Walker, Pamela

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 307054 Inspection date 18/01/2011 Inspector Dianne Andrews

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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 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.

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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 has been registered since 1989. She lives with her husband and three adult children in the North Reddish district of Stockport in Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding and there is an enclosed rear garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for six children at any one time with a variation in place to allow her to care for four children in the early years age group. She is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She currently has four children on roll. The childminder 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

Children's individuality is recognised and nurtured by the childminder who has an informed knowledge of their backgrounds, family circumstances, interests and capabilities. This enables all children to make good progress in their learning and development. There is a friendly, working relationship with parents; effective procedures in place help to keep them well-informed about their children's progress. The childminder continually reflects on her service, ensuring continuous improvement is effective.

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further?

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

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further?

 consider developing written risk assessments to cover seasonal activities  develop a system to record visitors names, the purpose of their visit and their times of arrival and departure.

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the early years provision

The childminder's knowledge of how to deal with safeguarding issues is secure, with all the required documentation in place. Parents are invited to read the associated policy. The childminder has attended training to refresh and keep abreast of changes on safeguarding matters and clearly understands the importance of protecting the children in her care. All people in the household aged over 16 years are known to Ofsted to ensure appropriate checks are completed to confirm their suitability. The daily register, accident, incident and medication records and procedures are completed as appropriate to promote children's well being, and a range of policies underpin the practice. The childminder checks the identification of visitors, but does not complete a record of their visit to further promote children's welfare. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder makes use of risk assessments, both in the home environment

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the early years provision

and for outings. She supervises children effectively and ensures their safety with good procedures, for instance, she keeps exits locked and the front door has a buzzer alert when opened. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed but have not been updated to include seasonal activities to confirm the safety precautions taken.

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the early years provision

Supportive and professional relationships with parents are forged from the outset, which ensures an inclusive service is provided. The childminder obtains details about the children's care needs, interests and routines to ensure they get the support they need to make good progress. She shares information verbally on a regular basis, discussing children's achievements and agreeing the next stages in their development. Parents are provided with daily information sheets, which record what their children are doing to keep them informed and enable them to continue their learning at home should they wish to. The childminder has links with the local nursery and she works together with the staff there to help children make the transition to the new learning environment. She liaises with them to promote consistency in the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

Observations and assessments of children's development and planning for progression are undertaken in an informal manner. The childminder demonstrates a very clear understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the early learning goals. She uses her childcare knowledge and experience proactively within all activities, challenging skilfully and enabling children to make good progress in all areas. She refers to literature by renowned authors, as she analyses and reviews what she knows about the children, to confirm her assessments of the stages they are at.

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the early years provision

The childminder clearly enjoys her work and is committed to continuous improvement. She demonstrates this through her consideration of how she can use information gained through training courses to promote the best outcomes for children. She has begun to complete the self-assessment document as a means of recording her evaluation and plans for improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a wide variety of stimulating play experiences and activities, both in the home and in the wider community; these support their learning and development well. The childminder is able to engage them effectively in activities and appropriately supports their learning through encouragement, praise and effective role modelling.

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and outcomes for children

Children build their confidence while taking part in activities they enjoy. The childminder knows the children well and tailors individual games to meet each child's stage of development, giving support where necessary. She uses what she knows about the children skilfully to plan for future progression. They relish opportunities to use mathematical concepts in their play, for instance, as they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 match corresponding parts of puzzles, recognise shapes, recite numbers and begin to count objects.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder continually talks to the children asking open-ended questions. She extends their learning, encourages them to think and helps them to make connections. They happily use their language skills as they initiate conversations, repeat lines from well-loved books and sing familiar songs. They accompany their songs with the playing of musical instruments and show how they can make interesting sounds as they confidently rotate 'rain sticks' and vibrate a 'thunder maker.'

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to play together, to socialise, to share and to respect others. As a consequence they become active and inquisitive learners and develop skills for the future. They behave appropriately, recognising boundaries and responding to expectations. Their good behaviour is promoted through praise and encouragement. They learn to be conscious of their own safety as they practise road safety routines while walking to nursery. They seek to do things for themselves, proactively developing self-care skills, knowing that their carer is close by. For instance, they ably climb into and out of their high chairs at lunch time and they independently take part in personal hygiene routines.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks. They are keen to drink regularly, ensuring that they remain hydrated; to encourage their good health the childminder finds innovative ways to promote their drinking of water instead of juice, for instance, by serving it in a glass with ice and a straw. They benefit from fresh air and develop their physical skills as they play outdoors and walk to nursery; they also become aware of the changing weather, seasons and the natural world. As they refer to the map posters on the wall they show an interest in the world in which they live. On a map of the world they find the country that their peers have visited on holiday and then find their own town on the map of the British Isles. The childminder actively promotes an inclusive environment; children are beginning to develop an awareness of how others live as they take part in activities based on cultural festivals. They share food prepared in each others

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and outcomes for children

homes and play with a good range of resources, which positively promote their understanding and acceptance of diversity. 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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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

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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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