Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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306822 Unique Reference Number 11 December 2007 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1989. She lives in the Offerton district of Stockport with her husband and their four adult children. Children have access to all the rooms on the ground floor except the lounge and conservatory. The rear garden is used for outdoor and physical play activities. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children, however, she is not currently minding children under eight. The childminder is able to offer before and after school care during term time, and full day care during school holidays. She can take and collect children from local schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

When a provider does not have children on roll at the time of the inspection, inspection judgements are based on evidence gathered from discussions with the provider and an inspection of the premises, equipment and relevant documentation.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

As there are no children on roll, the quality of the provision cannot be judged better than satisfactory because there is not sufficient evidence on which to assess its impact on children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Discussions and examination of the childminder's medicine and sickness policy demonstrate she has a sound understanding of how to promote children’s good health. She does this by keeping her home warm and clean and ensuring positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection, and appropriate measures are put in place when children are ill. She is able to protect children's welfare and well-being because she has current training in administering first aid. (National Standard 7: Health)

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Helping children to be healthy

From discussion, the childminder demonstrated she is able to actively promote children’s physical development. When she is minding she plans daily opportunities for outdoor play and physical activities. She describes walking to and from school with children, playing in the garden and trips to local parks. She talks about children riding bicycles, organising skipping, ring games and football tournaments.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that food and drink for children is adequate, properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements. Discussions demonstrate she has a good understanding of healthy eating and the need to ensure drinking water is readily available. When she last minded she involved children in activities to encourage healthy eating, such as baking and preparing healthy snacks and meals. (National Standard 8: Food and drink)

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are safe, secure and include the necessary facilities for children. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of how to ensure the environment is made welcoming to children. (National Standard 4: Physical environment)

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The furniture, equipment and toys are safe and appropriate for the needs of children. (National Standard 5: Equipment)

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands how to promote children’s safety and take precautions to prevent accidents. She describes how activities and simple rules help children to keep themselves safe. For example, making sure children wear safety helmets when they ride bicycles and providing activities and quizzes on road safety. (National Standard 6: Safety)

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is well trained in and has a sound knowledge of child protection procedures approved by the Local Safeguarding Children Board, and is aware of her responsibility to protect the welfare of the child. (National Standard 13: Child Protection)

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of how individual children develop and learn. She talks about planning activities that are fun and reflect that children spend their leisure time in her care. For example, providing lots of craft and creative activities, making collages using leaves and helping children to learn how to sew and knit so they can make things to take home. (Standard 3: Care, learning and play)

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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 satisfactory. The childminder has an appropriate knowledge and awareness of the importance of treating each child with equal respect and concern. She has a range of play resources and books that promote positive images of culture, gender and disability. (National Standard 9: Equal opportunities)

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Helping children make a positive contribution

She is aware that some children may have learning difficulties or disabilities, and understands the importance of working in partnership with parents and with other professionals to promote the welfare and development of the child. (National Standard 10: Special needs)

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows a willingness and commitment to working with parents to manage children’s behaviour in a consistent way which promotes the child’s welfare and development. She talks about rewarding good behaviour with treats and smiley faces and ticks in behaviour books. The childminder describes playing sports, team and board games with children to help them learn rules, take turns and play fairly. (National Standard 11: Behaviour)

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Helping children make a positive contribution

She has a satisfactory understanding of the need to develop a strong partnership with parents, taking into account their differing needs. Parents of children under eight she has recently cared for speak very highly about her and the care provided. They talk about her being helpful and flexible, the homely environment, children being made to feel welcome, the good range of activities and the childminder being sensitive to children's individual needs. (National Standard 12: Working in partnership with parents and carers)

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is aware of her duty to ensure that other people living or working on the premises are suitable to be in contact with children. She has a positive commitment to developing her childcare skills and the service provided, through regular attendance on relevant training courses, such as fire safety awareness and safeguarding children. (National Standard 1: Suitable person)

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Organisation

She understands the importance of working within the constraints of her conditions of registration relating to the number of children; and of organising space and resources to best meet the needs of the children. The childminder explains that the playroom is set out in a child friendly manner with resources within easy reach so children can make independent choices. She talks about organising her day so she is able to give children lots of support and attention. (National Standard 2: Organisation)

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Organisation

The childminder has a sound awareness of the records to be kept and the importance of these. Comprehensive and detailed written policies and procedures have been formalised to inform and underpin her childminding practice. (National Standard 14: Documentation)

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection one recommendation was made to improve the quality and standards of care for children. The childminder has developed her knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the National Standards to ensure that records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision and to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are in place and well maintained.

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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 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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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): • there are no recommendations as children were not on roll at the time of the inspection.

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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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