Childminder in Stockport

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 EY217524 Inspection date 20/11/2008 Inspector Jeanne Lesley Walsh

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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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and 11 years. They live in the Heaton Moor area of Stockport, within walking distance of schools, shops and parks. Access to the childminders home is up five steps. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, including a downstairs toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Children are also taken, with parental permission, to local amenities, such as the library, toddler groups and to other places of interest.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a total of six children at any one time under the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register to enable her to care for older children. There are currently nine children on roll and of these three are under five years and six are between five and 10 years. All the children attend on a part time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of the children she minds and she welcomes and values them as individuals. She provides good care for the children and conscientiously meets their individual welfare needs. The children are happy, confident and developing well in the setting. The childminder did not complete a self evaluation form prior to inspection, however, she is well aware that there are areas for development to bring about continuous improvement. She recognises that she has a responsibility to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). However, she is unsure how to link her good knowledge of child development to the learning and development requirements. Although she has developed good relationships with the parents she has not yet established systems that inform them of EYFS or link in with other providers of the framework.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems that inform parents about children's progress, to help them to become involved in supporting their child's learning and development. Also establish links with other providers of EYFS to ensure progression and continuity of care and learning for children  develop systems for planning and assessment to identify children's next steps and ensure that, over time, the six areas of learning are covered in sufficient depth and breadth. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder provides good care for children and meets their individual welfare needs well. She instinctively provides a good range of activities that challenge the children and help them to progress. She is able to discuss her strengths and weaknesses and is aware of areas for her improvement. She demonstrates a good awareness of how children learn and develop. However, she is unsure how to link this to the requirements of the EYFS. She records daily information for parents but this does not easily identify children's next steps. There are also no clear planning systems in place that ensure activities cover the six areas of learning. The two recommendations made at the last inspection have been successfully met. These related to improving her understanding of child protection procedures and obtaining written consents, regarding medication and emergency medical advice or treatment. The consents are now in place and the childminder has completed

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provision

The childminder is fully aware of her responsibility in relation to safeguarding children. She has clear procedures to follow should she have concerns about their protection. Information is shared with parents, who sign a form confirming their awareness of her responsibility. The childminder ensures that all adults who come into contact with the children are safe to do so. She is also pro-active in helping children to learn about keeping themselves safe through discussion, practice and daily routines.

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provision

The childminder has established a positive working relationship with parents. They are provided with good information, including policies and procedures which are in place to ensure the safe management of the setting. She keeps simple daily diaries relating to children's welfare and along with daily discussion, keeps parents informed of their child's day. Children's information is kept confidentially in individual folders and includes all required information to meet their welfare needs. The childminder does recognise the importance of maintaining strong links and good communication with parents and other carers who are providing EYFS. However, she does not currently have suitable systems in place to ensure progression and continuity of care and learning for children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children very well as individuals and provides well for their specific needs. She provides a range of activities that help them to have fun, learn to share and allows them to lead their own play. She supports their decisions and their choices, which encourages their independence and helps them to think for themselves. The childminder helps to promote children's language and communication skills through constantly talking to them, negotiating and asking questions. They have access to a good range of books that raise awareness of difference, self care, number and colour. They love the sketcher activity and guide the buttons to create pictures of flowers, then decide what colour the flowers should be. The children are learning about colours, shape and size through activities, such as shape sorters and jigsaw puzzles. The childminder wants to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

know if they can match the coloured piece to the dresses on the jigsaw pictures. They know what colour it is and wonder whether it matches the top of the dress or the bottom. They count the pieces and recognise the corresponding numbers printed on the box.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder organises daily opportunity for outdoor play and activities. The children regularly visit local childcare activity groups as well as the library and the park. They are becoming aware of their local community and enjoy opportunities to socialise with other children. The children are developing good imaginative skills as the childminder encourages and supports their plans. They feed the dolls and make the dinner. She helps them mend the dolls rocking chair, which has come apart. They want to build a den, so the childminder provides some blankets. When it is finished they busily fill it with all their favourites toys. They are becoming aware of the concept of time. They know it is nearly time to collect their friends from nursery and they decide to save the den for when they come back. The childminder always respects the children's work. When the older children start to work on large puzzles, but cannot finish them before they leave for school, she

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

makes sure they are kept safely until they return.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are curious, sociable and eager to be involved in everything. During a conversation with the inspector the children join in to explain their emergency evacuation procedure. They know they have to use the doors, they also know they have to ring the fire officer and they know the telephone number. They are beginning to learn about keeping themselves and others safe. The childminder has a sound knowledge of the welfare requirements and meets these well to provide good care for children. She is experienced in providing an interesting and imaginative range of activities that challenge children and help them progress. She demonstrates a basic knowledge of the EYFS. However, she is aware that this is an area for her development, to bring about improvement. There are currently no systems in place to ensure that her planning consistently covers all of the six areas of learning. The childminder is also aware of the importance of establishing links

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

with parents and other providers of the EYFS to promote a consistent approach to children's learning and development. However, these links are not yet established. The childminder presents herself as a good role model for the children. They respond well to her and they enjoy the warm, rich relationships they have developed with her. They are happy in her care and they are confident and developing in the setting. 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? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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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