Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 307013 Inspection date 27/01/2011 Inspector Barbara Wearing

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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 1994. She lives with her adult son in the Reddish area of Stockport. The children have access to the whole of the ground floor which consists of the sitting room, conservatory and kitchen. Bathroom facilities are situated on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder may care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently eight children on roll, of whom five are in the early years age group. Children can be taken to and collected from local schools. The childminder offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. She is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children with English as an additional language. She is registered to provide overnight care for 2 children under 8 at any one time.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Borough of Stockport Childminding Association. She is an accredited member of an approved childminding network and the disabilities network. The childminder works closely with Stockport Social Services as a member of both the Day Care Scheme (providing respite care for families in need) and the Short Breaks Project (providing support to families who are experiencing difficulties to prevent family breakdown). She gains support from the local authority and works closely with other professionals.

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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 provides children and families with a warm and caring environment. She values them highly and nurtures their individual personalities. Extremely effective partnerships are in place with other agencies and early years professionals to ensure that children's individual needs are met and their protection assured. Children engage in a range of stimulating experiences, enabling them to develop a good range of skills and knowledge for their future. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to developing her knowledge and understanding of early years. Her effective self-evaluation processes have ensured that the vast majority of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are met and has resulted in many improvements to her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain information from parents about who has legal contact with the child and who has parental 17/02/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare).

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance observation, assessment and planning systems, ensuring that they clearly show children's achievements in all areas of learning, show intended next steps, show how the children will be supported in achieving these, and review and track children's progress towards their next steps and the early learning goals  record information gathered from parents regarding children's abilities when they are admitted to the provision, to establish starting points from which to track children's development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the local authority's child protection procedures and of her role in safeguarding children. She is aware of the signs of abuse and works closely with other agencies and parents to ensure children are protected from harm. Risks of accidental injury are reduced as the childminder carries out comprehensive risk assessments for trips out and has adequate risk assessments for areas of the home used for childminding. Most necessary records and policies and procedures are in place, further promoting children's safety and wellbeing. However, there is not a clear record of who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child. This is a breach of requirements. Nevertheless, the impact to children is minimal as the childminder has clear policies for the collection of children and knows parents and families very well.

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the early years provision

The daily and weekly routine and childminder's home are well organised, optimising the learning opportunities for children. Children enjoy making choices from the range of freely accessible toys and resources available to them. These offer good stimulation in most areas of learning and are enhanced as the children regularly attend carefully chosen toddler groups and other local facilities. The childminder shows a high regard for ensuring that her setting is inclusive and welcoming to all. She has a range of toys and resources that show positive images of our diverse society and posters showing sign language and different scripts. She ensures that parents are fully aware of her commitment to caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and is proactive in encouraging all children to value and respect each other. They attend groups such as song and rhyme at a local integrated nursery provision and all children learn basic sign language.

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the early years provision

Excellent support is given to children and families who speak English as an additional language. Therefore, children are confident communicators, outgoing and have high self-esteem.

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the early years provision

Since her last inspection, the childminder has completed a thorough self-evaluation that has included a review of all areas of her provision. This has enabled her to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 implement the vast majority of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and to identify areas to develop. Attendance at a wide range of courses, the completion of a level 3 childcare qualification and foundation course in early years, demonstrate the childminder's passion for early years.

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the early years provision

Superb partnerships have been established with other early years professionals. These have a significant impact on promoting children's welfare and in supporting them in their play and learning. The childminder and other children visit new children in their current early years settings. This helps to forge friendships and gives the childminder the opportunity to discuss their often complex needs with key workers and support workers from other agencies. The childminder is involved in the local Sure Start Children's Centre and passes on relevant early years information to parents. As a result a number of fathers have attended the local 'dads' group'.

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the early years provision

The childminder has strong relationships with parents and families and knows them well. She is flexible to ensure that families' individual needs are met and that their individual circumstances are respected. Parents are given good quality information regarding the childminder's practices and the activities and achievements of their children. This allows parents to make informed choices about the care of their children and maintains a consistent approach. The childminder records information regarding children's individual needs and family and special people in their lives. She discusses their abilities when they start with her but these are not recorded to establish starting points for their future development. Feedback from parents is very positive and shows the high regard they have for the childminder. They find her approachable and particularly appreciate how she works together with them, helping their children settle and

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and outcomes for children

The childminder keeps a book for each child with a very personalised record of their achievements and special events. This includes events and achievements at home and while they are with the childminder. It shows skills children are attaining and has recently included more detailed observations of adult-led activities children have engaged in. However, they do not clearly show children's skills and abilities in all areas of learning, intended next steps or track their progress towards the early learning goals. Nevertheless, the childminder supports children well, giving them challenges that promote their good progress in all areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is a positive role model to children. She has high expectations of them and has clear and consistent boundaries. Children play happily within these and treat each other and adults with a great deal of care and respect. They enthusiastically welcome their friends and assist the childminder in the daily routine. They tidy away before they go home and say good night to younger children when they go for a sleep, thereby creating a strong sense of belonging. Children develop many skills to keep themselves safe. They learn about road safety and are aware of their own and others' rights, for example, their right to privacy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 when using the potty or going to toilet. They are confident and assertive and have high self-esteem as their choices are valued and they receive lots of praise and encouragement.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop good skills in communication, language and literacy. They chat eagerly to each other and the childminder. The childminder extends their language and vocabulary as she asks them questions as they play and through adult-led activities. A child spends time snuggling up on the childminder's knee, looking at and naming objects on a set of cards. They develop an understanding of linking sounds to letters as the childminder tells them the initial letter sounds to help them remember the name of the object. The childminder takes opportunities to develop children's skills in problem solving, reasoning and numeracy. Children count the cards with the childminder and correctly identify shapes on an instrument.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about their local community. They go to the local library to listen to stories and choose books, and go to the local shops weekly to buy fruit and vegetables. Children demonstrate their creative skills as they play with various instruments, listening and copying rhythms that the childminder claps and creating their own. Mark making and drawing materials are available in an accessible storage unit. Children have opportunities to use creative art and malleable materials at toddler groups. Toddler groups also enhance their opportunities to play on larger play equipment and develop their large muscle skills. Children greatly enjoy playing with the good range of role play resources. They make tea and toast for each other and adults. They pretend to wash their hands in the toy kitchen before they prepare the food, singing a 'washing hands' song as they do. This demonstrates their understanding of developing routines that promote healthy

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and outcomes for children

lifestyles. This is promoted further as they have daily opportunities for active, outdoor play and as the childminder provides them with healthy snacks and nutritious, home-cooked meals. 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 1 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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