Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY103350 Unique Reference Number 24 July 2006 Inspection date Barbara Christine Wearing Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2002 and lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 10 years in the Heaton Mersey area of Stockport. The children have use of the whole of the downstairs, which includes a through lounge and dining area, together with bathroom facilities. Children are able to participate in physical play activities in the enclosed rear garden.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She walks to local schools and a nursery to take and collect children. The childminder attends several parent and toddler groups, and other local facilities.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Borough of Stockport Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept healthy and protected from the spread of infection as the childminder follows appropriate hygiene procedures and has an effective sick child and administration of medication procedure. Children are protected from the sun as they wear a sun hat and sun cream while outside in warm weather. The childminder encourages children's independence in developing their personal hygiene as they are able to access the wash basin to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating, and have tissues available to them.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide meals for their children and the childminder provides them with healthy and nutritious snacks, such as fruit, toast, yoghurt, carrot sticks and dips. They have water in their own beaker available to them throughout the day. Children develop some understanding of healthy eating as they talk about food values and the childminder provides a positive role model for them. Children eat their meals on a rug on the floor or at a low level table and chairs. The childminder works closely with parents and is therefore aware of and meets children's individual dietary and health needs.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular opportunities to be outdoors. They walk to and from school and nursery and often go to the local park and spend time in the childminder's back garden. They therefore develop good large muscle skills and coordination.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home provides children with a safe and homely environment. Children move independently and confidently around the house exploring the range of resources and activities on offer. The childminder has a wide range of toys and resources that meet the needs of and provide stimulation for children of all ages. She makes an appropriate selection of these readily accessible to children on a daily basis. Children therefore are busy and become engrossed in their chosen activity.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a high regard for children's safety at all times and is aware of possible hazards to individual children. All necessary safety measures are in place within and outside of the home and children develop an understanding of keeping themselves safe as they learn about stranger danger and road safety. Therefore, the risk of accidental injury is minimised. Children are well cared for in the event of an accident as the childminder has an up to date first aid certificate and a first aid box.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted as the childminder has a sound understanding of the guidelines for safeguarding children and of her role within these.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, relaxed and stimulated. The childminder interacts with the children at their chosen activity and they become highly involved in their play. A child is fascinated as he watches a sand wheel spinning around as sand falls on to it and copies the childminder in an attempt to repeat the process. Children enjoy exploring various sensory materials including sand, play dough, paint and bubbles. They make and play with bottles filled with different liquids added to water, observing the changes and differences.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder gives children praise and encouragement and asks questions to extend activities and their learning. Children develop fine motor skills and learn to match and identify colours as they build towers with bricks and draw with crayons. The childminder has a good understanding of individual children's stages of development and offers activities and interaction to help them progress in these areas. She develops young children's language by chatting to them, pointing things out to them and naming pictures and objects. Older children develop their understanding of letters and numbers as they play games using flash cards, alphabet cards, magnetic letters and counting games and puzzles.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has the Birth to three matters framework and many of her practices reflect this. However, she is not familiar with the content of the framework.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good relationship with the children. Children are able to make choices and the childminder is responsive to their needs. Children are therefore content and develop a sense of belonging and high self-esteem. The childminder has a positive approach to behaviour management. Children are given appropriate boundaries which she gently reinforces. Issues regarding behaviour are discussed with parents if necessary.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Consistency of care is maintained and children are cared for in accordance to parents' wishes as the childminder works closely with parents. Information regarding her childminding practices and the needs of the children are discussed during an initial visit and as the child settles into the provision. The childminder has a complaints procedure and a complaints book, however, parents are not informed of how they can contact Ofsted. Information regarding children is shared on a daily basis via a diary that is used by the childminder and parents to keep each other informed of activities, routines and events in the child's day.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children become aware of diversity and develop their understanding of others as they access toys and resources that reflect positive images of race, gender and disability. The childminder is also aware that she provides a role model for the children and takes opportunities to discuss differences and similarities as children make observations. Children enjoy learning about various celebrations and festivals, often following on from topics they have been doing at nursery or school.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organizes her time and home well and is flexible in order to meet children's and families' individual needs. She shows a commitment to developing her childcare practices and attends regular, relevant training, such as a course about celebrating culture. Children engage in a wide range of stimulating activities and experiences both within the childminder's home and when attending toddler groups and visiting local parks, libraries and play centres. Most policies and procedures are comprehensive and shared with parents and therefore promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder agreed to obtain written permission for children to travel in a vehicle. This is now included in the consent forms that parents complete. She also agreed to provide more resources that promote equality of opportunity. Children now have plenty of opportunity to experience and learn about diversity as the childminder has purchased and borrows resources from the toy library that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity and disability.

p.5

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 than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • ensure that parents are informed of how they can contact Ofsted • further develop knowledge and understanding of the Birth to three matters framework.

p.5

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 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

p.5

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

p.6