Childminder in Trafford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY318936 Inspection date 14 June 2006 Inspector Sheila Iwaskow

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children, aged one and three years, in Manchester. The whole of the property is used for childminding purposes; this comprises of the lounge, kitchen and two bedrooms on the first floor. Toilet facilities are located upstairs. There is a fully, enclosed garden available for outside play. There is currently one child on roll who attends on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding 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 enjoy energetic play in the outdoor play area and on regular outings to Wythenshawe Park. As they play, children can use a range of equipment including bikes, slides and balls to help them develop their gross motor skills and gain control of their bodies. Babies' rest and sleeping needs are recognised and followed. Children's self-help skills are well developed as they are encouraged to help tidy toys away and to wipe their feet when they come in from the back garden. Children are well hydrated and provided with drinks on a regular basis. The childminder recognises the importance of offering young children extra fluids after they have been playing outside in hot weather. Healthy eating is actively promoted and raises children's awareness of the importance of a balanced diet. Children enjoy choosing from healthy options, such as pasta, cheese sandwiches and bananas. Effective procedures operate within the setting to record children's health and dietary

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Helping children to be healthy

needs, and preferences regarding food and drink, ensuring individual needs are met. Children are learning to follow sensible rules, for example, not walking around when they are eating their snacks. Children are encouraged to try out new foods and textures, such as watermelon to develop their sense of taste. Good standards of hygiene protect young children in nappy changing routines and all toys and surfaces are cleaned on a regular basis. The childminder raises children's awareness of personal hygiene issues by encouraging them to wash their hands at appropriate times of the day. Children who are sick are excluded from the setting, preventing infections being spread. They receive good levels of care if they are ill as the childminder has a valid first aid certificate and a first aid box is within easy reach. Children are treated with great sensitivity if they have an accident. For example, a child falls and hurts himself, he is immediately picked up by the childminder and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a homely environment where they have ample space to move around freely and play in comfort. Rooms benefit from lots of natural sunlight and are heated appropriately, ensuring children's comfort. Children attending have access to a wide range of resources which cover all areas of their development. Play materials are clean, well-maintained and rotated to maintain stimulation. Toys are attractively laid out at the beginning of the day and are easily accessible to the children, allowing them to make choices and develop their independence. The childminder ensures that the toys that children play with are appropriate to their age and stage of development. Close attention is paid to safety. The childminder is vigilant, ensuring that children are safe as they play and explore. Risk of accidental injury is minimised with the

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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 childminder taking all necessary precautions to keep children safe on and off the premises. Good procedures are in place for the safe collection of children and entrances and exits to the premises are secure. Detailed fire evacuation plans are in place, ensuring children's safety in the event of a fire. The childminder raises their awareness of personal safety further by gently reminding young children that they must hold on to her hand when out walking. Children are well protected as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children smile happily and giggle in the childminder's home. The childminder takes every opportunity to sit on the floor and interact with the children as they play. Toddlers freely give the childminder a cuddle and look towards her for support and reassurance. As a result, children are happy, confident and secure in her care. Children enjoy playing with toys that are colourful and make pleasant sounds. Toddlers are learning to make connections as they press the buttons on pop-up toys and gaze in wonder as farm animals appear. They are becoming competent language users through high levels of interaction from the childminder, who constantly repeats words to reinforce children's early speech patterns. Toddlers are well supported by the childminder as they are encouraged to try out new activities, such as building towers and making marks using crayons on a large plastic mat placed on the floor. Opportunities for children to dance and sing nursery rhymes

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enable toddlers to express themselves freely through physical actions. Play activities in the back garden give the childminder the chance to develop mathematical language as she encourages the children to play with the big ball and to push the bike faster up the hill. Toddlers show an interest in the routines of the day. The childminder talks to them about what she is doing as she makes a cup of tea, allowing young children to link words with actions. Role play opportunities enable children to develop their own ideas as they use the wide range of dressing up clothes that the childminder makes available to them. Children enjoy exploring a satisfactory range of natural materials, such as sand and water, however, this area is not yet fully developed to allow children to have access to a varied range of activities which fully support their sensory development. The childminder is aware of each child's stage of development. She has a growing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

awareness of the Birth to three matters framework and demonstrates a strong commitment to ensure that it is fully incorporated into her childminding practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enjoy each other's company and relate well to each other and to the childminder. They are well-behaved and considerate towards each other, happily sharing and taking turns as they play. Age appropriate strategies are used to effectively manage behaviour and each child is treated with individual care and

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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 respect. Children's efforts are praised and their contributions valued, promoting their confidence and self-esteem. Children demonstrate a sensitive and caring nature as they feed the ducks at the local park and ensure that the flowers in the back garden have enough water to help them grow. Regular trips to the supermarket and library allow children to gain an understanding of the differing roles that people have within their world. Planned celebrations of cultural festivals, and accessing resources that reflect equality of opportunity enable children to appreciate the diverse society in which they live. Every child is valued as an individual with their needs and preferences responded to in an appropriate manner. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

care of children with learning difficulties and disabilities. An effective partnership with parents ensures that children are settled and secure. The childminder seeks a wealth of information from parents to ensure that she offers the best possible care. Written information is exchanged at the end of the day, ensuring that parents are fully informed of all aspects of their children's care. Parents are made aware of Ofsted's telephone number and procedures are in place to record any concerns of complaints made by parents in line with recent changes made to the National Standards.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children express themselves freely in the childminder's home. The childminder has completed the basic training for childminders and all adults living in the house have been vetted. Children benefit from the high level of attention they receive from the childminder who has made a conscious decision to keep her numbers of minded children low. Settling-in procedures are implemented to ensure that all children are secure in the childminder's care. Outings to locally based facilities, such as toddler groups, allow children to experience alternative play environments and socialise with other children. Space is well organised to ensure that children benefit from a wide range of activities. The childminder ensures that her certificate is clearly displayed, keeping parents fully informed of her conditions of registration. Most documentation relating to the continuity of care for children is in place, up to

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Organisation

date and organised to respect confidentiality. However, there are some omissions; parents do not sign to acknowledge medication that has been given to their children and procedures are not in place to seek written parental consent for emergency medical treatment. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 There are no complaints to report since registration. 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • increase children's access to natural materials to further promote their sensory awareness in line with the Birth to three matters framework • seek written permission for emergency medical treatment and ensure that parents acknowledge in writing any medication given to the children.

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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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