Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY346195 Unique Reference Number 03 April 2007 Inspection date Sara Haigh 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 satisfactory. 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 January 2007. She works at the home of another registered childminder in the Heaton Mersey area of Stockport. The children have access to the lounge, dining room, conservatory and kitchen. Toilet and hand washing facilities are on the ground floor. Three of the four upstairs bedrooms are registered to provide quiet areas for younger children. The rear garden is available for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years and when working with another childminder, she may care for a total of no more than 8 children under 8 years. There are currently five children under eight years on roll and the childminder also cares for children over the age of eight years.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and gains support from the local authority.

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 good. Children are kept healthy and protected from the spread of infection and cross-contamination as the childminder maintains high levels of hygiene. Children develop skills and independence in their personal hygiene as they follow good routines such as cleaning their hands, brushing their teeth, and using tissues and wipes. Children are well cared for in the case of illness as the childminder follows an effective sick child and administration of medicine policy.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides children with regular drinks and healthy snacks such as fruit and toast to promote their growth and development. Children benefit from a home cooked hot meal every day such as roast dinners and casseroles, all of which are accompanied by a selection of fresh vegetables. Older children are taught about healthy lifestyles as they record their favourite foods and discuss their content. The childminder has systems in place to take account of parent's preferences regarding food, drinks and routines, ensuring that individual needs are met.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular opportunities to be active. They walk to the park, shops and adult and toddler groups. During warmer weather, children develop their large muscle skills and coordination as they access a wide variety of activities and equipment in the rear garden and regularly visit local play barns.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play happily within the welcoming environment of the co-childminder's home. However, the premises are not fully secure as older children can easily access front and back door keys. They have ample room to explore the adequate range of resources accessible to them. These are well maintained, are regularly rotated to offer appropriate challenges for the children being cared for and cover all areas of development. Care is taken to ensure that younger children do not have access to toys and activities which may cause them harm and older children learn to keep small items out of reach.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from the risk of fire because there is a fire blanket in place, smoke alarms are fitted on every level of the house and the children are aware of the emergency evacuation procedure. However, there are some hazards that pose a risk to children. Cleaning equipment is stored at a low level in the kitchen and the greenhouse has a broken pane and is accessible to the children. Children are learning to accept responsibility for their own safety as they become aware of road safety, stranger danger and the importance of keeping in view of the childminder when away from the setting.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder recognises her responsibility to protect children from harm and has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and procedures.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy the company of the childminder who has developed warm, caring relationships with them. Children have fun and enjoy their time at the setting as the childminder has a secure understanding of the children and of their stage of development. She knows that the babies

p.3

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 are starting to pull themselves up and provides a push along walker to aid their development. The childminder is sensitive to individual children and provides opportunities for activities at an appropriate level by inviting children to brings toys from home. This allows children to succeed, and encourages personal responsibility and sharing skills.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Well organised resources help children to become independent learners. They are happy and settled as the childminder supports their play well, provides close supervision and praises their efforts. She talks constantly to the children and they all enjoy the daily story time which is differentiated to accommodate the different ages of children being cared for. The childminder is developing children's communication skills through conversation, talking and listening. She talks to the children about what they are doing and involves them in decision making and planning of activities.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children are keen to explore the various sensory and sound action toys, whilst older children use children's laptop computers to play games. Counting skills for nursery age children are developed through the use of an electronic hopscotch mat and all children enjoy exploring mouldable materials to aid their fine motor development. However, children have limited opportunities to explore natural materials and resources.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a variety of opportunities to go out and about, exploring the local environment and widening their knowledge of the wider world. For example, they walk to the shops to spend their pocket money and go for picnics in the local park. Children learn about the environment as they plant tomato seeds. Children also enjoy activities such as dance and movement sessions, painting Easter cards and baking.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel a sense of belonging in the setting through a trusting and secure relationship with the childminder. Children enjoy each other's company and relate well to each other and the childminder. They play well within the childminder's boundaries, minor altercations are dealt with in a calm and consistent manner and each child is treated with individual care and respect. They learn responsible behaviour through the childminder talking to them and giving them explanations.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children become aware of the wider world as they visit places of interest such as museums and the airport. They learn about various cultures from around the world. For example they make Eid cards and taste French croissants. The childminder interacts with the children in a way that promotes equality of opportunity, talking about differences that the children observe. However, they have limited opportunity to learn about disabilities through toys and books.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for by a childminder who works in partnership with parents to meet children's individual needs and develop consistency of care. Children benefit from the relationships that the childminder develops with parents. Information regarding children's progress and welfare is exchanged daily with parents.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and settled in the friendly, well organised home. The childminder and her co-childminder organise their time, space and resources well to meet the children's needs.

p.4

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 Written weekly plans ensure that children confidently explore their surroundings and benefit from well planned routines and activities both in and out of the home.

p.4

Organisation

Children are safe and protected as the childminder fully understands the need for vetting household members. The daily register confirms that children are cared for in accordance with the conditions of registration but there is no clear record of the childminder and her co-childminder's attendance.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder and her co-childminder work well together and have a clear sense of purpose and commitment to providing quality care for the children. The childminder has completed required training and is booked on her first aid training. The childminder has planned her attendance on further short training courses to enable her to further develop her childcare skills and the service she provides. Written policies relating to the National Standards and contracts are in place and shared with parents, thereby promoting children's health, safety, enjoyment and ability to make a positive contribution.

p.5

Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since registration.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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 satisfactory. 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 the premises are secure and children are not able to leave them unsupervised • ensure that hazards to children, both inside and outside, are minimised and the greenhouse is made inaccessible to the children • develop a range of natural resources for all children to explore • provide opportunities for children to learn about disabilities through toys and books • maintain a clear record of attendance for persons looking after the children.

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