Childminder in Stockport

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY348696 Inspection date 09/12/2011 Inspector Julie Firth

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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 husband and daughter aged four years in the Cheadle area of Stockport. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and there are five children on roll and two of these children are in the early years age range. 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 is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support from Stockport Sure Start.

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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 provides a happy, welcoming environment, in which children's welfare is successfully promoted. She has worked hard to gain a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and activities are exciting and help children to develop good skills. Tracking systems are developing to indicate children's good progress towards the early learning goals. There is a successful partnership with parents; they are consulted and involved and kept well informed of their children's daily routines, care and learning. Also, positive links with Sure Start ensure continuity of education and care. The childminder is beginning to use self-evaluation to monitor the service provided and review the setting since the last inspection.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure assessment is used effectively to track children's ongoing progress  develop self-evaluation to monitor and review the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She is aware of the procedures to follow should she be concerned about a child's welfare. She has undertaken recent training and has taken time out to become familiar with the cafe process. Official identification documents are thoroughly checked before any person not known at the setting is allowed to enter. A record of visitors to the setting is maintained and all other aspects of documentation relating to the welfare of the children are in place, are of a good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 standard and are stored to respect confidentiality. The premises are very safe and rigorous risk assessments have been conducted for all areas of the premises used for childminding and for outing. Trips are well planned to enable children to have fun in a safe environment. The childminder works hard to provide a stimulating

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the early years provision

learning environment for children. The room displays educational posters to help children to recognise letters and numbers. A good range of clearly labelled accessible resources are available to allow children to acquire new knowledge and skills.

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the early years provision

The childminder has worked with Sure Start to ensure that all actions are met. She is aware of her strengths and understands any areas for development. However, self-evaluation is not fully up to date to enable her to reflect and review her setting. Plans for the future are well targeted and she has strived to ensure all actions that were set at the last inspection are met. For example, relevant paperwork is now signed for medicines and consent is now sought for emergency treatment. Also, evidence of good planning and photographs in the learning journals demonstrate that children are making a good progress around all their areas of learning. She now clearly understands the importance of observing and recording children's achievements as they take part in the exciting activities in the childminder's home.

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the early years provision

The childminder strives to provide a service that is inclusive to both families and children. She recognises the importance of welcoming children with special educational needs and/or disabilities into a sharing and very inclusive environment. New children are settled in gradually and she obtains all relevant information from parents to ensure welfare needs are met well in practice. The childminder also works with parents to identify and agree children's starting points and skilfully builds on their likes and interests. Parents are encouraged to contribute to the planning of activities, share a daily diary and add comments to their children's learning journey. Furthermore, parents are very happy with the care their children receive and are delighted that they can now observe how their children are developing. Links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework that children attend have been thought of. For example, she

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the early years provision

understands the importance of sharing the summary sheet which indicates the progress that children make across all outcomes. She has worked with Sure Start to ensure all safety aspects and learning programmes are robust across the setting.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early years practice and links activities to the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has a good understanding of children's likes, dislikes and capabilities. She makes good use of questioning to encourage them to become independent thinkers. Regular observations and photographs are used to inform planning and focussed activities are evaluated and enhanced to continually improve practice. Photographic evidence demonstrates children participating in exciting stimulating activities and she plans for the next steps of learning. However, although tracking systems are starting to monitor This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's progress, they are still ongoing across all areas of learning. The day is well organised to provide children with a good balance of rest, learning and play. Children play happily together and clearly enjoy the time that they spend with the

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and outcomes for children

childminder and her daughter. They develop a good sense of belonging within the setting and access toys and join in conversation confidently. They enjoy visits to the library and happily sit and read with the childminder. Children's personal skills are well promoted as they feed and dress themselves, make friends and learn to follow instructions. This helps to foster their confidence and independence. The childminder ensures children have time to experiment, explore and re-visit their experiences and knows when to intervene and offer suggestions and explanations.

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and outcomes for children

Children access a good selection of mark-making materials and have opportunities to write. Children have lots of good first-hand experiences to learn about the natural and wider world as they enjoy trips out to post a letter, feed the ducks in the park and look at animals on the farm. They enjoy watching their sunflowers grow in the childminder's garden. Opportunities are planned to celebrate festivals and enjoy activities around Diwali and Chinese new year. They make Easter cards to take home for their parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children have opportunities to count and calculate as opportunities naturally arise, such as when counting in everyday situations. They recognise shapes and numbers and create patterns. They are given opportunities to engage in role play as they take the blood pressure of their doll in the hospital. Physical play outside is well promoted. Children thoroughly enjoy the time they spend outdoors, running around in the fresh air and using their physical skills on the large range of toys and equipment available. They enjoy listening and dancing to music using the instruments available for them. This results in children recognising that exercise is very much part of a healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, babies are encouraged to take their first steps and have access to equipment to enable them to reach and grasp.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from being cared for in a home which is very clean, warm and well maintained. Stringent hygiene routines and very good cleaning rotas are followed to ensure children's good health. For example, children are fully aware of hand washing after activities and take part in events that promote their health and hygiene. They develop an awareness of healthy eating. A very well-balanced and nutritious diet is in place to aid their growth and development. Displayed menus indicate a wealth of home-made foods. Drinks are also offered to young children throughout the day and the childminder is attentive to their individual needs. From an early age children learn the importance of sharing and taking turns. Good behaviour is displayed and the frequent use of praise helps children feel good about themselves. The childminder acts as a very good role and lots of good interaction and cuddles from the childminder helps them to settle and become

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and outcomes for children

familar with their new surroundings. 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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