Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY101871 Inspection date 01 February 2006 Inspector Sarah Taylor

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 2002 and lives with her partner and two children. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years old. There are currently five children on-roll attending part-time. They live in a terraced property in Heaton Moor. Shops and local parks are within walking distance of the property. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding activities and the upstairs is used for the children to sleep. There is an enclosed rear garden, which is used for outdoor play. The family have a pet dog.

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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 The childminder attends local toddler groups 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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and sufficiently well maintained home where good hygiene procedures are in place to protect children and minimise the risks of cross-infections. Children wash their hands before eating or after using the toilet. Younger children are discouraged from putting things in their mouth. They can rest or sleep in comfort, in their own buggy or in the cot, when they are tired and follow their own routines and have comforters from home. Children happily participate in physical play. Walks around the local area, and outings to parks, provide opportunities for healthy exercise and skilful physical play on large equipment. They benefit from indoor activity, such as dancing and playing on the rocking horse. This approach fosters children’s general health. Children's health and dietary needs are sufficiently recorded and acknowledged. The childminder takes account of children's allergies and medical needs. Children are

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Helping children to be healthy

offered drinks and healthy snacks throughout the day. They sit together at mealtimes and have the opportunity to try new foods and healthy options, such as home cooked vegetables or fruit. The childminder cooks meals from scratch like pasta and soup. She ensures that children have plenty of fresh fruit. This adequately encourages an understanding of a healthy diet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a welcoming environment, which is adequately maintained. They have access to appropriate facilities. They are safely supervised and they understand and respect safe boundaries and practice emergency escape procedures with the childminder. They learn about personal safety, such as road safety, when out of the setting with the childminder. Procedures are in place for the safe collection of children from the childminder's home. Children are able to select their own toys from a collection of good quality resources on open shelving. Resources are stored in boxes where children have easy access. Safety standards are maintained with all resources and children are encouraged to help to tidy away and take care of equipment. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and procedures and shares information with parents. Significant incidents and accidents are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

documented and shared with parents. She understands her role to protect the welfare of the child.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children quickly settle with the childminder and happily start to explore play opportunities within the setting. The childminder is aware of the short concentration-span of toddlers and they are offered a variety of suitable resources to maintain their interest. Children are sometimes able to play freely to develop their skills, but mostly the childminder intervenes and extends play by introducing new ideas, like singing, and using musical instruments or watching out for people in the environment, such as, the ‘bin-man’. Children enjoy going on walks in the local area or to explore adventure play apparatus in nearby parks. Children share warm relationships with the childminder with hugs being freely exchanged. Communication and language is encouraged and developed by the childminder as she listens and responds to children's early speech patterns. Children's non-verbal communication is acknowledged and facial expressions and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

gestures such as shrugs and nods are interpreted and reinforced with words, praise and gestures. The childminder has some knowledge of the development of young children, although she does not have access to the Birth to three matters framework to provide a basis to predict the next steps for young children's learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children happily explore the opportunities available. They gradually learn to understand and respect boundaries and about what is right or wrong in a supportive and caring environment. Children are regularly offered praise and reassuring smiles and cuddles from the childminder. Appropriate strategies are in use to promote positive behaviour according to the child's different ability and character, such as distracting a toddler tantrum. Children are encouraged to become independent in daily life in learning to put away toys. Children make choices and select materials to organise their own play activities. Positive images of race, gender or disability are promoted throughout in books and toys, and children play with all resources, participating in role-play with each other and the childminder. Children with additional needs, such as medical requirements, are well cared for and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the childminder discusses the needs of the child with the parents. This ensures that she is offering the most appropriate care to the child. Information about individual children's progress and interesting events are verbally shared with parents on a daily basis to ensure the continuity of care and create links between both homes.

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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 The organisation is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are mostly supported by the childminder's sufficiently organised documentation. However, an accurate record of daily attendance is not kept and this could put children at risk. Children benefit from a suitably qualified carer who holds suitable and relevant qualifications in childminding. However, the childminder has allowed her first aid certificate to expire and is, therefore, not meeting standard one. She has taken steps to rectify this by enrolling onto a first aid course and this ensures that children are put at minimal risk. Children are settled and relaxed in the homely environment where children are able to make choices and select toys from sufficiently organised and accessible resources in play areas. They enjoy opportunities to visit local parks or walks to and from

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Organisation

schools where they collect other children as part of a planned daily timetable. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that hazards to children were minimised. She has cleared hazardous plants, made low-level glass safe, put a chain on the front door and ensured that electrical and gas appliances do not pose a risk. These steps ensure that children are safe. She was also asked to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. She has purchased a range of equipment and this ensures that children enjoy exposure to the wider world.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that a current first aid qualification is maintained • ensure the daily record of attendance is accurate and kept up to date • obtain up to date information regarding children’s development in line with the aspects and approach described in the DfES publication, Birth to three matters:a framework to support children in their earliest years.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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