Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY348696 Unique Reference Number 16 August 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 2007. She lives with her husband and child aged one in the Cheadle area of Stockport. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight and there is currently one child on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom of the childminder's house. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 kept safe as the childminder has the necessary written parental consents to administer medication and seek emergency medical treatment. Children benefit from daily

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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 outdoor activities, which contribute to their good health, for example, they regularly play in the garden, go on walks to the local parks and larger ones further away.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parent’s wishes are followed with regard to children’s sleep patterns which helps ensure continuity of care for them. Children’s specific dietary requirements are well met as the childminder has obtained detailed information about the children’s individual needs from parents. Children have their own drinking cups and can access drinks freely to quench their thirst and keep them hydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment where they and their parents are warmly welcomed. Young children can move about confidently and freely where they are safe and well supervised. Risks are regularly assessed and reviewed by the childminder to protect children. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised by the childminder as she supervises them well. They benefit from a range of safety measures in place, for example, securely locked external doors and safety gates for younger children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children make choices from a range of toys and equipment in place, which meet the developmental needs of the children currently being cared for. However, resources are not sufficient for older children and do not promote children’s awareness of the wider world. Children are interested in the toys and the childminder carefully monitors the children's choice of toys to make sure they are appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has sound knowledge of the issues and procedures and knows whom to contact to ensure a child's protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy in the homely environment and benefit from the good relationship with the childminder. They have established close relationships with the childminder and are clearly very confident and happy in her care. The childminder is extremely positive in her approach, frequently praising and encouraging children, which ensures they develop high levels of confidence and self-esteem. The interesting range of resources available for the children currently minded fosters their development well. However, their opportunity to experience natural materials and art and craft activities are limited.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Communication skills are given a high priority as the childminder listens and responds appropriately to children’s early speech patterns. Signs, gestures and facial expressions are used to reinforce meaning and provide visual cues. Their individual development is appropriately supported as their interests are noted by the childminder. They enjoy sitting cosily to look at books and watch with interest as she presses buttons to make relevant noises connected to the story. Babies happily explore and investigate when playing with treasure baskets either independently or with the childminder's own child.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The very successful relationships established with parents enable the childminder to meet children's individual needs effectively. Relevant information given by parents prior to children starting with her, is effectively recorded and used for daily reference. Detailed, daily discussion helps the childminder and parents to work together to help children make good progress. A daily diary keeps parents informed of their child’s activities and routines during the day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Expectations for children’s behaviour are stated in a gentle and precise way, thus, all children quickly acquire confidence and self-respect and are aware of right and wrong. The range of resources to support equality of opportunity is limited. The childminder through discussion demonstrated a positive attitude to inclusion.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well organised environment where they enjoy a variety of experiences and activities each day. The childminder ensures that children participate in home-based play and outings to the local park and toddler group where they have chance to socialise with their peers. As a result, the children feel secure and well settled and enjoy positive outcomes. Routines are based on individual children’s requirements, which assist them with settling and enjoying their day with the childminder. They have access to facilities where they have sufficient play space to be active or rest in comfort.

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Organisation

All records and documentation are in place. They are stored securely to protect children's well-being with important contact details easily accessed when required. The childminder has a current first aid certificate to enable her to provide appropriate care for the children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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.

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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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Complaints 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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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): • continue to develop resources and equipment for older children , including those which promote all aspects of equality of opportunity • provide children with activities that will develop their sensory experiences with natural materials and art and craft materials.

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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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