Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY422925 Inspection date 12/08/2011 Inspector Thecla Grant

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and two children aged three years and five years in the Vernon park area of Stockport, close to shops parks, schools and public transport links. The whole ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. The childminder cares for children from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8am to 5.30pm. She also cares for children in school holidays. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play via a small step.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under the age of eight years at any one time, no more than two of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two 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 compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local childminding group regularly. She is also a member of the National Childminding Association and holds the National Nursery Examination Board qualification (NNEB) in childcare and education.

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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 effectively supports the children in her care so that no group or individual is disadvantaged. Although planning does not focus on the children's interests, well-organised systems are in place to monitor and assess the children's learning and development. Effective arrangements exist to promote children's welfare and robust systems are in place to safeguard the children. The childminder suitably works in partnership with parents and there are some systems in place to work in partnership with others. The childminder's capacity to maintain continuous improvement is satisfactory.

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further?

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

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further?

 involve parents as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process  observe children to find out about their needs, what they are interested in and can do and analyse the observations to plan the next steps in the children's learning  make sure children are able to access all resources available to them. 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 is proactive in making sure children are safeguarded and protected. She has a sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and has devised a comprehensive policy for safeguarding children, which includes appropriate child agencies and a referral pathway. The childminder shows a high level of commitment to promoting safety. She has information on poisonous plants to ensure her garden is safe for the children to play. She also makes sure the entrance to her home and garden is inaccessible to intruders. Risk assessments are used as working documents to eliminate risks. These include the hazard, the risk and the action to be taken. All fire prevention equipment is in place and emergency practices are recorded in the logbook.

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the early years provision

The childminder is motivated to seek further improvement and monitors her provision adequately through the use of self-assessments. As a result, she has identified some areas of strength and weaknesse, such as the need to plan individually for each child instead of planning overall. The childminder has extended the range of toys in her garden to enrich outcomes for the children. Although parents share some information about their children when they first start, this does not include their children's development. Further to this, parents are not encouraged to be part of their children's observation and assessment process.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively uses resources to achieve planned goals in learning and development. Children have enough space to move around and access the toys and equipment available for them. The commitment that the childminder has to her professional development is seen in the outcomes for the children. She has also attended a paediatric first aid training course and a safeguarding course to improve the welfare of the children. Systems they in place to promote diversity are good and effectively done through the provision of resources and activities. For example, toys and equipment, which positively reflect the diversity of the local community, are enjoyed by the children. The childminder uses the resources in the community, such as the local library, to extend children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their learning environment. They independently access the activities available and make good progress across the areas of learning. Children make continuous progress in their communication skills because the childminder provides good opportunities for them to do so. For example, they make lists for their restaurant and recall the list the childminder asks them to remember. They learn new vocabulary, such as the names of the dinosaurs. Children enjoy pretend play as they dress themselves as different animals as well as pretending to be shopkeepers and police officers. They enjoy and remain engaged in this imaginative play for some time. Children's understanding of the wider world is mostly promoted through visits to different places of interests, such as the library, where they enjoy storytime and the local play area where they enjoy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

the music and movement sessions. Children learn life skills whilst shopping with the childminder. They notice what she does and engage in imaginative role play based on their own first-hand experiences. Children are confident in their surroundings and show increasing independence in selecting and carrying out activities, such as art and crafts. Their self-esteem is very well developed. As a result, they are independent and inquisitive learners.

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and outcomes for children

Children's progress in communication technology is developing well. Although children explore the workings of the till and mechanical toys are available for them to use, these are not easily accessible. Children develop their learning in problem- solving, reasoning and numeracy very well as the childminder provides a wealth of opportunities for them to do so. They practice sorting and look at differences in foods that are the same, for example, different colour lettuce. Children learn mathematical language, such as 'half' and 'quarter'. They also have opportunities to access the garden to play on the climbing frame and the wheeled toys.

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and outcomes for children

Medium-term planning is used well to help the childminder promote the areas of learning. Long-term plans include themes and topics. However, children's interests are not included in the planning. The childminder uses children's observation and assessments to show what children have learned. However, these are not analysed to plan for the next steps in their learning or for their interests.

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and outcomes for children

Children know what is expected of them and have a clear understanding of how to stay safe. They know what to do in case of emergency and the best place to cross the road. Children constantly learn how to be safe as they play, because the childminder reminds them. For example, they know that after the art and craft activity they must not walk with the scissors in their hands. Children show a good awareness of healthy living as they discuss why they need to wash their hands before meals and know that before lunch the table has to be wiped. Children are beginning to gain an understanding of diversity. They play with the toys and equipment available. These positively reflect the community. Children are well behaved and are beginning to form a positive attachment with the childminder. 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 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 2 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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