Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY285093 Inspection date 25 April 2005 Inspector Janice Shaw

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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?

Sarah O'Neil has been registered since 2004. She lives with her partner and two children aged nine and five years in a house in Bramhall that is close to the shops and a park. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor, first floor bathroom, toilet and small bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder takes the children to the shops, park and attends an adult and toddler group. She 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 have their health and dietary needs effectively met because the childminder works well with parents and demonstrates a very good understanding of the children's needs. They are protected when they become ill or have a small accident by the childminder who takes appropriate measures and comforts the child before the parents arrive. Children enjoy and take part in a wide range of physical activities which contribute to their good health. They walk to and from school through a local park and woodland and all children benefit from regular play opportunities in the rear garden. A baby is taken to the baby swim sessions in Stockport which helps develop his confidence in water. The childminder takes good account of parents' wishes and children's choices to provide food that appeals to children, meets their dietary needs and helps them to enjoy nutritious food as part of a healthy lifestyle. Children respond well to regular

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Helping children to be healthy

routines, when placed in a chair a baby becomes very excited as he knows his lunch is coming and waves his hands in anticipation. When the childminder approaches the fruit bowl he shows great pleasure as he knows what he is to have next.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a very safety conscious home where very good use is made of the available space and risks are identified and minimised. As a result children can move around freely and safely. Children learn about keeping themselves safe when using the large play equipment and on the twice daily walks to school. They know how to avoid accidents and abide by the house rules about the trampoline, that only one child at a time uses it and to take care by looking around before they carefully get off. A risk assessment of the polystyrene tiles has not been done. The childminder has the required knowledge and documentation in place to ensure that children's welfare is safeguarded. They are also protected because she has a secure understanding of the local child protection procedures and her role and responsibilities. Children make very good use of a broad range of safe, good quality,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

developmentally appropriate resources. A well stocked small book corner is arranged in the lounge which children can access easily.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's ability to be independent is fostered well and they choose freely from a very good range of stimulating activities which are of interest to them. Children enjoy

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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 playing card and board games, and producing very interesting artwork, which is valued and displayed around the childminders home. Older children take great delight in baking and cooking activities during the school holidays. Children move around the house with confidence. A non walking child carefully pulls himself up on the furniture and walks around examining interesting and safe objects which he comes across as he uses the furniture to support himself. Strong emphasis is placed on the development of children’s language, because the childminder consistently talks with them encouraging their vocabulary. Babies are learning to become confident and competent language users, as the childminder responds to their babblings and sings songs and rhymes with them to re enforce early speech

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a environment which is active in promoting equal opportunities. Within both the planned and spontaneous activities provided, children’s awareness of our multi cultural society and understanding of the wider world is fostered well. Positive reinforcement is a key factor in shaping the children’s awareness of themselves and others. One older child had written a beautifully illustrated poem which gave highly descriptive examples of what you could do with a smile. The child had outlined the poem with drawings of many types of people, demonstrating her developing awareness of the wider world. Children’s welfare is promoted since the childminder consults closely with parents on any issues. The next steps in a child’s development are always agreed by both parties and a common approach is used. For example, when introducing solid foods to a baby, taking a baby swimming and using specific activities to develop walking

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Helping children make a positive contribution

skills. Their welfare is protected since the childminder knows what to do in event of identifying a child with a special needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease with the well organised environment, which allows indoor and outdoor play to maximise children's play opportunities. The children benefit from a well planned and structured week that includes daily walks in the park, visits to a toddler group and swimming sessions. Children are kept safe and are protected since the childminder implements her well organised procedures to good effect. All written information is shared with parents providing children with continuity of care from home to the childminder's care. The childminder organises her time very effectively. She spends time talking to, holding and playing with babies and toddlers, demonstrating her understanding of the extra care and individual attention that is required of children under 2. Individual routines for babies are arranged to reflect parents wishes. Their sleep, changing and feed

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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 times are successfully organised around the babies needs. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the children cared for.

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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): • complete a risk assessment on the polystyrene ceiling tiles in the hall and landing areas of the house.

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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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