Childminder in Manchester

Inspection report for early years provision

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500502 Unique Reference Number 24 May 2006 Inspection date Barbara Christine Wearing 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 has been registered since 2000. She lives with her adult son and 14 year old twins in the Didsbury area of Manchester. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Children access a bathroom and toilet on the first floor and an enclosed back garden is available for outdoor 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 caring for three children under five.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder visits local adult and toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Child Minding Association.

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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 stay healthy because the childminder maintains high standards of hygiene that protect them from cross contamination and the spread of infection. She encourages children to develop their understanding and independence as they follow routines that promote good health and hygiene. They remove their shoes on entering the house, flush the toilet and wash their hands using soap and go with her to the dentist when she attends for regular check-ups. The childminder has an effective sick child and administration of medication policy, therefore, children are well taken care of if they become ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a choice of healthy and nutritious snacks and home-cooked meals. Children have some opportunity to learn about healthy eating as the childminder gently encourages children to eat a healthy balanced diet during snack and meal times. However not all children respond and are therefore given an alternative. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that she is aware of and meets the children's individual dietary and health needs and follows their routines and needs in relation to feeding and sleeping.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from engaging in regular exercise both indoors and out and therefore develop good gross motor skills and coordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home provides children with a warm and welcoming environment in which they play confidently and safely using various rooms to engage in a good range of play activities and daily routines. The childminder has an extensive range of good quality toys and resources that offer children of all ages high levels of stimulation in all areas of development. Children also collect additional natural materials such as leaves for a sticking activity thereby giving them the opportunity to enhance their play, learning, decision making and involvement. A variety of toys and resources are set out for children and they are able to select more from the well organised store cupboard with the childminder's support.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised as the childminder has high regard for children's safety and takes the necessary precautions to keep them safe indoors and out. Children are aware of their boundaries and learn to keep themselves safe as they learn road safety skills and develop independence in safely climbing up and down stairs with the childminder's support. Children are taken good care of if they have an accident as the childminder has a valid first aid certificate, a first aid box containing all appropriate items and a clear system for recording accidents that occur while children are in her care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected as the childminder is aware of role and responsibilities with regard to child protection and safeguarding children. This information is shared with parents.

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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, confident and engrossed in their play. They have fun with the childminder and benefit from a close relationship and high levels of interaction with her while having the freedom to explore and make choices.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's individual creativity is nurtured and valued as they make pictures, freely choosing from a wide range of collage materials and receive praise and encouragement from the childminder. Children develop their language skills as they talk to the childminder, recalling past events and planning future activities and chat to themselves during their play. Children enjoy developing their imagination and fine motor skills as they play with small world toys including cars and a car mat and build and knock down towers that they make with the childminder using small wooden bricks. Children count spontaneously throughout the day. They count how many letters have arrived when they collect the post, how many bricks are on the tower and count as they come down the stairs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of the children she cares for and meets their needs well. She encourages children's independence and plans activities that will help children in their transition to school.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with care and respect and develop a sense of belonging as they are involved in decision making and in the daily routine. They take responsibility to find items from the shopping list when going on short trips to the local shops, collect the post and make choices regarding their play. Their photographs and art work are on display. Children behave well. They are aware of their boundaries which are realistic and consistently applied.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works with parents and shares information with them regarding her childminding practices and the children in various ways. Menus, weekly and daily routines, her registration certificate and complaints procedure are all on display for parents and she uses a check list to ensure that she discusses all necessary issues with parents as they settle their children. Therefore consistency of care is maintained, children's individual needs are catered for, they are cared for in accordance to parents' wishes and in line with the childminder's policies and procedures. Feedback from parents demonstrate that they value the childminder's calm, patience and kindness.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about diversity through their play as toys and resources reflect positive images and as they learn about different cultures and festivals at the playgroup they attend with the childminder. The childminder challenges attitudes or comments that stereotype and discusses differences with children that they observe. Children therefore learn to respect and value each other.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her time and home well. Therefore children benefit from engaging in a wide range of experiences and activities in and out of the home. All required records are in place to maintain children's wellbeing and policies and procedures are followed that promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. However parents do not sign to confirm that they have been informed that requested medicines have been administered and no record is kept of injuries that occur when children are not in the childminder's home. This is discussed with parents but there is no written record. The childminder has requested all the necessary checks for her adult son, however, they have not yet been processed.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As agreed at the previous inspection the childminder has taken part in a first aid course and now has a valid first aid certificate. Therefore, enabling her to take appropriate action if children have an accident. The childminder also agreed to plan a range of sensory activities and play opportunities for children under two years. Although she is not currently caring for children of this age she has built up a selection of natural resources and all children have opportunities to explore various sensory materials.

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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 complaints record may contain complaints other then 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): • devise further ways to encourage children to develop healthy eating habits

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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 • record accidents that occur at home and obtain parents' signatures to acknowledge the administration of medication • follow up criminal records bureau checks for son living at home.

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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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