Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY383775 Inspection date 25/03/2010 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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and six years in the Heald Green area of Stockport. The playroom, rear lounge, conservatory, kitchen and the first floor bathroom are all used for childminding. There are two secure gardens available for outdoor 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 two 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 eight years to 11 years. In total there is one child on roll. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both 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 is focused on helping children to make good progress in their learning and development, and promotes their welfare well. She has good systems in place to observe, assess and plan for the children’s development. Policies and documentation contain most of the required detail and the childminder has introduced some systems of self-evaluation and reflection. Areas and targets set for improvement are likely to further improve the overall provision and outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop systems for conducting risk assessments for the individual outings that children are taken on  further develop opportunities for parents to contribute to the settings self- evaluation, share children’s initial starting points on entry and to contribute to their children's progress records.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues and effective procedures are in place for recording concerns, she has access to the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures, which enables her to take the necessary steps to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. She demonstrates a high commitment to helping ensure that children feel safe and makes sure that the adults looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so. Policies and procedures, including the complaint procedures are well written and shared with parents. However the risk assessment for outings lacks all the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 required detail. The childminder uses the Ofsted self-evaluation form to reflect on her provision, however, these systems are not fully established and are largely undertaken by the childminder.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides an open and inclusive environment where children have equal opportunities to learn, taking into account their age, gender and ethnicity. Positive play opportunities are used to promote the children's understanding of the world around them. The children have access to a wide range of good quality resources which include a varied range of meaningful resources and activities that reflect positive images and challenge stereotypes.

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the early years provision

Parents are happy with the childminding service and are encouraged to give feedback in a variety of ways, through monthly meetings and questionnaires. Information regarding the children's welfare is shared daily, that said, the childminder is aware she takes full responsibility for the children's learning and development and has yet to develop methods to include parents in their child's learning. The childminder is happy to visit the parents' homes to have more time to discuss the progress their children are making. The childminder is aware of the requirement to develop effective relationships with other settings that children may attend, however, currently no children are attending other settings.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder creates a warm, stimulating and child-centred environment where examples of children’s artwork are displayed. Activities and resources are set out attractively to allow children to have a sense of belonging and become secure and confident. She demonstrates a very good understanding of how children learn through play. For example, she is very attentive and fully encourages the children’s imagination and their interests, she demonstrates that she understands when and when not to intervene. The systems for recording observations and assessments are linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage, and are used effectively to plan for their next steps. The children play well independently, becoming active and inquisitive learners. The interesting, stimulating and well-equipped environment ensures that they have good opportunities to learn and develop.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very observant of what children are doing, she encourages their interest, claps and praises their efforts building their self-esteem. Children select different items from the resources on display and are independent in their choices. Weekly outdoor routines include going to the local children's centre for activity sessions, rambles in the parks, shopping trips for the fruit and trips to the local parent and carer sessions, where children can access a wide range of activities including messy play. The children learn about the natural world and living things by taking part in activities such as exploring water, sand, stones, leaves and the insect life in the parks and gardens, thus enhancing their sensory experiences. They are active and have good opportunities to benefit from physical activity both indoors and outdoors as they have access to spacious gardens which they happily and confidently explore. The childminder very effectively promotes the children's

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and outcomes for children

language development. The interaction between the childminder and young This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children, as she asks questions and talks about what is happening, helps to promote children's thinking and widen their vocabulary. Children can freely access a range of books and are happy to point out some of their favourite characters. Shapes, sizes, letters, numbers and colours are highlighted and continually identified by the childminder as children pursue the activity of their choice.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is vigilant in promoting the children's safety through her risk assessments and takes positive steps to ensure that children are safe indoors, and that furniture, equipment and toys are suitable. The childminder makes children aware of potential dangers when out in the community such as crossing at the appropriate places and the importance of not talking to strangers. Established daily routines ensure that children's good health and well-being is promoted, and effective steps taken to prevent the spread of infection, including when children are ill. The children adopt healthy habits, such as good hygiene practices and recognise their individual towels. The children are provided with meals and snacks that are healthy, freshly prepared and appetising. They have choices of fresh fruit and drinks throughout the day, which they thoroughly enjoy. All interactions between the childminder and children are positive, helping to promote the

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and outcomes for children

children's self-esteem and encourage good behaviour. The childminder ensures that her behaviour management strategies are discussed and agreed with parents before children attend to ensure that there is consistency in her approach. Positive methods, such as distraction and redirection, alongside clear and realistic boundaries and house rules ensure that children understand what is expected of them, and are consistently well behaved as a result. 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 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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