Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY346659 Inspection date 17/06/2010 Inspector Barbara Christine Wearing

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and 10 years in the Gatley area of Stockport, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. All areas of the house except the main bedroom are available for childminding. There is a fully enclosed back garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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 six children in this age group on various days throughout the week. 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 takes and collects children to and from local schools and attends toddler groups on a regular basis.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children benefit greatly from the rich, varied and imaginative activities that the childminder offers to them. The childminder knows each child well and delights in their progress. She values and nurtures their individual personalities, therefore, children develop confidence and high self-esteem. She is skilled at interacting with children, taking many opportunities to support them in their learning, enabling them to make excellent progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder's dedication to providing a high-quality provision is demonstrated by her thorough self-evaluation, leading to the many developments she has implemented since her last inspection. This has enabled her to achieve her outstanding provision.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 providing further opportunities to children to write for a purpose, encouraging them to develop mark-making and writing skills in a variety of ways, following children's different interests and learning styles  keeping a record of existing injuries. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a clear knowledge and understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board's child protection procedures and ensures that the welfare of children is paramount at all times. Comprehensive policies, procedures and records are in place and are regularly reviewed and updated, further promoting children's safety and well-being. The childminder discusses existing injuries with parents but does not routinely record these. The childminder is a positive role model to children, encouraging them to have respect for themselves and each other. Children have many opportunities to make choices, voice their opinion and engage in discussions regarding stranger danger and road safety. Therefore, children have a sense of their own rights, are assertive and develop skills to keep themselves safe. Risks of accidental injury is minimised, as regular risk assessments are carried out and as children learn to use

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the early years provision

tools and equipment safely. As a result, children are able to explore and learn in a safe and secure environment.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her home exceptionally well. It is bright and stimulating, and the superb range of fully accessible resources enable children to follow their interests, extend their play, practise their skills and consolidate their learning. Children show a strong sense of belonging as they are fully involved in all aspects of the daily routine. They chat about what they would like to do on the way home from school and older children write their ideas for activities on a white board. Children enthusiastically help to prepare their snack and lunches, developing healthy eating habits as they choose from a range of healthy options. They are supported well as they cut cheese and spread toppings on a wrap, developing fine motor skills and independence.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly motivated, and is committed to developing her knowledge and understanding of the early years and of improving provision for children and their families. She has rigorous systems for self-evaluation, identifying future goals on an ongoing basis. These take account of the views of children and parents, and new ideas are taken from training sessions and through reading early years materials. She shares her expert knowledge and skills as she supports newly registered childminders.

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the early years provision

Close links are established between the childminder, parents and other settings children attend that deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They all use a daily diary to share information regarding children's achievements and activities they have engaged in. Newsletters are shared to inform each other of topics that will be covered every three months as well as events within the settings. This enables each setting to complement each other and enhances children's learning. Parents are given clear information regarding the childminder's provision and are regularly asked for feedback. Therefore, they are able to make informed choices in their children's care. Information regarding children's needs, interests, routines and abilities is discussed and recorded, enabling children to settle happily with the childminder and establish starting points in their development. Feedback from parents shows that they greatly appreciate all that the childminder offers to their

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children. They have the highest regard for her, making reference to the excellent range of activities, her ability to meet the needs of all the children she cares for and the happy atmosphere she creates.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has worked hard to establish effective observation, assessment and recording systems. Observations and photographs are used to show skills children are attaining in all areas of learning and their progress towards the early learning goals is tracked. The childminder uses this information to devise next steps in children's learning and provides an excellent range of activities and experiences to enable children to reach these. She has identified that some children are reluctant to engage in activities that encourage their skills in mark making and early literacy. Therefore, she has researched ideas to motivate these children, ensuring that learning remains fun and play based.

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and outcomes for children

Children are highly engaged in their play. They play happily on their own, chatting or singing to themselves, thereby demonstrating how relaxed and secure they feel within the childminder's home. The childminder sensitively manages children's behaviour according to their needs and stages of development. She praises children's efforts and achievements and gives support to encourage children to persevere as they develop new skills. Children develop excellent communication skills. The childminder asks pertinent questions about their play, encouraging children's thinking and language. Children often reply with complex sentences and descriptions of what they are doing and why, and what they plan to do next.

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and outcomes for children

Activities that are led by the childminder are well planned and resourced, and provide good levels of stimulation for the children taking part. Within these, children have many opportunities to make choices and the childminder is skilled at following their lead. In response to children's requests they engage in a painting activity. Children use a variety of paints and painting tools. They are able to name colours and are encouraged to use sponges in the shape of letters to print their names. They develop excellent creative and imaginative skills as they access an extensive range of creative art materials when engaging in various play activities. They make cakes using play dough, asking the childminder for real candles and then making flags using lolly sticks and play dough. The childminder encourages children to count how many candles they have and children often use mathematical language to describe size and quantity. When playing 'restaurants'

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and outcomes for children

they talk about what food they would like, and access a till, money, dressing-up clothes and bags to extend this play.

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and outcomes for children

Photographs show children buying seeds on a trip to the garden centre. They count these as they plant them and discuss how to care for plants to help them grow. Children are thrilled as they watch the plants grow and enjoy picking and eating strawberries that have ripened. This encourages children's understanding of sustainability and fosters healthy eating habits. Children develop their large muscle skills through activities indoors, outdoors and at various groups. The childminder recognises the value of outdoor play and ensures that children have daily This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 opportunities to explore the outdoor environment.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about their own and other's communities, customs, beliefs and lifestyles. They take pride in raising money by taking part in various charity events throughout the year. They make a dragon, eat Chinese food and read stories as they learn about Chinese New Year. During the football World Cup they make flags to represent the different countries taking part and talk about their favourite teams, accepting that they don't all have the same views. Discussions regarding similarities and differences children observe in their day-to-day life and through the wide range of resources that reflect positive images are encouraged, thereby enabling children to develop positive attitudes to diversity and challenge stereotypes. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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