Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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306741 Unique Reference Number 05 July 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 has been a registered for 19 years. She lives in the Cheadle Hulme district of Stockport with her husband and their teenage daughter.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children and there are currently 12 on roll. Minded children have access to all rooms on the ground floor, which provide play, eating, sleep and toilet facilities. There is an enclosed rear garden which is used for outdoor play activities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have two cats and some goldfish. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and local childminding group. Support is received from the Local Authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children and their families are warmly welcomed into a very clean and comfortable environment, where rigorous health and hygiene routines are in place to reduce the risk of cross-contamination

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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 and infections. Children's health needs are protected with accurate records and by the childminder's current knowledge of first aid. Children are well hydrated and confidently access their own drinks to keep themselves refreshed.

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Helping children to be healthy

A wide range activities is provided that promote a healthy lifestyle for the children. Daily walks to and from school, visits to the park and adventures in the garden provide challenging opportunities for children to improve their physical skills. Children's rest and sleep routines are managed effectively by the childminder who provides a variety of arrangements to suit the children's individual needs.

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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 warm and welcoming environment where they have plenty of space to move around freely. Resources are organised well and stored in boxes and on shelving for children's ease for access. Equipment is checked regularly and resources provided by the childminder are of high quality, safe and in good condition. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. All the relevant contact details and information documents from the Local Safeguarding Children Board are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk of accidental injury is minimised as the childminder regularly reviews her procedures to identify and respond to potential dangers and hazards. Appropriate equipment, such as fire guards and socket covers, are in place in the home to ensure children's safety. An emergency evacuation procedure, which is displayed on the playroom wall for children to see, informs older children of procedures to follow should the need arise. Children are encouraged to learn about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe when they travel in the childminder's car or follow road safety rules when on outings. They understand and practice road safety procedures and know they must not talk when crossing roads in order to be able to listen to instructions from the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children at the setting relish days that are full of fun and stimulating activities. They are very happy and settled and enjoy learning as they play. Children thoroughly enjoy their time with this childminder and encounter a wide range of highly innovative and carefully planned experiences which stimulate all areas of their development. Daily routines are organised to ensure that children’s individual care needs are consistently met. This ensures that children are very relaxed, happy and confident and flourish whilst in the childminders care. They benefit from spending individual time with the childminder whose interaction with them is excellent. The childminder uses her extensive knowledge of child development to provide high levels care for them and to extend their understanding of the world around them. Children develop a robust understanding of the world as they track the travels of a family member on a map and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

label and research each port of call. This enables older children to develop a lively interest in learning about different countries by the postcards and letters received. Relevant resource materials are made available to support their interest and discoveries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are highly motivated to acquire new skills, as the childminder encourages them to count, identify differing colours and constantly involves them in conversations to extend language skills as they play. They are learning to become very competent language users as

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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 the childminder responds positively to their chatter and repeats words to enhance their development. Mathematical concepts are promoted through everyday routines. Children hear early mathematical language frequently as they play and the childminder remains alert for opportunities to encourage them to think. Older children voluntarily practise their times tables in a fun way and use colourful multiplication table posters which are displayed on the wall for reference. The childminder has an exceptional understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses it well to further enhance her already outstanding practice. Their sensory skills are enhanced by the provision of treasure baskets containing many natural materials and objects together with heuristic play activities. Their individual interests are very perceptively

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

identified during self initiated play and the childminder very successfully challenges children's thinking. A recently introduced system of observing and recording children's achievements gives a comprehensive picture of their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals and their needs and preferences are clearly identified and acknowledged. Activities are adapted to ensure that all children are actively involved and fully included. For example, younger children are supported by the childminder to enable them to build with a construction set and, at another time a train track. Children are helped to consider and value diversity as the childminder actively promotes equality of opportunity. They have access to a broad range of resources, play opportunities and activities, which reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural differences. For example, dolls, books, puzzles and small world people promote positive images of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A strong, effective partnership with parents promotes good continuity of care for children. Parents write positively of the childminder and comment on the homely, friendly atmosphere. One parent, who praised the care her child received wrote about her baby 'If he could talk he would say brill'. Indicating the confidence that many parents have with the care their children receive. A positive attitude to inclusion is present.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are settled and relaxed in the well organised household where activities are organised imaginatively for the children. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment towards continuing her own personal development and consequently, achieving continual improvement in the quality of the care that she provides for children. The childminder has attended training on the 'Birth to three matters' framework and very successfully includes this in her practice.

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Organisation

Interesting outings are provided for children when they are taken to the park or local places of interest. Older children are taken to and collected from a nearby school each day, in a clearly planned timetable. All documentation and accurate records are well organised and effectively support the care of children. However, confidentiality is not maintained in the accident and medication records. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection the childminder was required to provide further detail when recording medication. The childminder now records the time that any medication is administered to a child.

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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.

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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.

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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 confidentiality is maintained in the accident and medication records.

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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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