Sidebotham, Julie Ann

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY216498 Inspection date 20/11/2008 Inspector Debra Elizabeth Jean Dahlstrom

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 2002 and lives with her husband, also a registered childminder, and their three children. The family live in a detached house in the Great Moor area of Stockport, which is within close proximity of local shops, parks, and the library, in addition to bus and train routes to local town centres. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Toilet facilities are provided on the ground floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time under the Early Years Register and compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. There are currently 16 children on roll.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the local Childminding Network and attends toddler groups on a regular basis. She has strong links with the local school.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The well-organised activities, challenging environment and stimulating daily routine ensure children progress well. They are very confident and happy; they are secure as the childminder provides for them in a caring and welcoming setting. Each child is valued and their individual needs are met to a high standard as the childminder strives, through ongoing training, to improve her practice. The childminder promotes all aspects of children's welfare successfully, ensuring that children are safe and secure. Good relationships exist with parents and strong effective links are established with other providers involved in children's care. Through her commitment to continuous improvement and self-evaluation, the childminder is aware of her own development needs and, by accessing ongoing training, she secures further improvement to her service.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 continue to develop systems to track children's progress towards the early learning goals and to plan for the next stages in their development.

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provision

All of the required documentation is in place; it is very well organised and kept confidential to promote the welfare of all children. The childminder places great emphasis upon children's safety. She clearly understands her role in safeguarding and has undertaken relevant training. She takes a range of positive steps to ensure that hazards to children, both indoors and outdoors, are kept to a minimum. Regular fire evacuation drills and effective risk assessments, for example, help This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children to learn about staying safe. The childminder is particularly confident in enabling young children to explore their environment and yet stay safe. Her vigilant supervision, for example, ensures babies can be adventurous and, using low level furniture, pull themselves up to a standing position, thus promoting their physical development and growing independence.

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provision

Children benefit from an extremely attractive play room with readily accessible, good quality resources, many of which promote equality of opportunity and inclusion. Low level mirrors and lots of photographs of the children, all displayed at their level, ensures children feel valued and included, creating a great sense of well being. This enables children to build upon their confidence and develop as independent learners.

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provision

The childminder uses a robust system of self evaluation to critically analyse her strengths and weaknesses. As such, she identifies areas for further development through careful reflection of her practice. The childminder is extremely enthusiastic and committed to providing a high standard of childcare and education for children. Regular attendance on training workshops to keep abreast of current issues and contributions to 'Who Minds' magazine ensures the service to children is of a high standard.

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provision

The childminder is creative in ways to include children, in gaining feedback from them, in encouraging them to compile a book with the help of parents about 'A day with my childminder'. Children's views and opinions were sought and then acted upon. Partnerships with parents are strong and effective; quarterly newsletters and regular questionnaires ensure that there is a free flow of information exchanged between all those caring for the children. Day journals are completed by both parents and childminder to contribute to the warm and consistent care provided for children, with information about daily routines and significant milestones shared. Numerous records of children's development and achievements are readily available to share with parents about their children's progress. Established links are in place with the local school as the childminder and her children attend a special monthly assembly. These occasions enable everyone

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provision

to work together to support children's individual developmental needs, particularly in their transition to nursery and/or reception class.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder works very closely with children as she organises a range of stimulating and challenging activities across all six areas of learning. Her commitment to ensure 'children learn through play' and her highly skilled approach ensures children thoroughly enjoy their time with her whilst becoming competent, resilient, capable and confident learners. As such, children develop positive attitudes to life long learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Younger children confidently express themselves; their emergent language is always valued and often applauded by the childminder. All children are included in activities as the childminder ensures that their individual achievements are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 recognised. Every child, for example, has their own bulb in their plant pot, most of which are highly decorated by the children themselves. Whilst each very distinctive, the childminder ensures younger children could easily identify theirs as each one is clearly labelled with both the printed name and a small photograph.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children relish their opportunities to develop physical skills; they make good use of the garden for active play. They enjoy digging in the garden and local allotment, planting seeds and using small tools with growing confidence. Their interest is promoted in the growing of vegetables and this has resulted in improved appetites and broadened their healthy choices. They, for example, happily go to the menus displayed on the wall at low level. They can look at the attractive laminated photos of the nutritious meals and snacks on offer for that day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has excellent systems to help children stay safe and promote their well-being. She is creative in her thinking; the use of an ultra violet lamp, provided by a parent, enables children to look closely at their hands covered in a special solution to mimic germs and to discover how they are spread. Songs, for example, such as the 'hand washing song' also appeal to children's interests, and so motivates them in wanting to learn to wash hands effectively. Children wear reflective clothing on outings; older ones clearly understand the relevance of staying safe and crossing roads carefully as the childminder ensures that safety messages are sensitively introduced. These have relevance and meaning to the children, for example, at a visit to the local fire station. Children enjoy climbing in the fire engine but also learn why it is important to pay attention when others are speaking about fire safety.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave well, as younger ones are learning about cooperative play. They are sociable and obviously familiar with daily greeting rituals as they quickly anticipate parents leaving and wave 'bye bye' to all those still present.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows all the children very well, with a clear understanding of their stages of development and their differing methods of learning. She has good observational skills and clearly records their starting points. The childminder has a number of systems in place for planning and assessment of the children, although some of these are in the formative stages. However these systems enable her to plan for the next steps in their learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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