Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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306666 Unique Reference Number 10 January 2008 Inspection date Zoe Smith 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 registered since 1994. She lives in the Woodsmoor district of Stockport with her husband and their two children who are aged 12 and 14. Children have access to all rooms on the ground floor. The enclosed rear garden is used for outdoor and physical play activities. Children can be taken to and collected from local schools. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children and is currently minding eight children on a combination of full and part-time places. The family have a pet dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have lots of opportunities to participate in a wide range of physical play activities that help them develop good control and co-ordination over their bodies. They look forward to playing with balls and bean bags in the garden, dancing to music and walking to and from school and trips to the park to feed the ducks. Children happily rock their bodies to and fro

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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 whilst singing ‘See Saw Margery Daw’ with the childminder. These activities provide plenty of fresh air and exercise, and are supportive of a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s good health is promoted because effective hygiene procedures reduce the risk of cross contamination. Surfaces, toys and equipment are kept clean and children wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. The childminder has up to date training in first aid practice and the necessary permissions and records regarding accidents and the administration of medication are in place. Children's home routines are followed by the childminder to ensure continuity in their individual sleep and eating patterns. When a child had a sore finger all the children were enthralled listening to the story ‘Ouch I Need a Plaster’, which is now one of their favourite books.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a varied and nutritious diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit, salad and vegetables. They happily eat melon, kiwi fruit and grapes for their morning snack. Individual dietary requirements and preferences are agreed with parents and well catered for by the childminder. Fresh drinking water is readily available for children to drink and keep them hydrated. Children are learning about the importance of healthy eating through discussions and activities. They enjoy shopping at the market and local shop for fruit and vegetables for their meals and snacks and tasting healthy foods, such as fruit smoothies.

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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 safe and secure home. Examples of their creativity are displayed to make the environment interesting and child friendly. Children are kept safe because the childminder constantly and vigilantly supervises them at all times. She has identified potential risks and put effective safety precautions in place to minimise them. Cleaning fluids are stored where they are inaccessible and safety gates and plug socket covers are used to protect children. Mostly effective fire precautions and procedures are in place. Smoke detectors are provided on the ground and first floor but not on the lower ground or second floor, this reduces the warning time given in the event of a fire. The childminder has planned the best way to evacuate the house and has provided a fire blanket in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children choose what to play with from a very good range of safe, high quality, age appropriate toys and equipment. Children’s interests and abilities are considered when purchasing new resources. They recently went to the book shop with the childminder to buy a book about a fish because they are fascinated by fish and had enjoyed the story when they borrowed the book from the library. Children’s awareness of keeping themselves safe is reinforced through stories, simple discussions and practice. Children look at a large picture of a house and identify all the potential hazards and dangers and they regularly practise how to cross the road safely using a toy zebra crossing and traffic lights. Children know to sit at the table properly and that they must not throw toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety and protection is given high priority. The childminder has a good knowledge and clear understanding of safeguarding procedures, her role and responsibilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children’s day is well planned to provide a wide range of interesting and enjoyable activities that stimulate their interest and development. Good use is made of local amenities to extend

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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 play and learning opportunities. Children look forward to trips to toddler groups, the library, local parks and shops and travelling further a field on public transport. Attendance at toddler groups provides opportunities for children to mix with other children and play with a wider range of resources and activities. Children’s language development is promoted extremely well and they are becoming increasingly skilful communicators. They love looking at books and listening to stories, constantly chatting to the childminder and singing their favourite songs. Children enthusiastically talk about how they have rolled the dough out to make different sized balls and snakes. They make lots of noise as they energetically and rhythmically bang and shake the maracas and ring the bells.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have lots of opportunities to explore a very good range of sensory, messy and creative activities, such as painting, sand, water, cutting and sticking and dough. They happily dig and rake the sand and then pour it through the sand wheel and watch what happens. Babies have opportunities to play with wooden and natural products when they explore the contents of the treasure basket. Children enjoy the challenge of completing jigsaw puzzles and fitting cogs together. They carefully manipulate the cogs to fit them together and then watch what happens as the cogs turn on the base. Children become engrossed in imaginary and make believe play, actively using gestures and actions. They happily make snacks and cups of tea for the dolls, each other and the childminder and they love to play in the play house. Children take the toy trucks and vehicles on imaginary journeys round the play mat and floor.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have access to a very good range of books, jigsaws and imaginative toys that provide positive images of culture, gender and disability. They join in activities that help them learn about their own and the religious and cultural beliefs of others. Children enjoyed going to Manchester to visit the German Christmas Markets and taste traditional German sausages. To find out about Diwali they made pictures of candles and lamps and at Chinese New Year they visited China Town. These activities are helping children to learn about the wider world and to value difference

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are valued and their individual needs extremely well met by the childminder who is proactive in welcoming children with learning difficulties and disabilities into her care. The childminder has formalised a positive behaviour management policy and skilfully negotiates with and supports children to share the toys and take turns. Children are responsive to the encouragement and meaningful praise that they receive from the childminder and work hard to achieve a sticker for their efforts and trying hard. They are finding out about the boundaries that are in place and behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder fosters a positive and effective partnership with parents to ensure their wishes are respected and children’s individual needs met. She takes steps to ensure that they are kept well informed about all relevant policies and procedures. Regular discussions keep parents up to date about their child's day, progress and any issues. Daily diaries provide parents with detailed information on how children have spent their day and their developmental progress. Parents speak very highly of the childminder and the care she provides, they comment on the good range of activities and progress their children are making and describe the childminder as being ‘dedicated and professional’.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well organised, busy and child orientated home. The environment is designed to provide a wide variety of stimulating, interesting and enjoyable play and learning opportunities which are easily accessible. Children confidently explore their surroundings and choose the toys and activities they want to play with. The childminder has positive relationships with children and organises her day so she is able to spend lots of time with them. She ensures they are well supported and gives them lots of encouragement and attention. Childminding records and documentation are clear, up to date and stored appropriately. Well written policies and procedures are in place, they are shared with parents and used to effectively inform and underpin the childminder's practice. The childminder holds a recognised childcare qualification and is working towards a degree in Childhood and Youth Studies; this is enabling her to

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Organisation

continually enhance her skills and develop the service provided.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were made regarding medication and seeking emergency medical advice. The childminder has formalised new consent forms and written policies and procedures on sickness and the administration of medication, which are shared with parents. This ensures that the children's health is promoted at all times and the wishes of parents respected.

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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 all 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): • provide smoke alarms that conform to BS EN Standards on every level of the house and maintain in working order.

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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 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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