occasions, fails to take account of individual children's needs for a snack mid-morning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are warmly welcomed into the childminder's home. Toys and play materials are particularly well presented in a very spacious living room to create an interesting and inviting play environment. Children are interested in the pre-selected toys and have lots of space to spread out and engage in individual activities. For example, setting out the zoo without inhibiting their peers, who may be walking along musical foot prints or playing with the garage and cars. Good use is made of the kitchen to provide a range of creative activities on the kitchen table. Older children move confidently from room to room, making choices about the activities they engage in. Children's safety is paramount to the childminder. She routinely completes a risk assessment within her home and takes immediate action to minimise any possible hazards. As a result, children move safely around her home and garden as the risk of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

accidental injury is minimised. During a period of increased hazards when building work was completed, daily checks were undertaken prior to the children's arrival to ensure their safety. Parents were routinely informed of the action taken and the childminder's commitment to keeping the children safe. Through routine explanations children are learning to keep themselves and their peers safe. For example, older children wisely advise a younger child not to climb on a dining chair because they might fall. The older child is aware that the younger child needs reins to stop him

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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 from falling. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder, who attends regular training and has a clear understanding of her role and responsibility in respect of child protection. She is able to identify possible signs and symptoms of abuse and take appropriate action to protect children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and content in the childminder's care. They express themselves freely and confidently, and make choices about how they spend their time, moving independently from one activity to another. Children's interest in books is actively promoted by the childminder, who regularly sits with the children to read stories. Children of all ages are interested in the books available and even the youngest children have favourite books that they select independently. Children enjoy studying the picture and 'retelling' their own stories. Children enjoy a varied daily routine, which includes daily outings into the local community to take and collect children from nursery and school. Planned activities within the community include regular visits to places of interest to the children, such as the library and outdoor play areas. All children are interested in and enjoy the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

broad range of activities and play materials which are provided by the childminder. However, many items fail to challenge or sustain the interest of older pre-school children. For example, large building bricks and animals provide opportunities for imaginative play, but fail to challenge the construction abilities of more able children. Concerns as to the safety of the younger children often impact on the range of age and developmentally appropriate resources available for the older children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder is interested in children's personal experiences and listens when they talk about events and experiences in their lives. She celebrates special occasions, such as birthdays with them, which helps each child feel special and valued. Children have some opportunities to learn about the lifestyles and cultures of others, such as sampling Chinese food at Chinese New Year. The childminder is sensitive towards children who have additional needs and works closely with parents to ensure each child's needs are met. Children are well behaved and are learning right from wrong through consistent boundaries. They respond well to the childminder's positive discipline strategies, which reward good behaviour with praise and encouragement. Children are routinely thanked for sharing and helping others, which encourages good behaviour. Parents are well informed through written documents and discussions about the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder's practices. They are encouraged to share what they know about their

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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 child. Mutually respectful relationships, where both parties can confidently exchange information, have developed. As a result, the childminder is well informed about, and able to meet, children's individual needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is very experienced and has continued to update her knowledge and understanding of childcare issues by attending a significant number of relevant training courses. She provides a warm and welcoming environment where children of all ages can play safely. Good preparation ensures children arrive to find an interesting selection of play materials and activities. Some other aspects of the daily routine are not as well organised, particularly, the arrangements for snack and meal times and the limited provision of resources which challenge more able children. Attention to written documentation is good. All required documentation is satisfactorily maintained and well presented. Overall, this provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: include the children's hours of attendance in the register; improve the process for parents to exchange information regarding their child's progress; and ensure that Ofsted is notified of any significant changes. Appropriate records of children's attendance are now maintained and Ofsted was notified of the childminder's intention to complete building work. Parents are now encouraged to exchange information on a daily basis. As a result, the childminder is well informed about, and able to meet, children's individual needs.

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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 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 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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • extend the range of food and drinks offered, to further promote healthy eating • improve the range of activities and play opportunities to ensure more able children are sufficiently challenged and are able to practice and refine new skills • review the organisation of your daily routine to ensure all children's needs are effectively met throughout the day

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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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