Childminder in Salford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY272295 Inspection date 16 March 2006 Inspector Julie Firth

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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 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 2003. She lives with her husband and son aged 3 years in Worsley. The whole of the ground floor is used for children, which includes the large through lounge and the conservatory. There is a fully enclosed garden at the rear of the house for outside play. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of five children. There are currently five children on roll. The childminder takes the children to the local

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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 childminding group and short walks to the park. She takes and collects children from the local schools. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of physical activities that enable them to develop control of their bodies. The physical development of older children and children under 3 years is fostered by the use of a good selection of outdoor play equipment in the childminder's rear garden and regular visits to the park and local groups. They enjoy jumping in the ball pond and racing with their hobby horses. Children benefit from effective routines which include frequent walks to the local parks. Children are becoming aware of their own needs, such as time for a rest or drink. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and well-maintained home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Their clear understanding of why they must wash their hands after playing outside and using the toilet reduces the risk of cross contamination. There is an effective sick child's policy in place to prevent the

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Helping children to be healthy

spread of infections and protect children's health. Children benefit from the childminder's understanding of a healthy and nutritious diet; she introduces new foods to them taking into account parent’s wishes, which supports children’s physical wellbeing and development. They have access to drinking water, fresh fruit and vegetables at all times. Children sit together for meals and snacks and enjoy a relaxed social occasion.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe and secure environment where thought is given to making areas used by them safe, with detailed, effective risk assessments in place. Children learn about keeping themselves safe through discussions with the childminder about road safety on the way home from school. Children's safety is enhanced by the careful monitoring of toys and activities to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Care is taken to ensure that younger children do not have access to the older children's board games which contain small pieces. In the conservatory and rear garden, the children are developing their independence and exercise choice, as they select from a good range of safe accessible toys and resources for all ages and abilities. Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted as the childminder has all the required procedures and documentation in place. For example, she holds a first aid

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

certificate, is aware of the safe evacuation of children in an emergency and has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures that are in line with the Local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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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 receive appropriate physical contact from the childminder by means of cuddles and hugs, she maintains eye contact and smiles; as a result, children are happy, secure, content and relaxed in her home and care. Children's individual needs are met well, with the childminder promoting consistency of care through established and effective routines. Their immediate needs, such as when tired and apprehensive, are recognised by the childminder through the signals given by the children. Children relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at the local groups. Children are engaged in a range of creative activities which they clearly enjoy, such as crafts, baking and play dough created in different colours. They are encouraged to explore with paint and use their sensory skills as they play in the snow and sand. Their imaginative skills are enhanced as they dress

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

up and role play. Children are developing good mathematical language through skilful questioning by the childminder about shape and number. They are developing language and communication skills as they talk about their experiences and sing nursery rhymes and action songs with the childminder. Children are learning to recognise their initials of their name as they use phonics on the easel. They are taken on nature trails and places of interest during the school holidays. Sensory and sound action toys are readily available for exploratory play. As an experienced childminder, she incorporates planning to meet the age and stage of the children attending. However, planning for children under three, using the Birth to three framework, is not fully developed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from a range of activities and resources to increase their awareness of diversity and different cultures as they celebrate Chinese New Year. They learn about their local community on trips to the park and school, and overcome their fears of the dentist when taken by the childminder. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They show care and concern for each other and the older children do play well with the younger aged children. Children are clear about their boundaries and expectations, which are explained to them and applied consistently. Minor altercations are dealt with in a calm and consistent manner and they learn to share resources effectively. Their self-esteem and confidence are fostered as the childminder praises their efforts and achievements and makes space around her home to display their work. Children's needs are promoted through good systems being in place for the sharing

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Helping children make a positive contribution

of information regarding routines and developmental progress. Parents are provided with good written policies and procedures and children benefit from this being established during the settling in process. This provides consistency and care and empowers the children to be confident and familiar with their surroundings. Parents' questionnaires indicate a high level of care is given to their children.

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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 good. Children's care is enhanced through the childminder's commitment to improving the quality of care that she provides for them and to support her professional development, she attends further training and development opportunities. Space is well organised to provide children with a range of experiences. The effective routines and clear expectations enable children to be confident and active learners. They benefit from a good range of experiences, both indoors and outside, giving them a familiar and interesting day. She works well with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met. All records and documentation are in place, which contributes to the safety and wellbeing of children being cared for. Overall the provision meets the needs of all the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

On the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop her knowledge of child protection and the childminder has attended training to enable her to keep the children safe. To ensure that appropriate strategies are used to manage children's behaviour, a policy has been devised which is practised at all times with the children. To extend opportunities for children to become creative, planning is now in place to incorporate all areas of children's creative development. To extend resources that reflect diversity, resources and equipment are in place to enhance children's awareness of diversity.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report 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 records 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 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

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 improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • extend planning to include a suitable range of activities for younger children, for example by using the Birth to three framework.

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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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