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 501344 Inspection date 16/06/2009 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 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 1991. She lives with her husband, their adult son and 14 year old son in the Offerton district of Stockport, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. Children have access to all rooms on the ground floor and the enclosed rear garden. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children 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. The childminder takes children to and collects them from local schools 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. The childminder has a good knowledge of individual children, their interests and abilities. The childminding day is well organised and planned to stimulate the children’s interest and promote their learning. Children are making good progress in their learning and development, given their age, abilities and starting points. Effective partnerships with parents ensure the childminding service is responsive to the needs of current users. The childminder uses self-evaluation extremely well to ensure she continually improves her childminding service. All children are included and their individual needs well met. Positive steps are taken to help children learn about 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 children's mathematical and literacy skills by extending opportunities through all their early experiences including through stories, songs, games and imaginary play, and by reviewing the use of worksheets.

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provision

Children are happy and settled and have their individual needs well met in the childminder's well organised and child friendly home. The childminder is highly motivated and takes extremely positive steps to continually improve her practice and the service she provides to ensure she is responsive to the needs of children and their families. In response to the children’s ideas the childminder organised a sports day for them. The childminder has an excellent commitment to developing her skills and knowledge through regular attendance on training courses on specific subjects, such as Safeguarding Awareness and Disability and Equality. She has also successfully attained a recognised Level 3 childcare qualification. Since her last inspection she has used the training she has attended to very good effect This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to develop her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and to

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provision

extend the range of activities that are available to promote the children's learning and development.

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provision

Children are protected because the childminder has a good understanding of and is well trained in safeguarding issues and procedures. She has conducted thorough risk assessments of the premises and for the outings children are taken on. Children are kept safe because she diligently supervises them and puts effective safety precautions in place to minimise identified hazards. Excellent opportunities are provided to help children learn what they can do to keep themselves safe. Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has fostered with their parents and the steps she takes to meet their individual needs. Verbal discussions, development records, examples of their art work and photographs keep parents well informed about their child and the progress they are making. Effective links with other EYFS settings children attend ensure they benefit from coherence in their learning and development. For example, when the nursery

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provision

theme was ‘people who help us’, the childminder extended the children’s learning by providing a variety of uniforms for dressing up. Children had lots of fun dressing up as nurses and putting bandages on each other.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has formalised effective systems to observe, assess, and plan for the children’s learning and development. Files containing examples of children’s creativity, photographs and observations of them are used to monitor their progress and plan for their next steps. The childminder has a good knowledge of the children’s individual interests and abilities. She skilfully supports and extends their learning by actively supporting their play and learning. She regularly changes activities to keep children interested and challenged. Discussions are used to help children to think and consolidate their learning. Children participate in a well- balanced range of adult and child led activities, both indoors and outdoors. They are becoming increasingly independent as they confidently discuss with the childminder what they would like to do and select what to play with from the wide range of easily accessible high quality toys and equipment. Children have access to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

interesting and fun resources that introduce them to information and communication technology. For example, they enjoy playing with electronic toys and using the karaoke machine.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are developing good self-help and independence skills. They confidently manage their own personal care and put on their own clothes and shoes. Children’s mathematical development is promoted through activities, such as threading, number games and matching activities. When they learn about the life cycle of the butterfly opportunities are used to introduce numbers and shapes. Children cut out circles and count how many they need to make a caterpillar, and they problem solve and reason as they carefully complete the ‘very hungry caterpillar' jigsaw. Children enjoy listening to stories and are beginning to learn marks have meaning as they label pictures with their names. The childminder sometimes uses worksheets to extend children’s mathematical and literacy skills. This formal method of teaching reduces the number of first hand opportunities 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

they have to develop these skills. Children have very good opportunities to develop their creativity. They use a cardboard box to make a drum and then have great fun making tunes and lots of noise. Children carefully stick sequins down to make butterflies and enjoy painting using roller brushes. They have very well developed imaginations and love choosing what to dress up in from the wide range of outfits.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s physical development is well promoted through a wide range of fun and energetic activities. They enjoy playing in the garden, walks, trips to parks and physical activity centres. Children’s benefit immensely from the positive steps the childminder takes to meet their individual needs by working closely with their parents and other professionals. They participate in a very good range of activities that are helping them to learn about and value difference. They enjoyed going on an Easter Egg hunt and to find out about Diwali they made lamps and for Chinese New Year they made hats and dragons. Children's good health is promoted through effective routines and practice and by eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Children have excellent opportunities to learn how to keep themselves healthy and safe. They plant and tend lettuces, strawberries, broccoli and tomatoes in the garden and then pick, prepare and eat

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

them. Children clean their teeth after lunch. They enjoy keeping star charts to record down the five pieces of fruit and vegetables they have eaten. Children thoroughly enjoy colouring pictures in on road safety and making crossing patrol lollipops and participating in road safety quizzes. Children know they must cross at a designated crossing and that you must wait for the green man before crossing. 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? 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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