Fairhurst, Josephine Dawn

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 306678 Inspection date 17/01/2011 Inspector Dianne Andrews

p.1

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 assesses 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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 1994. She lives with her husband, an adult child and two teenage children aged 14 and 12 years in Marple, Stockport, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding as well as the bathroom upstairs and the rear garden for outdoor play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children in the early years age group on a part time basis. She is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and she attends the local toddler and childminder groups. The family has a dog, a rabbit and four guinea pigs.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a welcoming, child-focused environment and experience close and warm relationships with the childminder. She recognises each child as an individual and supports them effectively to fully promote their welfare and development. Close partnership working with parents and liaison with other providers enables the childminder to ensure that children's individual needs and routines are met well. She has a good understanding of children's preferences and interests and uses these to provide them with activities and experiences that effectively support their learning and development. Systems to monitor and evaluate the childcare practice are being developed; the childminder demonstrates a positive capacity to continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop evaluation systems to ensure that the quality of children's learning, development and care continues to improve  review the risk assessment to ensure that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact to ensure their safety and well-being  develop further the use of observation and assessment to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences across all areas of the early learning goals This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her role regarding the safeguarding of children. She has attended relevant training and her knowledge and procedures with regard to safeguarding reflect the welfare requirements. All adults in the home are known to Ofsted to allow appropriate checks to be completed. Essential records for recording accidents, medication and children's attendance are kept accurately and are up to date to ensure the efficient running of the service. However, a record of visitors to the setting is not maintained. Children's safety is effectively considered within the home and while on outings. However, recorded risk assessments do not comprehensively cover all things children may come into contact with to ensure children's welfare is fully promoted..

p.5

the early years provision

Space in the home is suitably organised and the childminder ensures that resources and equipment effectively meet the needs and individual requirements of the children attending. She rotates the resources, stored in accessible boxes and baskets, to ensure the children are kept occupied and interested. There is a varied range of books and play equipment freely available to the children, which reflect positive images of our diverse society. These help children to begin to understand and value similarities and differences.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder recognises the importance of working with parents and others to meet children's needs effectively. Parents are informed about the activities their children take part in through regular verbal exchanges. They show complete satisfaction with the service provided through written references. They make comments such as 'my childminder has made going back to work an easy and smooth transition'and 'my child has progressed really well and I can visibly see things my childminder is teaching her, for example, I have noticed her counting on her fingers.'

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has instigated systems to observe, assess and plan for children's progress. She has a good understanding of children's interests; how children learn through play and of their individual developmental stages. However, the written records do not presently fully support this.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is an experienced childcarer. She accesses opportunities to share practice with other providers and acts on advice from the local authority development officers. She has begun to consider ways to improve and develop her service and has started to use the self-assessment document.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The children are content, relaxed and secure. They develop very positive relationships with the childminder, who is attentive and shows that she knows This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them and their families well. She supports their learning as she joins in their play and initiates activities which follow their interests. They thoroughly enjoy dancing, playing musical instruments and joining in with actions to familiar tunes. They begin to become aware of where parts of their body are located as they respond to the song 'Heads, shoulders, knees and toes'. The childminder shows a flexible approach to meeting children's needs and recognises that, as they have not been for their usual outdoor walk, they want the opportunity to be active.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children initiate their own activities because toys and resources are easily accessible; this promotes their ability to make choices and to develop independence. They play imaginatively with role-play props, trying on hats, playing with dolls and with artificial groceries. Older children are keen to create using their own imagination and are given a variety of materials to facilitate this. Toddlers begin to develop their communication skills as they listen and respond to the childminder giving instructions. She models language appropriately as she chats to them about their play and they start to verbalise and copy words such as saying 'hello' as they put the phone to their ear. They develop early problem-solving skills as they play with shape sorters and jigsaw puzzles. The childminder congratulates their achievements and they begin to respond by clapping their hands.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children learn to keep themselves safe as they help to tidy away their toys to keep the play environment free from clutter. They practise regular emergency evacuation drills and learn about road and car safety while on outings.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are given healthy, nutritious snack and food options, which are usually provided by parents. They access drinks regularly throughout the day to ensure they keep hydrated. They develop a good understanding of the importance of following effective personal hygiene routines as they wash their hands before snack time, using individual flannels to prevent the spread of infection. They benefit from good opportunities to be active through play, outdoor and social experiences. They attend a wide range of community groups where they make use of equipment such as soft play and take part in planned activities. They explore a variety of cultural festivals and special days and participate in rhythm and rhyme sessions. They learn to play together, to socialise, to share and to respect others and ,as a consequence, they become active and inquisitive learners and develop skills for the future. Their good behaviour is promoted through praise and

p.6

and outcomes for children

encouragement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

Early Years Foundation Stage

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

p.7

Stage

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

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8