Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 306958 Inspection date 14/10/2009 Inspector Christine Myerscough

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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 was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and daughter aged 15 years old, in a house in Stockport. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house and an upstairs bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, under the Early Years Register and compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. There are currently six children on roll aged from two to seven years old. The childminder works in partnership with a local school.

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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

Children are valued for their individuality and are treated with equal respect which enables them to feel included. The childminder promotes children's welfare with success to fully ensure their safety and well-being. Children thoroughly enjoy their learning, because activities provided are interesting and capture their enthusiasm and imagination. Good relationships with parents and others involved in children's care and learning promotes consistency and continuity in children's lives. The childminder is fully committed to implementing ongoing improvements and areas for further development centre on self-evaluation, working with all parents to extend children's learning at home and further promoting children's awareness and understanding of print.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide opportunities for children to learn more about words, signs and symbols, for example, by creating an environment rich in print and by using names and labels  continue to develop systems for self-evaluation to accurately identify areas for further improvement  build on existing good partnership working by involving all parents in supporting and extending their children's learning at home.

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the early years provision

Children's safety is promoted, as the required checks are undertaken to ensure adults living in the childminder's household are suitable. Documentation is maintained in good order, and a comprehensive range of policies regarding the childminder's practices, underpins the safe care and management of the children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has a clear understanding of her role regarding safeguarding children and robust procedures are in place, should a concern arise. Thorough risk assessments are undertaken of the premises to protect children from potential dangers, and children feel at ease in a safe and secure environment. There is a good amount of space to enable children to play their games and they enjoy moving freely between the play areas. Children are not stereotyped and have equal access to a good range of resources, which meets their developing needs

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the early years provision

The childminder is well qualified in childcare and has a strong commitment towards her ongoing professional development. She regularly attends courses on a wide range of subjects, such as fire safety awareness and promoting diversity and inclusion. This successfully develops her knowledge and skills to support the continuous improvement of her practice. Through self-evaluation, the childminder is able to critically analyse her strengths and identify most areas for development. Close links with Sure Start enable the childminder to keep abreast of current issues in childcare, and monitor her practice effectively. Recommendations raised at the last inspection have been successfully met. For example, accident and medication records now have required detail to keep children safe and ensure their welfare.

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the early years provision

A highly effective partnership with parents contributes to meeting children's needs successfully. Close liaison enables the childminder to meet children's specific requirements, such as ensuring their dietary needs and eating habits are catered for. Parents have opportunities to share their views about their children's learning and their comments about the childminder and the service she provides are extremely positive. The childminder supports most parents in extending their children's learning at home, for example, by sending home play materials to promote children's understanding of letter shapes and number. However, not all parents are invited to take part in such activities. The childminder has a well established relationship with the local school, who also offer the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and has developed effective systems to enable her to work in partnership to promote children's welfare and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and well cared for. They form trusting relationships with the childminder, which enables them to feel secure in her company and home. Children make good progress in their development, as the day is well planned to encompass a variety of rich learning experiences. The childminder interacts very well with the children and actively supports them as they play through encouragement and role modelling. Children thoroughly enjoy the childminder joining in their games and her fun approach successfully motivates them to learn. The childminder knows the children well by undertaking regular observations of their learning and through assessing their progress. Information from observational assessment is used successfully to inform planning for the next steps in children's learning. Photographic evidence is kept of children's ongoing achievements in the individual portfolios. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children actively engage in play and are curious and enthusiastic learners. They freely make decisions about what they want to do and eagerly select their favourite toys to play with. Children design their own laminated place mats for the dinner table and receive a cake and tea party on their birthday, which helps them to develop a strong sense of belonging. They behave well in response to regular praise and act responsibly as they tidy away toys after use. The childminder consistently talks to children and uses effective questioning to encourage their language and understanding. As a result, children are eager to communicate and confidently express their wishes and desires. Children gain pleasure from books, and are beginning to understand that print carries meaning through reading stories. However, less emphasis is given to displaying other kinds of print around the childminder's home, such as signs, symbols and other words to further

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and outcomes for children

Fun games promote children's mathematical awareness well. Children successfully recognise numbers and shapes. They use mathematical language, such as big and little frequently in their play as they eagerly talk about their toy horses. Through taking part in activities linked to various festivals, children develop a positive attitude towards diversity. For example, during Chinese New Year, they create lanterns. Regular opportunities are available for children to taste foods from around the world, such as Mexican tortillas. Awareness of the local community is promoted through fun trips to places of interest, such as visits to the stables. Children develop a keen interest in living things as they grow potatoes and water them regularly. Good emphasis is placed on promoting children's physical skills. Visits to the park enable children to quickly become confident in using challenging equipment as they confidently use climbing frames and balance on beams.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy taking part in creative activities and concentrate well as they draw pictures of the sun and moon. They eagerly make their marks on paper and identify many colours. Group activities, such as making cakes enable them to enjoy and share experiences together.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in clean and warm surroundings, where there are effective practices in place to minimise the risk of cross infection. On outings, the childminder carries an anti-bacterial hand gel for children to use on their hands, when needed. Children gain a good understanding about healthy practices though listening to stories and singing songs. They demonstrate good levels of independence in the personal care, as they eagerly climb onto a step to reach the sink and thoroughly wash their hands. The childminder holds a certificate in food safety, which ensures that food preparation meets with environmental health guidelines. Healthy food options are on offer at meal times and children confidently request healthy snacks when they are feeling hungry. Interesting play materials foster children's awareness of road safety issues and children quickly learn the meaning of the different colours of the traffic lights. In the bathroom, they become

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and outcomes for children

fully aware of the importance of being careful with the hot water tap to keep themselves free from harm. 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 2 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 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 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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