Childminder in Bury

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY316054 Inspection date 13 March 2006 Inspector Glynis Margaret Kite

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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 has been registered since 2005. She lives with her partner and two children aged 9 and 6 years. The family live in Whitefield, Bury. All of the ground floor, the small front bedroom and back bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The family have a dog, three rabbits and a hamster. There is toddler group, a park, library and local shops within walking distance of the premises. There is one child on the register. There may be a maximum of four minded children on the premises at any one time.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children benefit from good daily routines, which promote personal hygiene. The childminder also promotes good hygiene as she ensures the premises are kept clean and tidy, including the immediate disposal of rubbish, such as nappies. The overall health and well-being of children is further promoted by the childminder because she implements an exclusion policy for sick children, thus preventing the spread of infection. The dietary needs of individual children are catered for well. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure she is maintaining routines for children in her care. The childminder has good knowledge of the children's individual dietary requirements, for example, children with allergies to certain foods or those with specific likes/dislikes. Children are regularly offered drinks throughout the day. Parents provide all meals and bottles for babies and the childminder follows their wishes during meal times,

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Helping children to be healthy

such as holding babies while bottle feeding. Babies benefit from the closeness and the one-to-one interaction during this time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are maintained to a good standard of decoration and repair. The environment is warm and welcoming with lots of natural light and maintained to a comfortable temperature. Potential hazards to children are reduced because the childminder makes use of safety equipment, such as safety gates and locks on cupboards. However, some hazards, such as cigarettes and a lighter and an open fire place, had not been adequately assessed and therefore put children at risk. The toys and play materials are of good quality and safe for use by the children. The childminder provides furniture and equipment which is appropriate to the needs of children in her care, for example, a high chair and baby walker for babies. The childminder is secure in her knowledge of child protection issues and procedures. She is confident that she would recognise signs of abuse/neglect and act appropriately to protect the welfare of children in her care. She recognises the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

value in keeping accident, medication and attendance records up to date with regard to concerns. Her procedures are based on the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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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 Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They are confident and enjoy a suitable range of toys and activities. The childminder supports language development through the range of activities and daily routines. The children enjoy exploring the environment in a variety of ways, for example, sometimes in the baby walker, then sitting on the floor supported by cushions and for sometime laying on the floor, where they can stretch their legs and roll over, getting ready for crawling. They interact well with the childminder. Children enjoy opportunities to interact with their peers as they attend group activities. The childminder supports children well through encouragement and praise. She has a flexible approach and provides toys and activities based on the children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

interest and stage of development. The childminder has a good understanding of the development needs of the children in her care and as a result, children benefit from the support, care and attention given. Children engage in physical play on a daily basis, this may be in the garden or during trips out to other provisions or the park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. To enable the childminder to meet the individual needs of children in her care, she exchanges lots of information with parents and records the details. As a result children's routines are maintained and their needs met well. A programme of gradual visits enables parents and children to meet the childminder and her family, and become familiar with the surroundings. The children benefit from these visits and settle quickly. They are treated with equal concern and with respect. They have access to a wide range of toys and resources which promote individual development. However, there are no resources available which raise awareness of diversity within the wider community. The childminder is sensitive to the needs of children identified as having special needs and those for whom English is a second language. Children benefit from the close working relationship that the childminder has

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Helping children make a positive contribution

established with their parents. They regularly exchange information, both in writing and verbally. This ensures children's needs are met. Children's progress is recorded in a daily diary and includes all aspects of their day. Parents have expressed their appreciation of the care afforded to their children in writing. As a result of this communication, children benefit from continuity of care. The childminder implements a range of strategies to manage children's behaviour, such as discussion and distraction. She uses positive language and is consistent in her approach, thus children quickly learn the rules and respond positively to them. Children behave well.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder follows appropriate procedures regarding suitability checks for adults on the premises. She maintains close supervision of the children in her care,

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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 however, she has on occasions been in breach of regulations which put children at risk. The childminder organises the available space well. Children are well-supported and have good opportunities to move around freely and explore the environment. Required records and documentation is in place and available for inspection. Overall, the provision meets the needs of those who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since registration the childminder has provided a fire blanket and has fitted safety film to low-level glass. As a result of these actions the overall safety of the children is improved.

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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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • provide a range of toys and play materials that promote positive images and diversity • ensure cigarettes and lighters are kept out of children's view and reach and make the fire place safe • ensure children are not left in the care of any persons not vetted

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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 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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