Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY267547 Inspection date 06/10/2011 Inspector Shirley Monks-Meagher

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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 2003. She lives in the Reddish area of Stockport with her husband and their four children aged 16, 14, 12 and 11 years. She uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding purposes, with bathroom facilities on the first floor. In addition, there is a dedicated playroom which leads directly to a secure outdoor play area.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, and currently has a variation to allow for four children in the early years age range. The childminder has seven children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age group. She is also registered on the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has relevant childcare qualifications equivalent to National Vocational Qualification Level 3. She is a member of the Borough of Stockport Childminding Association and the National Childminding Association. She is also a network childminder for her local authority and a link childminder for the local children's centre.

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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

Highly effective procedures and practice underpin the safety, welfare and well- being of the children, who are thriving in this child-centred environment. The dynamic partnerships with parents and others involved in the children's lives create consistency, continuity and the optimum levels of support to enable every child to reach their full potential. The childminder's underlying ethos of valuing and respecting children and their families is the catalyst of the warm, welcoming environment that is accepting of everyone. Reflective practice is critical, therefore it is successfully underpinning continual improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improving confidentiality in relation to the home books.

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the early years provision

Utmost priority is given to fostering children's safety and well-being. Policies and procedures necessary to safeguard children's welfare are well written and effectively implemented. An extremely secure understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow in the event of such concerns effectively This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensures the protection of children's welfare and well-being. Thorough risk assessment takes place and comprehensive written records are maintained. This approach effectively minimises potential hazards, enhancing all aspects of children's health and safety. Children's ability to independently manage risk is fostered extremely well. Record keeping linked to children's welfare and well-being is meticulously maintained. However, the children's home books occasionally name other children and this compromises confidentiality. Comprehensive policies and

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the early years provision

procedures are effectively shared with parents, keeping them informed of her role, responsibilities and practice. The childminder organises space and resources exceptionally well to meet children's individual needs and significantly enhance their play experiences.

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the early years provision

The childminder is passionate about the service she offers and a committed childcare practitioner. She has extremely high regard for children's well-being and her own professional development. She chooses training exceptionally well to help her better meet children's individual needs or to update her knowledge and understanding and improve her childcare practice. The childminder has an excellent capacity to sustain the high quality provision she offers and maintain continuous improvements in outcomes for the children she cares for. She is always looking for new ways to improve her service. She has recently converted her parents welcome pack so that she can email it to parents prior to attending pre- placement visits. This ensures they can ask pertinent questions because they are well informed. She reflects frequently on her service and practice, tweaking and adjusting to improve outcomes for the children who attend.

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the early years provision

High priority is given to meeting children's individual needs. She provides a fully inclusive environment where all the children can reach their full potential. Her commitment to partnership working with parents and other professionals underpins the excellent arrangements she has in place for the children who attend to receive high levels of support, enabling them to be fully integrated. For a bilingual child, she has ensured that texts in English and French are displayed to support both aspects of the child's developing communication skills. The childminder shares extremely effective working partnerships with parents that begin during effective settling-in procedures. She gathers and records a wealth of information about children's care needs, skills and abilities. Comments written by parents in children's scrap books and home books, and letters written for the inspector demonstrate high levels of satisfaction with children's well-being and

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the early years provision

progress. For example, ' the childminder is caring and protective but prepares children well for entering nursery schools settings by promoting their independence'. Parents are provided with an excellent source of information about the provision and are kept very well informed about their children's progress, enabling them to participate fully. Excellent partnerships with other settings are well established and the superb arrangements enable the childminder to complement children's care and learning in her home. This ensures consistency and continuity for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a rich and supportive environment which is very well organised and conducive to learning. Attention to inclusion threads through the provision and plays an integral part of the children's time spent with the childminder. They develop a strong sense of belonging, clearly enjoying and relishing their time spent with her and positively thriving on her interaction and attention. The children have a wealth of opportunity to learn about themselves, each other and the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

A excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage informs the highly effective procedures in place in relation to assessment and planning, enhancing all aspects of children's learning and development. Documentation clearly tracks children's learning and effectively demonstrates that teaching highly motivates the children, and as a result they make very rapid progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder provides rich, varied and imaginative activities and experiences for the children based on their interests and next steps information. Consequently, they are thoroughly engaged and very happy to participate. In addition, the children also benefit from lots of activities outside the home, which significantly enhances and widens their experiences. For example, visits to the local conservation area, the farm and the allotment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides excellent support to ensure the children's learning needs are met. She shares her attention exceedingly well and has an excellent understanding of their individual needs, characteristics and preferred learning styles based on her sensitive observations of them. She shares very warm, close relationships with the children. As a result, the children feel at ease and are secure and confident. This positive sense of well-being gives them a very secure basis from which to play, explore and develop. The children develop very good language skills and are able to convey their needs. They use language, gestures and expressions as an effective means of sharing their feelings, experiences and thoughts.

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and outcomes for children

They explore at first hand, counting, matching and problem solving using their ever growing understanding of early mathematics spontaneously in their play. For example, they sort the numbers into groups, post shapes and turn, press or push switches and levers to create sounds, flashing lights or to pop-up a character. They explore the properties of a wide range of media using all their senses, and babies are very involved filling tins with wooden animals and shaking them to make sounds, while older children explore vegetables from the allotment and natural materials from the local conservation area. They are beginning to understand the concept of change through simple activities, such as the weather and mixing paints.

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and outcomes for children

Lots of imaginative play enables the children to re-enact their own experiences to help them make sense of the world they live in. Children of all ages play harmoniously together or alongside each other, developing a good understanding of turn taking and sharing resources. Children benefit from the consistent and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effective strategies used by the childminder to manage behaviour, and as a result they behave well for their ages. The children are developing skills and attitudes which will serve them well in their future learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children have positive attitudes towards healthy lifestyles. They choose to play outdoors in the fresh air every day and are developing a good awareness of the effects exercise has on their bodies. Their large physical skills are promoted very well through age-appropriate equipment and activities that foster their strength, balance and coordination. The children enjoy healthy, appetising, home-made meals and snacks and drink water as a drink of choice. Children are developing good levels of independence with their personal hygiene, understanding when and why it is appropriate to wash their hands. The use of songs to help them master these skills works very well. 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 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 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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