Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 306751 Inspection date 20/01/2011 Inspector Shirley Peart

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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 for 18 years. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in the Heaton Mersey area of Stockport with her adult son. The home is situated in a residential area close to the local school. The ground floor of the home and a downstairs toilet are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to take a maximum of six children. There are currently five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage age group. The childminder also offers care to two children aged over five years. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and she is a qualified nursery nurse.

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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 recognises and values each child's uniqueness and promotes a fully inclusive environment. Most systems in place and the organisation of activities ensure that children make good progress in their learning and development. Children's health and welfare is promoted very well and she has very good relationships with parents, she also works well with others who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. She continually works hard to provide a very good service and is committed to continuous improvement and has begun to use self-evaluation well to review and reflect on her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that children have easy access to books to encourage and support their language and literacy skills further  use the Practice Guidance and observations to guide and inform planning for children's activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder clearly understands her responsibilities in dealing with any child protection concerns so that children are effectively safeguarded. Good written risk assessments and clear written policies are in place which underpins her practice very well. These are shared with parents at the start of a placement, so that they clearly know what to expect from the childminder and how their children will be cared for. She is committed to continuous improvement and acts on any This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 recommendations made from previous inspections so that children's learning, development and safety are enhanced further. She attends training when she can and realises the importance of keeping herself up-to-date with current childcare practice. She has begun to use self-evaluation to reflect on what she does well and what she would like to improve to ensure that children's care, learning and welfare

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the early years provision

Children have plenty of safe space to play. They happily tidy away toys and activities after use before getting others out so there are no mishaps from unnecessary clutter. Toys are also easily accessible, good quality and age appropriate, although children's books are stored in a cupboard and not easily at hand. She uses boxes of different natural materials in guessing games so that children use their senses and imagination effectively. They are also involved in recycling activities to help them care for the environment. She has a positive attitude to equal opportunities, would not discriminate against any child or parent, teaches children by example and shares her policy with parents, thus providing a fully inclusive environment where all are welcomed. She allows children choices so that they make decisions and recognises their individual needs, for example, when they need to keep their comfort toy with them during the day.

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the early years provision

Parents are very pleased with the care offered. Positive letters include comments such as, 'I can honestly say that I have nothing but praise for her and the loving way she has cared for my children.' She encourages parents to fill out an 'all about my child' document so that she is well informed about their routines, diet, sleep patterns and development stage so that she is well aware of their individual needs and starting points. She has developed good working relationships with the nursery staff over the years, so that sharing of relevant information and continuity and coherence is very well promoted to support children's learning, development and progress.

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and outcomes for children

Activities are flexible and based around the children's needs and what they want to do. She has a good range of resources such as role play, small world and technology and she plans some activities that cover all areas of learning and stimulate children's interests. For example, they follow a good routine that incorporates outings, walks in the fresh air, baking and visits to interesting places such as a sensory play venue. She knows what the children can do and through her regular observations she is able to monitor their learning and progress very well. She records observations alongside lovely photographs in their individual books, which children enjoy looking at and talking about in reference to what they were doing. Although she links her observations broadly to the areas of learning she does not use information in the Practice Guidance sufficiently to help her use her observations to guide and inform her planning, so that she can plan adult-led

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and outcomes for children

activities and assess the children's progress fully.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and settled with the childminder. They have loving, close This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 relationships which are warm and natural, so that they feel safe and secure. The children receive plenty of meaningful praise from an enthusiastic, lively childminder, which inspires them to enjoy and achieve and make a positive contribution. Their behaviour is excellent because of the highly positive attention they receive. They are fully occupied and engrossed in their play. They are very animated and excited as they jump around their 'farmhouse' made out of cushions pretending to be dogs. They draw, eagerly naming shapes correctly and talk about what they are doing and where they have been. The childminder asks them lots of questions to make them think and recall activities and significant events and, when the childminder spontaneously sings a familiar song, children join in

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and outcomes for children

enthusiastically. Therefore children enjoy and learn successfully through purposeful play.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a safe, secure and stimulating home environment. They understand the boundaries to keep safe and explain why they do not stand on chairs or run in the house stating it is 'dangerous'. She teaches them the basic rules of hygiene, such as giving reminders to cover their mouth when they cough and they rush eagerly to wash their hands before eating. They enjoy healthy substantial home-made food and get plenty of physical exercise as they play in the nearby park or go for walks along the riverbank to feed the horses, thus, adopting healthy lifestyles, which contributes to their overall wellbeing. 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 1 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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