Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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306899 Unique Reference Number 10 December 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 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?

This childminder has been registered since 1989. She lives with her husband and adult children in the Cheadle area of Stockport. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a cat and a dog.

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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 caring for seven children aged between 18 months and eight years on a part time basis. She walks to take and collect children from school and attends local carer and toddler groups for minded children on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder maintains appropriate levels of hygiene throughout the home and encourages children to develop good personal hygiene routines. Therefore, they are protected from the spread of infection and cross contamination. Children are well taken care of if they are ill as

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

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a healthy eating policy that she shares with parents. She offers children a selection of healthy snacks and parents provide meals for their children. Children bring their own beaker of drink to the childminder's house which she refills with water for them and makes available to them throughout the day. Children enjoy learning about healthy eating as they are involved in choosing fruit and healthy snacks when out shopping and as they look at and discuss posters and books showing pictures of fruit and vegetables. The childminder works closely with parents and observes and listens to children. Therefore, she has a thorough knowledge and understanding of children's dietary, health and sleeping needs and routines and meets them accordingly. Children are relaxed and secure and their well-being is promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy lots of opportunities to develop their large muscle skills and coordination. They regularly walk to and from school, spend time in the childminder's garden and have opportunities to use climbing equipment and bikes at toddler groups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home provides children with a safe and homely environment and adequate space to play. Children confidently and enthusiastically explore the good range of resources and activities on offer. These meet the needs of and provide stimulation for children of all ages, however, there are limited natural resources available for children to explore using all their senses. Children use the kitchen/diner as the main play area. They engage in creative and messy play at the table and enjoy playing with garages, small world toys and role play on the floor area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk of accidental injury is minimised as the childminder has a high regard for children's safety and supervises them closely at all times. All necessary safety measures are in place inside the home. The garden is secure, although, there are some items in it that could be hazardous to children. Children demonstrate an understanding of keeping themselves safe as they learn about road safety and remind the childminder to be careful that she doesn't trip over toys on the floor.

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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. She has contact numbers to seek advice on safeguarding issues but does not have referral contact details.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, relaxed and stimulated and become highly involved in their chosen play activities. They greatly enjoy involving the childminder in their play and have fun together as they engage in a variety of activities. The childminder gives children praise and encouragement and is skilled in following children's interests and asking questions that extend their learning through their play. Children develop an understanding of maths and number as they count how many segments of tangerine they have and calculate how many are left as they eat them. They

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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 talk about shape as they play with play dough. The childminder explains that the triangle has three sides and a child identifies the long and short sides of a rectangle.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children chat confidently throughout the day and develop an excellent vocabulary as the childminder listens, responds and repeats children's language. While playing with a garage children demonstrate excellent imaginative skills, stating that the car has run out of petrol and taking it to the garage to fill it up. The childminder extends the activity, adding resources and suggesting that they go to the shop. They discuss road safety and the meaning of green and red traffic lights. When playing with the farm the childminder develops children's knowledge and understanding of the world as she asks what we get from cows and sheep. She also demonstrates a sensitivity in allowing children to follow their interests, for example, when she asks a child how many pigs there are and he does not respond she allows him to continue with the flow of his imaginative play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has an excellent relationship with the children. She is caring, sensitive and responsive to their needs. She gives children choices and respects their wishes. Children are, therefore, secure, content and develop a strong sense of belonging and high self-esteem. The childminder has clear house rules and a positive approach to behaviour management, giving children praise and encouragement. She has appropriate expectations and boundaries for children of different needs and ages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Consistency of care is maintained and children are cared for in accordance to parents' wishes as the childminder works closely with them. Information regarding her childminding practices and policies are discussed and are on display for parents. The needs of the children are discussed during an initial visit, as the child settles into the provision and on a daily basis. The childminder has a complaints procedure and is aware of the requirement to record complaints. Information regarding the child's day is shared verbally 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, culture and disability. The childminder discusses differences and similarities as children make observations. Children enjoy learning about various celebrations and festivals, following on from topics they have been doing at nursery or school. The childminder ensures that children's choices are not limited as a result of conforming to stereotypes and will challenge negative comments.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her time well and is flexible in order to meet children's and families' individual needs. Children engage in a wide range of stimulating activities and experiences within the home and benefit from wider choices and the opportunity to socialise with other children as they attend toddler groups. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to developing her childminding practices as she attends relevant training, keeping up-to-date with new requirements and initiatives. All necessary documentation is in place. The childminder follows appropriate policies and procedures which are shared verbally and are on display for parents. Therefore, promoting children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.

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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 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 previous inspection the childminder agreed to develop her systems for recording significant issues and the administration of medication, ensuring that they are shared with and signed by parents. The childminder now has an appropriate system in place. She also agreed to ensure that the first aid box is checked frequently and replaced as necessary. She now has an appropriately stocked first aid box. Therefore, all necessary information is shared with parents and children's well-being is maintained.

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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): • review the procedures held for child protection to ensure that the current contact numbers are held for reporting suspected child abuse • develop a suitable range of natural materials to promote sensory development for younger children, in line with the Birth to three matters framework • ensure that the outside play area is kept safe for children to use throughout the year.

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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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