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 EY384138 Inspection date 30/03/2009 Inspector Zoe Smith

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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 has been registered since 2008. She lives in the Marple area of Stockport with her husband and three children aged two, six and eight. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding purposes. Children participate in outdoor and physical play in the enclosed rear garden. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She can also offer care to children aged over five years to 11 years.

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Description of the childminding

This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler and activity groups on a regular basis. She is a Stockport Support Childminder and provides support and guidance to other childminders.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder uses her very good knowledge of individual children, their interests and abilities to successfully promote their welfare and learning. Partnerships with parents and other Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are a key strength and highly effective in ensuring children's needs are extremely well met. Children are making very good progress in their learning and development given their starting points and capabilities. Ongoing self-evaluation ensures that priorities for future development are promptly identified and acted on, resulting in a service that is extremely responsive to the needs of children. The uniqueness of every child is valued and positive steps are taken to help children learn to respect and value diversity from the earliest age.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the use of the outdoor play area as a learning environment by extending opportunities for children to do things in different ways and on different scales than when indoors  further develop the organisation of the indoor environment by making resources more accessible to babies and young children.

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provision

The childminder has lots of drive and enthusiasm and is extremely proactive in identifying appropriate areas to further enhance her service and continually improve her practice. Since registration, she has developed a writing and mark making area to provide children with ready access to a variety of resources that This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 support their development of early writing skills. The childminder has a strong commitment to developing her skills and knowledge through regular attendance on training courses, such as fire safety and learning and development needs in the EYFS. A wide range of clear and well-written policies and procedures have been formalised to ensure welfare requirements are met. These effectively underpin the childminder’s practice and inform parents about the service and care provided.

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provision

Children are kept safe and protected because the childminder is very well trained in safeguarding issues and procedures, and has a good understanding of these. She has conducted thorough risk assessments of the premises and for outings she takes children on. Children are kept safe because she diligently supervises them, conducts daily safety checks and puts effective safety precautions in place to minimise identified hazards. Children benefit immensely from the extremely positive partnership that has been fostered with their parents. Verbal discussions, notices, development records, 'my early years passport', text messages and photographs actively involve them in the care provided and the progress their child is making. This keeps parents well informed. Children benefit from coherence in their learning and development as links with other EYFS settings they attend are very well developed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The progress children make in their learning and development is effectively monitored and recorded. Children’s starting points are clearly identified in partnership with their parents. Observations are used well to continually assess and to plan for the next steps in children's learning. The childminding day is very well planned and ensures a very good balance of adult and child led activities across the six areas of learning. The garden is used particularly well to promote children’s physical and creative development. However, it is not used to its full potential as a learning environment for children to do things in different ways and on different scales than when indoors. Educational posters, photographs of the children and examples of their creativity are displayed on the walls making the environment welcoming, stimulating and child orientated.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are developing a love of books; they ring the bell to let the childminder know they would like a story and love to sit on cushions in the igloo to listen to them. They have good opportunities to problem solve and reason. Babies enjoy hiding and finding balls and children estimate how many yogurt pots of water it will take to fill a container before finding out. Children have very good opportunities to develop their creativity through a wide variety of activities, such as painting, junk modelling, gloop, sand and dough. They relish the feel of the sand as they squeeze it through their hands and happily splash the water and play with the toy ducks. Babies enjoy exploring and feeling different textures when playing with the contents of treasure baskets.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children are included and positive steps are taken to meet their individual needs. They learn to value and respect diversity through a very good range of resources and activities that provide positive images of gender, culture and disability. Children learn what it is like to be blind and of the work of guide dogs This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 through discussions and playing with a toy guide dog. They enjoy finding out about their own and the religious and cultural beliefs of others. They made leprechauns and shamrock cakes to find out about St. Patrick’s Day and palm trees to find out about Palm Sunday. Children look forward to attending a variety of carefully chosen activity and toddler groups where they have opportunities to participate in a variety of different activities. The childminder is extremely skilful at extending children's learning through talking with and listening to them, whilst

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

introducing and reinforcing new vocabulary and concepts.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s good health and safety is very well promoted. They enjoy a varied and nutritious diet that is home cooked and freshly prepared. Mealtimes are relaxed, happy and social occasions where children sit together to enjoy the food and each other's company. Children know they must wear fluorescent jackets so they can be easily seen on outings and they learn about keeping safe through activities about ‘people who help us’. They have access to an excellent variety of high quality toys and equipment which are mostly extremely well organised. They are easily accessible to enable children to make independent choices. However, two large boxes contain most of the toys for babies; this makes it difficult for them to choose specific toys or to reach some of them. 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 registration.

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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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