Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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306796 Unique Reference Number 17 October 2007 Inspection date Barbara Christine Wearing 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 satisfactory. 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 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 11 in the Cheadle Heath area of Stockport. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five during the day. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She attends local parent and toddler groups, childminding groups and libraries with the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder maintains appropriate levels of hygiene throughout her home and encourages children to develop good personal hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Therefore they are protected from the spread of infection and cross contamination. Children are well taken care of if they are ill as the childminder follows a clear

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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 sickness policy and administration of medication procedure that she discusses with parents. She requests parents' consent for emergency medical treatment, has an up to date first aid certificate and first aid box.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are nourished and hydrated. Parents provide meals for their children and the childminder provides them with a choice of snacks, such as fruit and breadsticks. Children have drinks available to them throughout the day but this is often well diluted squash rather than water. Children are encouraged to develop healthy eating habits as the childminder offers them different foods to try and is aware that her own older children can act as positive role models. She will also follow on discussions from school or nursery around health eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works closely with parents and is therefore aware of children's health, dietary and sleeping needs and routines and follows these accordingly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular opportunities to develop their large muscle skills and coordination. They visit local parks, walk to and from school and enjoy dancing.

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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 secure environment. Children are stimulated and involved in their play and confidently explore the well maintained range of resources and activities on offer. Children access further resources with the support of the childminder. The childminder regularly accesses a local toy library in order to provide children with a wider range of resources and activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a high regard for children's safety at all times both indoors and out. All necessary safety measures are in place and children are supervised closely. Children develop an understanding of keeping themselves safe as the childminder re-enforces road safety with them on their walk to and from school and nursery. Therefore the risk of accidental injury is minimised.

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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 in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and of her role within these. These are clearly shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have a good relationship with the childminder who spends time playing with them with their chosen toys and resources. She is aware of the children's stages of development and is skilled in taking opportunities to ask them questions to extend their learning. For example, children develop their language and communication skills as the childminder listens and responds to them, repeating their words as they feed a doll using toy utensils and food. The childminder asks what she is having now. When a child points to the doll's eyes, nose and mouth, the childminder asks her 'how many?'. They count together and then the child continues to 'count' on her own. Thereby, showing and developing her awareness of number. Children begin to match and name colours as the childminder asks what colour various objects are. Children enjoy stories and use props to act them out, such as using bears when reading the story of Goldilocks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children repeat this process on their own at a later date.

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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 Although the childminder is skilled at extending children's play through her interaction with them, their opportunities to extend their activities independently is limited as they are encouraged to clear away one set of resources before accessing another and the younger children require adult support in accessing these. There is a limited choice of freely and consistently accessible toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Throughout the week children are involved in a wide range of activities both in and out of the childminder's home. They enjoy socialising and making friends when they regularly attend local toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a close relationship with the childminder and her family. Children are confident and are aware of, and involved in, the daily routine. The childminder states that she encourages children to develop a sense of belonging and high self-esteem as she listens to them and helps them to feel special. A young child relaxes and enjoys a quiet time on the settee as the childminder gently rubs her back.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has basic ground rules that encourage children to respect each other and these are shared with parents. She encourages positive behaviour by giving children lots of praise and reassurance and distracts them to prevent unwanted behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder builds good relationships with parents. She shares information with them regarding her childminding practices and the needs of the children during an initial visit, as the child settles into the provision. Information is then shared on a daily basis verbally regarding the child's day or any relevant changes through sharing records, such as medication and accident records when necessary. Therefore consistency of care is maintained and children are cared for in accordance to parents' wishes as appropriate. Parents' feedback demonstrates that they are happy with the care the childminder gives, are aware of her policies and procedures and receive verbal feedback on a daily basis.

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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 ensures that she answers children's questions truthfully and clearly as they observe differences and similarities. She will challenge comments that stereotype and has a clear understanding of the importance of children not being restricted in their play or belief of what they can or cannot do or become.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her time and home well and is flexible in order to meet children's and familie's individual needs. Children engage in a range of stimulating activities and experiences both within the childminder's home and when going on trips out to parks and toddler groups. All necessary documentation is in place and shared with parents when appropriate. The childminder follows appropriate policies and procedures, which are shared verbally with parents. These promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.

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Organisation

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

At the previous inspection the provider agreed improve to fire safety by practising the emergency escape plan, record information about children's individual needs and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical treatment. Procedures are now in place to ensure that these three recommendations are met, thereby further enhancing the wellbeing and safety of the children.

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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 satisfactory. 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 children have fresh drinking water available at all times • increase opportunities for children to access a wider range of consistently available toys and resources independently.

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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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