Collier, Caroline Mary

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 EY371525 Inspection date 06/07/2009 Inspector Barbara Christine Wearing

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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 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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and a half and two and a half years in the Heaton Mersey area of Stockport, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than one may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children thoroughly enjoy the time they spend with the childminder and benefit greatly from the close relationships they develop with her. The childminder treats each child with genuine care and respect, recognising and valuing their individuality and ensuring they are fully included in all activities. Children are happy, highly stimulated and make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder shows a strong commitment to improving the quality of her provision to create the best outcomes for children. She attends regular training, and uses reference books and guidance to extend her knowledge and understanding and develop her childcare practices.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that clear information is obtained regarding long term medication to be administered to children  develop further ways to encourage children to develop healthy eating habits  continue to develop systems to track children's progress, ensuring that they show regular assessments of children's development towards the early learning goals.

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provision

The childminder's home offers children a bright, welcoming and stimulating environment and her flexible daily routine is highly responsive to children's needs and interests. Children are confident and assertive and have many opportunities to make decisions during the day. They choose what activities they want to engage in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and have a choice of indoor an outdoor play. They are given the time and resources to fully explore and extend these activities and therefore become highly engrossed in their play.

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provision

The majority of records, policies and procedures are in place to ensure the welfare of children is promoted. Parents give written permission to administer medication, although insufficient information of long term medication is recorded. Risks to children are minimised in and out of the home as the childminder carries out risk assessments and all necessary safety measures are in place. She has a clear understanding of her role within the Local Safeguarding Children Board's procedures for safeguarding children which she shares with parents.

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provision

The childminder develops good relationships with parents and has effective systems in place to share information regarding her childminding practices and the children's progress. This enables her to provide an environment and activities that respond to children's needs and interests and to develop a consistency of care. It also enables parents to share their views and be involved in their child's day.

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provision

The childminder's self evaluation accurately identifies her strengths and areas to develop and ensures that continuous improvement responds to the needs of children she cares for. She has attended relevant training in order to develop her skills in specific areas. This has had a positive impact on outcomes for children, building the childminder's confidence and increasing her strategies in areas such as behaviour management.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are busy, stimulated and have great fun. They are highly valued by the childminder and develop a strong self-esteem and individual personalities. The childminder knows the children well. She observes them closely in their play and has good links with parents. She identifies the next steps for children's learning and gives them excellent support in achieving these. Some systems are in place to track children's progress along the early learning goals. The childminder recognises children's desire to be constantly active and ensures that they have opportunities to engage in a wide range of stimulating experiences. Children are therefore highly occupied and play happily together. They are aware of the childminder's expectations, pointing out when they are adhering to these, such as when they are sharing resources. The childminder gives children praise for this and calmly distracts them to prevent unwanted behaviour when necessary.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is skilled at interacting with the children, asking questions and giving them resources that extend their learning while they are engaged in their chosen activities. She takes many opportunities to encourage children's understanding of colour; asking them to choose colours for painting, pointing out colours in their favourite books and finding matching colours when completing jigsaws. Children have excellent communication skills. They chat to each other and the childminder throughout the day. They recall past events, talk about the activities they are involved in and plans for their forthcoming holiday. The childminder encourages their language development as she shows an interest in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their discussions, asking questions and making comments. Children develop a love of books and develop skills for reading. They enthusiastically share their favourite

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

book with the childminder. They chat about the pictures and the children 'read' familiar sections from the story.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are assertive and the childminder allows them to develop their independence and self-help skills. When going outside children say they can put on their own cardigans and they take themselves to the bathroom to wash their hands after painting. When the childminder suggests they paint some pasta so they can make necklaces the following day, children state that they want to paint some more pictures. They put their paintings to dry and help themselves to some more paper. The childminder supports them in their choices. They develop fine motor and creative skills as they use a variety of tools for painting including sponges, different sized brushes and rollers. They use mathematical language such as tiny and big and learn about shapes when they play in the sand. Children develop good skills in problem solving, reasoning and numeracy as they complete jigsaws. The childminder supports them as they look for matching shapes, colours and patterns.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The superb outdoor play area is used on a regular basis and allows children opportunities to continue their learning in all areas. They develop their large muscle skills as they use bikes, scooters, swings and the trampoline. They observe changes and learn about the natural world as they grow sunflowers and tomato plants and go on visits to farms and the zoo. Children learn about the wider world and develop an understanding of similarities and differences in our diverse society through discussions, looking at books, accessing resources and learning about different festivals. Overall, the children are confident, happy and are developing a good range of skills and knowledge for their future economic well-being.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are nourished and hydrated as the childminder provides them with a range of healthy, freshly prepared snacks and meals. She responds to children's preferences while trying to develop their healthy eating habits and a taste for healthy foods. 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

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