Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY355140 Inspection date 16/05/2011 Inspector Susan Heap

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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 2007. She lives with her partner and two children aged eight and four years old in the Bredbury area of Stockport, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house and the bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age group. 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 the local school and goes to several toddler groups regularly. The family has a cat.

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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 has a good knowledge of each child's individual needs and interests. Most aspects of observation and planning are developing well. As a result, children are making steady progress in their learning and development. Good attention is given to children's health, safety and welfare at all times. Positive relationships are built up with parents from the initial meeting which ensure consistency and continuity of care. The childminder demonstrates a positive commitment to work in partnership with other settings and other professionals when necessary to ensure each child reaches their full potential.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop experiences for children to explore natural materials and everyday objects to promote their sensory development  develop the observation, assessment and planning systems to ensure each child's next steps in their learning and development are identified and met  implement a system to monitor children's progress towards the early learning goals to ensure that any gaps in their learning are identified  develop ways of encouraging parents to share their observations of their children's activities and interests to help inform future planning for their individual needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge of safeguarding procedures. She ensures that parents are fully aware of her role and responsibilities to protect all children in her care. All members of the household over the age of 16 have completed the required vetting procedures. Daily risk assessments are completed for the home. These successfully identify dangers and the appropriate steps to take to eliminate risk and keep children safe and secure. Fire drills are regularly practised and are now being recorded, which means children are learning what to do in an emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound commitment to ongoing training. This enables her to update her professional skills and care practices. She has successfully completed all recommendations raised at the last inspection. These have improved aspects of children's care, learning, health and safety and partnership working with parents. She is beginning to reflect on her daily practice. As a result, she has a good understanding of her strengths and areas which she wants to develop to improve the outcomes for children. For example, she has successfully applied for a grant to improve children's access to technology. By collecting supermarket vouchers, she is purchasing more challenging outdoor and physical play equipment. The home is clean, well-maintained and child-friendly because she organises space, time and resources well. For example, the dining room is mainly used for indoor play and children also access a range of activities in the local community to develop their

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the early years provision

Children enjoy continuity of care between their home and the childminder's home because she discusses children's routines and interests before she begins minding. Ongoing relationships with parents are formed through daily verbal contact or text message. This means that they are kept informed about children's welfare, achievements and progress. Although, ways of formally involving parents in children's learning are not fully established. She is supportive to parents needs. For example, she works flexibly to provide childcare to meet the needs of parents who work shifts. She is organised and all the required paperwork is in place to help her provide a professional service to children and their parents. She shows a strong commitment to working in partnership with other professionals, such as local school teachers or speech and language therapists. As a result, she provides an enabling environment to support children's progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare, learning and development are successfully promoted because the childminder has a good knowledge of individual children. As a result, children are settled in the childminder's care. They enjoy a variety of activities which promote their development. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of healthy eating. This is successfully promoted through a range of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 healthy, nutritious meals and snacks to support children's daily diet. Children benefit from outings and develop their understanding of the wider community through trips to the park, local library and toddler groups. They are encouraged to walk to and from some events and benefit from other activities which promote their good health and physical development, such as, ball games and wheeled toys.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very mindful of keeping children safe at all times. She reinforces good security of her premises. Children learn about keeping safe as the childminder reinforces road safety when out walking with the children which means they receive consistent messages. They understand simple instructions to keep themselves safe, such as not running indoors. Daily routines are in place, these help children settle and feel at home. The childminder interacts sensitively with children and positive methods are used to help them learn right from wrong, promote good manners, the importance of sharing and being nice to each other. They are reassured by her and demonstrate this through smiling and enjoying a cuddle. Children ask for support when needed and their concentration levels are developing. As a result, children are becoming confident and building positive relationships with her and each other.

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and outcomes for children

A suitable range of resources are available to promote learning and these are set out so that children can make independent choices in what they do. Young children have little opportunity for sensory play, such as, exploring natural materials and treasure baskets. However, they enjoy exploring a range of push- button toys which develop their understanding of technology and how things work. They beam with surprise and delight when the music plays or toys lights up, often repeating the action. Children enjoy mark making with crayons and pencils and are developing their concentration in their chosen activity They show an early interest in reading and thoroughly enjoy joining in a favourite story, 'bear hunt.' Through her observations and assessments of children's play, the childminder successfully identifies the next steps in each child's learning and development and accurately makes the links to individual areas of learning, For example, planning activities to

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and outcomes for children

develop children's physical skills or sensory experiences. However, these are in the early stages of development and do not always clearly show that the next steps have been followed through, include parents observations or give an overall picture of how children are developing. Nevertheless, the childminder's understanding and experience ensure that children make continued progress. For example, she asks open-ended questions to challenge their thinking, such as when using colourful bricks to build and balance. 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 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 2 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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