Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY103350 Inspection date 02/11/2009 Inspector Anne Drinkwater

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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. She lives in the Heaton Mersey area of Stockport with her husband and two children aged 11 years old and 13 years old. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, which has bathroom facilities. There is a secure rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over eight years old to 11 years old. In total there are five children on roll. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder ensures that inclusive practice is given a high priority in her home because she recognises the uniqueness of children. She has in place effective policies and procedures, which detail most aspects of the childminding arrangements provided and these are shared with parents. She is developing her self-assessment and has identified areas, such as her observation and planning for improvement and development. She is proactive in her approach to training to ensure she actively works to maintain continuous improvement for the children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for communicating with all other providers of the EYFS to ensure continuity and consistency of learning needs for all children who attend  continue to implement and develop observations and planning for all children in the EYFS age range and include children's next steps  further develop systems for discussing children's developmental starting points on entry to the setting and the sharing of children's learning records with parents in order for them to contribute to the process  improve the risk assessment for outings and the premises so that it more clearly identifies aspects of the environment that children come in contact with in order to minimise hazards such as electric sockets, wires, gas fire and low level glass to ensure the safety of children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended safeguarding training and demonstrates a good understanding of related issues. Consequently, children are well protected. Whilst risk assessments of the premises and outings are in place, they do not identify all potential hazards within the home, such as glass, electric wires and sockets. Written policies provided for parents include ones on safeguarding, complaints, equal opportunities, accidents, illness and behaviour. These are included in a portfolio that also contains her training certificates. All adults living on the premises have been suitably checked, this helps to protect children's safety.

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the early years provision

Routines are appropriately flexible to accommodate the diverse needs of those who attend. The childminder develops positive relationships with parents and they are happy with the care provided. Daily discussions and some written observations in the children's portfolios, keeps them fully informed of the activities their children have enjoyed, however she has not developed systems to include parents in their children's learning or to keep them informed of their child's progress towards the early learning goals. Some children attend other settings and she has yet to gain information from the setting to feed into the children’s learning journeys.

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the early years provision

The childminder’s ongoing commitment to training has a positive impact on the quality of care provided. In the last year, she has attended courses offered by the local authority, such as first aid, safeguarding and the introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), in addition the recommendations at the previous inspection have been addressed. She is also beginning to use the Ofsted self- evaluation tool to highlight strengths and areas of improvement of the provision. All of which promotes outcomes for all children.

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and outcomes for children

A warm, caring relationship is developed between the childminder and children and as a result, they are well behaved. The children follow clear boundaries and understand the ground rules, which are reinforced by the childminder’s calm, consistent and respectful manner. Children enjoy the time they spend with the childminder and move between two linking rooms to access and explore the variety of activities on offer. The range of resources is arranged so that all children can access them easily. They confidently approach her to join in with their play. For instance, with the aid of a soft toy, Charlie the healthy chef, they are beginning to identify foods that are healthy and foods that can be treats, spontaneously they set up the picnic rug and make a healthy sandwich of lettuce and cheese. Children enjoy role play with the good selection of props. The large play fort, figures and animals, enables the children to use their imagination and to extend their play.

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and outcomes for children

When a soldier is injured, they become doctors and nurses, using a variety of instruments the childminder identifies for them, giving them purposeful explanations how each piece is used. Children’s language and communication are skilfully developed as the childminder asks open-ended questions, encouraging This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them to become independent thinkers. In addition, a selection of books helps them to develop their knowledge and skills in communication, language and literacy.

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and outcomes for children

She provides a wide range of resources and activities inside and outside the home, to meet children's interests and stages of development. The outdoor play area is accessible and children can make independent choices about the area they want to play in. There is a variety of resources for children to use, such as sand trays, sit and ride toys and a playhouse to support children's learning. They regularly go walking in the parks to collect leaves and seek out the squirrels, they feed the ducks on the common and attend local play groups, where they socialise with their peers and develop their social skills. She has attended training and teaches the children about diversity. She provides a large range of resources linked to the traditions and festivals of a variety of cultures and discussion is generated about people who they may see in their own community and in the wider world, helping children to develop a positive understanding of social and cultural diversity.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has implemented some basic systems to observe and assess children's learning and development to show children's progress towards the early learning goals. However, observations do not always identify the children’s next steps or inform short term planning, which does not fully ensure children always receive a challenging learning and development experience.

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and outcomes for children

Clear hygiene routines are in place to ensure children's good health and children are reminded of the importance of washing their hands. They enjoy healthy, nutritious snacks such as crumpets, fruits and breadsticks. Children’s likes, dislikes and dietary needs are taken into account. Drinking water is freely available to ensure that children remain hydrated throughout the day. Children are taught about personal safety and are learning to take responsibility for their own actions. They practice emergency evacuation procedures on a regular basis and learn about the potential dangers of the road. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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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