Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY346659 Unique Reference Number 15 May 2007 Inspection date Janice Shaw Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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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.

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children, aged four and seven, in the Stockport area. all areas of the house except the main bedroom are available for childminding. There is a fully enclosed back garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and there are currently six children on roll. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are comfortable and well cared for in the welcoming home, where sound hygiene routines are in place to protect them and minimise the risk of cross infection. Procedures are in place to record children's individual health needs and offer parents guidance in the event of children's illness. Young children are learning to manage their own personal care with discreet

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 prompts and reminders from the childminder. They are regularly praised for their independence and gently guided through routines when they wash their hands. Children are encouraged to understand the purpose of health and hygiene routines through regular discussion with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

All children’s emotional needs are exceptionally well met. The interactions between the childminder and children are very good. She laughs with them, offers a cuddle, and talks to them continually providing a calm and trusting environment where they are happy and settled. Individual routines for rest and sleep for young children are respected so that they do not get over tired.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the provision of a very good selection of home cooked, healthy meals which protect their good health. Sample menus are available for parents and their preferences are respected. Children learn about the benefits of a healthy diet during informal discussion and involvement in planning menus with the childminder. Snack and mealtimes are relaxed, social occasions where children sit together and enjoy each other's company. Children's health and individual dietary needs are protected by accurate records and are met at all times. Drinks are freely available and children are encouraged to drink fluids on a regular basis to remain hydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are secure and well-supervised in the childminder's home where they move about freely and safely between the different play areas. Stairs are restricted with safety gates and older children learn to respect the boundaries within the home. Comprehensive written policies and procedures are in place and shared with parents. Children are encouraged to consider the consequences of their actions as they learn about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe. For example, a three year old child explains that you need to be 'slow and calm' when walking downstairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children proudly show photographs of themselves and their families which are kept in their individual files. This helps young children to develop a stronger sense of identity and belonging. They confidently select their own toys from resources in low accessible units and baskets. Safety standards are maintained with all resources and children are encouraged to take care of equipment. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's secure knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young children choose their own games and enjoy playing alongside other children with brief, tentative interactions as they gain confidence. Children comment on activities around them and eagerly share interest with the childminder and other children. Language is skilfully encouraged and developed by the childminder as she listens and responds, at an appropriate level of understanding, to individual children's comments. She asks open-ended questions that extend their experiences and she maximises informal learning opportunities as she introduces concepts of colour, shape or size. Consequently, young children confidently make connections between different areas of learning when they proudly comment about different cards on a board games or correctly identify the colours on equipment.

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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 have enough time and space to choose their own games as they develop independence and self-motivation. This gives them the opportunity to practise and apply their learning in different situations as they make good progress in all areas of their development. The childminder is aware of when to step back and allow children's ideas to develop and when to interact to encourage or extend children’s learning. Children use their imagination well in role play games when they pretend to feed a doll or talk to a soft toy. Every child participates in practical creative activities, such as making colourful drawings and when using a variety of collage materials. Young children concentrate well when their attention is held as they learn new skills in hands-on experiences. Children enjoy experimenting with different sensory materials

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and have fun exploring sounds or textures. They giggle with delight as they investigate the sounds of the musical instruments.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are recognised and met in a caring, supportive environment. Every child is included in activities and children have equal access to resources. Positive images of race, gender or disability are promoted through an excellent range of resources. Issues about diversity are explored in stories and when completing puzzles, during informal discussion. A positive attitude to inclusion is demonstrated.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young children are gently guided and supported as they learn how to share and take turns with their peers. They are offered frequent praise, reassuring smiles and encouragement as they start to play cooperatively. This positive attitude encourages children to develop confidence and self-esteem as they learn to recognise right and wrong. They are encouraged to consider the consequences of their actions and to respect other people's feelings when they are reminded to 'listen to each other' or 'remember to use good table manners'.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are settled and relaxed in the homely environment, where activities are organised imaginatively both indoors and outdoors. For example, children enjoy participating in creative activities in the kitchen or playing with sand and water in the garden. Good social opportunities are provided for younger children when they are taken to the local 'childminders drop-in' centre as they learn to mix in larger social groups. Older children are taken to and collected from a nearby school each day in a clearly planned timetable.

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Organisation

Most documentation and accurate records are well organised, stored securely and effectively support the care of children. However, the complaints record is not appropriately formulated. The childminder has written her own comprehensive set of policies and procedures to share important information with parents. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements 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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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.

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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): • ensure that an appropriate system is in place to record complaints.

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The quality and standards of the care

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

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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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