Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 306644 Inspection date 04/08/2011 Inspector Liz Whitehead

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and three children aged 14, 18 and 21 years in Stockport. The ground floor and one bedroom of the property are used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a guinea pig. The childminder is registered to care for children on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age group. She has two children in the early years age group on roll. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

All the required records, policies and procedures are generally well maintained, consistently implemented and effectively promote the children's care and well- being. The childminder establishes professional relationships with parents enabling her to efficiently meet the children's differing needs. Although children do not currently attend any other settings the childminder is developing links to ensure children experience a smooth transition into nursery and school. Effective self- evaluation includes areas to develop and enables children to make good progress towards the early learning goals.

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further?

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

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further?

 support the two-way flow of information to parents by updating the safeguarding children procedure to reflect actual practice  maintain confidentiality in children's daily diaries.

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the early years provision

The childminder is fully committed to protecting the children in her care. She has a sound knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and how to report any concerns. However, this is not fully reflected in the written safeguarding children procedure. The childminder accurately records existing injuries, accidents and any medication administered to children. To further protect children all adults living on the premises have undergone the required suitability checks. The childminder completes and regularly reviews risk assessments. These detail hazards to children to keep them safe indoors, outdoors and on outings. The many policies and procedures, which are unique to the setting and consistently shared with parents, effectively contribute towards the children's well-being. Daily discussions and displayed information keep the parents fully This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

informed regarding their children's care and learning. This is supplemented with written information in children's individual daily diaries; although these sometimes name other children that does not fully maintain confidentiality.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic about her role and keen to enhance the outcomes for children through regularly accessing relevant training. This enables her to value the children's uniqueness and meet their differing needs effectively. The childminder consistently reflects on her practice; effective self-evaluation and plans for the future enable her to provide a high quality service. Since the last inspection she has successfully introduced planning, profiles and risk assessments. The childminder is proactive in developing links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure that services complement each other and ease children's transition between settings. Children are developing a sound awareness regarding the diversity of the world. They have daily access to a wide range of equipment that promotes positive images of race, gender and disability. This includes dolls, books, celebrating festivals and tasting food from other cultures.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of local resources, such as parks, shops and the library to develop children's awareness of their community effectively. They are learning about protecting the environment through sorting items for composting and recycling and regularly reusing items in their play.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure within the setting. They share warm and trusting relationships with the childminder and enjoy her company. They behave well and learn right from wrong through the consistent and realistic boundaries set by the childminder. She praises and supports children in their play, effectively developing their self-esteem. Children are confident decision makers and independently move between the areas of play selecting the toys they wish to play with. The childminder knows the children well and carries out regular observations. She uses this information to plan the next steps in their learning, enabling children to make sound progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder actively seeks opportunities for parents to be involved in their children's learning. They regularly discuss children's interests and activities to enable continuous learning at the childminders and at home. For example, the childminder has planned a number of

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and outcomes for children

activities following a child's recent trip to the zoo.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing skills for the future as they access information and communication technology. They are really proud as they are rewarded with lights and sounds as they press relevant buttons on programmable toys. Young children have a wonderful time listening to a range of sounds and tones as they bang a variety of objects on the table. They quickly work out that the harder they shake home-made musical instruments the louder the sound they make. Children have many opportunities to draw, practise writing and express themselves creatively. They show a real pride in their achievements as they regularly take their masterpieces home to share with their parents. The childminder naturally extends children's awareness in colour by encouraging children to find out what happens This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 when they mix colours together.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing a good understanding and awareness about keeping themselves safe through regularly talking about and practising road safety, and are learning the green-cross code. Through monthly practises, children are very familiar with how to leave the home quickly and safely in an emergency. The childminder skilfully enhances children's awareness through reading relevant books and recording the sound of the smoke alarm to ensure that children are not frightened by the noise. Children are very familiar with the routine of cleaning their hands before they eat. Regular discussions reinforce the importance of this to get rid of germs and keep the children healthy. They spontaneously recognise the colour of their individual towels and facecloths which reduces the risk of cross infection. Children are encouraged to make healthy choices and really enjoy snacks of fresh fruit; they are encouraged to use their senses to experience more unusual

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and outcomes for children

items, such as coconuts and lemons. Growing their own fruit and vegetables, including, cress, chives, lettuce and tomatoes further extends children's awareness of healthy eating and where food comes from. 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 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 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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