Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 306796 Inspection date 18/01/2011 Inspector Karen Byfleet

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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 was registered in 1997 and lives in Stockport. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 15 and 12 years of age. The family has a pet cat and they live close to local shops, parks and primary schools. The whole of the downstairs area of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She currently has four children on her registers and of these three are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and she provides care all year round.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder regularly attends toddler and childminder groups in the local area. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and she receives support from the local authority.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder recognises and values the uniqueness of each child that attends and children are happy and settled within the warm and homely environment. However, the monitoring of children's progress in their learning and development is not fully implemented. Partnerships with parents have been established to ensure children's welfare needs are consistently met, although information with regard to their learning and development is not as effectively shared. All the required documentation is in place which ensures children are safeguarded. The childminder has started to evaluate her provision. However, this process is in the early development stage and is not yet effective in ensuring the weaknesses she has identified are addressed to ensure improvements are monitored and maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop a system for planning effective activities that are linked to all areas of learning and which highlight children's next steps to enable them to make significant progress in their learning and development and share these with parents  ensure all aspects of the provision are evaluated effectively to secure improvements with specific regard to the learning and development aspects  ensure evacuation drills carried out are recorded. 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 devised and implemented an effective safeguarding policy which she shares with parents. The policy is clear in informing parents of the childminder's roles and responsibilities to ensure children are safeguarded. Effective risk assessments are in place for the premises, equipment and any outings undertaken with the children. These are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain valid and consistent. An emergency evacuation plan is in place and this is practised with the children, helping to raise their awareness of safety. However, these evacuation drills are not recorded. The childminder promotes children's health and welfare well as she works closely with parents to ensure they provide healthy balanced diets as the parents provide all children's foods. The childminder talks to the children about healthy foods. Children follow good personal hygiene routines such as hand washing before

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the early years provision

eating and after using the toilet and they do this independently. Individual hand towels are provided prevent cross-infection and a sick children's policy is in place. All required written parental permissions are obtained for the childminder to administer medication and seek any necessary medical advice or treatment and the childminder holds a valid first aid certificate, enhancing children's well-being.

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the early years provision

The childminder has started to self-evaluate her provision. However, this is not yet effective in ensuring the weaknesses identified are addressed to ensure improvements are monitored and maintained. She has a satisfactory knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has a suitable understanding of the six areas of learning. However, she does not plan effective activities to ensure children development is monitored sufficiently. She has started to undertake some observations but these are not yet linked to any planning or the next steps in children s learning. Partnerships with parents are satisfactory. The childminder ensures all parents have access to her written policies and procedures and that they provide written permission where required. For example, for the childminder to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment and for administering medication. Information about the children is exchanged daily, but

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the early years provision

more detailed information about their progress in learning is not yet shared. The childminder is building effective links with other providers where some children attend to ensure there is consistency in their care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled within the childminder's home and they are making satisfactory progress in their learning and development. The childminder interacts with the children in their freely chosen play and she is warm and caring towards them. The environment is organised to enable children to freely choose and access resources, helping to raise their self-esteem and give them a sense of belonging. All toys are stored in boxes on low-level shelving. The childminder regularly changes the toys to ensure children's interest is maintained. The childminder does This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 not currently plan activities which enable her to observe that children are making significant progress in their learning and development. Children enjoy regular outings and weekly visits to the local childminder and toddler group, where they are able to meet and play with other children. The childminder also plans outings

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and outcomes for children

to places of interest such as the local parks where the children can explore and play ball games.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare and safety is fully supported. They feel safe within the childminder's home as they confidently approach her and they are developing their independence as they make individual choices. The childminder hold a current and valid first aid certificate and she has devised and implemented clear and effective policies and procedures to ensure children are well cared for if they fall ill or have minor accidents. Children are developing an effective awareness of their own personal hygiene as they know and follow hygiene procedures such as hand washing before eating and after using the toilet and they are provided with individual hand towels.

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and outcomes for children

Children's development in all six areas of learning is not yet fully promoted. They do have regular access to activities and toys which encourage and develop skills such as problem-solving and communication. For example, sorting and matching, jigsaws, role play and small world toys and they enjoy looking at books with the childminder. Children of all ages participate in craft and creative activities such as painting, drawing and salt dough. However, the childminder does not effectively observe the children's learning in these activities to enable her to plan their next steps and to further develop their learning through all six areas of learing. The children are cooperative and enjoy each other's company. 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 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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