Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY362903 Unique Reference Number 12 June 2008 Inspection date Teresa Ann Clark 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 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and six in Cheadle Hulme. The whole ground floor of the property is used for childminding purposes. Bathroom facilities are situated on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time. There are currently two children on roll. With parental consent children are taken to local carer and toddler groups, park and library. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home which is clean and well maintained. The childminder follows effective practices to protect children's health. For example, children who are infectious are excluded from the setting. Nappy changing routines are safe and hygienic. There are suitable

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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 procedures in place for dealing with accidents and medication. However, children are not fully protected because the childminder does not have a first aid box and children's hands are not always cleaned before they eat.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular fresh air and exercise. They visit the park where they use equipment, visit other community facilities and use the childminder's garden. Children also benefit from daily walks, which help to promote their good health. Children have their dietary needs well met because the childminder gathers all relevant information from parents and respects their wishes. Children are provided with healthy meals and snacks. Some are provided by parents, but children are offered fresh fruit throughout the day and have access to regular drinks in their own individual beakers. This ensures children remain refreshed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe indoor and outdoor environment because the childminder supervises the children carefully and takes appropriate steps to minimise hazards. For example, outer doors are kept locked and the children play in designated areas of the home, which are safe. Fire safety precautions, such as smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in place. However, the fire blanket is not easily accessible in the event of a fire. Emergency evacuation procedures are in place and practised with the children. As a result, the children know what to do in the event of a fire. Risk assessments are carried out by the childminder which helps identify any potential hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good range of toys and resources, which are stored in a separate room. Toys are stored in boxes on shelving which older children can easily access. Younger children are not able to easily access the toys as they are unable to see clearly what is available to them, which limits their choice and independence. The equipment available meets the required safety standards and the childminder maintains and cleans the toys and resources on a regular basis. However, the lack of natural materials limits children's opportunity for their sensory development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a basic working knowledge of the procedures for dealing with child protection issues, which means that children are adequately safeguarded. She has knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. There are procedures for monitoring children and the childminder has details of the relevant agencies should she need to seek further advice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled. Children are involved in a variety of learning opportunities both inside and outside the childminders home. For example, within the home they work on arts and crafts, read books, as well as playing with the toys and equipment available. They spend time in the garden and visit the local park for fresh air and exercise. The childminder gives them individual attention and children enjoy a good relationship with her. They benefit from warm and loving relationships with the childminder as they enjoy frequent hugs and cuddles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn as they play because the childminder asks simple questions to encourage their thinking. For example, she asks what colour card and crayons they wish to use. Children benefit from a satisfactory range of activities which promote their all round development. These include activities within the home and at local community groups.

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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 Children enjoy exploring creative materials as they make cards for Fathers Day. Children choose the colour of the card they wish to use. They practise their mark making skills and use glue and other materials to create their own pictures. Young children show and interest in simple computer programmes as they watch the changing pictures and listen to the sounds. They enjoy exploring sound as they play musical instruments and are developing their language skills as they share books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children's awareness of the local community is developed because the childminder takes them out in the local area. For example, they go to the park and toddler groups, where they socialise with other registered childminders and the children in their care. There are books and resources which raise children's awareness of other people, disability and the world around them. Children are recognised as individuals and their differing needs are met. They are valued and treated with equal concern. The childminder encourages them to learn about diversity and how to respect each other. For example, they use books to talk about people's similarities and differences and they play with some toys that reflect positive images of gender and culture.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and they respond to the childminder's warm and positive approach. She uses praise and encouragement successfully to promote positive behaviour and uses techniques, such as distraction, to focus the attention of the younger children to a different task or activity. The children are developing an understanding of what is right and wrong because the childminder uses an approach to behaviour management that is consistent with those of the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good working relationships with the parents and carers. She understands the benefits of having these positive links with the children and their families. Information is shared through daily verbal exchanges as the children arrive and depart. They are kept informed of children's activities and progress on a daily basis. This is further supported by the documentation she has in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a suitably well organised environment where they there is a clear routine for the week, which ensures that children have different play and learning experiences. For example, there are opportunities for home based play and outings in the local area to socialise with other children. As a result, the children are enjoying positive outcomes.

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Organisation

The childminder has a suitable understanding of the National Standards and has all of the required documentation in place to support her care of the children. For example, there are clear written agreements with parents, a complaints log and clear systems for recording accidents and administrations of medication. However, the system for recording the attendance of the children includes using their initials and not their full names, although the childminder can easily identify which record relates to each child currently in her care.

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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

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. 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): • obtain a first aid box • improve hygiene practices to ensure children's hands are washed before they eat • ensure the fire blanket is easily accessible in the event of a fire • improve opportunities and activities for children to explore using all their senses • improve the organisation of toys to ensure young children are able to access and make choices about their play and learning.

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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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