Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 306733 Inspection date 20/01/2011 Inspector Angela Cuffe

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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 1994. She lives with her husband, who works as her assistant, and three children all aged over 16 years in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 (or a maximum of eight children when she is working with an assistant), no more than three of whom may be in the early years range. She is currently minding eight children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from local schools and goes to several toddler groups regularly. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and local childminding group and 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's extremely well-developed knowledge of each child's needs means that she promotes children's welfare and learning with success. Children are safe and secure and thoroughly enjoy learning about their local area and the world around them. The highly effective partnerships with parents and the local schools are a key strength and are significant in making sure that the needs of all children are met. This means that children progress exceptionally well, given their age, ability and starting points. Robust self-evaluation by the childminder and her assistant ensures that priorities for development are identified and acted on; this is particularly focused on developing collaboration with other providers of the Early Years. The childminder's commitment to training and development verifies her enthusiasm and dedication to continual development.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 enhancing the current system of collaboration with other providers to fully support children who attend other early years settings. 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 very well protected because the childminder has a secure knowledge of safeguarding procedures. She is extremely competent in recognising if a child may be at risk of harm and in liaising with appropriate agencies. A comprehensive child protection policy is shared with parents to keep them fully informed of her responsibilities. Detailed risk assessments are carried out to provide a very safe environment. The childminder and her assistant are responsible for the self- evaluation process and have completed a very detailed evaluation of their setting. They receive extremely positive feedback from parents and the children they care for and are continually looking at ways to improve, which has a positive impact on the children's care and well-being. Written policies and procedures, which truly reflect the practice, are in place and updated regularly. Children's well-being is significantly enhanced due to the exceptional organisation of the setting. This is

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the early years provision

due to the continual commitment, energy and enthusiasm of the childminder and her assistant.

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the early years provision

The exceptional liaison with parents and carers contributes to improvements in children's achievement, well-being and development. The childminder places great value in ensuring that parents develop a sense of belonging to the setting and have a say in the care and well-being of their children. For example, the childminder has regular meetings to discuss their child's progress and to plan for their future development. Parents and carers are encouraged to share what they know about their child when they first start at the setting. They complete information sheets and forms about what their child can do and their individual likes and dislikes. This information gives the childminder an excellent knowledge of each child's background and needs. The childminder is currently looking at ways to further develop the effective working partnerships with other early years settings which some children attend. The partnerships with the schools that the children

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the early years provision

move on to are excellent. The childminder is constantly focused on helping all children to make very good progress in their learning and development and in promoting their welfare. Parents speak very highly about the experienced childminder and the exemplary care and learning their children receive.

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the early years provision

Excellent use is made of space in the home and garden to continually provide a wide range of inspiring and challenging activities and experiences. The generous supply of resources is varied and used exceptionally well. This significantly supports children to achieve planned goals. The childminder actively promotes equality and diversity in the activities to enable children to gain a better understanding of different cultures and religions.

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and outcomes for children

Children make excellent progress towards the early learning goals. Emphasis is placed on children learning through play, exploration and fun. The childminder sets This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 out the activities and allows the children to choose for themselves, which positively impacts on children's independence and ability to make individual choices. The childminder's constant enthusiasm and energy ensures that children are motivated to learn. From the time they arrive the children are eager to explore the inviting and well planned environment; they confidently face every new challenge with a real interest. Children are enthusiastic learners and take a lively interest in everything they do. They demonstrate good levels of concentration and the relaxed atmosphere enables them to freely express themselves. Playing games together produces plenty of excitement and children laugh out loud as they dance

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and outcomes for children

and sing with the childminder, they march in time to 'the grand old duke of York' and then stand still with their hands by their side. They are thrilled as they watch the puppet show provided by the older children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy and well settled in the childminder's care. They confidently communicate with the childminder as she asks them open ended questions whilst reading them a story. Children show an excellent understanding of the standards of behaviour that are expected and apply these in order to keep themselves and others safe. The high quality adult interaction and organisation of routines help babies and very young children to gain an exceptionally strong sense of security. A detailed fire evacuation plan, as well as regular fire drills, enhances children's understanding of what to do should the need to evacuate the premises arise. Children develop a keen interest in nature whilst playing in the garden, during their visits to parks and other places of interest. They access large equipment such as swings, climbing frames and slides in the garden and at the local park. This helps them to develop control and coordination over their bodies.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very eager to play and join in with the activities and get excited at what they are doing. Their levels of concentration are excellent as they are allowed to spend time at their own chosen activity and go back later to consolidate their own learning and develop skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children show an exceptional understanding of healthy eating and make healthy choices at snack and meal times. They help to prepare a fruit salad and listen carefully as the childminder explains why fruit is good for you. Children follow very good hygiene practices and routines; they show a notable understanding of the importance of washing hands, brushing their teeth and using tissues. Children gain a secure understanding of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle because of their ongoing opportunities to engage in a wide range of physical activities. Children develop a positive awareness of diversity through activities and resources. They value differences and similarities in the wider world as they go on trips out or are actively involved in activities in the local and wider communities to widen their knowledge. The childminder has devised excellent files for each child which include the observations and assessments. Each observation is spontaneous

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and outcomes for children

and meaningful to the child's individual learning needs, showing clear links to their next steps and the planning. This means that the childminder is successfully meeting each child's learning and development needs and planning highly effective activities and experiences for the children. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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