Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 306899 Inspection date 28/01/2011 Inspector Sue Birkenhead

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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 1988. She lives with her husband and one adult child. The family live in the Cheadle area of Stockport, Cheshire, close to local schools and transport links. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. Family pets include two cats.

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Description of the childminding

This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years at any one time. She is currently minding five children, four of whom are within the early years age group, on a part-time basis.

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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 develops an appropriate understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and as a result, the welfare, learning and development needs are generally met. Consequently children are happy and form positive relationships with the childminder, although it is not clear to see the progress they make towards the early learning goals. As a result of the childminder overlooking an aspect of safety within her home, there is a breach in the requirements relating to children's safety. The childminder develops positive relationships with parents and recognises the need to establish links with others settings children may attend in the future. She shows some commitment to the continuous development of her service and systems for self-evaluation are in the early stages.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure furniture in the lounge is safe, with particular reference to the glass doors in the television unit. (Suitable premises, equipment and environment) 11/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems for self-evaluation to assess what the setting offers, the impact on children and specific areas for future development taking into account parents views  ensure regular observations are completed which are linked to the areas of learning, used to inform individual planning and clearly assess the children's progress towards the early learning goals This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop further partnership with parents to involve them in their child's continuous learning and obtain children's developmental starting points on entry to the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder keeps up to date with safeguarding training recognising the important role she plays in protecting children. She clearly recognises the signs of abuse and the procedures for reporting concerns. The informative risk assessments are regularly reviewed, cover all aspects of the house as well as outings, highlighting how risks are minimised in the main. However, the safety of the glass television unit in the lounge has been overlooked, therefore posing a risk to children's safety, which means there is a breach in the welfare requirements. Suitable systems for documenting information are consistent and appropriately organised to ensure the welfare needs of the children are met. The childminder has addressed the previous recommendations raised, as a result children have access to a small range of natural materials, the child protection contacts are in place and the outdoor area has been made safe. Additional training she has

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the early years provision

attended includes safeguarding, self-evaluation, the Early Years Foundation Stage and safe working practice. This therefore supports the continuous development of the setting and promotes better outcomes for children. The childminder is in the early stages of using the self-evaluation form to reflect on her practice. She makes basic reference to how she promotes children's learning and development as well as areas for further improvement.

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the early years provision

The systems in place for sharing information are sufficient and include the completion of the children's records, contracts, verbal exchange daily and they sign against all entries to records. Some information, such as, the certificate of registration, complaints policy and the parents poster are on display. In addition parents initially receive copies of the several written policies which make them aware of the childminder's practice and procedures. However, information regarding the children's developmental starting points is not exchanged initially. Children's observations are not shared to further involve parents in their child's continuous learning and development. Parents contribute to the inspection by providing written references. They comment positively about the abundance of creative activities and visits to places of interest involving the children and refer to the positive relationships the childminder builds to promote their security and

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the early years provision

confidence. They describe the childcare as 'excellent' and the childminder as 'professional and competent'. The children currently cared for do not attend other settings. However, the childminder is aware of the need to develop links in the future should this change to complement the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settle well because the childminder devotes her day to their care and learning. She positively interacts with the children, explains what they do and through the questions she asks strives to extend their learning and encourage them to have fun in this process. They respond effectively to the childminder's interaction share laughter and enjoyment. The suitable deployment of resources contributes to the appropriate welcoming and inclusive environment. As a result, children explore freely, make choices in their play becoming active in their learning. The brief summary of the daily routine incorporates some planned activities relating to places they visit and activities, which supports an appropriate balance of child initiated and adult led activities. However, planning is neither individual to children nor linked to observations the childminder completes to reflect how their next steps in learning are taken forward. Individual observations

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and outcomes for children

are few in number and supported in parts by photographic evidence. Although they contain some brief reference to the children's next steps they are not linked to the areas of learning or sufficient in detail to clearly monitor the progress they make.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop their social skills as they visit local parents and toddlers to take part in group activities. The singing of number rhymes and counting items as they walk to school encourages the children's interest in numeracy. The childminder shares interactive books with young children and is responsive to young children's attempts to repeat words. They talk about what they see, are keen to lift the flaps to reveal what is underneath and press the buttons to activate the animal noises. A variety of books are easily accessible to the children, which they can access independently and they also visit the library regularly. Consequently, there are opportunities for children from a young age to develop their literacy skills. Many activities encourage children to express themselves creatively as well as promote their learning of colour and shape. For example, they create pictures using a variety of different media such as, self adhesive and foil shapes, tissue paper as

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and outcomes for children

well as paints. They compare glitter to rain as they shake the container over their picture and announce 'it's raining glitter'. They dress up in the hats, different costumes, explore musical instruments, dance and sing spontaneously. Children have fun making people from play dough using a variety of resources. Children learn about the wider world as they recognise and celebrate more familiar festivals such as Easter and Christmas through their art work and enjoy the experience of the visiting fire officers and fire engine.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder respects the parent's wishes to provide meals for their individual children and stores them in-line with food safety regulations. In addition the childminder provides healthy snacks of fresh fruit and raisins. Within the daily routine children develop a suitable understanding of personal health and hygiene from a young age. For example, they wash their hands before meals, using liquid soap and paper towels to minimise the risk of cross infection. Children learn to stay safe as the childminder makes them aware of the hazards and consequences of their actions during discussion. Young children snuggle into the childminder when tired or unsure of visitors. They practise fire evacuation, learn about road safety This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and stranger danger when out and about. Positive methods for managing children's behaviour are in place and include regular praise and rewards to

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and outcomes for children

promote self-esteem and confidence. As a result they are polite, well behaved and learn to show care and concern for others. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 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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