Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 306689 Inspection date 26/01/2011 Inspector Sue Birkenhead

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and their two children, aged 15 and 11. The family live in the Gatley area of Stockport, Cheshire, close to schools, local facilities and transport links. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. Family pets include a dog.

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Description of the childminding

This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years at any one time. She is currently minding five children three of whom are within the early years age group, on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends local toddler groups weekly.

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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

Overall the provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a welcoming, inclusive environment where children settle well, are happy and secure. She promotes many of the welfare requirements with success. However, she has overlooked including all aspects of the premises in her risk assessment, which is a breach in the requirements. The childminder uses her developing knowledge of the learning and development requirements to complete observations, which suitably monitor the children's progress. Close relationships develop with parents to ensure a consistent approach to meeting the children's needs and suitable links develop with other settings children attend. The childminder shows an appropriate commitment to the continuous improvement of her service; however systems for monitoring and reflecting on her practice are in the early stages.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure the risk assessment identifies all aspects of the premises that need to be checked on a regular basis, with particular reference to the garden and maintain a record of these particular aspects (Suitable premises, environment and equipment)(also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 09/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 use the observations to plan appropriate play and learning experiences based This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on children's interests and next steps in learning  use the Ofsted self-evaluation form and quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing review of the setting, to assess what the setting offers, as well as an evaluation of the areas for future development  review the policy and procedures for safeguarding children to ensure information is consistent with the local safeguarding children's welfare boards.

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the early years provision

The childminder sufficiently safeguards children because she has a positive understanding of the indicators of abuse following the relevant training she has completed. However, she is less confident about the procedures for reporting concerns. Her written policy does not clearly outline the local safeguarding procedures although safeguarding documents are in place for her to refer to. The written risk assessments in place are reviewed regularly and sufficiently outline how risks to children are minimised. However, it does not include all aspects of the premises that need to be checked regularly, such as the garden, which is a breach in the requirements. The childminder's consistent approach to maintaining records ensures the individual needs of the children are met, parent's wishes are respected and accurate detail is documented.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows an appropriate awareness of her plans to improve her practice and further develop the provision. She is committed to attending additional training, which includes a self-evaluation workshop and an overview of the Early Years Foundation Stage to further develop her knowledge. Attention given to the previous recommendations raised means the childminder is now qualified in Paediatric first aid and safety aspects, outlined have all been addressed. This contributes to the continuous development of the setting and promotes better outcomes for children's safety. However, systems for self- evaluation are currently being considered and therefore in the early stages.

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the early years provision

Close relationships are established with parents and systems for sharing information are sufficient. For example, they receive the welcome pack, complete written contracts, children's record forms and sign against entries to the accident and medication records. Parents read the numerous written policies initially making them aware of the childminder's practices and procedures. The daily, verbal feedback parents receive make them aware of their child's well-being and content of their day. A flexible approach ensures parents are closely involved in the children's transition to the childminder's care. Parents are welcome to attend with the child for periods of their choice until they feel the child is ready to be left. They engage in social events such as, trips to Blackpool, curry evenings and birthday celebrations. Some children currently attend additional settings such as the local nursery. The childminder develops appropriate links and recognises the importance

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the early years provision

of complementing the themes the nursery follows within her planning. 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 content, confident and secure within the childminder's care due to the warm caring approach she fosters and the positive relationships they develop. The range of information on display and the labelled coats pegs allocated to individual children contribute to the welcoming environment and promote children's sense of belonging. The suitable deployment of resources enables children to make independent choices about their play to support them in becoming active in their learning. In addition the childminder positively interacts with children during play, responds to babies gestures and babbles to promote the development of their early communication skills. She divides her time equally between the children, asks questions to support and extend their learning and gets down to their level to encourage none walking babies. As a result, they have fun in learning and show interest in all they do. The childminder develops a suitable understanding of the

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and outcomes for children

learning and development requirements. As a result children receive a suitable balance of adult initiated and child led opportunities to extend and challenge their learning. The completion of regular observations for each child is linked to the areas of learning, dated and contributes to the summary of the children's development. As a result, their next steps and progress they make towards the early learning goals is documented well. However, these are not used to inform the planning of activities and link next steps in learning to activities which the childminder plans for individual children.

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and outcomes for children

Children visit toddler groups weekly where they interact with others to promote their social skills. The introduction to letter recognition during activities enables children to learn about the letters associated with their names and the names of others. Children develop their literacy skills by selecting books of their choice, engaging in story times as part of the routine and regularly visit the local library. The childminder shares pictures books with babies, talks about what they see and they begin to explore books independently by turning the pages with interest. Their understanding of imagination, number and colour is promoted well throughout their play. They count the number of red tomatoes they create for the pizza they make from play dough, explain that the childminder's pizza will take 35 minutes to cook and explain by holding up three fingers the number of toys the dog has. They learn about size language and refer to the 'giant pizza'. When asked

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and outcomes for children

what giant means they say 'very big'. Children develop a positive understanding of the wider world through festivals they celebrate. They learn about the natural world as they plant, grow and care for fruit and vegetables in the garden and know they need water and sunshine to make them grow. The battery operated microphone introduces children to basic technology and they enjoy singing their favourite songs with confidence. The many opportunities for children to express themselves creatively include the planned Rhythm and Rhyme sessions they attend, making chocolate spiders in recognition of Halloween and other planned activities using a variety of resources. Many opportunities contribute to the development of children's future skills. Children indicate they feel safe as they confidently move away from the childminder to explore and older children say they feel safe because the childminder is 'lovely'. In addition they take part in regular

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and outcomes for children

emergency evacuations to promote their understanding of staying safe. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are provided with a balanced healthy diet, which incorporate many fresh fruits and home cooked meals. Children learn to recognise foods that are good for them and comment that fresh fruit is 'healthy' and the provision of regular drinks ensures they remain refreshed and hydrated. Older children have a clear understanding of personal hygiene and explain they wash their hands before meals because germs get onto your hands. Children's behaviour is managed effectively and the childminder and parents work in partnership to develop a consistent approach. As a result children learn to play cooperatively, show care and concern for others as well as tidy away resources at the childminder's request. Children are responsive to the childminder's praise which promotes their self-esteem and confidence.

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and outcomes for 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3 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 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 ensure a risk assessment of all areas of the premises is completed (suitability and safety of the premises and equipment) 09/02/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 see early years section of the report. 09/02/2011

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